In a disappointing turn of events for Canadian basketball fans, Team Canada will not be squaring off against Team USA in the gold medal game of the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite being positioned on opposite ends of the bracket post-group stage, Canada fell short in the quarterfinals, facing a tough French team that ultimately ended their Olympic aspirations with an 82-73 victory.
Game Overview
Entering the game as eight-point favorites, Canada faced an early defensive onslaught from France, managing just 10 points in the first quarter. By halftime, the Canadians found themselves in a deep hole, trailing 45-29. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge for Canada with 27 points, the team’s offensive struggles were apparent from the onset.
"We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us," said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, reflecting on the team's early performance.
France's defense was particularly suffocating, and key contributions from their roster made a significant difference. Guerschon Yabusele spearheaded France's offensive effort with 22 points, while Evan Fournier was pivotal off the bench, adding 15 points. The much-anticipated appearance of incoming NBA star Victor Wembanyama was relatively subdued as he posted seven points, but his presence was felt on both ends of the court. Remarkably, Rudy Gobert, another NBA stalwart, played merely three minutes but contributed to the defensive intensity that stifled Canada.
Individual Performances
RJ Barrett was another bright spot for Canada, scoring 16 points. However, no other Canadian player reached double figures in scoring, highlighting their offensive woes. Jamal Murray, who had been averaging 5.6 points and shooting 33.9% from the field throughout the tournament, continued to struggle. Murray managed just seven points against France on 3 of 13 shooting and struggled with his accuracy from beyond the arc, going 2 for 14 on 3-point attempts throughout the tournament.
Canada's performance showcased a concerning imbalance in assists and turnovers, finishing with a stark 14 assists to 14 turnovers. In contrast, despite their win, France turned the ball over 17 times, an aspect Canada failed to capitalize on.
Looking Back and Forward
Canada’s Olympic appearance in Paris marked their first since the 2000 Sydney Games, a momentous occasion that carried high hopes and expectations. Tragically, incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who was initially expected to bolster the Canadian lineup, had withdrawn from the roster to focus on his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies—a decision that possibly impacted the team’s depth and performance.
Reflecting on the game, head coach Jordi Fernandez remarked, "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball." The sentiment was shared by the players, indicating a collective disappointment in their output and a recognition of the need for improvement.
Lu Dort, a key figure in the team, echoed this disappointment stating, "It's really disappointing. We had goals to get all the way to the end. When it gets cut short, it's tough and we have to live with it. We have to do whatever it takes to get back in four years."
The loss certainly stings for a Canadian team that had so much potential and expectation going into the tournament. The journey to Paris was a milestone in itself, but the early exit underscores significant areas for growth and lessons learned. As they look towards future competitions, the players and coaching staff will undoubtedly aim to build on this experience and come back stronger.
Canada's Olympic basketball narrative may not have reached the climax many hoped for, but the story is far from over. With emerging talents and the valuable experience gained in Paris, Canadian basketball is poised for a resurgence in the coming years.