Canada’s AmeriCup momentum, EuroCup first-round spectacle, and a flourish of global basketball chatter collide with NBA angles. Three-point usage and possessions get debated through vintage stat talk, while the Raptors’ era and Canadian basketball development surface in conversation. Luka Doncic anchors the NBA thread as Dallas contends with trade chatter and ceiling questions; Sandro Mamukelashvili and Leonard Miller flash upside as potential fantasy catalysts. The piece threads in Dave Smart’s Canada Basketball arc and a run toward upcoming seasons with beverage chatter and a long, lazy summer outlook.

Kyrie Irving shows progress six months after ACL tear, with clips of deep shooting fueling hope for a return to peak form. Realistic ramp is gradual, but the sign of mobility and shot feel matters for his fantasy ceiling.

Dallas Mavericks must navigate guard depth as Irving nears return. D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum provide stopgap help, while Jaden Hardy and Max Christie develop. If Irving approaches prior form, Dallas could mount a late push in an injury-plagued season.

Luka Doncic surged with 39 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, but Slovenia fell 103-95 to France as France's deep bench piled up 78 points to Slovenia's 26. Doncic hit 19 of 20 free throws, yet the onslaught from France’ bench and France’s 2-0 run in Group D left Slovenia 0-2. Poland’s Jordan Loyd poured 27 to edge Israel 66-64, while Nikola Jokic led Serbia with 39 in an 84-80 win over Latvia, cementing a knockout-berth with Serbia 3-0.

Other standouts: Sengun’s 20 by halftime powered Turkey’s 95-54 win; Markkanen posted 26 for Finland as they clinched playoff access; Germany’s Schröder (26) and Theis (23) helped Germany go 3-0; Greece’s Dorsey and Mitoglou each had 18. Spain’s Aldama led the defending champs as groups race toward Riga’s knockout stage.