Canada's men's basketball team will not be advancing to the gold medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics, thwarted by a strong French side in the quarterfinals. The bracket challenge appeared promising, positioning Canada on the opposite end of Team USA post-group stage. Yet, France, undeterred by the odds, turning the tables in an 82-73 victory.
First Quarter Struggles
From the outset, Canada struggled to find their rhythm. France's defense clamped down, holding the Maple Leafs to just 10 points in the first quarter. A slow start left Canada scrambling, down 45-29 by halftime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led his team with 27 points, candidly reflected, "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us."
Head coach Jordi Fernandez echoed these sentiments, citing a lack of energy and physicality from his players. "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.
Key Contributions
Despite their own offensive woes, France showcased an exemplary team performance. Guerschon Yabusele emerged as their top scorer with 22 points, while Evan Fournier contributed 15 points off the bench. Talented young prospect Victor Wembanyama added 7 points to the French tally. Even though veteran Rudy Gobert played only three minutes, France’s defense remained impervious.
Canada's supporting cast, meanwhile, failed to provide substantial assistance. RJ Barrett did chip in 16 points, but no other Canadian player touched double figures in scoring. Jamal Murray, who had been averaging 5.6 points and shooting a dismal 33.9% from the field in the tournament, continued to clash with his shooting woes, registering just 7 points on 3 of 13 shooting against France. Over the tournament, Murray's 3-point efficiency was a mere 2 for 14.
Turnover Battle
The turnover battle proved relatively even, but it was a telling statistic nonetheless. Canada recorded 14 assists against 14 turnovers, while France coughed up the ball 17 times. The failure to take advantage of these extra possessions further compounded Canada’s inability to stage a comeback. Fernandez's critique of the team's offensive strategy reverberated throughout the loss: "Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game."
Historical Perspective and Future Outlook
Canada's appearance at the Paris Olympics marked their first since the 2000 Sydney Games, making the early exit particularly crushing. Incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey's decision to pull out from the Olympic roster to focus on his debut season with the Memphis Grizzlies only underscored the weight on the shoulders of experienced players like Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray.
Reflecting the gravity of their exit, forward Lu Dort acknowledged the disappointment but remained steadfast about future ambitions. "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," Dort emphasized.
For Canadian basketball, the road to redemption is paved with challenging lessons. The Paris setback serves as a reminder of how critical a strong start and cohesive team play are on the Olympic stage. As they cast an eye towards future tournaments and Olympic games, the lessons learned from Paris will undoubtedly shape their strategies and aspirations. Until then, the sting of an 82-73 quarterfinal loss to France will serve as both a spur and a sobering reflection on what could have been.