Canada, Greece and Australia. Undoubtedly, at Spain He will have to face one of the possibly worst groups at the Olympic Games in terms of difficulty. The Spanish team, number 2 in the FIBA ranking, will have a big challenge before it advances to the knockout phase of Paris 2024, and it will have to face three teams that, to a lesser or greater extent, have talent in the NBA in their ranks.
Of these three rivals, the one that generates more respect is the Canadian team led by Jordi Fernandez, was named coach of the Brooklyn Nets this summer. For various reasons, such as the great work done and the results achieved, or the great generation of players who made their way in recent years, making Canada considered one of the leading candidates to compete for medals.
The Canadian team was presented to society at the final 2023 World Cup as one of the most powerful national teams in the FIBA world. He was Spain’s executioner in the tournament’s second group stage, beating Luka Doncic’s Slovenia in the quarterfinals and losing to Serbia in the semis. However, in an intense bronze medal match against the United States that included extra time, the Canadians achieved a historic third place finish on their resume.
Now, in Paris 2024, they have a historic opportunity to continue growing as one of the most ambitious projects in the national basketball team. Furthermore, this edition of the Games is not just one for the country of the maple leaf. Since Sydney 2000, Canada, even with Steve Nash in their ranks, did not appear in an Olympic event. More than two decades later, they’re at it again, and they’re going to do it with a team that has proven to be able to compete with anyone.
An undisputed leader and an indispensable cast
Canada, as the name suggests, is a talented and hard-working team across the board, but it’s a true MVP candidate leading a team that’s teeming with NBA players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander He has already shown in the 2023 World Cup to be a player capable of being decisive in a FIBA context as well, even suggesting that his best performance is yet to come, as seen this last NBA season and in friendlies before the Games.
However, Shai’s productivity wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t for the supporting cast he’s with. Players like it Dillon Brooks, RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk, Nickeil Alexander-Walker or his Thunder teammate, Luguentz Dorthave already been shown at the last World Cup as indispensable travel companions for SGA and for the North American team, some providing respite in attack, others performing less thankless tasks at the back.
A great addition for the Olympics would be Andrew Nembhardt. The point guard had a great year with the Indiana Pacers and will be one of the new faces (along with Trey Lyles) in Jordi Fernández’s rotation, and Nembhard will debut at Paris 2024 with the Canadian senior team.
On the other hand, the Canadian team came to Paris with clear ideas. Other than the loss against Team USA, they beat France and easily defeated Puerto Rico. They are capable of punishing from all areas of attack and have the necessary tools to be a very uncomfortable team in defence. In other words, they are a complex and demanding matchup for anyone.
The big doubt
Due to the demands and physical wear and tear of the Nuggets 2022/23 season, including the ring, Jamal Murray He did not attend the 2023 World Cup with the national team.
However, he will not miss the Olympic event and Murray will be the most talked about signing for Canada in Paris. The Denver Nuggets guard came to form a great offensive duo with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Not enough talent but, with practice, There are some doubts about how it will fit the gear..
It should be added that Murray has been suffering from physical problems since the end of this season with Denver and, therefore, it remains to be seen how he gets to the Games and how he adapts to a group that has learned to play without he . So far, his influence at court during the preparation of friends is practically testimonial.
The final template
A few days before the Games begin, this is how the squad of twelve selected from the Canadian team for Paris looks:
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker (guard; Minnesota Timberwolves)
- RJ Barrett (forward; Toronto Raptors)
- Khem Birch (centre; Bàsquet Girona)
- Dillon Brooks (forward; Houston Rockets)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (point guard; Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Luguentz Dort (shooting guard; Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Melvin Ejim (forward; Unicaja Málaga)
- Trey Lyles (power forward; Sacramento Kings)
- Jamal Murray (shooting guard; Denver Nuggets)
- Andrew Nembhard (point guard; Indiana Pacers)
- Kelly Olynyk (power forward; Toronto Raptors)
- Dwight Powell (center; Dallas Mavericks)
In total, ten NBA players and two players playing in the Endesa League. Regarding the squad from the last World Cup, there are three changes: Jamal Murray, Andrew Nembhard and Trey Lyles enter; while Zach Edey, Phil Scrubb and Trae Bell-Haynes fell off the list.
The fall is also notable Andrew Wigginswhose absence was due to the fact that his team, the Golden State Warriors, did not allow him to be on the final roster to avoid an injury that would prevent him from moving in the near future.
The Game schedule
July 27: against Greece (9:00 pm)
July 30: vs Australia (1:30 pm)
August 2: against Spain (5:15 pm)
Source: La Verdad
I’m Jason Root, a professional writer working with Today Times Live, the premier news website. I specialize in sports writing, covering the biggest stories in the world of athletics. With an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, I provide engaging and informative articles that capture the key elements of any event or issue. My work has been featured on numerous respected websites and publications around the world.
