3 Reasons Team Canada flamed out in the Paris Olympics: Can they fix them?

Team Canada was a favorite to win a medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Oyympic Games, and instead they have been knocked out in the quarterfinals in dispiriting fashion, losing to France 82-73 to end their Olympic dreams.

It was the furthest Canada has been since 2000, but that is little solace given the level of talent on this roster. Canada went 3-0 in group play but with a thin margin in each game, then lost to France on Tuesday.

What led to the early exit? And are those issues fixable, or doomed to repeat in Los Angeles in 2028? Let's take a closer look at what went wrong.

No. 3: Canada didn’t weaponize its greatest strength

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA in steals a season ago. Luguentz Dort and Dillon Brooks were two of the best wing defenders in the entire Olympic field, if not the two best. Coming off the bench Nickeil Alexander-Walker is an on-ball dynamo and ballhawk in his own right.

Team Canada could have pressured every team it faced, teams with inexperienced or less talented guards, and completely destroyed their ability to get into their offenses. Don’t want Greece feeding the ball to Giannis Antetokounmpo? Don’t let them get the ball across halfcourt. France is bullying you inside? Steal their lunch money and get out in transition the other way.

There were flashes where they pulled this off, but for the most part they played a more conservative defensive style. They were weaponized to cause a lot of disruption, but instead they laid back and let things happen to them.

Can It Be Fixed? Absolutely. Canada can learn from this experience and further shore up weaknesses and lean into strengths. If Jordi Fernandez keeps the job, look for him to be better equipped next time around.