Some say that the current version of the USA basketball team might be the weakest one since 2004 when the red, white, and blue took home just the bronze medal. It would be hard to argue after hearing of the non-participation of superstars like LeBron James, Steph, Curry, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis.
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| Image source: si.com |
But even without those sexy names, no one can bet against Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, and company winning it all in this year’s Olympics. Coach Mike Krzyzewski even lauds the overall balance of this year’s USA team.
So the question most fans are probably asking now is which country would provide the greatest challenge for Team USA?
France: Probably the only team that can offer a bit of a fight for the USA in their preliminary group, the Les Bleus is currently ranked fifth by FIBA. With an experienced roster led by Tony Parker and many other NBA players, good coaching, and the team’s ability to impose its pace can stifle Team USA. But maybe only for a quarter or two.
Spain: Everyone has got to face it, the battle for the Olympic gold will be a showdown between USA and Spain. La Roja is loaded in every position which can arguably keep up with the depth of the Americans.
Their players, piloted by the legendary Pau Gasol, have been together for about a decade now, so the experience of playing with one another is an advantage the current iteration of Team USA does not have.
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| Image source: spanishfootballsports.blogspot.com |
Unfortunately, though, Spain’s second best player, big man Marc Gasol, is unavailable to play due to injury, which reduces the team’s already minute chance of upsetting Team USA.
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