Winderman: NBA draft has to be more than adequate for the Heat | Commentary

NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Heat big man Kelly Olynyk said he feels as if he is somewhat in the golden age of Canadian basketball, and for more than who he will be surrounded with on the national team at this summer’s World Cup. He not only cited the country rallying around the Toronto Raptors’ championship run, but also Canada’s leading exports for Thursday’s NBA draft in RJ Barrett, Brandon Clarke, Luguentz Dort, Mfiondu Kabengele, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Ignas Brazdeikis, Oshae Brisset, Marial Shayok and Simisola Shittu. “It’s awesome to see,” he said during his appearance at the Heat’s youth camp at Cooper City High School. “When I grew up, it was basically [Steve] Nash, Rick Fox, Todd McCullough, a couple of guys sprinkled here and there, who you kind of knew about but really didn’t know about. Now, not only is there a bunch of players, but there’s a bunch of coverage on ’em. And not only coverage in Canada, but coverage in the United States. And it’s pretty special and I think you’re going to see more and more, especially with the Raptors making the noise they’re making, and making an impact on the youth up there. You’re going to see a lot of players come to the forefront from Canada. It’s pretty awesome to see.”