In a turn of events that left many Canadian basketball fans disheartened, Canada will not be competing against Team USA for the gold medal in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Positioned on opposite sides of the brackets following the group stage, Canada faced a formidable opponent in France during the quarterfinals. Despite entering the game as eight-point favorites, Canada succumbed to an 82-73 defeat, eliminating them from the gold medal contention.
Canada’s Early Struggles
The game got off to a rough start for the Canadians, who struggled against a relentless French defense, managing to score only 10 points in the first quarter. By halftime, Canada found themselves trailing 45-29. Commenting on the team's sluggish start, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led Canada with 27 points, expressed his disappointment: "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us."
Individual Performances
Despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s notable 27-point performance, it wasn't enough to overcome the well-rounded effort from the French side. Guerschon Yabusele starred for France, contributing 22 points, while Evan Fournier provided a valuable 15 points off the bench. Canada's bench could only muster 16 points collectively.
RJ Barrett added 16 points for Canada, but no other player reached double figures. A significant concern for Canada throughout the tournament had been the performance of Jamal Murray. Averaging just 5.6 points and shooting 33.9% from the field, Murray continued to struggle, scoring only seven points on 3 of 13 shooting against France, including a dismal 2 for 14 from beyond the arc in the tournament.
Turnovers and Team Dynamics
The statistics from the game indicated deeper issues within the Canadian squad. The team finished with an equal number of assists and turnovers, 14 each, while France turned the ball over 17 times yet managed to capitalize on crucial moments. Head coach Jordi Fernandez critiqued the team's performance, noting, "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball."
Hope for the Future
Canada's return to the Olympic stage in Paris marked their first appearance since the 2000 Sydney Games, a milestone that brought a mix of hope and expectation. Emerging talents like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased the potential for future success, even as other key players faced challenges. The absence of incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who withdrew to focus on his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, was another factor that impacted the team's depth.
Reflecting on the outcome, Canadian forward Lu Dort emphasized the team's disappointment but also its resolve to improve: "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 exits the 2024 Paris Olympics basketball competition, the focus will inevitably turn towards the future. The lessons learned from this year's games will be crucial as they aim to build a more resilient and cohesive team, with an eye already on the next Olympic cycle. Despite the setback, the foundational pieces are in place, offering a glimmer of hope for what lies ahead.