Team Canada went 3-0 during the group stage portion of the 2024 Paris Olympics. They did this mainly behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 19.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. Since they went 3-0 in the group stage they were guaranteed to get a top seed for the quarterfinals. However, since they only had a (plus-20) while Germany and the USA had a plus that was higher than 40 they earned the third seed. Team Canada is set to take on France, who is led by Victor Wembanyama in a matchup that should be fun to watch. If Canada can win gold what would that do for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Legacy?
To be able to answer that question, we will have to look at a couple of things. First, where is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s legacy now, how will it improve if he wins, and many more things? However, one thing we know for sure is it will improve but by how much. With only three more wins away Shai and Canada have their eyes set on winning gold for the first time in Olympics history.
Paris Olympics: What Would Winning Gold Do For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Legacy?
Where is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Legacy now?
It doesn’t seem like anyone thought that Shai would be this good in the NBA. However, ever since Shai has gotten drafted in 2018 he has improved year after year. Especially in the last two years after averaging 30 points per game back to back. In addition to that, being a two-time all-star and on All-NBA first team twice. Finally, to top it all off he finished top five in MVP voting and came in second this year behind Nikola Jokic.
It seems like Shai is striving to be one of the all-time greats in the league. However, he is nowhere near being one of those quite yet. With no MVP or NBA Championship yet, you can’t put him in that conversation. Furthermore, right now with the resume he has, is just a very good player in this era of NBA basketball. Even without those other things, winning gold for Canada would be huge for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Legacy and a step in the right direction to enter those conversations.
What would it mean to bring Gold to Canada for the first time?
Representing your country in the Olympics is a huge honor and a privilege. A privilege that a lot of people don’t ever get a chance to experience. It is even bigger if you can lead your country in winning gold for the first time in an event. That is what Shai has a chance of doing for Canada. Canada has never won gold in the Olympics for basketball and the highest they got was silver back in 1936. Because of that, winning gold would be a huge boost for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Legacy more than anyone else who has a chance of winning gold.
However, for Team Canada to win gold they will most likely have to face Team USA. The good news is it won’t happen till the gold round because of the way the seeding worked out. If Shai can lead Canada in beating this USA team, a team that people are comparing to the Dream Team and Redeem Team would be huge. It definitely won’t be easy but with all the teams left, they arguably have the best chance to do it.
How will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Legacy improve?
Now to the question of what would winning gold due for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Legacy. With everything we have talked about it will most certainly improve his legacy and set him up great for the future. Leading a country to win gold for the first time is huge. However, it won’t improve his legacy as much if he wins MVP or an NBA Championship. Because of that, he still won’t enter the conversations he wants to of being one of the best players ever. This is just the first step in the right direction for that.
If Shai can pull off what most consider impossible and win gold for Canada it would be a great thing to add to his resume. In addition, it will be the first step on the path of becoming one of the best NBA players of all time and this era of basketball. Also, it will improve his chances of being the best Canadian basketball player ever. Finally, it won’t improve his legacy as much as winning MVP or an NBA Championship would, but it will still be big for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Legacy and what he is trying to build.
