This year’s Olympic basketball tournament has turned into an extraordinary showcase of talent, featuring the presence of six NBA MVPs who collectively hold 13 MVP trophies.
Leading the MVP brigade is LeBron James with four MVP awards to his name. Known for his unmatched versatility on the court, James is stunning audiences yet again, averaging 14.3 points and 7.3 assists per game. Right behind him is Nikola Jokic, who has three MVP trophies. Jokic’s ability to dominate the paint with his unique skill set makes him a formidable force in the tournament.
Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo are each making their presence felt, both holding two MVP trophies. Antetokounmpo, known as the Greek Freak, is living up to his reputation, averaging an impressive 27 points on 69% shooting and 7.7 rebounds per game. Curry, with his sharpshooting, is leaving defenders scrambling to contain him. Completing this exclusive club of MVPs are Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, each with one MVP award. Durant, in particular, is a dual threat, not only earning accolades as one of the NBA’s elite scorers but also galvanizing Team USA, shooting a blistering 64% from the field.
Team USA’s Dominance
Team USA, headlined by these NBA superstars, has transformed each game into a scoring exhibition, surpassing the 100-point mark in each of their three games so far. They’ve also shown depth with a potent second unit featuring Derrick White, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis, and the aforementioned Durant. The Americans are averaging 41 rebounds per game, indicative of their effort on the glass, while also grabbing 9.3 offensive rebounds per contest.
Durant’s leadership, along with James' multifaceted play, has been instrumental. "LeBron James, who is averaging 14.3 points and 7.3 assists, and Durant, who is shooting 64%, are pacing the Americans," as reported by AP Photo’s Mark J. Terrill.
Challenges for Other Teams
Germany, though disciplined on defense by not conceding more than 77 points in any game, may find it challenging to stymie high-powered offenses. Dennis Schroder is leading all players with nine assists per game and averaging 19.7 points. His teammate, Franz Wagner, is making valuable contributions with 21.7 points per game, though his 3-point shooting percentage stands at a modest 21%. In comparison, Greece is struggling both offensively and defensively. They average the fewest points per game (77.7) while also grappling with subpar shooting from both the 3-point line (30%) and at the charity stripe (69%).
Nick Calathes, fourth in assists per game with 7.3, is a bright spot for Greece. However, they commit the most fouls tournament-wide, further impeding their progress. As for Australia's campaign, rebounding has become its forte, recording the second-best rebounding average at 41.3 RPG. Yet, their inability to convert free throws effectively, shooting just 63.5%, has been a glaring weakness. Additionally, Josh Giddey’s turnovers, averaging 4.3 per game, have proven costly.
Emerging Stars: Brazil and France
Brazil has their own strengths and pitfalls. They are leading the Olympics in 3-point shooting at 45%, although they also top the charts in turnovers with an average of 17.3 per game. Their offensive output of 80.3 points per game stands as the second-lowest among the remaining teams. France, led by the prodigious Victor Wembanyama, who is the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, shows promise. Wembanyama is averaging 17 points, 3 assists, and 10.7 rebounds per game, proving crucial for France’s aspirations. Gregory Shamus of Getty Images captures it aptly: "Victor Wembanyama is having a great Olympics and leads France in points (17), assists (3), and rebounds (10.7) per game." Additionally, Rudy Gobert's contribution on defense, with 2.7 blocks per game, cannot be overstated.
Serbia’s Battle with Consistency
Serbia, meanwhile, is showcasing their exceptional playmaking skills, averaging 25.7 assists per game, second only to Team USA. Bogdan Bogdanovic has been a reliable scorer for Serbia, averaging 19 points on 54% shooting. However, their defense against perimeter shooting has been suspect, conceding a total of 31 3-pointers in two games against Team USA. Furthermore, Serbia's own 3-point shooting has been struggling, marked by a sub-33% success rate.
Lastly, while Team Canada boasts strong individual performances, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 19 points per game and RJ Barrett's team-leading 21 points per game, their overall team execution requires refinement. According to NBAE's Jesse D. Garrabrant, "Team Canada is led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett, who lead the team with 19 and 21 points per game, respectively." Despite these star performances, Canada remains last in both rebounding and assists among the remaining teams.
The Olympic basketball tournament continues to enthrall fans, with every game revealing how individual talent and team dynamics intersect on the road to glory. Whether it's the dominance of Team USA or the surprising grit displayed by other competing nations, the coming matchups promise to be a thrilling spectacle.