Olympics arrive in Paris! And Grant Williams previews men's basketball

The Olympics.com podcast, hosted by Nick McCarvel, brings a vibrant preview of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, highlighting the city's transformation and the excitement surrounding the event. Joined by Paris resident Julian Polo, they discuss the city's preparation, iconic venues like the Eiffel Tower and Roland Garros, and the sustainable initiatives of the Olympic Village. NBA star Grant Williams provides insights into the highly competitive basketball tournament, predicting a strong performance from Team USA and highlighting Canada's rising talent. The episode also features American gymnast Jordan Childs, who shares her journey and inspirations, setting the stage for the upcoming gymnastics events.

• The podcast is set in Paris, the site of the 2024 Olympic Games.
• The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, and the podcast is recorded on Monday evening.
• Approximately 11,000 athletes are expected to participate, marking a celebratory return of the Olympics with fans in attendance.
• The podcast includes insights from various guests, including Grant Williams and Aly Raisman.

"The opening ceremony is set for Friday. I'm recording this for you on Monday evening. And we've got a great podcast in store."

• The podcast is recorded just days before the opening ceremony, highlighting the immediacy and excitement surrounding the event.

• Grant Williams discusses the increasing international talent in the NBA and its impact on the Olympics.
• He emphasizes the competitive nature of the tournament and the importance of passion and energy in supporting one's country.
• He mentions notable international players like Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama.

"I do believe that it's going to show the growth of the game because as we see with the NBA, we have a lot more international talent coming from overseas to play in the NBA."

• The growth of international talent in the NBA is a key theme, reflecting the global nature of basketball.

"The level of basketball continues to grow on an international level... we're starting to take more pride in our development and at younger ages."

• The increasing competitiveness of international basketball is driving the US to focus more on player development from a young age.

• Julian Polo, a Parisian resident originally from Argentina, joins the podcast to discuss the city's transformation in preparation for the Olympics.
• Key locations like Place de la Concorde and Champ de Mars have been significantly transformed to host various Olympic events.
• The opening ceremony will be held on the Seine River, a historic first for the Summer Olympics.

"One of the things that makes these games different are that the venues came to the most iconic places of the city, like Place de la Concorde."

• The use of iconic Parisian locations for Olympic venues is a unique aspect of these games.

"The opening ceremony of summer Olympic games outside of the Seine... 6 km on the Seine. 300,000 spectators."

• The opening ceremony on the Seine River is a historic and highly anticipated event.

• The podcast highlights several iconic venues and transformations in Paris for the Olympics.
• The Eiffel Tower will host beach volleyball, creating a visually stunning and iconic backdrop.
• The Grand Palais will host fencing and taekwondo, adding to the historical and cultural significance of the venues.
• The Yves du Manoir stadium, originally used in the 1924 Paris Olympics, will host hockey.

"The Olympic rings on top of the Eiffel Tower... they are actually, like, 39 meters wide, 15 meters high, and 9 meters diameter."

• The installation of the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower is a significant and symbolic transformation.

"The Grand Palais, which is one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Paris, that's gonna host fencing in taekwondo."

• The Grand Palais is highlighted as a beautiful and culturally significant venue for Olympic events.

"It's called Yves du Manoir, and originally, it was the stat du Colombe, and it was the main venue for the previous games in Paris 100 years ago."

• The Yves du Manoir stadium's historical significance as a venue from the 1924 Paris Olympics is emphasized.

• The IOC and Paris 2024 have focused on making the games more sustainable.
• The use of existing and iconic venues is part of the sustainability effort.
• The Olympic Village and other facilities are designed to have long-term benefits for the city and its residents.

"One of the onuses put forward by the IOC and Paris 2024 has really delivered on this, is that the games need to be more sustainable."

• Sustainability is a key focus for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with efforts to use existing venues and create long-term benefits for the city.

• The Olympic village will host 15,000 people, including athletes, coaches, and team members.
• Post-games, the village will function as a sustainable city district with housing, offices, and shops for 12,000 people.
• The construction of the village has focused on sustainability, using 100% renewable energy and reducing its carbon footprint by 47%.

"But that is a project that was already being built. It got sort of fast forwarded by the games, but it's going to be a sustainable city district. It's got housing, offices, shops. 12,000 people are going to be able to live and work there."

• The village is part of a larger effort to create a sustainable urban environment.

"They use 100% renewable energy. They are also. We have the famous cardboard bets."

• The village uses renewable energy and sustainable materials, such as cardboard beds.

"And also, something that describes this structure is that the construction of the village reduce its carbon footprint by 47% compared to traditional construction projects."

• The construction methods have significantly reduced the carbon footprint.

• 95% of the venues are either existing or temporary infrastructure.
• The Yves du Manois venue from previous games will be reused.

"About the venues, I think that the key fact is that 95% were existing or temporary infrastructure, including, as I said, Yves du Manois. That is the only venue from the previous games that will be here."

• The reuse of existing venues minimizes the environmental impact and costs.

• The transformation of Paris into an Olympic city is a significant event.
• Anticipation for events like triathlon in the Seine and tennis at Roland Garros.

"I think triathlon will be interesting because we have the athletes swimming in the Seine. After 101 years, this would be cool to see how the city transformed, evolved."

• The return of Rafael Nadal in tennis and the presence of other sports like football, hockey, and rugby are highly anticipated.

"And also personally, as a tennis fan, to see Rafa, to see Alcaraz competing in doubles and also all this mystery around Rafa that if he's going to continue or not, but just to enjoy Rafa again in Roland Garros, but transformed with the Olympic colors, that will be awesome."

• The excitement extends to national pride with strong performances expected from the home country in various sports.

"So super excited to see my country and be there supporting, but also try to stay, remain professional."

• The US men's basketball team is favored to win gold but faces challenges from other strong teams.
• Key players include LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry.

"Now, the US men's basketball team is favored to win gold once again in the men's basketball tournament. But it's not going to be easy. They've got challenges from the likes of Canada, which features plenty of NBA players, as well as host France. You've also got Germany, who is the reigning FIBA World cup champions."

• The team has a short time to synchronize and prepare for the games.

"This team really only has a matter of weeks, maybe months, but a matter of weeks to get together and to synchronize and to go for a gold medal."

• The US team benefits from the individual talents of its players, but lacks the continuity found in European teams.

"The benefit that the US team has is that they are coming together really for the first time. Some of these guys have only played with each other once, but they have knowledge of each other's games because they played against them so much."

• Incorporating star players like Joel Embiid presents challenges and opportunities.

"You know, you're trying to incorporate a guy who is the main focal point of his team in Philadelphia and you would assume has success in Europe because the big band is key and being able to be a little more physical."

• The coaching staff's strategy and player utilization will be crucial.

"And understanding, you know, the coaching is going to go into, a lot into it with Eric Spoelstra, Steve Kerr and few and all those guys."

• Jason Tatum and Derek White's roles are crucial for the team's versatility and defense.

"I do believe that, you know, the versatility that Jason Tatum brings to the team, he actually is the one that I think actually will take the backseat in a way of being the person that comes off the bench is that electric scoring punch."

• Steph Curry's shooting ability is a significant advantage for the team.

"Steph does a crazy, you know, catalyst. He's the s factor of the team. His ability to shoot and people not really understanding and having much film on him in the international space really kind of allows the US to use him as their main option."

• The team's success will be measured against high expectations, with anything less than gold seen as a disappointment.

"I feel like, actually, my stance gets even stronger now after seeing them play together. I feel like Steph is the main reason why that got stronger."

• The basketball tournament is divided into three groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals.

"Okay, so the basketball tournament is divided into groups, right? We've got three groups. Top two teams. They're going to advance."

• Understanding the group dynamics and matchups is essential for following the tournament.

"So what I'll say is that, you know, with the team, I do believe that with JT coming in after his, you know, hiatus, as well as the removal of Kawhi Leonard and addition of Derek White, it definitely brought a little bit of confusion, a little bit to the public just because, you know, how do you incorporate these guys this quickly?"

These notes provide a detailed and comprehensive overview of the key themes and topics discussed in the transcript, formatted for easy study and review.

• Teams in Group C: Serbia, South Sudan, Puerto Rico, Team USA.
• Key Competitors: The main competition for the US is Serbia.
• Performance Prediction: The US and Serbia are expected to lead the group.
• Third Place Contender: South Sudan is a strong contender for the third place, potentially advancing to the quarterfinals.

"I do believe that the US, the only real test that they'll really have to face is Serbia."

• The main competition for the US in Group C is Serbia.

"I do believe that South Sudan is a team that people really shouldn't sleep on."

• South Sudan is a promising team with potential to surprise.

"Hot take is that South Sudan is the team that makes it to the quarterfinals out of the groups."

• South Sudan is predicted to advance to the quarterfinals based on their energy and competitiveness.

• Teams in Group A: Australia, Greece, Canada, Spain.
• Top Teams: Canada and Australia are predicted to be the top two teams.
• Surprise Element: Greece, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, could be a surprising third team to advance.
• Spain's Challenge: Spain may struggle against Greece due to mismatches.

"I actually believe that Canada and Australia will be the top two teams to come out."

• Canada and Australia are expected to lead Group A.

"I have faith in Giannis and the team's ability to really be a huge mismatch for the Spanish roster."

• Greece, led by Giannis, could outperform Spain due to mismatches.

"Giannis is a king of humility. He's a person that plays with undenying passion every time he steps on the floor."

• Giannis's passion and leadership are crucial for Greece's success.

• Teams in Group B: France, Germany, Japan, Brazil.
• Top Teams: France and Germany are expected to lead the group.
• Third Place Contender: Brazil is seen as stronger than Japan, potentially taking the third place.
• Germany's Confidence: Germany's FIBA World Cup win boosts their confidence.

"I do see Germany either being top of the group or France, one of the two."

• France and Germany are the main competitors in Group B.

"I do believe that the Brazilian roster is better than the Japanese roster."

• Brazil is predicted to be better than Japan.

"I don't think they lack confidence. They're a group that plays with a level of grit."

• Germany's confidence and grit are highlighted as their strengths.

• Team Strengths: Strong defensive roster with versatile players.
• Key Players: Nick Batum, Frank Ntilikina.
• Challenges: Scoring ability and potential matchups against the US and Canada.

"In terms of defense, they have a very versatile defensive roster."

• France's defensive versatility is a key strength.

"The real question is, will they be able to score?"

• Scoring ability is a concern for France.

"The two teams that I would be wary of if I were them are Canada and US."

• Canada and the US are seen as significant challenges for France.

• Increased Talent: More international talent in the NBA reflects the growth of basketball globally.
• Excitement for the Tournament: This Olympics is expected to showcase the highest level of basketball talent ever.
• Competitive Groups: Each group is highly competitive, making the tournament exciting.

"I do believe that it's going to show the growth of the game."

• The Olympics will highlight the global growth of basketball.

"This is the most exciting tournament that we'll have ever because the talent across all levels."

• The tournament is expected to be highly exciting due to the talent level.

"Canada has not really had the Olympic success that we are looking to, but in terms of talent, they're the second best talented roster in the Olympics behind the US."

• Canada has a highly talented roster, second only to the US.

• Olympic Focus: The US prioritizes the Olympics over FIBA competitions.
• Talent Pool: The US team is composed of top NBA players.
• Comparison to Other Teams: Other teams, like Germany, have more continuity but may lack the same level of talent.

"The US cares more about the Olympics and cares about the grand stage and they play all their best players."

• The US prioritizes the Olympics and fields its best players.

"The talent from the US roster similar to that of Boston Celtics this year is just going to be too much for them to battle and compete with."

• The US team's talent is expected to be overwhelming for other teams.

"We see the Luka Dončić, we see the Giannis, we see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coming from, and Victor."

• The presence of international stars in the NBA reflects the global growth of basketball.

• Foul Trouble and Offensive Competitors
  • Foul trouble for key players like Anthony Davis could hinder the US team.
  • Strong offensive teams like Serbia could pose a significant challenge.
• Shooting Performance
  • Poor three-point shooting could be a critical factor in losing a game.
  • Defensive capabilities are less concerning due to the team's strong performance in that area.

"But what would have to happen for the US not to win the gold medal would be whether it's foul trouble to Anthony Davis and those bigs, playing against a team like Serbia, or playing against a team that can really compete with them offensively, or it's got to be them going cold from the three-point line."

• The US team's success hinges on avoiding foul trouble and maintaining strong shooting performance.

• US vs. Canada
  • A US vs. Canada final would be highly engaging and competitive.
  • The rivalry between the neighboring countries would add excitement.
  • Canada's NBA talent, including players like Dillon Brooks, would make for a compelling match.

"My dream matchup, it's biased, but I feel like the US versus Canada would be electric."

• A US vs. Canada final is seen as the most exciting potential matchup due to the rivalry and talent involved.

• Honor and Pride in Representing One's Country
  • Playing for the Olympic team is a significant honor for NBA players.
  • Players like Jason Tatum and Steph Curry express pride in wearing the national jersey.
• Off-Court Activities
  • Players engage in cultural activities and sightseeing while preparing for games.
  • Behind-the-scenes content and camaraderie among players are highlights.

"You can tell it's a real honor to them to play for the Olympic team. You look at social media, Jason Tatum or Steph Curry and all the different guys, they are proud to put on the jersey."

• Representing the country in the Olympics is a source of pride and honor for players.

• Joy and Fun in Competition
  • Jordan Chiles emphasizes the importance of having fun and engaging the crowd during competitions.
  • Balancing focus with enjoyment enhances her performance.

"For me, I love getting the crowd involved. I love being able to, you know, if we're entertaining them, why not entertain them back so they feel like, okay, I didn't just come here to watch a sport, but I come here to, you know, dance and get involved."

• Chiles believes in creating a reciprocal experience with the audience to enhance the competition atmosphere.

• Mental Strategies for Calmness

  • Thinking of her inspirations, like Allie Raisman, helps Chiles stay calm during competitions.
  • Affirmations and positive self-talk are crucial for maintaining confidence.

"I always think of you when I'm out onto the competition floor, because truly, honestly, Allie, you've inspired not only just me, but a lot of the girls out there."

• Drawing inspiration from mentors and using affirmations helps Chiles stay composed and confident.

• Inspiration from Beyoncé
  • The affirmation "I Am That Girl" is inspired by Beyoncé and serves as a motivational tool.
  • It helps Chiles maintain a positive and confident mindset.

"I recently went to her show that she had in Houston, and then I went to go watch the documentary, and it just inspired me a lot because, you know, a lot of people take for granted on who Beyoncé really is."

• Beyoncé's journey and persona inspire Chiles to embrace her identity and confidence.

• Key Dates and Events
  • Women's artistic gymnastics team qualifying begins on July 28.
  • First medals of the Paris 2024 Olympics will be awarded on July 27 in various sports, including shooting.
• Olympics.com Q&A
  • A live Q&A session featuring Allie Raisman and Nadia Comăneci will take place on July 28.

"The first medals are going to be handed out on Saturday, the 27th. On that day, you've got medals in road cycling, diving, fencing, judo, rugby sevens, shooting, skateboarding, and swimming."

• The initial medal events and Q&A sessions are significant highlights of the upcoming Olympics.

• Olympics.com App
  • The app provides personalized information on athletes, teams, and sports.
  • Essential for staying updated on Olympic events and schedules.

"You also can personalize the app. You want certain information on an athlete, a team, a sport. You can do that."

• The Olympics.com app is highly recommended for comprehensive coverage and updates on the Olympic Games.