This year's Olympic basketball tournament is shaping up to be a showcase of some of the most elite talents the sport has ever seen. With six NBA MVPs boasting a collective 13 trophies, the competition is as fierce as it is star-studded.
Leading the pack is none other than LeBron James, who has amassed an impressive four MVP awards over his illustrious career. Right behind him is Nikola Jokic with three MVPs. Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo, both known for their phenomenal scoring abilities, each have two MVP trophies. Rounding out the list are Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, each with one MVP to their names.
Team USA: Dominant Offensively
Team USA has been an offensive juggernaut, scoring over 100 points in each of their three games thus far. Their second unit is nothing short of remarkable, featuring talents like Derrick White, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant. They rank fourth in rebounds per game, averaging 41 rebounds, with 9.3 of those coming on the offensive end.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant have been particularly pivotal for the Americans. James is averaging 14.3 points and 7.3 assists per game, while Durant is shooting a blistering 64%. "LeBron James, who is averaging 14.3 points and 7.3 assists, and Durant, who is shooting 64%, are pacing the Americans," stated AP's Mark J. Terrill.
Germany's Defensive Wall
Germany has been equally impressive but on the defensive side of the ball, not allowing more than 77 points in any game. Leading the charge is Dennis Schroder, who tops all players with nine assists per game while also contributing 19.7 points. Franz Wagner, another standout, averages 21.7 points, placing him third in scoring for the Olympics, although his 3-point shooting stands at a modest 21%.
Canada: Talent with Shortcomings
Team Canada, led by the dynamic duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett, has shown flashes of brilliance. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 19 points per game, while Barrett leads the team with 21 points per game. "Team Canada is led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett, who lead the team with 19 and 21 points per game, respectively," notes NBAE's Jesse D. Garrabrant. Despite these performances, Canada ranks last in rebounding and assists among the remaining teams.
France’s Rising Star
France has been a team to watch, thanks largely to the stellar play of Victor Wembanyama. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year is leading the team in points (17), assists (3), and rebounds (10.7) per game. "Victor Wembanyama is having a great Olympics and leads France in points (17), assists (3), and rebounds (10.7) per game," commends Gregory Shamus of Getty Images. Another key contributor for France is Rudy Gobert, who leads the team with 2.7 blocks per game.
Serbia's Tactical Challenges
Serbia has been proficient in sharing the basketball, averaging 25.7 assists per game, which is only second to Team USA. Bogdan Bogdanovic has been their offensive spark, averaging 19 points on an efficient 54% shooting. However, their defensive lapses have been exposed by Team USA, giving up a total of 31 3-pointers in just two games. Additionally, Serbia has struggled with their 3-point shooting in Paris, managing a subpar 33% from beyond the arc.
Australia's Rebounding Strength
Australia has positioned itself as the second-best team in rebounding, collecting 41.3 boards per game. However, their Achilles' heel has been free throw shooting, where they languish at 63.5%. Josh Giddey's playmaking has been a double-edged sword, with his creativity marred by 4.3 turnovers per game.
Brazil: Mixed Bag
Brazil has distinguished itself with its sharpshooting, leading the tournament in 3-point accuracy at 45%. Conversely, they also lead in turnovers, giving the ball away 17.3 times per game. Offensively, Brazil has struggled to keep up, with their 80.3 points per game being the second-lowest among the remaining teams.
Greece’s Offensive Woes
Despite the individual brilliance of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 27 points on 69% shooting and grabbing 7.7 rebounds per game, Greece has found it hard to translate that into team success. Nick Calathes offers steady playmaking, ranking fourth in assists per game with 7.3. Yet, Greece's overall performance has been hampered by poor shooting, both from the 3-point line (30%) and the free throw line (69%), and they average the fewest points per game (77.7). Compounding their issues, they also commit the most fouls of any team.
As the tournament progresses, each of these teams will need to address these strengths and weaknesses if they hope to capture the ultimate prize. The battle for Olympic basketball supremacy continues to be an electrifying spectacle.