On paper, Friday’s 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup opener between Canada and France was thought to be a relatively even matchup. Each team features a handful of current NBA players, with the Canadians rostering the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort, Kelly Olynyk, and RJ Barrett. French standouts include Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, and Nicolas Batum.
But on the court, it turned out to largely be a mismatch, with Canada winning in a shocking blowout, 95-65 (box score).
One leading reason was Brooks, who signed with the Houston Rockets this offseason. In 26 minutes, Canada’s energetic defensive ace had 12 points and 4 rebounds on 5-of-6 shooting (83.3%), including 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%). Most impressively, Canada was +33 as a team in those minutes, ranking No. 2 among all players.
“We started off slow, and I tried to create some energy early on,” Brooks told Sportsnet’s Arash Madani. “I told guys to stick with it.”
“We actually look every single game as if it’s Game 7 in the NBA,” Brooks said to reporters postgame (via Eurohoops.net). “We put the world on notice. This ain’t no joke, we ain’t playing.”
Read on for further quotes and highlights from Brooks’ showing.
Dillon Brooks, Canada vs. France
The first two buckets for Canada?
Dillon Brooks dunking on Gobert
Dillon Brooks transition dunklots of boos. He does not care
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) August 25, 2023
Impressive performance for Canada in the World Cup opener vs. France, winning 95-65. Led by 34 with a dominant second half defense. Rockets F Dillon Brooks looked good from tip to bench-clearing. SGA outstanding second half.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) August 25, 2023
Rudy Gobert got dunked on by Dillon Brooks 🫣
Canada went on to beat France by 30 points in their first game of the FIBA World Cup.pic.twitter.com/8OxPF3lqMO
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 25, 2023
His swagger and irritant metre was perfect today and so important for this Canadian team. Keeping toeing this line and he will be a major X Factor the rest of the way.
(2/2)
— Vivek Jacob (@vivekmjacob) August 25, 2023
Dillon Brooks being Dillon Brooks.
With Batum grabbing the shorts early in the 3rd quarter in front of Canada's bench, Brooks starts yelling, "you're tired! You're tired!"
Then, a frustrated RJ Barrett comes off the floor yelling and Brooks calming him down. It's all of it.
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) August 25, 2023
Dillon Brooks fights to the basket to put Canada up 33 points ‼️
📹: @Sportsnet | #OneTeam
— bet365 CA (@bet365ca) August 25, 2023
There's almost a tear in my eye watching Canada Basketball dominate the start of this second half. Dillon Brooks…..BULLY
— Sheldon Alexander (@ShelAlexander) August 25, 2023
SGA has 21 and Olynyk's got 15. But Dillon Brooks has been *everywhere* tonight.
Disrupting. Re-directing. Tone setting. And then through the lane for the and-one to put Canada up 21.
This was the game Canada *needed* to win and they have been lights out in the 3rd quarter.
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) August 25, 2023
DILLON BROOKS AND-ONE. O CANADÁ ABRE 20 PONTOS DE VANTAGEM.pic.twitter.com/iiNTel68JV
— Matchup Brasil 🇧🇷🏀 (@MatchupBR) August 25, 2023
Canada just crushed France, 95-65, to open this FIBA World Cup.
The last answer here from Dillon Brooks, who was such a huge part of it with his defense and energy and physicality, is telling.
Brooks BELIEVES IT when he says, "We put the world on notice… It's no joke." pic.twitter.com/73e5wADeWO
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) August 25, 2023
Dillon Brooks today in Canada’s win over France:
12 PTS | 4 REB ( 3 OREB) | 1 AST | 1 STL
5/6 FG
1/2 3PT
+/- +33 !!!Amazing efficiency & menacing defense. Great game. pic.twitter.com/OoH057iKum
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 25, 2023
