Canada - “Rock” leads underdog Canadians

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At the podium for a Basketball Canada press conference at the Air Canada Centre the Senior Men’s team managing director Maurizio Gherardini and head coach Leo Rautins sit patiently. They are there to push Canada’s ever-evolving warm up schedule that will include China and a set versus France at the ACC as preparation for their appearance at the upcoming FIBA World Basketball Championship in Turkey this summer. The internationally renowned Gherardini has helped engineer this as part of a new committee designed to improve Basketball Canada’s programs and global presence. Both he and Rautins have substantial name power on the Canadian hoops scene, but right now they are listening to the man they flank in front of the gathered media. They are listening to Jermaine Anderson.

“Growing up in the Downsview park area, now to have a chance to play where the Toronto Raptors play, is definitely a blessing,” says Anderson. His voice creaks but doesn’t crack.

“It’s been six long years and you can hear it in my voice. I sound timid but at the same time I’m excited.”

Anderson is talking about the long and winding road of the Canadian Men’s basketball program, one he has traveled unflinchingly as a player for over half the decade. It has, in most ways, been a journey back to respectability after the program peaked with a seventh place finish at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Since then the celebrated Jay Triano has been replaced by Rautins as bench boss and the hoops hero of those Olympic games – NBA icon Steve Nash – has all but retired from international competition. The Canadians have not even played in a FIBA World Championship since 2002.

“Rock kind of exemplifies what our team is about,” Rautins told the assembly in reference to Anderson. The nick “Rock” was bestowed upon the 6-2 guard because of his chiseled frame and cool demeanor in the crunch. Both have been developed over time and Rautins has seen and, at times, guided the growth.

“He came in and he’s developed every year and gotten better to become one of the premier point guards that is going to be out there playing this summer.”

At 27 years of age Anderson will be entering the prime of his career in 2010, one that has taken him through Germany, Poland and in 2009-10 to Croatia. Like many of his Team Canada mates the European leagues provide both a living and the international experience to help battle the world competition. Last season with Cedevita Zagreb Anderson was their standout guard, leading the team in assists and serving as a solid scorer and defender. His shot selection is a big selling point and his physical conditioning allows him to stay frenetic on both sides of the ball.

“When you’re playing against the best in the world there is no choice but to get better,” explains Anderson. “When you’re playing against USA, Greece, Turkey… it just helps you. For us, going over there, learning the European game and then coming back over does wonders when playing in the summertime.”

A two-guard for most of his career, Anderson was persuaded by Rautins to play the point position for a Canadian squad that was lacking floor leadership along with speed and strength in the backcourt. There was also a lack of available talent at the position. From that generalship Anderson has not only begun to emerge as the point guard the coaching staff envisioned but also as the heart and soul of a team he can now call his own.

“We put so much into it as individuals and as a team and it’s such an honor to play for your country,” says Anderson. “For me, I give so much of myself during the summers – working out, doing yoga, lifting and running – while I should be resting. My teammates do the same thing. Hopefully we can shock the world.”

Again.

The first surprise came when Canada defeated the Dominican Republic at the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship in Puerto Rico to secure their spot in Turkey. Beating a Dominican team that featured NBA bigs like Al Horford, Francisco Garcia and Charlie Villanueva to snag the last ticket for the World championships provided the kind of swagger that can only be provided by success.

“We lost the Uruguay game and we felt that we were done and thought that we had lost our opportunity,” Anderson recalls. “(Then) we beat a team nobody thought we could beat and one that was definitely more talented than us on paper. Hopefully that gives us confidence going into the (FIBA) world championship.”

Anderson was the truth in that game, connecting on five of his eight three-point attempts and finishing with 21 points. Just as big were his five assists and play in the crunch alongside Syracuse schooled shooting guard Andy Rautins. It was the type of game-saving point guard performance not seen since the days of Nash and unfairly, Anderson has had to listen to observers and talking heads pine for the return of “Captain Canada” while he reconfigured his own game to replace him. His spot-clinching performance in Puerto Rico at least slowed the critics.

“Everybody said we couldn’t do anything without Steve,” says Anderson. “To have some success without having Steve here, it’s more for the younger guys. You can be successful as an individual or as a country without having a guy like Steve Nash on the team. 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.”

The next step will be tricky. Despite Anderson’s confidence in his band of generation “next-ers” he admits that the addition of some big league talent wouldn’t hurt. Canada fields one of the youngest teams on the circuit and adding veteran experience is vital to their underdog shot of earning at spot in London for the 2012 Olympics. Miami heat forward Joel Anthony has been a regular while San Antonio Spurs forward Matt Bonner is in the process of becoming a Canadian citizen and could eventually play. Long time hold out and NBA veteran Jamaal Magloire remains a long shot. Anderson however, sends a call of caution.

“None of those guys are Steve,” he warns. “The guys we have – Joel and hopefully Bonner’s going to play - are guys that buy into the system. They don’t say, ‘Well, because I’m an NBA guy I’m going to do this or my own thing’. They’re just like everybody else. When you have guys like that who believe and work hard it helps us.”

When Anderson talks about belief he isn’t referring to Sacramento Kings center Samuel Dalembert. When his attitude began to rub teammates and coaches the wrong way (the word “entitlement” has been the polite description) Rautins booted Dalembert out of the program in the middle of the FIBA 2008 qualifying tournament in Greece.

“It’s disappointing for sure,” said coach Rautins at the time. “But I think you have to have players who are a 100% committed to it. ??

“If not, it’s not going to happen for us.”??

Canada failed to make the cut for the Beijing Olympics that summer and the loss of Dalembert was noticeable. Despite the disappointment the more important message of team unity had been sent and was a powerful motivational tool in Puerto Rico. Anderson in particular, has carried that message well.

“When you look at him from the outside he seems quiet but he is very passionate,” says Rautins moments after leaving the podium. “He’s been through a lot. For years it was like: “You don’t have Steve? Well, who do you have?” Here’s a guy who wasn’t a natural point guard. We had to develop him into a point guard and he is at a point now where he can play with anybody. He’s had this tremendous commitment to playing for Canada even when people weren’t necessarily supporting him. It was a great moment (when) he stepped up as big as anybody in the biggest game, which tells you what he’s all about.

“It’s been fun to see the growth.”

Look beyond the well-honed physique and the stone cold clutch play and the tag “Rock” has come to mean so much more for Anderson. He may never be the most talented or naturally gifted player on the court but his approach ensures that nobody will be working harder and few will be more prepared when called upon to perform. The name “Rock” has now mostly come to represent the piece of foundation that Anderson’s game, sacrifices and attitude have contributed to the national program, helping to give it something new and fresh to stand on heading into the world championship.

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