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About 12 years after leading Canada to the quarterfinals of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Nash became the national team's general manager nine months ago in hopes of increasing the team's international prestige. "I could still be playing for the national team," said Nash, who stopped playing for the national team after 2007. "But the reason I did it early is because I felt like the program needed a change. "Most importantly, there's a bunch of kids I feel I can help." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash, Canada 

According to Canadian basketball's chief executive officer, Wayne Parrish, Nash's arrival improved fundraising efforts that enhanced their operating budget from $300,000 in 2012 to $1 million this year. "I don't think all of that happens unless Steve is asking for it," Triano said. "Not to take away from the people out there to do it, but the fact Steve is on board makes it more enticing." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash, Canada 

Dwain Price: #Mavs C Chris Kaman: "Canada and the United States are pretty much the same country. It’s not like Mexico and the United States. Its Canada and the United States. It's like the border. People don't mind going back and forth across the (USA-Canada) border.'' Twitter @DwainPrice

Dallas Mavericks, Chris Kaman, Canada, United States 

Ryan Wolstat: NBA Canada boss told me before game they'd like to have 2 exhibition games in Canada every year going forward if possible. 1 East 1 West Twitter @WolstatSun

Canada 

Eric Smith: Also from yesterday...from my chat w/ Jerome Williams: there MAY be a job in the works right now (basketball development?) for JYD w/ Canada Twitter

FIBA, Canada, Jerome Williams 

Eric Smith: From my chat w/ Jamaal Magloire yesterday: Happy to be working w/ @canbball & hopes to do so long-term; thrilled to be working w/ Nash et al Twitter

FIBA, Jamaal Magloire, Canada 

“I think gone are the days when you can throw 12 players out there and expect to compete, and I think my time with the United States team showed that,” Triano said. “Jerry Colangelo asked those players for a three-year commitment. When they did that and the players became committed, that’s when they became successful and won back-to-back gold medals.” Toronto Globe & Mail

Steve Nash, Coaching, Jay Triano, Canada 

Getting Nash back on board was the key to this renaissance. It’s no coincidence that Canada Basketball’s fortunes slipped when Nash distanced himself from the program following Triano’s removal in 2005. “It started with Steve, we had to get our house in order (and the) cornerstone in my mind was Steve,” said Canada Basketball CEO Wayne Parrish following Triano’s rehiring. Suddenly, with Nash back on the scene, the top talent that had been standoffish for years, perhaps taking an “if he’s not involved, why should I be?” approach, decided to fully commit. Toronto Sun

Steve Nash, Coaching, Jay Triano, Canada 

There is no confusion anymore. Whatever the reasons are, it is clear where the players stand. “A couple of years ago, we’d be lucky to have at least five of the top guys in the country at training camp. Now, we’re building something real special here, and guys are realizing that,” said Thompson, the fourth pick in the 2011 draft. “The energy and the vibe is unbelievable right now,” added Toronto’s Myck Kabongo. Toronto Sun

Steve Nash, Coaching, Jay Triano, Canada, Myck Kabongo 

It is entirely logical and sensible and fitting that Steve Nash and Jay Triano should be teaming up to help restore Canada’s international basketball reputation, working together because it’s been that way seemingly forever. “I’ve known Jay for 21, 22 years, since he recruited me to go to Simon Fraser University from Victoria and he’s always been a class act, just a phenomenal person and somebody who always seemed to be selfless,” said Nash, general manager of the Canadian senior men’s team that Triano is now coaching again. “He obviously wanted a young player to go to his university but he was also very honest with me. He told me he thought I should go play basketball in the States and for a coach that’s trying to recruit you, that was a different approach. Toronto Star

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash, Coaching, Jay Triano, Canada 

“To have Steve come back — he’s still an NBA basketball player, he doesn’t need to do this — I think is a huge tribute to him, to come back and care about the next generation of Canadians,” said Triano. “That’s what our relationships were about in the past and that’s what they’re about moving forward into the future. We care and we keep passing it along.” Toronto Star

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash, Coaching, Jay Triano, Canada 

The way the Team Canada story goes, as I have heard it (let’s be clear here, this item falls under the journalist categorization of gossip) , is like this: After defeating Yugoslavia in the final game of pool play (Nash had 26, 8 and 8), Nash and backcourt mate Rowan Barrett were having a good time in the Olympic athletes village late at night when they met two female sprinters. They challenged the ladies to a race, and Barrett pulled his hamstring. Canada trailed by 15 at halftime against France in the next game, and McCulloch’s 23 and 9 were not enough. So ended Canada’s latest and greatest gasp for glory in Olympic basketball. SheridanHoops

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash, Coaching, Jay Triano, Canada 

It is entirely logical and sensible and fitting that Steve Nash and Jay Triano should be teaming up to help restore Canada’s international basketball reputation, working together because it’s been that way seemingly forever. “I’ve known Jay for 21, 22 years, since he recruited me to go to Simon Fraser University from Victoria and he’s always been a class act, just a phenomenal person and somebody who always seemed to be selfless,” said Nash, general manager of the Canadian senior men’s team that Triano is now coaching again. “He obviously wanted a young player to go to his university but he was also very honest with me. He told me he thought I should go play basketball in the States and for a coach that’s trying to recruit you, that was a different approach. “That meant a lot to me to hear him be honest and hear him be humble and to tell me that he believed in me and that I could go and do great things.” Toronto Star

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash, Jay Triano, Canada 

“One of the very first things Steve said was if I’m going to do this, I need some partners in crime and there’s one guy I’m thinking about,” said Canada Basketball chief executive officer Wayne Parrish. “They are the right combination.” As it has been for years. “One of the things I love about Jay is he’s a basketball lifer, he’s a gym rat . . . if you’re walking down the hall, if you’re in an elevator, if you’re having a beer, the conversation usually is about basketball and he’s got a big smile on his face and he’s completely engaged,” said Nash. “It’s a beautiful thing when you see people passionate about what they do.” Toronto Star

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash, Jay Triano, Canada 

Perhaps is the fresh start under Nash and Triano, perhaps it’s the fact this is a weekend training camp rather than a selection process, perhaps it’s simply because there are more, better players available but the mood was collegial, with a common goal in mind. “After watching the Olympics … I was sick to my stomach, I wanted to be part of it,” said Brampton’s Tristan Thompson. “It was cool to watch the USA win but I want to be part of that, I want to compete for a medal and I think that’s what other guys were thinking.” Toronto Star

Cleveland Cavaliers, FIBA, Canada, Tristan Thompson, Olympcs 

“We want to make sure they realize what we’re playing for,” said Nash. “We’re here to help these players get better individually right now but this is about a bigger picture. We want them to get better individually so they can have a great long career as individuals but we also want them — those of us like myself, Jay Triano, Rowan Barrett, some of the coaches who have come to work who have played in the Olympic Games — to have a chance to experience that.” Toronto Star

Steve Nash, FIBA, Canada, Olympics 

As Canada Basketball moves towards an intriguing future, it has turned to its past. As expected, Jay Triano was named head coach of the senior men’s program on Thursday, his second go-around at the position after previous management bungled his dismissal in 2005. 24 Hours Vancouver

Coaching, Jay Triano, Canada 

In fact, Nash said on Thursday that the hiring of Triano was a requirement of his doing so. "I know that Jay is the right man for this job” Nash said. “He is a confirmed and respected leader in the basketball community and he has the experience and knowledge to lead us towards our goal of becoming one of the leading basketball nations.” Toronto Sun

Steve Nash, Coaching, FIBA, Jay Triano, Canada 

As expected, Jay Triano was named head coach of the senior men’s program on Thursday, his second go-around at the position after previous management bungled his dismissal in 2005. His replacement, Leo Rautins, resigned last summer and it was quickly clear that Triano was the organization’s top choice to take over, especially if Steve Nash agreed to come on board as well. Toronto Sun

Steve Nash, Coaching, FIBA, Jay Triano, Canada 

Bruce Arthur: Canada Basketball will announce Jay Triano is the new senior men's coach today. Really look forward to seeing this team in, say, two years. Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Coaching, Jay Triano, Canada