Canada's hopes for Olympic basketball glory were dashed as the men's team was eliminated from the gold medal race at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Placed on opposite ends of the bracket from Team USA post-group stage, Canada faced off against France in the quarterfinals, entering the game as eight-point favorites. Unfortunately, the match did not unfold as anticipated.
A Troubling Start
France's defense suffocated Canada from the outset, holding them to just 10 points in the first quarter. By halftime, Canada found themselves in a significant deficit, trailing 45-29. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did his best to keep his team in contention by scoring a game-high 27 points, it wasn't enough to overcome the early setbacks.
"We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us," lamented Gilgeous-Alexander after the game.
Offensive Struggles
Canada's offense struggled to find its rhythm. RJ Barrett was the only other Canadian player to reach double figures, adding 16 points. Star guard Jamal Murray continued his shooting woes, managing just seven points on 3 of 13 shooting. Murray, who had been averaging 5.6 points while shooting 33.9% from the field during the tournament, continued to struggle from beyond the arc, going 2 for 14 on three-point attempts throughout.
Canada's bench provided little relief, contributing a mere 16 points. In contrast, France's depth shone, with Guerschon Yabusele and Evan Fournier scoring 22 and 15 points, respectively. Victor Wembanyama added seven points, and Rudy Gobert saw limited action with just three minutes on the court.
Key Moments and Turnovers
Despite forcing 17 turnovers from France, Canada couldn't capitalize on these opportunities, matching their 14 assists with 14 turnovers of their own. The offensive cohesion and ball movement seen in previous rounds were conspicuously absent. Head coach Jordi Fernandez openly criticized the team's performance, stating, "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball."
Looking Ahead
After an absence from the Olympics since the 2000 Sydney Games, this year's participation was a momentous occasion for the Canadian team. However, the early exit has left a bittersweet taste. Veteran forward Lu Dort expressed his disappointment, saying, "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 reflects on their performance in Paris, the team will look to regroup, refocus, and build towards a more successful campaign in the future. The absence of incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who pulled out to focus on his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, highlighted the challenges faced by the squad in adapting and compensating for key players.
Ultimately, the Canadian men’s basketball team's journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics serves as both a lesson and a stepping stone, paving the way for future growth and resilience on the international stage.