Tag: FIBA

Canada’s World Cup coach applauds defensive clinic by Dillon Brooks

“Dillon [Brooks] put on a defensive clinic, and it should be in a FIBA museum at some point,” says Jordi Fernandez, head coach of Canada’s national team.

On both ends of the court, and particularly on defense, Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks has made quite an impression with his play for Canada in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Brooks was a force, yet again, in Wednesday’s quarterfinals win over Slovenia, which sent Canada into Friday’s semifinal versus Serbia. Brooks spent significant time covering Slovenia’s Luka Doncic, a superstar with the rival Dallas Mavericks, and helped limit the perennial NBA MVP contender to 8-of-20 shooting (40.0%).

Jordi Fernandez, head coach of Canada’s men’s basketball national team, was blunt in his assessment of Brooks’ showing versus Slovenia. Aris Barkas of EuroHoops.net captured his comments from Manila:

I think yesterday we did a great job as a team defensively, and especially Dillon put on a defensive clinic. It should be in a FIBA museum at some point.

Complete video of Fernandez’ comments is available below. As for what’s next, the tip of Friday’s semifinal between Canada and Serbia is 3:45 a.m. Central, with the game televised on ESPN+.

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Dillon Brooks hilariously wore boxing gloves to greet his teammates after FIBA World Cup quarterfinal ejection

This was so cold from Dillon Brooks.

Dillon Brooks had quite the day at the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Wednesday.

Ahead of Canada’s quarterfinal match against Slovenia, Brooks was booed heartily by fans at Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. Brooks met the boos head on by blowing a kiss to the crowd after knocking down a first quarter 3-pointer, incensing the fans even further.

Everything came to a head when Brooks was ejected for taunting Luka Dončić later in the game, but Canada had things well in hand for a 100-89  victory to move onto the 2023 FIBA World Cup semifinals. Afterwards, however, Brooks was seen donning boxing gloves as he awaited the return of his teammates to the locker room from Canada’s big victory.

Despite the ejection, it’s no wonder Brooks was in high spirits after the game. Canada knocked off Slovenia and Brooks was a pest all over the court, getting under nearly everyone’s skin in “the full Dillon Brooks experience“.

Here’s how basketball fans reacted to Brooks wearing boxing gloves to greet his Canadian teammates after their big FIBA World Cup win.

PHOTOS: Dillon Brooks duels Luka Doncic as Canada advances to World Cup semifinals

“A lot of people don’t like him, but I respect him for what he does, and he does that stuff really good,” Luka Doncic said of his World Cup matchup with Dillon Brooks.

Basketball fans around the globe enjoyed the full Dillon Brooks experience during Wednesday’s 2023 FIBA World Cup quarterfinals matchup in Manila between Canada and Slovenia.

Brooks, who will play for the Houston Rockets in the 2023-24 NBA season, had 14 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes, shooting 5-of-7 (71.4% FG) overall and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%). Defensively, Brooks made life difficult for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who shot just 8-of-20 from the field (40.0%) as Canada downed Slovenia to advance to the semifinals, 100-89 (box score).

Naturally, there was also some extracurricular activity. Brooks often blew kisses to a booing crowd in Manila, and with Canada holding a large fourth-quarter lead, he picked up a second technical foul for taunting and was ejected. Shortly thereafter, Doncic was ejected for picking up his own second technical, seemingly agitated by Brooks.

“A lot of people don’t like him, but I respect him for what he does, and he [Brooks] does that stuff really good,” Doncic said postgame.

With the win, Canada advanced to the World Cup semifinals, where a matchup versus Serbia awaits on Friday.

In photos, here’s a look back at Wednesday’s activity. Highlights, analysis, interviews, and postgame reaction are available here.

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Dillon Brooks excels before ejection as Canada routs Slovenia, reaches World Cup semifinals

#Rockets forward Dillon Brooks had another strong game versus Slovenia as Canada advanced to the World Cup semifinals. He also made headlines with a late ejection.

Coming off a brilliant performance in the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks did much of the same for Canada in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

Brooks had 14 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes, shooting 5-of-7 (71.4% FG) overall and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%). Defensively, Brooks made life very difficult for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who shot 8-of-20 from the field (40%) as Canada downed Slovenia to advance to the semifinals, 100-89 (box score).

Naturally, there was also some extracurricular activity. Brooks often blew kisses to a booing crowd in Manila, and with Canada holding a large fourth-quarter lead, he picked up a second technical foul for taunting and was ejected. Shortly thereafter, Doncic was ejected for picking up his own second technical, seemingly agitated by Brooks.

“A lot of people don’t like him, but I respect him for what he does, and he does that stuff really good,” Doncic said postgame of Brooks.

With the win, Canada advanced to the World Cup semifinals, where a matchup versus Serbia looms on Friday.

Read on for highlights, analysis, interviews, and social media reaction to Brooks’ strong showing versus Doncic and Slovenia.

On the growth of the FIBA World Cup and international basketball

Though there are no current Celtics in the World Cup, there’s several alumni still standing to root for.

There may be no active Boston Celtics in the 2023 FIBA World Cup after Oshae Brissett, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis elected to sit out the international tourney. That does not mean there aren’t plenty of other international players, including some former Boston players, suiting up to try to win it.

To discuss the health of the international hoops scene and the FIBA tournament on their eponymous “Bob Ryan, Jeff Goodman, and Gary Tanguay” podcast, the CLNS Media analysts convened recently.

From the strength of USA Basketball vs. the field to the international players’ current impact on the NBA, this pod is wire-to-wire focused on how the game has grown beyond the borders of the NBA’s traditional haunts.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear it.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Dillon Brooks steps up as Canada rallies past Spain, stays alive at World Cup

With 22 points (66.7% FG) and strong defense, #Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was a clear standout as Canada rallied past Spain to advance at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Despite trailing most of the way in an elimination game for both sides, Canada played its way into the 2023 FIBA World Cup quarterfinals with Sunday’s 84-80 win (box score) over Spain.

Perhaps the biggest reason was Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks, who had a massive impact on both ends of the court as Canada rallied to a thrilling victory in Jakarta, Indonesia. The win also clinched a spot for Canada in the 2024 Summer Olympics, which will mark their first men’s basketball appearance since 2000.

Brooks finished with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 27 minutes, shooting 8-of-12 from the field (66.7%) and 3-of-3 on 3-pointers. The Canadians were plus-13 in those minutes, best of any player on the floor, in a statement win over FIBA’s top-ranked team.

Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada with 30 points and 7 assists, while former NBA player Willy Hernangomez was strong in defeat with 25 points and 6 rebounds for Spain.

Read on for a compilation of highlights and social media observations from Brooks’ superb performance in Sunday’s game. The eight-team quarterfinals will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Brooks and Canada set to face off against Luka Doncic and Slovenia.

Former Rockets big Donatas Motiejunas helps Lithuania shock USA

With Jonas Valančiūnas in foul trouble, former #Rockets big man Donatas Motiejunas played a key role Sunday as Lithuania upset Team USA at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Former Houston Rockets big man Donatas Motiejunas hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2018-19 season, but the 32-year-old remains an active professional basketball player in Europe.

At the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Team USA and its cast of NBA players learned Motiejunas can still compete at their level.

In Lithuania’s shocking 110-104 upset (box score) of the Americans, Motiejunas played a key role. With New Orleans Pelicans star Jonas Valančiūnas limited by foul trouble, the seven-footer took on an expanded frontcourt role and seized the opportunity.

Motiejunas finished with 9 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals, and the Lithuanians were plus-7 in his 21 minutes played.

Because Sunday’s game was the first U.S. loss, and it came in the second round, the Americans aren’t eliminated. Lithuania improved to 5-0 on the tournament, while Team USA is 4-1. Both will play in the eight-team quarterfinals on Tuesday and Wednesday.

But for Motiejunas, even if the stakes weren’t quite “win or go home,” it was clearly an opportunity to make a statement. He delivered.

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