USA Basketball Team's Biggest Competition in Rio 2016 Olympics: Argentina, Lithuania and Spain - A Look Into Potential Roster & Lineup
No Lebron? No Steph? No problem.
The players for the 2016 USA men's Olympics basketball team have been announced, and notable exceptions to the list include 4-time MVP and 2016 NBA champion Lebron James, and the reigning 2-time MVP and 2015 NBA champion Steph Curry.
The 2016 edition of the Dream Team features 4 players from the 2014 squad that won the FIBA basketball tournament – Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, DeMar DeRozan and FIBA 2014 MVP Kyrie Irving. Joining them are former Team USA players Carmelo Anthony, Paul George and Kevin Durant, and first-timers Harrison Barnes, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, DeAndre Jordan and Kyle Lowry.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Even with Curry and James out, the 2016 Dream Team still remain the favorites to win the Olympics. But how does this team stack up against international competition? Let's take a look at some of the teams that may give Team USA a hard time.
Argentina
Since being the first team to defeat a US roster composed mainly of NBA players, the Argentinians have gone on to win many more international games, and in 2008 was ranked first in the world by FIBA. The current team will be led by 4-time NBA champion and current San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili. Joining him are current Toronto Raptor and 4-time Olympian Luis Scola, and former NBA players Andres Nocioni and Carlos Delfino.
The 2012 team that placed 4th at the tournament did not feature Ginobili. This year, the 2-time all-star has made himself available for the squad, giving his team mates a much-needed morale boost.
Even if this team is made up mostly of veterans, they are still very potent. Experience will play a factor, and the mentorship of Scola, Ginobili and the rest of the veterans will be vital for "El Alma" to still belong amongst the basketball elite.
Lithuania
On an annual basis, pundits bet against the Lithuanian basketball team. And on an annual basis, the Lithuanians remind the basketball world that they are a force to be reckoned withl.
Even with Linas Kleiza out, Lithuania still managed to place 2nd during the Eurobasket 2015. Coach Jonas Kazlauskas has always emphasized playing as a team and to their strengths. This was evident during the tournament, as 5 players averaged at least 8 points per game, and guard Mantas Kalnietis led the tournament with 7.8 assists a game. Preparations have begun for the Lithuanians, and they are in the process of trimming down their roster. Expected to make the cut are veterans Robertas Javtokas, Renaldas Seibutis, Arturas Milaknis, and NBA players Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Montiejunas and Domantas Sabonis, son of legend Arvydas Sabonis.
Spain
Spain has dominated European basketball for a decade, being crowned Eurobasket Champions 3 times in the past 5 editions. With a roster full of NBA players, Spain's 2016 basketball team might give the Dream Team a run for its money.
Pau Gasol, the 2-time Eurobasket MVP, and 6-time NBA all-star, will anchor the Sergio Sariolo's squad in Rio. Current and former NBA players in the preliminary roster are Gasol's brother Marc, 4-time Olympian Juan Carlos Navarro, Jose Calderon, Rudy Fernandez, Victor Claver, Sergio Rodriguez and Ricky Rubio. Nikola Mirotic and Serge Ibaka are also eligible to play for the Spanish side; however, only one of them can play as the team's naturalized player.
International play may have improved over the years, but the US Dream Team still remain perennial favorites to win. The 2016 squad in Rio may not have Lebron, Curry, or Kobe, but the athleticism and talent of the current squad still makes them the team to beat.
