CAN – Hard work, commitment to ‘system’ is the key for Team Canada

TORONTO (2010 FIBA World Championship) – Team Canada may no longer have as a weapon the most famous player in the country’s basketball history, former NBA MVP Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns.

But what Leo Rautins’ side does possess in abundance are gritty, never-say-die players who shocked the Dominican Republic 80-76 last year to reach the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Americas Championship.

That four-point triumph qualified the team for a place at this year’s FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

None of the players were more important in that game than Jermaine Anderson, the converted point guard who killed the Dominicans last summer with a five-of-eight effort from long range and finished with 21 points.

“You can be successful as an individual or as a country without having a guy like Steve Nash on the team,” Anderson said.

“We don’t have any superstars, we just have a bunch of guys that work hard and we believe in the system that the coaching staff draws up for us and we go out there and try to execute it.

“Right now it’s gotten us to Turkey.”

Canada will take on some very difficult sides at the 24-team event.

In the Preliminary Round, the Canadians will go up against Spain, France, Lithuania, Lebanon and New Zealand.

“I don’t think a lot of people expect us to do anything at this tournament but I think we’re going to shock a lot of people,” Anderson said.

“It’s going to be a great tournament for us.”

FIBA