Every time the world comes together to play basketball, there is always one question. Can anyone beat Team USA?
On August 30th the FIBA World Cup tips off in Spain, with twenty-four teams donning their nation’s colours.
Basketball around the world has come a long way since the Dream Team dominated their star-struck opponents during the 1992 Olympics.
Since then we have witnessed the game of basketball thrive and develop into a truly global game.
However, after team USA won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and subsequently lost the 2006 World Championship, the Americans have been on a mission to again assert themselves at the top of the basketball world.
Since the 2008 US Olympic team was coined the ‘Redeem Team’ and won a gold medal, the US has not dropped a single game in a major tournament. Will this World Cup be any different?
Team USA
Despite Team USA’s preparation being hampered by a horrific injury to Paul George and the withdrawal of 2014 NBA MVP Kevin Durant, their roster is still saturated with NBA all-stars.
Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis, James Harden, and Stephen Curry will all start for the red, white, and blue and with players such as Kyrie Irving, Rudy Gay, Klay Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins coming off the bench, there is no doubting they again be a force to be reckoned with.
However, perhaps the biggest understated strength of the US team is the presence of long-serving coach Mike Krzyzewski, who now understands how the international game is played.
What weaknesses can other teams capitalise on?
If anything the USA lacks depth in the frontcourt, and with international rules only allowing for five fouls, larger opposition players in the paint could create some serious problems for the USA.
In addition, with such a high turnover of players, the US team may lack the chemistry in the early stages of the tournament. Many of the other teams have played consistently for their national teams for quite some time.
Teams that could challenge the USA
1. Spain
The greatest challenge to Team USA many predict will come from host nation Spain. The Spanish team is loaded with talent, quickness and importantly size.
The Spanish team boasts three of the world’s best big men, who will dominant nearly every facet of the game.
Brothers and NBA veterans Marc and Pau Gasol will provide the offensive prowess, while OKC tower Serge Ibaka will provide the defensive brute that the Spanish team requires.
The Spanish back-court is skilful, experienced and unpredictable. Led by veteran guards, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jose Calderon and Rudy Fernandez, these men will need to hit open shots from the perimeter when the defence collapses on the big men inside to be a chance against the US.
However, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio, is their ultimate x-factor. The whole world knows of Rubio’s shooting woes, if he can shoot efficiently, distribute the ball well and feed off the home crowd; they may just have a chance.
2. Lithuania
Lithuania’s roster features legitimate NBA talent and size they and while Jonas Valanciunas has often been criticised for his lack of athleticism and speed in the NBA, he is a genuine force on the low-block in the international form of the game.
Expect him to throw his weight around, have an efficient shooting percentage and rebound well.
Valanciunas will combine with Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas to form a strong frontcourt, which will rival that of the US.
Another player to watch out for is guard Mantas Kalnietis, who led the team in scoring (12.1 PPG) and assists (5.0) at the 2013 EuroBasket.
Lithuania may not feature as many big names as some other teams in the World Cup, but they are renowned for their accurate shooting, efficient defence and team-oriented basketball.
Wildcard Teams
1. Greece
Even without NBA player Kosta Koufos on the team, Greece take to the tournament plenty of size. The average height of the 15-man projected roster is 6’8″, which should allow them to dominate the glass against most teams.
Greece has a well-balanced starting unit, with solid role players like Memphis Grizzlies guard Nick Calathes running the point and Kostas Papanikolaou on the wing.
The x-factor for Greece is Milwaukee rising star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Although he is young, he has immense potential, competitiveness and the physical attributes to rival most USA players. If you want to see Antetokounmpo during the Cup, be sure to look at the highlight reel.
2. France
If 2013 EuroBasket winners France were taking a full-team team to the World Cup, their starting five would rival that of US and Spain. However, without Tony Parker and Joakim Noah, their potential for an upset wanes.
However, Nicholas Batum will be one of the tournaments most versatile players and will likely play long minutes and shoot the ball a lot.
He will be supported by a strong frontcourt consisting of Boris Diaw and Ian Mahimi as well as guard Evan Fournier. Look for France to advance well beyond the group stage.
3. Brazil
While defeated by the USA in a preliminary game, their size at times caused headaches for the American defence.
With the USA Team having a frontcourt that lacks depth, Tiago Splitter, Nene and Anderson Varejao will form the second best big man trio in the tournament.
Brazil will rely heavily on veteran guard Leoandro Barbosa and point guard Marcelo Heurtas to create opportunities in the back court. However, there is no doubting Brazil will be a handful for any defence in the tournament.
4. Australia
Australia comes into the tournament without two of their best players in Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills. However, our squad is lined with young and exciting talent.
Team USA often capitalise on causing turnovers, yet with NBA guard Matthew Dellavedova leading the Boomers back-court, opportunities for the US in this regard will be nullified.
Australia will rely on the world-class defender Joe Ingles to contain key opposition players and hope NBA players Baynes, Bairstow and Exum can fire.
The Boomers are renowned for playing an aggressive style of basketball and could be the team to upset some of the favoured nations in the tournament.
Some analysts have suggested that the tournament will mark the beginning of a golden era for Australian men’s basketball. Let’s hope so.
The USA’s reputation and pride is well and truly on the line at every FIBA World Cup tournament. However, it is disappointing to see that many nations including the U have been unable to send their strongest teams.
The USA will go in strong favourites to win the World Cup and with that amount of talent on their roster, it really is their tournament to lose.
Other teams and players to watch
Luis Scola (Argentina), Goran Dragic (Slovenia), Gorgui Deng (Senegal), J.J Barea (Puerto Rico), Drew Gooden (Finland), Dario Saric (Croatia) Isaac Fotu (New Zealand), Omer Asik (Turkey) and Gustavo Ayon (Mexico).
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