Canada's Olympic Basketball Hopes Dashed by France
In a highly anticipated showdown at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Canada was unable to live up to expectations as they were toppled by France in the quarterfinals of the men's basketball competition. Despite entering the game as eight-point favorites, the Canadians faltered early and couldn’t recover, ultimately falling to the French team by a score of 82-73.
France's defense proved impenetrable, especially in the first quarter when they held Canada to a meager 10 points. By halftime, the Canadian squad found themselves trailing significantly, 45-29. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Canadian charge with a commendable 27 points, but his efforts were in vain as the team's offensive struggles continued throughout the game.
“We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us,” Gilgeous-Alexander reflected post-game.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez echoed similar sentiments, pointing to a lack of cohesion and shared effort on the court. “We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball,” Fernandez lamented, emphasizing the disjointed play that plagued Canada.
France's balanced attack saw significant contributions from multiple players. Guerschon Yabusele led the French scoring with 22 points, while Evan Fournier provided a spark off the bench, chipping in 15 points. Rising star Victor Wembanyama scored seven points, and Rudy Gobert, although limited to just three minutes of play, left his defensive mark on the game.
RJ Barrett was the only other Canadian to score in double figures, finishing with 16 points. Jamal Murray, who had been struggling throughout the tournament, recorded just seven points on a dismal 3 of 13 shooting. His inefficiency from beyond the arc, going 2 for 14 on 3-point attempts during the tournament, highlighted the offensive woes that Canada faced.
The bench provided little relief, contributing only 16 points, and the overall team play showed evident cracks. The Canadians managed to tally 14 assists but matched that with 14 turnovers, juxtaposed to France’s 17 turnovers. The miscues and missed opportunities were too much to overcome for the Canadians.
Coming into the Paris Games, there was a sense of optimism surrounding Canada's team. This marked their first appearance in Olympic basketball since the 2000 Sydney Games, a substantial drought that the team and its supporters were eager to end with a strong showing. However, the dream of Olympic gold was abruptly halted by a tenacious French side.
Lu Dort summed up the collective 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.”
Adding to the challenges faced by the Canadian team was the absence of incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who opted out of the 2024 Olympic roster to concentrate on his debut season with the Memphis Grizzlies. The loss of a fresh, dynamic talent certainly didn’t help Canada’s cause.
As Canada exits the tournament, questions will undoubtedly be asked regarding their preparation, strategy, and execution. While the individual talents of players like Gilgeous-Alexander, Barrett, and Murray are undeniable, the ability to meld those talents into a cohesive and effective team remains the critical challenge ahead of future international competitions.
The 2024 Paris Olympics was a stage set for redemption and re-establishment of Canada’s presence in world basketball. Despite the premature exit, the experience gained and the lessons learned will be invaluable as they look towards competing at the highest level once more. For now, the squad will have to reflect on their shortcomings and build towards a brighter, more unified future.