Most of the participating teams in men's basketball have been participating in friendly basketball games these past weeks. It mustn't be taken seriously, but the recent results revealed interesting insights about the chances of the top teams. The outcome of the Canada vs. France match was one of those games.
The Canada vs. France friendly game was held in Palais des Sports in Orleans, France last July 19. The sold out home crowd saw Les Bleus lose their third straight friendlies. Both Canada and France are medal contenders in men's basketball, but the outcome would make basketball analysts and fans wonder if France’s basketball team has a fighting chance.
Les Bleus still have time, as the anticipated game, or rematch, between France and Germany will be held on August 2, but Canadian coach Jordi Fernandez and his charges took advantage of the French team's weakness that could be worked in a few days or so.
Dillon Brooks, the irritating defender, is the star of the Canada vs. France basketball game. Dillon Brooks may not have the most points during this game, but he did something that would make other teams notice. Brooks guarded Victor Wembanyama well, such that the San Antonio Spurs center was limited to 10 hard-fought points.
And he was unable to get into his usual rhythm afterwards. It was a good thing that it happened at this early stage, but Brooks's performance sent a loud message to the other teams. They don’t want to go up against the Houston Rockets forward.
The latest Team Canada is different, and better, than the Team Canada that won the bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Critics would point out the USA vs. Canada friendly game in Last Vegas and that Sports Illustrated (SI) might’ve taken that game seriously. SI predicted the US, Serbia, and Germany to win the gold, silver, and bronze respectively, but it was the first game between these two North American rivals since that bronze-medal game in Manila.
Not a few fans speculate that Jamal Murray, who didn't play in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, might not join the starting five against Greece. It didn't diminish the Canadian team's chances as all but one play in the NBA. Fernandez has many options on the offensive side. Most of them committed to the three-year play that Candia Basketball required. If the recent friendly would be any indication, the Canada’s basketball team is tough as nails and is expected to top group play. Canada won’t underestimate Spain, Greece, and Australia, as anything can happen in the 2024 basketball Olympic stage.
When Canada got the lead, the other teams couldn't catch up. Oklahoma City Thunders star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the top scorer of the Canadian team, and he would take the Canadian team to another level whenever he had the ball. To put it in another way, Canada is way better than the other teams whenever Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing.
The Canadians won't lose that lead whenever Gilgeous-Alexander goes off court, as Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett would take over. The tandem of Gilgeous-Alexander and Barrett frustrated Les Bleus from start to finish. so fans would be excited to see what these two could do during the competition.
Dwight Powell is the unsung hero of the Canada vs. France friendly game. Most fans would gush at the fact that Gilgeous-Alexander and Barrett, but they forgot Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Howard. The native of Toronto played a key role in limiting Les Bleus, such that it would put a lot of pressure on French coach Vincent Collet to think of other ways of maximizing his team. It remains to be seen if France would gel on time, but it would be clear that Powell could play a more active role during the actual games.
Canada can learn a few things from the USA vs. South Sudan friendly game. Canada had an early lead against Les Bleus and didn't look back. A hiccup in the third quarter didn't cause panic, a sigh that the Canadians could go all the way to the finals. Fernandez would be comforted about the USA vs. South Sudan game, which was held in London.
South Sudan, the only African team to qualify in the 2024 Olympics, almost did what Nigeria did to Team USA during a friendly prior to the 2020 Olympics. If not for the late heroics of LeBron James, South Sudan would have scored a huge upset. Brooks would like it, as there was no love lost between Lebron James and Dillon Brooks during that friendly game in Las Vegas.
Rapper Snoop Dogg will work for NBC in Paris as a special Olympics correspondent, and he doesn’t tip Canada’s basketball team as the favorite.
“They got a shot to get to the gold-medal round, but they’re not going to win it,” Snoop said. “The USA is the dogs. We’re not going to lose to no puppies.”
Bill Wennington, a Canadian former NBA player who won three NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, disagreed with the rapper.
“I don't want to put any pressure on them,” says Wennington. “But they know that they're being held to a higher standard right now.”
“They’ve been in big enough situations in their careers and life to understand what this is and step up to the moment.”
The affable Bull center and the other former members of Canada's basketball team shared meals with the current roster and watched practices. “They're pumped up, and they're excited about this opportunity," he said.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Canadian team won't disappoint Wennington.
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