LILLE (France) - The first part of the Olympics is behind us, and with the Quarter-Finals starting on Tuesday, we have just enough time to review the performances of all 12 teams through the group stage.
This is the third edition of this summer's Power Rankings, you can check the previous two right here:
Now, it's time for volume 3.
#12 Puerto Rico (=)
Peaking twice in the same summer is next to impossible, and Puerto Rico could not recreate their FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament magic once they arrived in Lille.
The positive side, Jose Alvarado and Tremont Waters formed a backcourt tandem which reminded us of the good old days when Carlos Arroyo and Larry Ayuso were behind the wheel of this offense.
The negative side, they are one of only two teams without a win at the Olympics, and for the first time in their own Olympic history, they allowed 100+ points in back-to-back games.
#11 Japan (=)
They finished 0-3, and in reality they were close to being 2-1. That's how basketball works sometimes, two bounces of the ball the other way and this could've been a whole different story.
While everybody expected Rui Hachimura to be the leader of this generation, an injury prevented him from doing so. However, it opened up the curtains for Yuki Kawamura to take central stage and put on a performance for the ages.
The positive side? If they repeat this kind of performance this time next year, their 28-year-long drought could end in August 2025. That's when FIBA Asia Cup will take place, a competition in which Japan have not seen the podium since 1997.
#10 South Sudan (-1)
Instead of writing anything about their incredible ride in 2024, here are words to live by from coach Svetislav Pesic, right after Serbia defeated South Sudan on Saturday:
"South Sudan are playing basketball from the future. In ten years, this is what basketball will be played like."
In August 2025, that way of basketball could get its first major accolade, as South Sudan will look at the next FIBA AfroBasket as if they are the favorites to win it all. Incredible progress from world's youngest basketball nation.
#9 Spain (-2)
It's crazy that they were a couple of threes away from winning the group and being a high seed in the Quarter-Finals draw, and ended up being eliminated, missing out on the Quarter-Finals for the first time since 2000.
That was also the year a certain Rudy Fernandez joined the youth ranks of the national team. After 24 years of being a part of La Familia, the 39-year-old played his last game as a professional basketball player on Saturday.
Enjoy retirement, Rudy. Stay in touch. Don't be a stranger.
#8 Brazil (+2)
Coach Aco Petrovic knew he would face either Canada or the United States in the Quarter-Finals, but after witnessing Bruno Caboclo's 33-point, 17-rebound performance against Japan, he was in a good mood, and optimistic ahead of the big matchup on Tuesday:
"If we could shoot 8-of-8 from three in that first quarter against Latvia in Latvia, if we could shoot 11-of-13 from three in the first half against Japan, who could stop us from dreaming that we could repeat something similar in the Quarter-Finals?"
They can dream, of course. But LeBron James, Kevin Durant and others will try and make it a rude awakening in Paris.
#7 France (-1)
Ugh... Is there a way to delete the last two games from one's memory? If so, coach Vincent Collet will need to use that Men In Black memory eraser in the locker room, then prepare them for a whole new tournament next week.
Because the troubles they had against Japan and Germany now must be forgotten, and the focus should shift to Canada. In a way, facing Germany just before Canada could turn out to be a good thing, since they play a similar kind of pressuring, physical defense.
But wait, how will they remember the German ball pressure if Collet used the memory eraser two paragraphs ago? Is there a way to erase just the bad memories? Sci-fi movies are complicated...
Anyway, moving to a smaller arena might suit France better. Everything will be much closer to the court, the electricity in the air will be palpable, and the crowd will surely be France's sixth man in Bercy in Paris.
#6 Greece (+2)
Instead of us writing anything smart - or "smart" - here, just click this link and read everything about Giannis Antetokounmpo's first Olympic experience. He is special. And that vibe could turn into a miracle? Let's see.
#5 Australia (=)
Sometimes, you just need to be lucky. The Boomers were lucky, because they almost got eliminated on Friday, but they survived in a three-way tie with Spain and Greece, and then the draw sent them to a team which they know very well.
Now they just need to recreate that 84-73 win over Serbia from Abu Dhabi. Before you say, "oh come on, man, it doesn't matter, it was just a friendly game," we'll leave you with this Bogdan Bogdanovic quote:
"Sure, it was a preparation game, but when we're out there, when we warm up, we're out there to compete and win the game. There was no relaxing of any sort or playing soft."
Now you know. Patty Mills had 28 in that one.
With coach Brian Goorjian emphasizing how point guard experience was a big problem against Greece, Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels now face a similar challenge because the Serbian guards have also seen it all at this level.
Time to see how fast they learn, right? Right.
#4 Serbia (-1)
Speaking of Bogdan Bogdanovic, he became the all-time leader in points scored for Serbia on Saturday. Serbia did what they are supposed to do, they took care of business against Puerto Rico and South Sudan, and enter the Quarter-Finals with two wins, so one more than their next opponent.
The only reason why they are dropping one spot in the Power Rankings is the fact that the others were more impressive, and this is our way of recognizing it.
But on any given day, especially if both Bogdanovic and Nikola Jokic are going above 20 points, we're not sure any team should be considered favorites against Serbia.
#3 Canada (+1)
You may be thinking, "wow, Canada up by a spot and up to the top three," but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates are thinking, "wow, this is not where we want to be."
SGA was asked if Canada arrived in France to win gold, and gold only, and this was his response:
"Absolutely. Don't wanna lose. 6-0."
They are halfway there, and it doesn't get a lot tougher than this, as they take on France in a smaller Bercy Arena in Paris compared to the large Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille.
But even if all the talk is about their offensive firepower with Shai, RJ Barrett and Andrew Nembhard playing extremely efficient basketball, their defense is what sets them apart, and they could be the best defensive team of the 2024 Olympics.
#2 Germany (=)
Feels like we have to keep reminding people over and over again that the Germans are world champs for a reason. The reason being, "wow these guys play beautiful basketball."
Their German Engineering offense is now something branded and recognizable in the basketball world, with everybody knowing what's coming up, but nobody able to stop it. The way they dominated their game against France makes it feel like they could be the biggest threat to USA Basketball in Paris.
It all starts with Dennis Schroder, but the Wagner brothers are the ones who bring so much energy, it sometimes feels like the biggest challenge is controlling their emotions.
But coach Gordon Herbert doesn't mind it. He delivered one of the best soundbites talking about that:
"I would rather tame a lion than teach a cat how to roar."
Greece up next for the Lions.
#1 United States (=)
Nobody is surprised with this. The talent level is unmatched, with Kevin Durant being the hero in game one, Bam Adebayo taking over in game two, and Anthony Edwards reaching Carmelo Anthony-like numbers in game three.
The worst part for all the other teams is the fact that the United States are visibly improving with each game and by the time they get to Paris, they'll be playing their best basketball, completely ignoring the surrounding noise.
Just three wins to go now. Brazil up next, one of the rare games in which LeBron James will not be the oldest player on the court, because Brazil's offensive motor is their 41-year-old point guard Marcelinho Huertas. One last special encounter between the two LA Lakers.
*The power rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
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