TORONTO -- Steve Nash had a gd chuckle at ESPN personality Jason Whitlocks suggestion that Canadians in the NBA are not as motivated to succeed as their American counterparts. "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 gd. 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 t. "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. Wholesale NFL Jerseys . Assistant coach Glen Gulutzan said Thursday that Edler, who played Tuesday in Nashville, is out indefinitely. Cheap Jerseys Fast Shipping . "That was a great lift for the staff," Padres manager Bud Black said. Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal homered, and Chase Headley drove in three runs, as the Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 on Friday night.Orlando, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Damjan Rudez gave the slumping Pacers a huge lift off the bench, scoring 16 of his career-high 18 points in the fourth quarter as Indiana rallied for a 106-99 victory over the Orlando Magic. Big efforts from Rudez, who knocked down 4-of-6 shots from 3-point range in the final period, and fellow reserve George Hill enabled the Pacers to halt a seven-game losing streak by coming back from nine-point deficit with eight minutes to play. Hill delivered 17 points in just 20 minutes in his second game back from a lingering groin injury, including back-to-back baskets after the Magic had knotted the score at 97-97 on two Nikola Vucevic free throws with 2:23 remaining. David West added 20 points and Roy Hibbert had 11 along with 13 rebounds to help Indiana end its five-game road trip on a high note. Vucevic finished with 27 points and Victor Oladipo recorded 18 in the Magics fifth consecutive defeat, which dropped Orlando to 5-15 at home. The Pacers were trailing 88-79 when Rudez began to catch fire, with the Croatian forward burying two 3-pointers around a triple from teammate C.J. Watson before driving the lane for a game-tying uncontested dunk with 5:51 left. Rudez sank another trey a minute later, and Ian Mahinmi finished off a 16-3 Indiana run with a slam off a Watson feed to give the Pacers a 95-91 lead with 4:28 to go. Back-to-back baskets from Elfrid Payton then pulled Orlando back even, but Hill got into the lane to sink a tie-breeaking layup shortly thereafter and put down a run-out slam after West forced a Magic turnover for a 101-97 edge with 1:45 to play.dddddddddddd Rudez came through with the dagger in the final moments, draining another 3- pointer that put Indiana up 105-99 with 21.2 seconds showing. The Pacers held a 62-60 lead early in the third quarter before committing four turnovers over a two-minute stretch, leading to a 10-2 Orlando run in which Oladipo had five points. The Magic tk a 82-75 advantage into the fourth, but shot just 35.3 percent in the final frame while being outscored by a 31-17 count. Vucevic totaled 10 first-quarter points and the Magic owned a 27-24 edge after one period on a triple from Tobias Harris, but an 8-0 Indiana spurt in the second had the Pacers up 48-42 with 2 1/2 minutes to go in the half. Their lead was four until Harris drove the lane and scored with 2.7 seconds left to bring Orlando within 51-49 at the break. Game Notes Rudez shattered his previous career best of 13 points set against Detroit on Jan. 16 ... The Pacers went 5-of-7 on 3-point tries in the fourth quarter after making just 3-of-13 over the first three ... Indiana had been 6-21 when trailing after one quarter coming in ... Rodney Stuckey added 15 points for the Pacers ... Magic rkie Aaron Gordon made his first career NBA start and finished with nine points ... Indianas C.J. Miles missed the game after hurting his groin in Fridays loss at Miami. ' ' '