Chemistry on the court

Canadians believe time they've spent together will give them edge in Paris

- DOUG SMITH

Shai Gilgeous-Alexader feels Canada is more prepared heading into the Olympics after medalling at the World Cup last year.

It has been about 10 months since much of the gang has been together, almost a year to go about their day jobs and live their lives. The memories tend to fade.

But as the Canadian men’s basketball team gathers again for the country’s first pre-Olympic training camp in 24 years, it all comes flooding back.

And that familiarity — the memories of how each player plays, how the collective comes together, how relationships have been forged — will be central to whatever success Canada may have at the Paris Games.

“We built the chemistry, built a connection, had some success through it,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said Saturday as Canada worked out at the Raptors’ OVO Training Centre. “A lot of guys (last year), it was their first time playing together in that setting, in a little bit of a different kind of basketball style.

“And it’s only made us more prepared for this opportunity. Yeah, we can for sure feel it.”