Murray demands ''same defense in Team Canada'' from Alexander-Walker

MINNEAPOLIS (USA) - During the NBA playoffs, Minnesota Timberwolves' tenacious, do whatever it takes to win Nickeil Alexander-Walker and his Denver Nuggets adversary Jamal Murray are mortal enemies.

Physical play, mean stares and trash talk define their relationship in this West Conference Semi-Finals showdown.

What implications does this have for their connection in the Canada national team, since each wants to play for his country at this summer's Olympics in France? Will they be able to co-exist?

A reporter asked Murray after Denver's 115-107 win on Sunday what it was like to go up against his countrymen in the intense playoff environment.

Murray smiled and said emphatically: "I want (Alexander-Walker to play) the same defense in Team Canada! The same defense!

"But he's great. He plays with so much energy, activity. He doesn't get tired, it feels like. He does just whatever the team needs. It's a lot of fun to go up against someone from your same area."

Alexander-Walker's all-round play and especially defense made him a key player for Canada at the World Cup

Both hail from Ontario, Canada.

"Hopefully, we (Denver) get the best of 'em," Murray added.

Alexander-Walked helped limit Murray to just eight points in Game 2, but since then the latter has bounced back with 24 and 19 points, respectively.

Denver's victory - their second straight at Minnesota after losing twice at home - leveled the series at 2-2. That means Murray and Alexander-Walker will be adversaries for at least two more games before they potentially link up for national team duty.

Canada qualified for the Olympics last summer at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila, where they won Third-Place Game, and Alexander-Walker was one of their best players (9.4 points and 2.1 assists in 21 minutes in average).

With Dillon Brooks elected as the best defensive player of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, Lu Dort also serving as a defensive specialist in the perimeter, Canada has a trio of great stoppers ready to take on any assignments in Paris.

Canada already featured a "death lineup'' at the World Cup, highlighting their excellence on both ends of the floor. Could a potential tandem of Murray and an improved version of Alexander-Walker lift their play to another level?

FIBA