Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Says Canada Does Not Fear Team USA: 'They Sweat And Bleed Just Like Us'

The 2024 Paris Olympics are now just a couple of months away and Team USA is expected to bring a stacked roster to France. The U.S. is the overwhelming favorite to win the gold but Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told Complex he isn't worried about facing what might be another Dream Team.

"No, I don't worry at all," Gilgeous Alexander said. "At the end of the day, they're basketball players. Now, they may be some of the best in the world but our team has some of the best in the world as well and we don't fear any of them. We play them all year. They're the same basketball players. They sweat and bleed just like us and the ball's gonna tip and at the end of the night and you're gonna find out who's a better team. It's whether you play USA or you play Lithuania, whether you play Spain, that's what it comes down to. So for us, there's no difference."

That is the mindset you need to have. The games aren't played on paper but on the court and Gilgeous-Alexander believes they have what it takes to beat anyone. Canada did beat Team USA in the third-place game at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but it obviously wasn't the strongest roster that the US could have fielded.

The failure to win a medal at the World Cup and all the fallout that came from it certainly played a part in all the big guns deciding they wanted to play at the 2024 Olympics. They want to make it crystal clear that Team USA is still by far the best in the world.

The NBA stars considered locks for Team USA at the Olympics barring injury, are: Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, and Devin Booker. Jrue Holiday is also expected to be a part of the 12-man roster.

With all that talent, it is going to be a tough task to beat Team USA. The groups for the tournament have now been revealed by FIBA as well, with the US finding itself in Group C.

Group A: Australia, Canada, Spain OQT (Qualifying Tournament) winner, Greece OQT winner

Group B: Germany, France, Japan, Latvia OQT winner

Group C: United States, Serbia, South Sudan, Puerto Rico OQT winner

Each team will play three group stage games, with the top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams advancing to the quarter-finals. The US will commence its tournament against Serbia on July 28.

Kevin Durant Wants Team USA To Win Games By 40-50 Points At The Olympics

Among all NBA stars, the one who seems most excited to play in the Olympics is Durant. He committed to playing fairly early on and Durant wants Team USA to beat other countries by 40-50 points at the 2024 Olympic Games.

"I’m trying to play real minutes, I’m trying to be responsible and have a real role and I know that’s going to come for the work I put in practice and all of that stuff, but I’m ready for that and I’m excited about being around that bond and USA brotherhood again, man. It’s unmatched."

"Let’s go get four. I just want to really make a statement on how dominant our players are. Like 40, 50-point wins. I want to do that." 

While the US might beat some teams by that margin, I don't believe they would be able to just walk over everyone. Canada, France, Germany, and Serbia have talented rosters, and the Canadians, in particular, should be able to provide a tough challenge.