Men's basketball: Three takeaways from France vs. Brazil

On Saturday, France got its Olympic run off to a flying start with a victory over Brazil . With multiple NBA players at their disposal, the French National Team is among the leading candidates to challenge for a medal at the end of the tournament. They will be a difficult opponent for whomever they come up against.

Here are three takeaways from France's opening win against Brazil.

1. Victor Wembanyama is a cheat code

Wembanyama took the NBA by storm this past season. It won't be long before he consistently earns All-Star selections and fights for a spot on the All-NBA first team. Furthermore, once he figures out his positioning around the rim, he will be a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Against Brazil, all of his elite potential was on display.

Wembanyama ended the contest with 19 points, three rebounds, two assists and three blocks while shooting 54% from the field. If he can find his range on the perimeter, where he shot 25% against Brazil, he will be an unstoppable force. Brazil had no answer for the young phenom , and it's logical to believe other teams will suffer a similar fate throughout the tournament.

2. France's rim protection is elite

Rudy Gobert is a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a seven-time All-Defensive first-team selection. When pairing him with Wembanyama, buckets around the rim are incredibly difficult to come by. The size and length that France can roll out in its front court are incredibly imposing. Not only is its rim protection at an elite level, but the team also has two incredibly talented shot deterrents.

Unless opposing teams can finish through contact or consistently draw both bigs out of the paint with five-out spacing and smart movement, France is going to be a nightmare to score on around the rim.

3. Nicolas Batum can thrive under FIBA rules

Batum is 35 years old. He's coming off an impressive season with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he played 57 games, starting 38 of them. At this stage in his career, Batum is a veteran three-and-D presence. He knows his role, and he sticks to it.

Under FIBA rules, Batum has the chance to thrive as a floor spacer who can attack close-outs off the dribble. Against Brazil, he drained 19 points, with nine of them coming from the perimeter. Every team needs a veteran presence who can knock down shots and punish defensive errors. Batum has an opportunity to shine for France throughout the Olympics.