TORONTO -- Steve Nash had a good chuckle at ESPN personality Jason Whitlocks suggestion that Canadians in the NBA are not as motivated to succeed as their American counterparts. Jordan Nolan Jersey . "Andrew Wiggins is from Canada," Whitlock said on Keith Olbermanns ESPN show Monday night. "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." Nash, a two-time NBA MVP and the general manager of Canadas senior mens squad, was in town for a three-day camp before the team departed for a European exhibition series. He responded to Whitlocks comments after the teams final practice. "Its a wonderful sweeping generalization, really good. Hit it on the head there," Nash said. The 40-year-old, who broke into the league during the 1996-97 season with the Phoenix Suns, admitted he had to overcome knocks in his game as a young player making a name for himself. He said Wiggins will have to learn to silence his critics too. "I had to prove that I was athletic enough to play in the NBA," said the Los Angeles Lakers point guard. "His athleticism isnt a question, theyre worrying about his motivation and desire. "Hell overcome it. Hell take that criticism, like he always has over the last four or five years, and overcome it. Theres times where wed always like to see him show a little more alpha male, but when the games on the line, I never see him turn away slights as motivation and hell overcome it." When asked about the perception in the NBA that Canadian players are not tough enough or eager enough, Canada head coach Jay Triano had a differing opinion. "Steves pretty tough to play and be able to do what hes doing," Triano said. "I think Tristan (Thompson) is a tough player. Robert Sacre is a tough player. Maybe well go on this trip and drop the gloves a little bit and create that hockey mentality then well define ourselves a little bit better." Triano added that the upcoming 11-game, 20-day European road trip will play a big part in defining his teams toughness. "Were going to be playing against men who are representing their country and getting ready to play in the (World Cup) on their soil," said Triano. "This isnt going to be easy. Well find out a little bit about our toughness while were on this trip and I think its something that will evolve as these players get more experience." On Tuesday, Canada Basketball announced its 15-man roster for the exhibition trip, which includes Cory Joseph (San Antonio), Andrew Nicholson (Orlando), Kelly Olynyk (Boston) and Robert Sacre (Lakers). Noticeably absent from the roster are the likes of Wiggins and Anthony Bennett (Cleveland) and Tyler Ennis (Phoenix). Both Ennis and Bennett have been around the three-day training camp, but did not participate. "Maybe next summer when the Olympics are on the line, we can get everybody together, but were talking about so many dynamics: the schedule, bodies, what their (NBA) clubs want, what their teams feel is best for them at this time in their career," said Nash. "Even the guys that arent on the trip, AB (Bennett), Tyler came by today, Tristan last night. Guys want to be a part of it. "I think were going to have a great turnout next summer when it really matters and weve got enough guys here this summer for it to make a difference." The team departed for its four-city road trip on Tuesday. Canada opens Thursday against Slovenia and will also play in Croatia, Italy and Spain before returning home Aug. 13. Canada will play games against World Cup host Spain and qualifiers Slovenia, Ukraine, Croatia (twice), Serbia, Turkey and Angola. They will also play exhibition games with non-qualifiers Georgia, Italy and Bosnia. Cheap Sabres Jerseys China . Torres tells Spanish daily AS "in football you never know where you will be inside one month. Im going to work hard, thats all you can do with this last part of the season so important. Adidas Jack Eichel Jersey . Pominville scored in all three of Minnesotas games last week to help the Wild (8-4-3, 19 points) earn four out of a possible six points. His best performance was in a 4-3 win over Montreal on Friday, where he posted a season-high three points (two goals, one assist), including the game-winning goal. http://www.cheapsabresjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-benoit-pouliot-jersey . -- Howie Kendrick had a two-run single in his first game batting leadoff this season, Chris Iannetta hit a pair of RBI singles and the Los Angeles Angels beat Cleveland 6-4 Tuesday night, sending the Indians to their fifth straight defeat.TORONTO -- Toronto FC finally found a home for Richard Eckersley on Monday, sending the English fullback to the New York Red Bulls for a fourth-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. The move, long expected, was money-related. The MLS Players Union listed Eckersleys salary last season at US$310,000, second-highest among the numbers made public for Toronto players. His number for 2014 was even higher, thanks to a contract renegotiation last year to help ease the 2013 salary cap burden. Toronto declined comment when asked if the club was absorbing any of that salary. "As per team and league policy, we cant disclose terms of the deal," a Toronto spokesman said. Which sounds like a yes. Toronto was more interested in ridding itself of Eckersleys wages than getting something in return, which other clubs knew. While a fourth-round draft choice is a modest prize -- there are only four rounds in the SuperDraft -- Toronto GM Tim Bezbatchenko can add it to the draft choices obtained for the rights to goalie Stefan Frei and midfielder Bobby Convey, two other players who did not figure in TFCs future. Eckersley, 24, made 92 appearances for Toronto over three seasons after joining the club on loan from English side Burnley FC in April 2011. The loan became a permanent deal in January 2012. Eckersley established himself as a starter at right fullback, filling in at centre back when needed. Signed to a rich contract by a previous regime, he found himself on the outs towards the end of last season because of his salary cap hit. The red-haired Brit wass a fan favourite for his marauding runs and combative style. Pierre Turgeon Jersey. But manager Ryan Nelsen used Mark Bloom for the last six games of the season, electing to keep Eckersley on the sidelines with his future on the club uncertain. The team recently signed veteran English fullback Bradley Orr on loan from Blackburn Rovers. "Weve been really honest with Richard," Nelsen said prior to flying to Florida for training camp Sunday. "Hes given great service to the club. Hes done really well and its not his fault that a contract was given that was probably not appropriate." NOTES -- The Vancouver Whitecaps filled a void at right back by acquiring Steven Beitashour from the San Jose Earthquakes for allocation money. Born in California to Iranian parents, Beitashour holds dual American-Iranian citizenship and has represented Iran. The Whitecaps also announced the signing of midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy, acquired in Stage 2 of the 2013 MLS Re-Entry Draft ... Former Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu has joined the Philadelphia Union on a one-year loan from Stoke City of the English Premier League. Edu, who was MLS rookie of the year in 2007 with Toronto, returns to MLS in a bid to get more playing time in advance of the World Cup. The American joins the Union via the leagues allocation process, which previously was not valuable as a way to sign designated players. The league has changed that rule for 2014, saying it reviews roster rules on an annual basis "and reserves the right to modify them prior to each season." 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