Canada's dreams of a gold medal in men's basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics have been dashed following a surprising 82-73 loss to France in the quarterfinals. Despite entering the matchup as eight-point favorites, the Canadian squad failed to live up to expectations, succumbing to a French team that played with more energy and physicality.
Struggles from the Start
From the opening tip-off, it was clear that Canada was not firing on all cylinders. France's swarming defense held Canada to a mere 10 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game. By halftime, Canada found themselves in a daunting 45-29 deficit.
"We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us," said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led Canada with 27 points.
French Defense Dominates
The French defense, orchestrated by the presence of NBA stars Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, proved to be impenetrable for much of the game. While Wembanyama contributed seven points, it was Guerschon Yabusele who shone the brightest, scoring 22 points. Meanwhile, Evan Fournier added 15 points off the bench in a well-rounded team effort.
Canada found it challenging to break through, with Gilgeous-Alexander being the only Canadian to score in double figures, aside from RJ Barrett who chipped in 16 points. The lack of production from the rest of the team was striking. Head coach Jordi Fernandez reflected on the performance, saying, "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball."
Offensive Woes
Canada's offensive struggles were evident throughout the tournament but were most glaring in this decisive match. Jamal Murray, who had been averaging just 5.6 points and shooting 33.9% from the field in the tournament, managed only seven points on 3 of 13 shooting against France. Even worse, he went a dismal 2 for 14 on 3-point attempts over the course of the tournament.
The team's inability to share the ball and generate cohesive plays led to merely 14 assists—a number that paled in comparison to their 14 turnovers. In contrast, France, despite turning the ball over 17 times, managed to maintain a more balanced and effective offense.
End of a Long Wait
Canada's appearance in Paris was their first Olympic participation since the 2000 Sydney Games. The long wait added an extra layer of disappointment to the early exit. Lu Dort, reflecting on the team's journey and unexpected conclusion, stated, "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."
The absence of incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who pulled out from the Olympic roster to focus on his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, may have also impacted the team dynamics. Nevertheless, the loss leaves Canada pondering what could have been, as they now look ahead to future international competitions.
As the dust settles, the Canadian squad will need to reflect on their shortcomings and find ways to rebuild and improve. The painful lessons learned in Paris will undoubtedly serve as motivation for the team's next appearance on the global stage.