Canada’s Olympic Basketball Journey Ends in Disappointment Against France
Despite an admirable run, Canada’s ambitions for a gold medal in the men’s basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics came to a sudden end with a disappointing quarterfinal loss to France. Entering the knock-out stage as eight-point favorites, the Canadians faced a formidable French defense that stymied their offense in a decisive 82-73 defeat.
Dominant Defense from France
The French team set the tone early, holding Canada to just 10 points in a grueling first quarter. Consistent defensive pressure saw the Canadians trail 45-29 by halftime, a deficit from which they could not recover. France's defense, spearheaded by consistent efforts across the board, disrupted Canada’s offensive flow at critical moments throughout the contest.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was Canada's standout performer, scoring 27 points. However, his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the might of France's cohesive defense. Reflecting on the game, Gilgeous-Alexander said, "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us."
Canadian Offense Falls Short
Canada’s offensive struggles were glaring, with no other player besides RJ Barrett, who scored 16 points, reaching double figures. In stark contrast, France saw significant contributions from several players. Guerschon Yabusele led the way with 22 points, while Evan Fournier delivered a crucial 15 points off the bench. Supplemental scoring from Victor Wembanyama and a brief, albeit strategic, appearance from Rudy Gobert further bolstered France's position.
Jamal Murray, who had been averaging 5.6 points with a shooting percentage of 33.9% from the field throughout the tournament, maintained his struggles. Murray managed only seven points on a dismal 3 of 13 shooting performance, a trend that underscored the wider issues with Canada’s offensive cohesion and efficiency. Murray’s 2 for 14 performance on 3-point attempts over the tournament highlighted a critical shortfall in Canada’s game plan. Reflecting on the team’s performance, head coach Jordi Fernandez remarked, "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball."
Canada's bench contributed a mere 16 points, putting a stark spotlight on the lack of depth in the roster compared to France’s more balanced attack. Canada’s team finished the game with an equal number of assists and turnovers (14 each), while France turned the ball over 17 times but still managed to secure the win through strategic play and consistent execution.
Historical Context and Future Aspirations
Canada’s participation in the Paris Olympics marked their return to the Olympic men’s basketball stage for the first time since the 2000 Sydney Games. The outcome, though not what the team or its supporters had hoped for, lays a foundation for future growth and development. Lu Dort, reflecting on the journey and the loss, emphasized the emotional weight of the experience. "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," he said.
The absence of incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who withdrew from the Olympic roster to focus on his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, further compounded Canada’s challenges. This, coupled with underwhelming performances from key players, will undoubtedly serve as critical learning points for the team as they regroup and look ahead to future competitions.
As Canada bows out of the 2024 Olympics, the journey, while ending in disappointment, underscores the determination and spirit of the team. The experience undoubtedly provides valuable lessons and highlights areas for improvement as they aim for redemption and success in future international competitions.