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Road to Athens runs past ArgentinaIt's not like Canada hasn't been in this situation before at the Americas Olympic qualifying tournament. With a win over Argentina in one of tonight's semi-finals, Canada will have sewn up one of the three Olympic berths that the tournament offers. The United States will face Puerto Rico in the other semi-final. The Canadians were in the same position in San Juan four years ago at the same tournament, needing a semi-final win over the hometown team from Puerto Rico to qualify for 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Canada prevailed 83-71. Featuring a lineup that contains a good mix of veteran leadership and youthful enthusiasm, Canada hopes the result tonight against Argentina will be just as satisfying. "I don't know if this team is as talented or primed as the team in '99 was," said Canadian point guard Steve Nash, who was also on the squad four years ago. "But for some reason this team has a lot of toughness. We've beaten some awfully good teams and we've stuck together with a pretty new group." Even if Canada loses tonight, it will still have one more shot at gaining an Olympic spot with a win in tomorrow night's game for third place between the two losers of the semi-finals. The gold medal game will also be played tomorrow night. "I just want them to have fun," is the counsel Nash said he is providing his teammates heading into the playoffs."Enjoy yourselves, work hard, do what you've been doing and just let everything that we've done, and that they've done all summer . . . pay off on Saturday [today]. If we lose, we lose. "But if we do go out there and play the way we're capable, we won't have any regrets." Toronto Raptors, General Basketball Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Canadian coach bleeds red and whiteJay Triano has been leading a double life. As coach of Canada's men's national basketball team, Triano is considered the saviour of a program that was on rocky footing when he assumed control five years ago. In his other persona, as an assistant coach in the National Basketball Association with the Toronto Raptors, Triano is more of a bit player behind the scenes doing his best to establish himself in the often cutthroat business of professional sport. It is an interesting position for Triano, being the man who calls the shots for one team while being in a subordinate role for the other. And if ever he had to choose between the two, coaching for Canada or coaching in the NBA, Triano insists that it would be no contest at all. "I love coaching our country," Triano said during an interview earlier this week at the Americas Olympic qualifying tournament. "I think coaching in the NBA provides me an opportunity to become a better coach for our country, and that's what I like to do. This is enough stress for me. "I'll do all the dirty work that an NBA assistant has to do to learn so that I'm better when it comes to this part of my job." Triano, 44, has done a masterful job directing the Canadian squad at the 10-nation event in San Juan, from which the top three teams will earn berths into next summer's Olympic Games in Greece. Canada will have its first crack at grabbing one of those spots tonight when it squares off against tough Argentina in one of the semi-final games. The undefeated U.S. team will play Puerto Rico in the other. If Canada loses to Argentina, it will still have one more chance to lock up an Olympic berth when the two semi-final losers meet tomorrow to determine third place. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Pistons get Hunter for CurryJoe Dumars continued his tinkering with the Pistons' roster Thursday, making a trade that could take care of immediate and more pressing future needs. Pistons captain and starting guard Michael Curry was sent to the Toronto Raptors in a straight-up exchange for guard Lindsey Hunter. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Hunter, who was the Pistons' top draft pick in 1993 and played for the team for seven seasons. "We're very comfortable with Lindsey after having him play here in the past," said Dumars, the Pistons' president of basketball operations. "We know what type of energy and effort he brings to the game." The Curry-Hunter trade brings several implications. Dumars has been trying to clear salary-cap space for next summer, when center Mehmet Okur becomes a restricted free agent. Okur's stock is rising in the NBA. The Pistons are preparing to deal with a looming high-priced bidding war to keep him, in anticipation of Okur having another breakout season. Okur is set to earn $1.1 million this season. He made $1 million in his rookie year last season. Point guard Gilbert Arenas triggered a similar financial frenzy this summer when he became a restricted free agent. He left the Golden State Warriors, signing a six-year, $65 million deal with the Washington Wizards. Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Raptors Aug 2003 Archive
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