<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Q: You mentioned that 10 teams will advance to the "second chance" Olympic qualifying tournament next year. How many of those will actually make the Olympics? Evan Armstrong, Toronto A: I actually had it wrong, forgot a second berth in the final qualification tournament for each of Africa and Asia. So, there are 12 teams in next year's tournament (four from Europe, three from FIBA Americas, two each from Asia and Africa and one from Oceania). And there will be three Beijing berths available, which will make it one of the most intense tournaments possible. Seeing how dominant, and good, Europe is, I'd have to say they would have an inside track on all three of those spots. The 12-team Beijing tournament includes: China, Spain, two from FIBA Americas, two others from Europe, one from each of Asia, Africa and Oceania and the three qualifiers from next summer. Q: After watching Canada get outplayed in pretty much every facet of basketball vs. the States the other night, I had an epiphany of sorts. The Canadian team will only go as far as Steve Nash takes them and while it would be foolish to have him compete in this irrelevant tournament, the holes in the Canadian program are becoming quite glaring. Since there is not much else to do in the summer for a die hard hoops than hypothesize, I was wondering what the ballpark odds are of Stevie retiring from the league in a few years to take over team Canada as a player/coach. While his skills will erode gradually and he will not always be able to play at an MVP level, his shot and passing angles will still be as lethal as always. Would he not be able to play a couple months a year well into his forties? Because having a Steve Nash is always better than not having one. Jon Marsales, Halifax A: I wouldn't hold my breath, if I were you. I cannot see a scenario that Nash coaches, let alone plays and coaches. Odds? How about a million to one. This tournament irrelevant? You're kidding, right? How is it irrelevant to have a chance ? long shot that it was ? to earn an Olympic berth? How is it irrelevant to at least get a chance ? long shot that it'll be ? to play in another qualification tournament next summer? I think irrelevant might be the most incorrect description of this tournament out there. </div> Dougy Smith talking his usual nonsense...
