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Bonner was a fan favourite in his two seasons in Toronto (2004-'06), nicknamed the “Red Rocket” for his red hair and the fact Toronto public transit, which bears the same nickname, was his main means of transportation. The would-be Canadian said there couldn't be a better time to play for Canada, with the ongoing lockout threatening to ground the upcoming NBA season. “That would be sweet,” Bonner said of playing this week in Argentina. He'll be keeping a close eye on how Canada is faring. “Absolutely, I know all those guys, it's a great group of guys and they work hard,” said Bonner. Toronto Globe & Mail

San Antonio Spurs, Matt Bonner, Lockout, Canada 

More than two years into his quest for Canadian citizenship, Matt Bonner remains grounded by red tape. So the former Toronto Raptors forward will have to watch with fingers crossed as Canada's men's basketball team bids this week for a berth in the 2012 London Olympics. And then he can only hope he receives his passport in time to suit up next summer if the Canadians do qualify. “I'm just kind of waiting and hoping,” Bonner said in a phone interview. “It's just one of those things. It's hard to talk about because it's kind of a bummer for me. I just wish it would go through so I could represent the country.” Toronto Globe & Mail

Toronto Raptors, Matt Bonner, Canada 

This is Joel Anthony's alternate reality, where he is his team's star, is allowed to shoot the ball, feels the weight of the moment. For the Miami Heat center, it also is somewhat of an audition, to prove he is up to such moments, to show that the Heat may already have their starting center for 2011-12, that Pat Riley may not need to pursue the likes of a Samuel Dalembert on the free-agent market. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony, Canada 

As he spoke from Foz de Igaucu, Brazil, where his Canadian national team was wrapping up a warm-up tournament in advance of Wednesday's start of Olympic qualifying in Argentina, the shot-blocking defensive specialist mentioned how he feels a world away from his day job, as a supporting player to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The 29-year-old native of Montreal is coming off an appearance as a starting center in the NBA Finals, which far trumps the pedigree of Canada's only other NBA players, seldom-used New York Knicks guard Andy Rautins and San Antonio Spurs first-round pick Cory Joseph, the guard out of Texas. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony, Canada 

To put in perspective how different this current universe stands, consider that in exhibitions this past week against Brazil and Puerto Rico, Anthony attempted seven and six shots. Then consider that in his 75 appearances this past season, he did not attempt more than five in any game. "It's definitely helped me," he said of receiving freedom to further his game, "because, realistically, it's not something I'll be able to do with Miami in the NBA, just because of the talent we have. To be able to get that and develop more as a player, I think it's really important. "Pretty much the biggest thing is to try to bring some of those aspects to Miami from my international play. That's one of the biggest things that I'm trying to focus on, so I can help my team a lot more when I get back to Miami." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony, Canada 

Kendall said he was pleased with the way San Antonio Spurs first round pick Cory Joseph has handled himself since joining the team — and not just in terms of adapting to the increased physicality. “I’ve been most impressed with his attitude, not having a sense of entitlement (from being a first round selection),” Kendall said of the Pickering native, who turned 20 on Saturday. “He understands guys have been here (a while), he’s got to prove himself before he gets that respect. He has to earn it to a certain extent so that’s what I’ve been most surprised (about). It’s nice to see that.” Toronto Sun

San Antonio Spurs, Canada, Cory Joseph 

Canada is trying to avoid missing three straight Olympics for the first time. The team made the world championships last year for the first time since 2002 in part by defeating the favoured Dominican Republic at the last FIBA Americas tournament. “I’m sure they will have revenge on their mind,” Kendall said of the Dominican squad, which features NBA players Al Horford, Francisco Garcia and Charlie Villanueva and is coached by Kentucky’s John Calipari. Argentina and Puerto Rico traditionally are strong opponents as well. Brazil will be without its NBA players Leandro Barbosa, Nene and Anderson Varejao, while Joseph’s future San Antonio teammate Tiago Splitter is questionable due to an injury. Toronto Sun

San Antonio Spurs, Canada, Cory Joseph 

After his first practice with the senior team on Friday, Joseph said how excited he was to be taking part and explained why he was playing. “I hadn’t played in a while, college was a long time ago, (it’s been) a couple months where I haven’t played a game so it’s just good to get out here,” Joseph said. “Playing for your country is an honour and (the Spurs) know that.” Toronto Sun

San Antonio Spurs, Canada, Cory Joseph 

While not singling out Thompson specifically, Andy Rautins expressed disappointment that some of the country’s top talents are not on hand helping Canada try to qualify for the London Olympics. “It certainly frustrates me because when you look at our team they could help us out a great deal, help the team get to a whole new level,” he said. “For me, I think it’s first and foremost if you’ve got an opportunity to represent your country, you do it. Playing against professionals that are in the NBA, Euroleague allstars, this is basketball at its finest in the summer, so for some of these guys not to come out, some of these guys that are top talents top 10 picks in the league, it just doesn’t make sense to me. Toronto Sun

Canada, Andy Rautins 

Ryan Wolstat: Story up at the Sun soon. Andy seems to target Tristan with his comments without specifically mentioning him. Twitter

Canada, Tristan Thompson 

Cory Joseph, a first-round pick at this year’s NBA draft, has announced he will join the squad ahead of the FIBA Americas men’s championship in Argentina. “It’s an honour to play for your country and I’m excited to get on the floor and represent Canada as best as I can,” said Joseph, who was taken 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in June. “I know we have a young, great group, with Joel (Anthony), (Carl) English and (Andy) Rautins coming in. Toronto Star

San Antonio Spurs, Canada, Cory Joseph 

The Canadian men’s national basketball team got an infusion of talent Wednesday. Cory Joseph, a first-round pick at this year’s NBA draft, has announced he will join the squad ahead of the FIBA Americas men’s championship in Argentina. “It’s an honour to play for your country and I’m excited to get on the floor and represent Canada as best as I can,” said Joseph, who was taken 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in June. “I know we have a young, great group, with Joel (Anthony), (Carl) English and (Andy) Rautins coming in. Toronto Star

San Antonio Spurs, Canada, Cory Joseph 

We hope this isn’t how it’s going to be with Tristan Thompson. We hope he has more sense than this, more feeling of country and his own development as player and person. When the men’s national team began training camp this week for Olympic qualifying in basketball, the Canadian forward, selected fourth in the NBA draft was nowhere to be found. And there was no indication he planned on showing up for camp or to play for Team Canada, this summer or next. According to his agent, Thompson will not attend the Canadian camp because he is tired from pre-draft workouts and is taking some classes at University of Texas. Toronto Sun

Cleveland Cavaliers, Canada, Tristan Thompson 

Leo Rautins, the head coach of the Canadian men’s basketball team, gets so frustrated talking about Matt Bonner that he’s almost at a loss for words. And that’s saying quite a bit. Rautins is, after all, a professional commentator. The fact Bonner, a former member of the Toronto Raptors and current forward with the San Antonio Spurs, has been unsuccessful in procuring his Canadian citizenship, despite getting the ball rolling back in 2008, upsets Rautins to no end. “It’s very frustrating,” the head coach said on Tuesday, after a Team Canada practice at Ryerson University. “I see a lot of Canadians who are less Canadian than Matt Bonner. His daughter’s Canadian. His wife’s Canadian. His grandfather’s Canadian. He’s got a home here. When he’s not playing for the San Antonio Spurs, he’s here (in Toronto).” London Free Press

San Antonio Spurs, Matt Bonner, Canada 

Rautins isn’t holding his breath for Nash to return. At least not for this year. If Canada fails to finish in the top two at this summer’s Olympic qualifier, they’ve still got a chance to qualify for London next year — if they finish in the top five in Mar del Plata. Placing in the top two at the 10-team tournament in Argentina will be a huge challenge, with every other powerful Americas side (excluding the Americans, who have already qualified for London) in the fold, including host Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Toronto Sun

Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, Canada 

“I think you’d have to say that,” said Rautins. “But at the same time, I think we’re better than we were before. You look at two summers ago when we qualified for the (2010) worlds, we were one of the top-scoring teams. And last year when we lost everybody, offensively our numbers were atrocious. There’s a reason for that. It’s not that you’re a bad team, but if your top five isn’t there ... we’re not Argentina.” Toronto Sun

Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, Canada 

A deal is currently in the last stages to ensure that Cory Joseph will join the Canadian Team at Ryerson University (Toronto) for training camp Joseph is familiar with National program and has played in two world championships, 2007 and 2009. Tristan Thompson, Canada's highest ever selected NBA player will take the summer off to rest his body. Canada/Canadian Basketball

San Antonio Spurs, Canada, Cory Joseph 

Last week the NBL issued a press release and invitation to locked out players across the NBA to come to Canada with team president Andre Levingston – and owner of the Halifax Rainmen - stating the league would take a flier on, “third-tier type players”, knowing full well the upstart league isn’t in a financial position to shoot for the stars. “Andre was referring to players on the lower side of the NBA salary spectrum as opposed to the mega stars,” Ian McCarthy, interim Chief Operating Officer of the National Basketball League of Canada, told Beyond the Beat. Beyond The Beat

Lockout, Canada, Andre Levingston 

“Those are third tier guys or guys who are financially set and just want a stable place to play close to home. Also there are not 450-500 high level European and overseas jobs. Most overseas leagues only have 2-4 teams at the top that can afford NBA players - Europe is in a recession too - and even then most leagues only allow one American per team. That means there could be 400 NBA players without jobs. We offer decent pay - compared to the ABA and 2nd and 3rd division overseas – and we play in professional arenas with great competition.” Beyond The Beat

Lockout, Canada, Andre Levingston 

Yet for NBA agents and their clients, basketball is a business where questions surrounding salaries and insurance still need to be addressed. “Yes an exit clause will be required for NBA players. We are not sure of the insurance requirements for NBA players with a guaranteed contract. They may make such players impossible to sign. If so we will be looking at NBA free agents, added McCarthy. “All player contracts are for one season only and the salary cap is $150,000 for the team for the 4 month season. The minimum weekly salary is $400 a week -- 90% of our guys play basketball in different parts of the world during the year. Some are local heroes who may work a day job in the community during the offseason.” Beyond The Beat

Lockout, Canada, Andre Levingston