The Canadian men's basketball team will not be facing Team USA in the gold medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hopes were high for a thrilling showdown between these two basketball powerhouses, but the tournament brackets placed them on opposite ends, ensuring that clash could only have taken place if both teams made it past the group stage and knockout rounds.
Canada's journey was abruptly halted in the quarterfinals by a resilient French team. Entering the game as eight-point favorites, the Canadians seemed poised to advance, but France had other plans. In a game marked by defensive intensity and strategic prowess, France emerged victorious with an 82-73 win.
Leading the way for Canada was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who put on a stellar performance with 27 points. However, his efforts were not enough to counter France's formidable defense, which limited Canada to a mere 10 points in the first quarter alone. By halftime, the Canadians found themselves trailing 45-29, a deficit they struggled to overcome.
France's Tactical Mastery
Victor Wembanyama, a rising star, contributed seven points to France's cause. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert played a limited role, clocking in just three minutes on the court. Guerschon Yabusele emerged as a key player for France, racking up an impressive 22 points. Evan Fournier, coming off the bench, added 15 points to secure France's lead.
Canada's bench struggled to make a significant impact, collectively scoring only 16 points. RJ Barrett was the only other Canadian player to reach double digits with 16 points. The team's reliance on Gilgeous-Alexander was evident as no other player managed to breach the double-figure mark.
Offensive Struggles
One of the standout players in the tournament had been Jamal Murray, but he could not find his rhythm against France. He had been averaging a modest 5.6 points and shooting at 33.9% from the field throughout the tournament, and his performance remained lackluster, scoring just seven points on 3 of 13 shooting. His struggles were also pronounced beyond the arc, with a dismal 2 for 14 on 3-point attempts over the course of the tournament.
Canada's offensive woes were further highlighted by their ball movement, finishing with an equal tally of 14 assists and 14 turnovers. Despite France turning the ball over 17 times, Canada could not capitalize on these opportunities.
Disappointment and Reflection
The defeat in Paris marked Canada's first Olympic appearance since the 2000 Sydney Games, making the loss even more poignant. The team had entered the tournament with high aspirations, aiming to make a deep run and possibly contest for the gold medal.
Incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey's decision to pull out from the 2024 Olympic roster to focus on his season with the Memphis Grizzlies was a notable absence for Canada. While Lu Dort played a forward role for the team, the overall execution on the court was not sufficient to secure a victory against a disciplined French side.
Reflecting on the game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his frustration: "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us." The sentiment was echoed by head coach Jordi Fernandez, who acknowledged the shortcomings, "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball."
Lu Dort, sharing his disappointment, said, "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, the team is left to reflect on their journey and the areas that require improvement. The road to Olympic glory is arduous, but with the talent and passion within their ranks, Canada will undoubtedly aim to regroup and come back stronger in future international competitions.