ess than two weeks after placing the franchise tag on him

As the FIBA World Cup enters the Round of 16, The Three-Man-Weave; Will Strickland and Duane Watson from TSN 1050s "1 On 1 With Will & Duane" stamp the passport of Toronto-based founder and writer Don Kingu of the basketball site At The Buzzer News. NMD XR1 Canada . The trio dissects the group round, make note on what players and what teams to watch and look at the World Cup from a local perspective as well. Which Toronto Raptor will benefit more this season from their World Cup experience, DeMar DeRozan or Jonas Valanciunas? Watson: Valanciunas is no stranger to international play, but after spending past summers working out with the U.S. Select squad, DeRozan is experiencing a new level of competition. Practicing against some of Americas best, day in and day out, in addition to game play, is major for him. The swingman has never been on a winning basketball team and an opportunity for the camaraderie and high calibre of play of the program is something he can bring back and share with the Raptors. A podium finish and medal around his neck may also help him to lead in his own way. Kingu: Both DeRozan and Valancuinas will benefit greatly from their FIBA experience. Though Valancuinas is playing more minutes (21.4) than DeRozan (12.4) and is in the starting lineup, the nod goes to DeRozan because hes playing with the best players in the world. Traveling and practicing with Team USA, playing for a Hall of Fame coach and a well-respected coaching staff and pushing to be better every day with that compete level on a big stage can only do wonders for ones career, on and off the court. Strickland: DeRozan. The NBA All-Star guards game has grown exponentially, due in part to his experience with the U.S. Mens National Team. Valanciunas has played for his national team for years now and he will be integral to Toronto being considered a viable force in the NBA. But DeRozans ascent toward NBA stardom will be rooted in the things hes gained on and off-court with Team USA that he brings back to the hangar at 40 Bay Street to help lead the Raptors to even greater heights for the 2014-2015 season and beyond. Should the NBA/FIBA impose an age limit across the board for all NBA players regardless of nation? Watson: That would mean first that the NBA and FIBA would have to work together! In lieu of that miracle, representing your country is a right not a privilege, and there shouldnt be an age or limitation imposed on a players involvement. Insurance plans have been in place for years in the event something unfortunate happens. Kingu: Last summer, my answer would be different. But with the Paul George injury, Blake Griffin (injury/rest), Russell Westbrook (rest), Kevin Love (trade rumors) and Kevin Durant (rest) all declining to play this summer, it would seem that these players are starting to second guess playing for Team USA. I would definitely be one of those GMs that would be all for the age limit change for NBA players for all nations. In that case, high profile players dont have to feel the need/obligation to play if they have already for their respective countries where their NBA teams investment in these players isnt at risk too much. Strickland: No. Players of any age, as long as they can compete and contribute, should have an opportunity to represent their country. It brings an immense sense of pride. Injuries happen. Insurance exists. Players play. Basketball never stops! Getting the NBA and FIBA to agree on a provision like this would seem to be an arduous process. For another perspective, FIBA and the NBA have long been dance partners in some shape, form or fashion, but it took until 2014 to launch the first World Cup competition. Concentrate on growing the FIBA World Cup into what FIFA has done for soccer. The USA and Spain are the favourites for the gold medal game, who is your dark horse? Watson: Three teams went 5-0 during group play, USA, Spain. and Greece. One of Greeces wins included a gutsy effort against a veteran Argentina team. If they win their games, they have an opportunity to meet Spain in the semifinals. The Greeks challenge and block shots and use a balanced approach much like the Spaniards, while getting significant scoring off of their bench. Theyre not a squad people are looking out for despite missing Kosta Koufos, (never envisioned myself saying that), and may continue flying under the radar. Kingu: Lithuania could have easily been 5-0 if it wasnt for a poor first half against Australia, despite fighting back in the second half to still give themselves a chance. Though they have not beaten Team USA, theyve always given them trouble in the past. With an all-round roster of experienced players who have worked together for years now, solid bigs and good guard play, Lithuania is the only team in Team USAs bracket beside Turkey that can present problems for them. That being said, the surprise factor is there as well and that could play in Lithuanias favour. Strickland: With respectful nods to a well-rounded Brazilian group and a really talented Slovenia team lead by the Dragic Brothers, the greybeards of Argentina will make one final run and not go gently into that good night. Their Round of 16 bracket is brutal, starting with Brazil to launch their quest toward a potential rematch of a chippy affair with Greece and a semifinal dance with what looks to be the well-oiled machine from Spain. The Argentines are led by arguably a Top-10 international player of all-time, Luis Scola. Scola, along with the gritty Andres Nocioni and "The Pope", Pablo Prigioni, are far too old to sneak up on teams, but experienced enough to make sure their opponents know Argentina will be there for the fight. Which NBA player will have a coming out party at the World Cup? Watson: Andray Blatche. Say what you will about how easy it is to excel on an undersized Philippines squad, Blatche averaged 21 points and 13 rebounds in five games. Embracing a leadership role and go-to-guy status, this has been a great showcase for the 6-11 forward. Ironically, despite performing admirably in Brooklyn for the past two seasons, he is currently without an NBA contract. Perhaps his maturity in playing for another country, embracing his teammates and not looking a mercenary in the process without creating any distractions, can solidify his next contract in the NBA. Kingu: Gorgui Dieng. Yes, I know hell only be entering his second year, but the man is putting up impressive numbers. Hes averaging 18 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 2 steals in just five games. If that doesnt convince you, heres another reason I pick Dieng. With the Kevin Love trade, the C/PF position is pretty wide open coming off the bench as players like Ronny Turiaf and Donte Cunningham will be fighting for minutes. Add that to a young, hungry locker room with something to prove and Dieng can have a good story season for the Timberwolves. Strickland: Kenneth Faried. The Manimal has been just that in this tournament, averaging 13.8 PPG and 7.8 RPG, all coming as a result of his trademark infectious energy and effort that will soon land him a huge NBA contract. For a guy many didnt believe would make this team at the opening of U.S. training camp, his contributions on both ends of the floor have been vital to a 5-0 start for Team USA. How would Canada fare if they were selected as a wild card in the World Cup? Watson: As the final wild card berth went to Finland, lets suggest Canada replace them in Group C along with USA, Turkey, Dominican Republic, New Zealand and Ukraine. For the sake of argument. Finland went 1-4, and while Im unsure if Canada would have made it out of the group, they could have finished 2-3. Furthermore, they hardly wouldnt have embarrassed themselves as the Finns did, losing to the U.S. 114-55 in their opening game. The Canadian squad needs international experience and time to gel as a squad, something they will have time to develop as they try to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. Kingu: With Steve Nash running Canada Basketball now, theres a new culture and renewed importance to bring the program to new heights. Team Canada has an incredible young group, starring NBA Champion Cory Joseph, a healthy and improving Anthony Bennett, FIBA-ready players like Tristan Thompson and Andrew Nicholson, who played with the team last summer, and now add Andrew Wiggins to that mix. Team Canada could make the Round of 16 with this complement of players in Spain and could actually do some real damage. Strickland: As currently composed, about as well as Finland or Ukraine did in pool play, so it would be a short stay for Team Canada. I doubt they would have been destroyed in any of the games, but a missing potential game changing asset in Andrew Wiggins, a healthy Anthony Bennett and lacking the necessary seasoning to compete at the top levels of international play with an extremely young team would have only illuminated why Canada was never really ready for Rio 2016, but should have their sights fully trained on visions of Toyko 2020. The Three-Man Weave contributors are co-hosts of TSN Radio 1050s 1-On-1 with Will and Duane, Will Strickland (@WallStrizzle1) and Duane Watson (@DuaneWatson) and international free agent-for-hire Don Kingu (@atbnews_). NMD_R1 Shoes Canada . People familiar with the case told The Associated Press on Friday that arbitrator Fredric Horowitz could issue his decision this weekend. Ultra Boost Uncaged Canada . -- Thirty years ago, the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime, a game that remains the highest scoring in NBA history. http://www.nmdshoescanada.com/stan-smith-cheap-canada.html . The Durban-based Sharks withstood a furious second-half fightback to beat the Queensland Reds 35-20 for a fourth straight win which gave them a five-point lead atop the championship table. The Hamilton-based Chiefs scored two late tries to beat the Cape Town-based Stormers 36-20 for their third win, after the Stormers rallied from 24-6 down to 24-20 with six minutes remaining. NEW YORK -- The New York Jets have re-signed kicker Nick Folk to a four-year contract, less than two weeks after placing the franchise tag on him. The team announced the multiyear deal Tuesday, shortly after the NFLs free agency period began. It did not release the terms. Folk wrote on his Instagram page: ".4moreyears So excited to be back!" Folk, coming off perhaps the best season of his seven-year NFL career, was sscheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. NMD 2020 Cananda. Folk had said late last season he believed he had earned a potential long-term deal after making 33 of 36 field-goal attempts, including three winning kicks. He also broke the franchise records for most consecutive field goals from the start of a season (23) and most consecutive home field goals (20). Folk also had a career-high 30 touchbacks on his kickoffs. ' ' '