Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has an idea in mind to beat Team USA. The OKC Thunder star is leading the charge for Canada’s men’s basketball team in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and they are expected to face Team USA’s all-star roster for the gold.
The OKC Thunder guard is already looking forward to comparing his Canadian team to the Americans.
“We’re coming here to play the best talent and the best teams in the world,” SGA told NBC’s Mike Tirico on Saturday. “(Team USA) is at the top of it, so of course it’d be fun.”
The Canadian point guard opened up on what he thinks it would take to get the win over the star-studded team that includes LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis.
“They play to their strengths. They’re obviously very talented, very deep. You almost have to make no mistakes and play a perfect game when you play against them,” he said.
In the group phase, Team USA finished with a 3-0 record in Group C with a total point differential of 64. Canada also finished 3-0 in Group A, tallying a 20-point differential. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led his team in points, averaging 19 points, four assists, and 1.7 steals.
SGA is confident that Team Canada will be ready for any team; they only have one goal in mind.
“We have a lot of talent, and we know that,” the Canada point guard assured. “We all want to win, so we’re giving up whatever it takes to get to the final goal. As far as Canada, we’ll be ready for whoever we see.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Team Canada can only meet Team USA for the gold
Team USA and Team Canada were in different brackets in the group phase. Their only chance to tussle is for the gold medal. But before that, the Americans will face Team Brazil in the quarterfinals, while Canada will face the host team of France.
Both teams need to win their respective quarterfinal matches first. Should Team USA win, they will advance to the semifinals to battle whoever wins between Serbia and Australia. In the case of Canada, they need to beat the Olympics’ host country to face the winner between Germany and Greece.
Canada overcame Team USA in the bronze medal game, which led to overtime in the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup, 127-118. Team USA’s roster back then comprised the NBA’s up-and-coming stars, but this year’s Olympic team is stacked with some of the league’s all-time greats.
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