There’s one or two countries that have a real possibility of beating the powerhouse, talent-laden Team USA in Men’s Basketball at the 2024 Olympics. Though last year’s Bronze medal finish in FIBA was shaky, Canada is still deemed to be one of those teams as it has 11 players in its 12-man roster that are currently signed to an NBA ballclub.

The Canadians are living up to the expectations thus far, and have done good in the Group stage. They have now jumped into a 2-0 start by edging Greece last July 27th, 86-79, and Australia this past Tuesday, July 30th, 93-83, virtually experiencing no serious troubles in both contests.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett are powering Canada well. The latter is leading the pack on offense with 23.5 points per game on 59.3% shooting, while the former is stuffing the statsheet with 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2. steals, and 2.0 blocks, all while having an efficient 69.5% clip from the floor.

It’s great. Things are just looking good, until you look at Jamal Murray, the NBA champion point guard and clutch basket extraordinaire from the Denver Nuggets. 

Being the proven playoff performer that he is, a ton was placed on Murray, believing he’ll join SGA, Barrett, and others in boosting the Canuck offense, yet now, it seems that he’s struggling to rev up his jets. 

There’s belief that he may simply be gassed from the Nuggets’ title run in the 2022-23 NBA season and the defense this past year. After all, he’s done quite the work in those two campaigns, especially for someone who had an ACL injury in April 2021 (missed all of ‘21-22).

The 27-year-old is averaging just 6.5 points on an ugly 30.7% shooting across two games, which includes a rough -6 plus-minus considering both are wins. It’s a mixture of being passive and not having lift in his shots, or perhaps confidence:

• Vs. Greece – 18 minutes, 8 pts, 3 ast, 1 stl, 2/6 FGs
• Vs. Australia – 24 minutes, 5 pts, 3 rebs, 5 ast, 2 blks, 2/7 FGs

You could say the facilitation is okay and the stocks (steals and blocks) are nice, and besides, Gilgeous-Alexander and Barrett, as well as the role players, are doing their thing. Then again, it’s always tough to hang on such stuff in tournaments where even one loss can be costly. Also, as we’ve seen time and again in NBA playoff runs, you need all the firepower you need, which is something that’s heightened at this stage because you have to go through the ringer.

The preliminary rounds could remain easy despite Group A being the “death group,” and Canada may very well live with Murray being nonexistent. However, when the championship stages are there, he better be ready. Hopefully, by then he has relaxed and geared to trade baskets like usual. SGA, Barrett, and ‘3 and D’ guys may not be enough for a gold medal.