Another victory to close the opening round-robin portion of the FIBA Americas would ensure Canada enters the next phase 2-1 and would enhance the odds of advancing further. Victories against teams previously eliminated do not carry forward.

The squad has been able to come together and play well quicker than most anticipated.

That’s largely been because of how good Pickering’s Cory Joseph has been. While manning the point, Joseph has been treating opponents like his adversaries in the NBA Development League, where he was a standout months ago. He’s been stuffing the stat sheet, racking up points and assists, even leading Canada in rebounding against Brazil. Joseph looks like a veteran on the court. Reaching the NBA Final and being developed by the league’s best organization, San Antonio, has been huge for the former first-round pick. And he’s playing like a star. Practising every day against MVP candidate Tony Parker surely has something to do with that, as well.

Reported by Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun

Devin Harris Older but presumably wiser

Devin Harris: Signed to a guaranteed one-year, $884,293 contract.

Much like DeJuan Blair, the Mavs were able to take advantage of acquiring Harris as a veteran minimum signing. Harris is actually being paid $1,272,797, the salary for a nine-year veteran, but the league is paying the remaining amount over the $884,293 total due to the collective bargaining agreement.

Harris comes back to Dallas slightly more polished on offense and more versatile on defense. His progression in Atlanta, where he played alongside point guard Jeff Teague, provided some unique flexibility as he defended the shooting guard position with moderate success.

Reported by Bryan Gutierrez of ESPN Dallas

Walk into AmericanAirlines Arena and try out for the Miami Heat? That’s not going to happen. Try out for the Heat’s D-League affiliate? You only need apply.

The Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce, whose basketball operations were purchased by the Heat earlier this year, have announced open tryouts in both Sioux Falls and South Florida.

Per the release issued by the Skyforce:

“The Sioux Falls Skyforce, the exclusive NBA Development League affiliate of the back-to-back NBA Champion Miami Heat, announced today that the team will hold open tryouts for the 2013-14 season in Sioux Falls on Saturday, Sept. 21 and Miami on Saturday, Oct. 12.

“Open tryouts offer players an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of Skyforce coaches and Heat personnel while they compete to earn an invite to the NBA D-League team’s training camp in November.

Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel