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Do Canadian NBA players have a reputation for being too laid back? According to ESPN writer Jason Whitlock, some NBA people feel that may be case. "This is what a lot of NBA people believe that American-born and even some of the European-born players, they have more intensity, more of a hunger for the game. Theyre not as laid back," said Whitlock on ESPNs Olbermann show with host Keith Olbermann on Monday. "Canada is a laid back place which is probably a positive thing. Theres positiveness to not taking basketball and being so intense and not being so bottom-line driven as we are here in America." Vaughan, Ontarios Andrew Wiggins, drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers last month and the subject of trade rumours involving Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, is not exempt from his skepticism. "Andrew Wiggins is from Canada - and Canadian athletes, I think, among NBA players and NBA people, perhaps dont want it as much as even some of the Europeans, and certainly the American players," Whitlock added. "This is the conversation with basketball people - Does he have that dog in him? Does he want to be the greatest all the time? Does he know how to give that consistent effort all the time? And they think thats a question that a lot of players from north of the border have to answer." Wiggins was the star on an historic night for Canadian basketball at the NBA Draft. Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ont., went eighth to the Sacramento Kings, and Tyler Ennis of Brampton, Ont., was selected 18th by the Phoenix Suns. Dwight Powell of Toronto was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets 45th overall and was later traded to the Cavaliers. Despite the criticism, Whitlock wrapped up the interview with a message for Canadians. "I love Canada," he said. In an interview with TSN Radio Tuesday, Whitlock related his remarks on Olbermann of how Americans feel about basketball, to how much Canadians are passionate about hockey. "I think in Canada there is probably a prevailing belief that hockey is a religion in Canada that perhaps other countries dont get hockey, or have the passion for hockey and maybe dont want it as much as Canadian hockey players do. I would think that when most people make those kind of comments in Canada, there is no real uproar. I think with American culture, we probably dont value hockey as much as Canadians do." Whitlock reinforced that some NBA people might be questioning the drive of Canadian born basketball players. "I think Americas obsession with basketball is overdone and too many people put too many eggs in the basketball basket." I do believe and Ive been told that some NBA people question whether Canadian players have the same religious passion for basketball and do they want it as much as American players?" "From what I saw at Kansas, I think there is reasons to be concerned. That mostly falls on Andrew Wiggins but it might also be a reflection of a culture that doesnt value basketball the same way as we[Americans] do over here." TSN basketball analyst Leo Rautins, who was the first Canadian selected in the opening round of the NBA Draft, feels that time has shown a high calibre of Canadian players that have played at the top level. "You look at the history of Canadian players, Steve Nash two-time MVP, Jamaal Magloire an all-star, Rick Fox an NBA Champion," said Rautins. "These are guys that played in the League and they wanted it as much as anyone else." "Now you look at the influx of all of these young players today and to throw them into a category of not wanting it as much as American and even Europeans, are you kidding me? These kids right now, they are the future." Rautins also feels that Wiggins and the rest of the young Canadian NBA players will have the chance to prove themselves on the court. "The NBA is looking at all of the Canadian kids, they all have different styles and to judge an Andrew Wiggins saying he doesnt want it was much because hes a graceful, supreme athlete that plays a little looser. His time is coming. To make a blanket statement at this point about all of the Canadian kids is completely unfair." Canadian point guard Steve Nash of the Los Angeles Lakers was also not in agreement with Whitlocks comments. "Its a wonderful sweeping generalization," said Nash. "Really good. Hit it on the head there. Our hockey team lacks a lot of competitiveness and determination for sure." Tristan Thompson, a Canadian forward that plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, thinks Whitlock would think differently about them if he spent time watching them work. "I think if he spent a summer or a season with me he would feel differently. I can only speak for myself and Anthony (Bennett) because thats my teammate," said Thompson. "The effort and the time weve put in the gym is the top of our team. I think if you asked anyone around the league about my persona they would say that Im a hard worker. I respect his opinion but it just makes me want to work harder." Cheap Basketball Shoes China . The Philadelphia Eagles acquired running back Darren Sproles from the New Orleans Saints for a fifth-round draft pick on Tuesday. Cheap Nike Kyrie Irving Basketball Shoes China . -- Having already fallen behind because of the NFL lockout, Blaine Gabbert couldnt afford a lengthy holdout. http://www.cheapbasketballshoesstore.net/.? It was his second straight start for the Jets; he suffered a 1-0 loss against Minnesota Monday. So this season Hutchinson has now won games in the ECHL, AHL and NHL. He was perfect three- for-three in the shootout to nail down the win. Wholesale Basketball Shoes . -- Lara Gut of Switzerland regained the overall World Cup lead with Sundays super-G win in Lake Louise, Alta. Cheap Nike LeBron James Basketball Shoes China .ca presents its latest weekly power rankings for the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season.WASHINGTON - Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper doesnt think left wing Ryan Malones DUI and cocaine possession charges will be a distraction to the post-season-bound team. "Ryan is probably a little embarrassed of whats gone on. He made a poor decision, getting behind the wheel when he had alcohol in his system," Cooper said before Tampa Bay beat the Washington Capitals 1-0 in a shootout Sunday to close the regular season. "But for me, Ive watched all the good decisions Ryan Malones made in his life, and how charitable hes been and what a staple hes been in our community in the years hes been here," Cooper added. "I hope this one instance doesnt take away from that, because hes been a class act for us, on and off the ice." Malone didnt travel with the team to Washington. It isnt yet known what his status for the playoffs will be. Tampa Bay will host the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday. An officer saw Malones SUV strike a curb after making a left turn from the centre lane in the early hours of Saturday, Tampa Police Lt. Paul Lusczynski said. After being pulled over, Malone got out of his vehicle, and the officer smelled alcohol on his breath, Lusczynski said. According to the police report, the officer found 1.3 grams of cocaine in one of Malones pockets. "We talked about it as a team yesterday, and its a real unfortunate thing, but I dont think it was really on too many guys minds here today with the ... stakes of this game," Matthew Carle said after scoring the only goal in Sundays shootout. Malone refused to take field sobriety tests, but a breath test given at the jail recorded blood alcohol levels of 0.112 and 0.116 per cent, Lusczynski saaid.dddddddddddd Florida law considers a driver impaired at 0.08. Malone was released from the Hillsborough County jail on $2,500 bond. His car was impounded by police. "The one thing is, no matter what happens, regardless of anything, youre dealt with as a human being first, hockey player second. Thats how we deal with everything. ... So you want to look after your players in their life first," Cooper said, pausing at times to choose his words carefully. "Im happy everythings OK with Ryan. ... Ive spoken to Ryan. There is a whole process thats going to go through here. Its out of our hands." NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Saturday that Malone "is subject to mandatory evaluation" under the substance abuse program agreed to by the league and the players union, and "his future playing status" will be determined based on the terms of that program. "Lets just say nobodys perfect. We all make marginal decisions at one point in our life. I know Ive made them," Cooper said. "Hell let this be a learning experience for him," Cooper said, "and were really looking forward to getting him back at some point." Malone has five goals and 10 assists in 57 games this season for the Lightning. The 34-year-old forward is in his 10th NHL season, his sixth with Tampa Bay. He has 92 goals, 201 assists and 388 penalty minutes in his career. "Hockey-wise, weve had way more distractions worse than this one. This is more of a life issue that is a friend of ours that we know is physically doing OK. Hopefully the worst is over. This is moving onward and upward after that," Cooper said. "But as for the hockey, this wont be a distraction at all for us." ' ' '