Team USA is a prohibitive favorite for the men’s basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics. Thanks to a god squad featuring a smooth collection of ascending superstars and all-time greats, they are firmly in the driver’s seat.
However, with the influx of international talent into basketball and the NBA, they have stiffer competition than ever before. While the greatness of LeBron James and Stephen Curry was enough to go 5-0 in the exhibition games barely, what challenges come for the US when the official games roll around?
Teams to challenge Team USA
#5. Germany: The German fans aren’t going to take this ranking too seriously. However, in comparison to the other European teams, Germany doesn’t have a true ace up their sleeve. However, that doesn’t make them any less effective. Last year, at the World Cup, Germany became the World Champions, Noah Lyles would be happy to note. Further, they are bringing back most of their crew from that season, only with slight improvements.
The young budding superstar from the Orlando Magic, Franz Wagner, has taken a step up the improvement ladder. Moreover, last World Cup’s MVP, Dennis Schroeder, remains a threat on the international stage. For Germany, a rich tradition when it comes to international events further bolsters their standing. Last time around, team USA had a ragtag group, at least in comparison to this year’s god squad.
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But that does not entail taking the Germans lightly. With their on-court discipline and excellent execution, they remain perennial threats to the US of A and rank ahead of countries like Slovenia and Spain who could also make splashes this year.
#4. Serbia: Now, arguably, in terms of on-court talent, Serbia ranks a touch behind the other names on here. But, they have the reigning and 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic on their squad. Almost unanimously seen as the best player in the world, Jokic pushes the team’s ceiling up a few notches. And thanks to his style of play, the unselfish, team-oriented culture travels up and down the squad. Whether it be guards or wings, players play with a high basketball IQ, always making the right reads.
To top it off, the former NBA Champion acts as the cream on top. Whether it be as the floor general or scorer, the Joker is among the best players to impact a game on a per-possession basis.
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Expect the slower, team-friendly style of the international stage to pay dividends for a mastermind like Jokic. While the exhibition game was a clear blowout for the Americans, they will get their first taste of the Serbians on Sunday as they kick off their group stage leg against them.
#3. Australia: Since the days of Spain being an international force, Australia has constantly been a thorn in the US side. During that timeframe, a boatload of NBA-caliber talents have come through their ranks, making their mark on the national team. This year, that collection reached a certifiable peak, with a unique roster.
Combining proven veterans with emerging young players, the team is a who’s who of the NBA, with ample shooting, defense, and playmaking on the roster. In Dante Exum, Patty Mills, Matisse Thybulle, and Josh Giddey, the team has enough talent to give the USA some pause.
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Additionally, the team has been wildly successful in comparison to other international teams over the last few years. In total, their combination of talent and continuity could give the USA some trouble when push comes to shove.
#2. France: The home-team advantage is going to be real for France. But, their chances at the Paris Olympics go far beyond a feel-good story. Up and down the roster, the team has quality NBA players with an All-Star and DPOY candidate sprinkled in. However, their biggest claim right now might be Victor Wembanyama.
A human, cheat code, the 7-foot-4 Frenchman has taken the NBA by storm. Matching the all-time high expectations on him, Wemby was somehow better than advertised. And now he brings his unique brand of basketball to the French national team. In Victor and 4-time DPOY Rudy Gobert, France has the best defensive duo in the entire competition by a country mile. But, with quality veterans in Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum, the team has enough offensive juice as well to contend with the best of them.
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That is without mentioning the matchup nightmare that Wembanyama constantly brings in the half-court. Despite Joel Embiid choosing America over the French, it is hard to argue that France does not have as good a chance as any team in the event.
#1. Canada: The neighbors up north. Canada, without a doubt, has the most recognizable name talent outside of the USA. Top to bottom, they bring in an entire cast of NBA-caliber players, including genuine MVP candidates. Whether it is down the bench in Kelly Olynyk and Nickewil Alexander-Walker or up top with Jamal Murray and RJ Barrett, the team is bursting at the seams with NBA talent. That is without mentioning one of the best players in the game today Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
A guaranteed bucket, SGA would finish last season 2nd in ppg in the NBA. And so far, through exhibition games, it has become clear that his success translates to the international stage as well. In Shai and Murray, the team has a pair of guards to give competition even to the USA.
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But the team isn’t lacking on defense, either. With Barrett, Dort, and Dillon Brooks, the team is rife with elite perimeter defenders who could be a nightmare for opponents. Thanks to the elite talent level present with them, Canada remains the biggest hurdle for the USA to overcome.
Factors that could disrupt Team USA
Chemistry/Arrogance: With the cast and crew that Team USA is going with, it is easy to get complacent. The exhibition games clearly showed that the team took their opponents lightly. As a result, over the last 2 games against South Sudan and Germany, the combined margin of victory was just 5 points. Those issues could bite them, with hustle stats going to the other team. During those games, offensive rebounding, primarily about hustle, became a major problem for Team USA.
Additionally, while the squad is rife with NBA talents, very few have experience playing alongside one another. As a result, chemistry issues are clear. Whether it is running sets on offense or rotations on defense, players will take time getting used to their new running mates.
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However, that isn’t much of an issue for other international teams. Barring any new additions, most squads have years upon decades of experience. That is a crucial area where Team USA falls behind their competitors. As a result, the need to play harder becomes even more paramount to overcome the gap in chemistry.
Harsher FIBA rules: During the last few seasons, complaints about the NBA becoming soft have become increasingly commonplace. These complaints occur almost daily whether it is old heads or media pundits. However, at the FIBA level, the landscape is much different. Firstly, the level of physicality allowed is far greater than the one in the NBA with FIBA officials notorious for their lack of a whistle.
Additionally, the NBA contingency has to familiarize itself with the traveling violations and goaltending rules. A ball, once it touches the rim, is in active play, and no goaltending violations apply. Similarly, the rules for travel are far clearer, with multiple whistles each night.
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For Team USA, it is going to be a harsh adjustment period. Whether it is the rules or the opponents, the intensity has taken a noticeable step up since they last came to the Olympics. However, they remain locked in to win Gold, barring a major upset. Will their talent prevail over these uncertain circumstances? Or will we have a new world order?
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