The Olympic basketball tournament this year has been nothing short of spectacular, and a significant reason behind this excitement is the star-studded lineup featuring six NBA MVPs who collectively hold 13 trophies. Leading this illustrious group is LeBron James, with an impressive four MVP awards to his name. Following closely is Nikola Jokic, who has secured three MVP trophies. Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo each boast two MVP awards, making significant contributions to their teams' successes. Rounding out this elite group are Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, each holding one MVP accolade.
Team USA's Performance
Team USA has shown exceptional prowess on the court, scoring over 100 points in each of their three games. This offensive firepower is further bolstered by a strong second unit featuring Derrick White, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant. Despite their offensive exploits, Team USA struggles on the boards, ranking fourth in rebounds per game with an average of 41. Nevertheless, they have been effective in securing offensive rebounds, averaging 9.3 per contest.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant have been pivotal in driving Team USA's success. As noted by the Associated Press, "LeBron James, who is averaging 14.3 points and 7.3 assists, and Durant, who is shooting 64%, are pacing the Americans." Their leadership and consistent performance have kept Team USA in contention for the gold.
Germany's Defensive Excellence
Germany has been a defensive stalwart, not conceding more than 77 points in any game. This defensive strategy is anchored by Dennis Schroder, who leads all players with nine assists per game and averages a solid 19.7 points. Another standout for Germany is Franz Wagner, who is currently the third-highest scorer in the Olympics, averaging 21.7 points per game, though he has struggled with his 3-point shooting, converting only 21% of his attempts.
Canada's Mixed Bag
Team Canada has shown both promise and areas needing improvement. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett have been the primary offensive engines, with Barrett leading the team at 21 points per game and Gilgeous-Alexander close behind with 19 points per game. NBAE's Jesse D. Garrabrant highlighted their performances: "Team Canada is led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett, who lead the team with 19 and 21 points per game, respectively." However, Canada faces challenges in rebounding and playmaking, ranking last among the remaining teams in both categories.
France's Rising Star: Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama's breakout performance has been one of the highlights of the tournament. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year has led France in points (17), assists (3), and rebounds (10.7) per game. His impressive all-around play has been crucial for France, and as Gregory Shamus from Getty Images observed, "Victor Wembanyama is having a great Olympics and leads France in points (17), assists (3), and rebounds (10.7) per game." Rudy Gobert has also played a key role, notably leading France with 2.7 blocks per game.
Serbia's Struggles and Strengths
Serbia has demonstrated both strengths and weaknesses. They boast an impressive 25.7 assists per game, second only to Team USA. However, their defense against 3-point shooting has been a critical weakness, conceding 31 3-pointers in two games against Team USA. Offensively, Bogdan Bogdanovic has been a consistent performer, averaging 19 points on 54% shooting.
Australia's Rebounding and Free Throw Woes
Australia has emerged as a strong team on the boards, ranking second in rebounding with 41.3 RPG. Despite this, they have struggled significantly with free throw shooting, managing only 63.5%. Turnovers have also been an issue, with Josh Giddey turning the ball over 4.3 times per game.
Brazil's Contrasts
Brazil has put up remarkable numbers in 3-point shooting, leading the Olympics at 45%, but they also top the turnover charts with 17.3 per game. Their offensive output is one of the lowest among the remaining teams, averaging 80.3 points per game.
Greece's Offensive Struggles
Greece has faced significant challenges on the offensive end, averaging the fewest points per game (77.7) and struggling with both 3-point shooting (30%) and free throws (69%). They have also been the most foul-prone team in the tournament. Despite these issues, Giannis Antetokounmpo has delivered stellar performances, averaging 27 points on 69% shooting and grabbing 7.7 rebounds per game. Nick Calathes has been a valuable playmaker, ranking fourth in assists per game with 7.3.
As the Olympic basketball tournament progresses, these individual and team performances will continue to shape the competition, promising fans around the world riveting and unforgettable moments.