Canada's hopes for a gold medal in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics were dashed following a stunning defeat to France in the quarterfinals. Entering the game as eight-point favorites, the Canadian team faced a formidable French defense that held them to just 10 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
A Strong First Half for France
By halftime, Canada trailed 45-29, unable to overcome the aggressive pace set by France. Leading the charge for Canada was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who managed to put up 27 points. However, his effort was not enough to counterbalance the stifling French defense and a dismal shooting performance from his teammates. RJ Barrett was the only other Canadian player to reach double digits, contributing 16 points.
"We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us," said Gilgeous-Alexander, reflecting the disappointment that rippled through the team.
Key Performances from France
France's strategy proved effective as they controlled the tempo and maintained their lead throughout the game. Victor Wembanyama chipped in seven points, while Rudy Gobert saw limited action with just three minutes on the court. The standout performance came from Guerschon Yabusele, who led France with 22 points, and Evan Fournier added 15 points off the bench, crucial contributions that helped seal France's 82-73 victory.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez summed up the frustration, "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball."
Struggles and Setbacks
Canada's struggles were highlighted by their 14 assists and an equal number of turnovers. Despite France turning the ball over 17 times, Canada was unable to capitalize on these opportunities. The absence of key contributions from other players further stymied their efforts, and the bench only managed to add 16 points to the total score.
The disappointing performance also spotlighted Jamal Murray, who had been averaging 5.6 points on 33.9% shooting throughout the tournament. Against France, he could only muster seven points on a dismal 3 of 13 from the field and went 2 for 14 on 3-point attempts over the course of the tournament.
Falling Short of Expectations
For Canada, the 2024 Paris Olympics marked their first appearance since the 2000 Sydney Games, a milestone that added weight to their aspirations. Yet, the early exit underscores the work needed to reach their lofty goals. The absence of talent like incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who withdrew from the roster to focus on his upcoming season with the Memphis Grizzlies, also loomed large.
As Lu Dort put it, "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."
Despite the setback, these Olympic Games provided valuable experience and lessons for the Canadian squad. With a blend of burgeoning talent and seasoned players, the focus will now shift to addressing the shortcomings exposed by this defeat, as they prepare to rebuild and come back stronger in future international competitions.