JUST IN: In Paris, Jordi Fernández of Canada will be gifted. Darko Rajakovic of the Raptors is forced to work without

The Raptors are losing for the ninth straight game and are no match for Sacramento.

Occasionally, during his workday as the associate head coach of the Sacramento Kings, Jordi Fernández may let his thoughts to stray.

He’ll smile, his eyes will enlarge, and his mind will travel to Paris this summer when anything happens in a game.

“I’m focused on what I’m doing now, but there are a lot of things that can help me in the future,” stated the men’s head coach of Canada, who will compete in the July Olympics in Paris.

“I think Lu Dort, the forward for Memphis and Canada, is doing a great job both offensively and defensively. He’s growing into that, and I can try to visualize how that would fit into FIBA and how it would benefit our team.” The situation is the same for everyone else.

Following Tuesday’s draw for the Olympic men’s and women’s basketball competitions, Canadian basketball fans are becoming more and more excited.

For the first time since 2000, the Canadian men are participating in the Olympics again, and while the opponents have not yet been decided, action has been taken and careful consideration is being given.

The next significant phase is the issuance of training camp invites in June, after which a 12-man squad is ultimately chosen.

Fernández has been in the game long enough to see that talking in absolutes right now is pointless.

“The doors are open for everyone,” he declared prior to the Kings’ 123-89 victory over the Raptors on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena. Numerous things can occur, such as accidents or other situations.

“My experience with national teams is that, for whatever reason, things don’t always go as planned. Thus, you must be prepared. In general, we want everyone to be willing to participate and be committed. We’ll bring out the best in everyone in this way.

Of the growing group of young Canadian players expressing a great interest, Fernández specifically mentioned only Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin, the latter of whom will miss the summer due to shoulder surgery. Shaedon Sharpe has also had a lobbying position.

However, Fernández has enough experience to understand that a team need more than just talent.

He remarked, “You need the horses, and we do have that.” “Going ahead, we will have the chance to enhance the group. However, that does not imply that we will only select those with exceptional skill. We are going to select parts that will enhance our group’s performance as a unit.

Fernández may discuss the “horses” that are available for the Canadian national team, but he is not allowed to apply the same criticism to the Canadian NBA squad.

Toronto lacked nearly enough NBA talent to compete with Sacramento, missing Immanuel Quickley (personal), RJ Barrett (personal), Scottie Barnes (finger), Jakob Poeltl (finger), and Chris Boucher (knee).

The Raptors put forth a strong effort and attempted to follow coach Darko Rajakovic’s game plan, but they were simply not good enough as they lost for the eighth time in a row and the tenth time in their previous 11 games.

Nobody is to blame for it. Simply put, there isn’t enough real talent to make a full game of it. The Raptors held a one-quarter lead over the Kings until playing a terrible last two minutes of the second quarter that saw them behind by 23 points at the half. A few minutes into the third quarter, Sacramento had increased their lead to 28 points, prompting Rajakovic to request a timeout in frustration.

The game was played from that point on since it was required.

The Raptors will be forced to make extensive personnel adjustments. Any roster changes, in Fernández’s opinion, will result from players’ intense desire to represent Canada.

Fernández lamented, “Then we have to make a tough call, but that’s what you want in the end.” “And all of the players that participated (the previous year) are eager to participate again. Additionally, the athletes who were unable to participate stated their eagerness and willingness to participate.

It’s been wonderful. It was a fantastic opportunity.