Canada's hopes for a gold medal in men's basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics were dashed after a sobering defeat by France. Entering the quarterfinals as eight-point favorites, the Canadian team found themselves on the wrong end of an 82-73 scoreline that has left much to dissect and ponder.
A Tough Start
Right from the outset, things didn’t go according to script for Canada. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led his team with 27 points, acknowledged the team's lamentable start, stating, "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us." The Canadians were held to a meager 10 points in the first quarter, thanks to France’s stifling defense, setting the tone for a struggle that would persist throughout the game.
By halftime, Canada found themselves trailing 45-29, a deficit they couldn’t overcome despite mounting a more competitive effort in the second half. France's defense remained resilient, anchored by a collective effort that saw contributions from multiple players. Victor Wembanyama added seven points while Rudy Gobert made a brief appearance, playing just three minutes. The standout performer for France was Guerschon Yabusele, who topped their scoring with 22 points. Additionally, Evan Fournier came off the bench to contribute 15 points, complementing the team’s depth and versatility.
Missed Opportunities and Key Performances
Canada's bench managed to add only 16 points, a stark contrast to France’s more prolific substitutes. RJ Barrett’s 16 points were a bright spot, but beyond Barrett and Gilgeous-Alexander, no other Canadian player reached double figures. Jamal Murray, who had struggled throughout the tournament, continued to find it difficult against France, scoring just seven points on 3 of 13 shooting. Murray's tournament averages of 5.6 points and 33.9% shooting highlighted his ongoing struggles, especially as he went just 2 for 14 on 3-point attempts over the course of the games.
Canada’s head coach Jordi Fernandez touched upon the offensive woes that plagued his team. "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball," Fernandez conceded. The stats bore out his assessment; Canada finished the game with 14 assists against 14 turnovers, a clear indicator of their disjointed play. Despite France turning the ball over 17 times, Canada couldn’t capitalize on those errors effectively.
A Return to the Olympics
This Olympic appearance was Canada's first since the 2000 Sydney Games, making the loss even more poignant for a team looking to re-establish itself on the international stage. The absence of incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who pulled out to focus on his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, may have also played a part in Canada’s struggles.
For players like Lu Dort, the loss stings but serves as a lesson for the future. "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 remarked, encapsulating the mixture of regret and resolve that the team now faces.
Looking at the bigger picture, this defeat could act as a catalyst for introspection and growth. If Canada manages to build on this experience, focusing on their weaknesses and developing a more cohesive game plan, their return to the Olympics might not be an 24-year wait next time.
The journey for this Canadian squad may have ended sooner than hoped, but the lessons learned could pave the way for brighter future campaigns, beginning with an eye towards the 2028 Los Angeles Games.