The team whom everyone expects to strike gold is, of course, Team USA.
But their path to Olympic gold has never been trickier than this year, even considering the 2004 debacle. That's because in 2004, no one really thought it was possible, until Argentina eliminated the Americans in the semifinal match.
This year, there are about 3 teams that have an actual shot at dethroning the Americans. Let's break them down in order of possibility.
ARGENTINA
Key players: Manu Ginobilli, Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, Carlos Delfino, Pablo Prigioni
Strengths: Teamwork, system, cohesiveness
This is basically the same team since 2002, when Argentina's "Golden Generation" started making waves in basketball. The gritty Argentinians are older (Manu is 35, Scola and Nocioni are 32) and there have not been any significant new players to replace them.
In an exhibition game just yesterday, Team USA erected 20point leads twice in the game only to have Argentina chip away to within 4 points with 2 minutes left in the fourth. All this with Manu sidelined by fouls for much of the second half.
For Argentina to win, they need Manu to be SuperManu, Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni to be Scola and Nocioni from 3 years ago and for Prigioni to not be completely outplayed by Chris Paul and Deron Williams.
Possibility of winning: 5%
BRAZIL
Key players: Nene, Anderson Varejao, Tiago Splitter, Leandro Barbosa, Marcelo Huertas
Strengths: Inside offensive game, speed, interior defense
Brazil has steadily been getting better and is no longer the underachieving team from 4 years ago. With quality NBA players in their frontcourt (Nene, Varejao, Splitter), speedy and crafty guards (Barbosa, Huertas) and increasing confidence in themselves, the Brazilians may be poised for the Olympics of their lives.
In an exhibition match last week, the Brazilians led Team USA by 10 points before Best-Player-In-The-World Lebron James went to work. Even then, the Brazilians had a chance to win but couldn't stop LeBron from wreaking havoc. Also, the Brazilains pretty much showed everyone else how to exploit the American's lack of size as they outrebounded Team USA 38-30.
Possibility of winning:10%
SPAIN
Key players: Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro, Serge Ibaka, Rudy Fernandez, Jose Calderon
Strengths: Cohesiveness, rebounding, defense, shooting, inside game
Spain is probably the only team that can go ahead and take a game in a 7 game series with Team USA. Maybe even 2 games. They've got height, heft and talent with lots to spare, as both Gasol brothers are legitimate All-Star centers with good shooting range. Serge Ibaka adds defense and rebounding while Navarro, Calderon and Fernandez are all deadeye shooters who can create for themselves and their teammates. Ricky Rubio is still recovering from his torn ACL and Team USA can breathe a little easier because of that.
For Spain to win, their big men must play big. No way can Tyson Chandler, LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony guard either Gasol brother or Ibaka in the post without getting into foul trouble. If the Gasols and Ibaka have their way inside, Team USA will revert to their ball-hogging NBA ways and throw away the gold in pursuit of personal glory.
Possibility of winning: 25%
But their path to Olympic gold has never been trickier than this year, even considering the 2004 debacle. That's because in 2004, no one really thought it was possible, until Argentina eliminated the Americans in the semifinal match.
This year, there are about 3 teams that have an actual shot at dethroning the Americans. Let's break them down in order of possibility.
ARGENTINA
Strengths: Teamwork, system, cohesiveness
This is basically the same team since 2002, when Argentina's "Golden Generation" started making waves in basketball. The gritty Argentinians are older (Manu is 35, Scola and Nocioni are 32) and there have not been any significant new players to replace them.
In an exhibition game just yesterday, Team USA erected 20point leads twice in the game only to have Argentina chip away to within 4 points with 2 minutes left in the fourth. All this with Manu sidelined by fouls for much of the second half.
For Argentina to win, they need Manu to be SuperManu, Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni to be Scola and Nocioni from 3 years ago and for Prigioni to not be completely outplayed by Chris Paul and Deron Williams.
Possibility of winning: 5%
BRAZIL
Strengths: Inside offensive game, speed, interior defense
Brazil has steadily been getting better and is no longer the underachieving team from 4 years ago. With quality NBA players in their frontcourt (Nene, Varejao, Splitter), speedy and crafty guards (Barbosa, Huertas) and increasing confidence in themselves, the Brazilians may be poised for the Olympics of their lives.
In an exhibition match last week, the Brazilians led Team USA by 10 points before Best-Player-In-The-World Lebron James went to work. Even then, the Brazilians had a chance to win but couldn't stop LeBron from wreaking havoc. Also, the Brazilains pretty much showed everyone else how to exploit the American's lack of size as they outrebounded Team USA 38-30.
Possibility of winning:10%
SPAIN
Strengths: Cohesiveness, rebounding, defense, shooting, inside game
Spain is probably the only team that can go ahead and take a game in a 7 game series with Team USA. Maybe even 2 games. They've got height, heft and talent with lots to spare, as both Gasol brothers are legitimate All-Star centers with good shooting range. Serge Ibaka adds defense and rebounding while Navarro, Calderon and Fernandez are all deadeye shooters who can create for themselves and their teammates. Ricky Rubio is still recovering from his torn ACL and Team USA can breathe a little easier because of that.
For Spain to win, their big men must play big. No way can Tyson Chandler, LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony guard either Gasol brother or Ibaka in the post without getting into foul trouble. If the Gasols and Ibaka have their way inside, Team USA will revert to their ball-hogging NBA ways and throw away the gold in pursuit of personal glory.
Possibility of winning: 25%
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