VALENCIA (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - Olympic summers. There is just something special about them.

And they're always hot, especially on the court.

Here's what I want to see this summer.

Another OQT classic

We witnessed one in 2016, the most thrilling OQT Final of all time, when Croatia stunned hosts Italy, 84-78, after an overtime session in Turin. The hair on the back of my neck still stands up when I watch those highlights. Let's have at least one of these when the OQTs are held in San Juan, Valencia, Piraeus and Riga.

Another spectacular performance by Luka

Remember how Luka Doncic was the best player in the world while representing Slovenia in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Kaunas a few years ago, and how he elevated the play of all his teammates? Just give us Doncic versus Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece in the Piraeus OQT Final on July 7 and I'll be happy.

Another Belgium v USA showdown

The taste buds are salivating now that we know there'll be a USA vs Belgium clash at the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 in Group C. Maybe if we're lucky, they'll reach the Final and play a second time. When the two met in front of 13,700 fans in February on the first night of the Women's OQT in Antwerp, it was electric.

Another Napheesa Collier masterclass

Collier, the latest terrific talent to don the USA jersey, averaged an impressive 19.0 points per game at the Antwerp OQT. What's more, she was eight of 13 from the floor and finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals in the thriller against Belgium. More Napheesa, please 🙏🏼.

Olympic Caitlin!

The last time we saw Clark play in the USA jersey was in 2021 at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2019 in Bangkok. Since then, her brilliance with Iowa, where she has become college basketball's all-time leading scorer, has become the stuff of legend. The Olympics deserves her. We want her. 

France vs USA for the gold!

I'd be happy with this - France vs USA! France were so close to beating USA a second time in Tokyo but lost in the Gold Medal Game, 87-82. KD going for a fourth Olympic gold in, Paris?! S'il te plaît.

Jokic in Paris

We had the delight of Olympic Jokic in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago. Now, the two-time NBA MVP and last season's NBA champ has a chance to set the Summer Games alight in the City of Light. 

More iconic moments to savor for the rest of time

What do you remember most from the Tokyo Olympics? For me, Luis Scola walking off the court for the last time in an Argentina jersey, with opponents Australia standing up and applauding, and the game stopping to honor one of the sport's legends.

The other was Nic Batum's game-saving block for France at the end of their Semi-Final against Slovenia. These things are never scripted. I want more iconic moments in Paris to savor.

Jeff Taylor

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