In a surprising turn of events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Canada will not be facing Team USA in the gold medal game of the men's basketball competition. The brackets, set post-group stage, placed Canada and the USA on opposite ends, setting the stage for a potential clash that, unfortunately, won't come to fruition.
Quarterfinal Clash Against France
In the quarterfinals, Canada faced the host nation, France, a matchup that many pundits predicted would favor the Canadians, who entered the game as eight-point favorites. However, the game quickly took a different direction than anticipated.
France jumped to a commanding 19-point lead early in the contest and secured an 82-73 victory in what was an intense showdown. Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's outstanding performance, where he led Canada with 27 points, the team struggled to find their rhythm. "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us," Gilgeous-Alexander remarked, reflecting on their slow start.
France's defense was especially potent in the first quarter, holding Canada to just 10 points, and by halftime, Canada was down 45-29. Despite a valiant effort in the second half, the early deficit proved insurmountable.
Notable Performances and Struggles
While Victor Wembanyama contributed just seven points and Rudy Gobert played a mere three minutes, Guerschon Yabusele stepped up for France with 22 points. Evan Fournier's 15 points off the bench were also critical in bolstering France’s scoring depth. In contrast, Canada’s bench managed to score only 16 points.
RJ Barrett added 16 points for Canada, but the team lacked additional scoring support, with no other player reaching double figures. Canada’s offensive struggles were marked, especially evident in Jamal Murray's performance. Entering the game, Murray had been averaging 5.6 points and shooting 33.9% from the field in the tournament. Against France, he managed just seven points on a dismal 3 of 13 shooting and went 2 for 14 on 3-point attempts throughout the tournament.
Turnovers and Ball Movement Issues
Ball movement and turnovers plagued Canada throughout the game. They finished with 14 assists against 14 turnovers, an indication of their offensive woes. "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball," noted head coach Jordi Fernandez, highlighting the team’s struggles to move the ball effectively.
On the other side, France turned the ball over 17 times but offset this with significant bench contributions and a clear strategy to outmatch Canada's physicality and energy.
Looking Ahead
This Olympic appearance was Canada's first since the 2000 Sydney Games, an occasion that brought high hopes and aspirations. Though their performance in Paris fell short of expectations, the team remains optimistic about the future. The anticipated addition of incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who pulled out from the 2024 Olympic roster to focus on his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, promises much-needed size to contend with powerhouses like France and the United States in upcoming competitions. Edey has expressed that representing Canada on the Olympic stage remains a dream close to his heart.
Canadian forward Lu Dort summed up the team’s sentiment, 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."
As Canada regroups and reflects on their Olympic journey, the experience garnered from Paris will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors. With a core of talented players and potential stars waiting in the wings, the Canadian basketball team remains a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. The lessons learned from this tournament will be pivotal as they aim for redemption in the years to come.