Eurosport (DR) / TNT (DR)
By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
Two months after the Paris Olympic Games, the performances of the French team continue to be talked about. Following the silver medal obtained by the latter, Shaquille O’Neal also delivered his prediction concerning Los Angeles 2028.
For a few days, the eyes of basketball fans around the world were focused on France. The Paris Olympic Games have captivated the attention of almost all observers, and for good reason. The competition faced by the United States, usually the big favorites of the competition, had never seemed so tough. And this, despite the cluster of stars on which Steve Kerr could count.
Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and other LeBron James did not prove too much to capture the gold medal. Particularly in the semi-final and final, during which Serbia and the French team caused big problems for Team USA. Failing to have ultimately been defeated, the latter is warned for the defense of her title. Even more so after the recent declaration of Shaquille O’Neal.
Shaquille O’Neal reveals his expectations for France at the 2028 Olympics
Following the recent Olympic victory of the United States, many experts affirmed that the gap between the Americans and the rest of the world was narrowing. For his part, O’Neal refused to make such an observation while admitting not to have been captivated by the tournament. However, it seems that he has changed his mind, since he did not give much of his compatriots’ skin at the 2028 Games with Roberto MTZ :
Shaquille O’Neal : The Paris Olympic Games are surely the last that the United States will win because in the next ones, there will be no LeBron, no KD and no Steph. So anyone could win them.
But then, which nations could create a surprise and achieve this upset in Los Angeles? For Diesel, two of them hold the rope:
Shaquille O’Neal : When I look at the Joker’s team (Nikola Jokic) and France, I tell myself that in 2028, they will probably do something.
To be completely honest, Shaq isn’t taking a lot of risks on this one. After all, he only considers two of the selections that finished on the podium in Paris this summer as favorites.
That said, the former big man is not the only NBA icon to expect big things from the French team in 2028. The beautiful French generation emerging in the league had in fact already led Gilbert Arenas to make the Blues serious candidates for gold within four years. All that remains is to hope that these words tinged with concern will materialize in due time.
Initially convinced that Team USA’s margin over the rest of the world remains significant, Shaquille O’Neal finally announces that the 2028 Olympics could mark the end of an era. According to him, France could notably gain the upper hand and seize the gold.
