The 2024 Paris Olympics has been nothing short of stunning thus far.
As of August 5th, at 11 am Eastern time, the United States leads the distinguished competition with 71 medals overall. Behind them is China (45), France (44), and Great Britain (37).
While the Americans hold a big lead, there are still plenty of opportunities in other sports for other countries to catch up.
A sport that could help lead said countries to catch up is basketball. The United States men’s 3v3 team was eliminated in the group stage, and the women’s 3v3 team was just eliminated in the opening round of the knockout stage.
The United State’s women’s main team is very likely to take home the gold medal, having won 58 consecutive games dating back to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
This leaves one U.S. basketball team left.
The Avengers…. sorry…. the men’s team.
I believe there is little to no doubt that this is the most talented squad the Olympics has ever seen in basketball.
Any time you get LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry on the same team, they are going to be a problem.
But then you add other stars like Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo?
Sheesh.
However, as talented as this team is (I truly think they could beat the Dream Team, sorry), the field has never been better.
Over the years, it has been clear that as dominant as the United States has been in the last half-century, the world is catching up.
More and more stars are emerging from around the globe, whether it be from our upstairs neighbors in Canada, or across the ocean in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
They’re coming, and it’s becoming more evident that before long, a gold medal may not be guaranteed any more.
So, what about these Olympics? So far, the U.S. has looked the most dominant out of any team, but that doesn’t change the fact that the other countries remaining are equally as hungry to upset the established order.
Will the United States take home the gold and finally shut Noah Lyles up? Or will there be a new king of the basketball world?
Here are my predictions for this year’s knockout round.
Initial Rankings
1. United States
2. Germany
3. Canada
4. Serbia
5. France
6. Greece
7. Australia
8. Brazil
Quarterfinals
Germany vs Greece
Prediction: Germany
Giannis is easily one of the five best players in the entire world.
But while the Germans may not have a player that good, as a team, they are as lethal as anyone in the entire tournament.
Following the 2023 FIBA World Cup which saw them crowned champions, Germany is eager to prove it wasn’t a fluke.
Led by point guard Dennis Schroeder and forward Franz Wagner, they also get amazing production from Franz’s brother Moe, Daniel Theis, and Isaac Bonga.
They may not be as talented of a team as Canada or the United States, but there is no doubt these guys can play, and will surely give the United States a run for their money.
I do believe Greece is a good team, but all the Germans must do is let Giannis do whatever he wants and take away the other four guys on the floor, and they will 100% cruise to an easy win.
France vs Canada
Prediction: Canada
Give it four more years, and I truly believe France could be on top of the basketball world. The way Rudy Gobert plays, he should be able to stay productive by then even at 36, and I do not think there is any doubt Victor Wembanyama will have the NBA in the palm of his hand.
Not only that, but the top two picks in this year’s draft Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr are both French, making it very clear that once these guys develop, they are going to make France a problem.
But this isn’t 2028, this is 2024.
And while France is good, the Canadians are deadly.
Outside of the United States, Canada easily has the second most talented team in the Olympics. Led by Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander, 11 of the 12 men on the team play on an NBA roster.
Not only that, but all 11 have carved out sound careers in the league, playing big roles in whatever their respective team is.
Again, I do believe France is a good team and that this has the potential to be an amazing game.
But at the end of the day, I think Canada is just too talented, giving them the edge in this matchup.
United States vs Brazil
Prediction: United States
I mean… c’mon lol……. really?
Serbia vs Australia
Prediction: Australia
Eight years ago, it seemed like if anyone was going to dethrone the United States, it was the Aussies.
Even though this year’s team went 1-2 in group play, I truly believe they can be even better than the 2016 Rio squad once they find their rhythm.
Yes, Serbia has Nikola Jokic, the most people’s consensus number-one player in the world.
But Australia has a plethora of NBA talent that molds together very well.
Josh Giddey holds the reigns to the offense, with Matthew Dellavedova (the Curry Stopper) backing him up. Jock Landale has maintained most of the scoring duties.
Dante Exum, Joe Ingles, and Patty Mills all play a 3&D role, something that has become crucial in modern basketball.
Also chipping in on defense are Josh Green and Dyson Daniels.
I do think this will probably be the closest game out of the four quarterfinals, but at the end of the day, I predict Australia’s depth will be too much for the Serbians.
Semi-Finals
Canada vs Germany
Prediction: Canada
I have zero doubt this will be the best game of the knockout round. On one hand, you have the Germans, who may not be as talented as Canada but are certainly more experienced on the world stage.
On the other hand, you have the Canadians, a team loaded with talent who are looking to prove themselves as legitimate contenders to unseat the mighty Americans.
At the end of the day, I believe talent will be the deciding factor in this matchup, which will give Canada the edge.
There is not a single German player as good as SGA (though I could see Franz Wagner ascending in the next few years), and I believe it is only a matter of time before Jamal Murray hits his stride, making the red-and-white even more dangerous.
They are also filled with two-way players such as Dillon Brooks, RJ Barrett, Lu Dortz, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Shai’s cousin). This will for sure be a game decided by six or fewer points, but at the end of the day, Canada will get the job done.
United States vs Australia
Prediction: United States
This game will be tougher for the Americans than against Brazil, but I still think they will win by 15+.
Besides Joe Ingles and Matthew Dellavedova, the Aussies are very young and do not have a single player anywhere near as talented as any player in the U.S.
I could see them keeping it semi-close in the first half, but I would bet my house and life savings that the Americans pull away in the second.
Third Place Game
Germany vs Australia
Prediction: Germany
If last year’s FIBA World Cup is any indication, it is that Germany and Australia are closer than one would think, despite the Aussie’s lack of success.
When they played last year in the World Cup, Australia was winning going into the fourth before a late German run gave them the edge for good.
It may not be as highly publicized as the gold medal game (let’s be honest, no one cares about the third-place game), but it will be a very entertaining competition between two very good teams.
One reason it could be different from last year’s game is that Germany did not have Franz Wagner last time, their best overall player who was out with an injury. His presence could prove to be crucial and ensure that Germany has an easy path to victory.
Gold Medal Game
United States vs Canada
Prediction: United States
It was last year’s third medal game between these two countries in the FIBA World Cup that got the whole “Avengers initiative” started, so it’s kind of poetic that they meet in the final of the Olympics.
This will be the closest game to an NBA game that we will see this summer, with 23 of the 24 players playing in the league.
The United States will be aiming for that sweet redemption they have longed for for almost a year now, while Canada will attempt to spoil the return party.
I could honestly see this game either being very close or a blowout with no in-between.
The U.S. has been angry at the embarrassment that took place last year in Asia, and this desire for vengeance is the final piece in my mind for the recipe of victory.
They also have much more experience than Canada, both on the world stage thanks to players such as LeBron, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and Jrue Holiday, but also in actual elimination games in the NBA playoffs.
No matter what happens though, it will be a very entertaining matchup and one that all basketball fans will certainly enjoy.
Plus, we would get to see LeBron vs Dillon Brooks which is always fun.
Final Rankings
1. United States
2. Canada
3. Germany
4. Australia
5. Serbia
6. France
7. Greece
8. Brazil
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