5 teams that COULD beat the U.S. basketball team

Photos from the USA's USA 110-63 victory over Tunisa -- not one of the team's who could possibly upset the team.

Basketball has rapidly advanced in the last 20 years from a primarily American pastime to a truly global sport. NBA superstars come from all over the world, and it was just last year that we witnessed a native German carry his team to the title.

Still, the U.S. men’s team is the clear favorite to take home the gold from London. With the three best scorers in the league in Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant roaming the wings, it’s unlikely that anyone will be able to stop the Americans.

But it is possible. As we saw in Athens in 2004, the United States is mortal — especially when some of its biggest stars stay home. This team is much better than the team that took the court eight years ago, but anything can happen. Here’s a quick guide to the nations that pose the biggest threat to yet another American gold.

5. France

OK, so this might be a hard pick to take seriously after the Americans wiped the floor with the French in their opening game on Sunday.

But France starts four NBA players — including four-time All-Star Tony Parker at the point — and looked very impressive at EuroBasket 2011. It’s still unlikely that France could actually take out the United States, but a big day from Parker combined with American foul trouble could set the stage for a tough game.

4. China

Why is a team with only one active NBA player this high on the list?

For all their assets, the Americans have one glaring weakness this year: size. China boasts the towering combination of Yi Jianlian and former NBA journeyman Wang Zhizhi in its starting frontcourt, and brings 7-foot-3 Zhang Zhaoxu off the bench.

With star big men Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire and Blake Griffin all sitting out this year, the United States is disturbingly thin under the basket. Chinese Head Coach Bob Donewald is an American and has coached in both the NCAA and NBA, so the team should be well prepared.

3. Lithuania

The Lithuanian national team lacks the height advantage of the Chinese, but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous to the United States.

As any American watching the 2004 games will surely recount, these guys can shoot. Guard Sarunas Jasikevicius will attempt to reprise his role as giant killer, and Toronto Raptors forward Linas Kleiza can stretch the floor as well as anyone.

If 20-year-old phenom Jonas Valanciunas can hold his own in the middle and the shooters stay hot, the U.S. will be in for a bumpy ride.

2. Argentina

The United States barely eked out a six-point win over Argentina last week, which was actually unsurprising considering America's stacked roster.

The San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili is still the star, but the Argentine lineup features four current or former NBA players.

Again, this squad doesn’t feature much frightening talent down low, but all it takes is one hot day from Ginobili and sixth man Carlos Delfino to put most teams on the ropes.

It’s critical that American center Tyson Chandler avoid foul trouble in this one, as Argentinean Luis Scola would be go from garbage man to offensive weapon against the U.S.’s backups.

1. Spain

The Spanish start three current NBA players and two former NBA players, all of whom start or did start for their professional squads.

The Gasol brothers — each standing 7 feet tall with an arsenal of deadly post moves — constitute U.S. Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s worst nightmare.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Serge Ibaka, who made a name for himself in this year’s playoffs as a dominant shotblocker and versatile big man, comes off the bench for the Spanish.

Spain isn’t as talented top-to-bottom as the U.S., but when these two meet in (hopefully) the gold medal game, Americans had better pray that LeBron James is ready to defend Espana's big men.

Obviously, Americans would like to see their representatives take home the gold again. But no matter what happens, the country can rest assured this year won’t be like 2004, when discord and immaturity reigned in a disappointing bronze-medal finish.

These boys are ready. If they get beat, it’ll be because someone — likely the Spanish —  played better, not because of failed team chemistry.

Pat Curran is a Summer 2012 USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent. Learn more about him here.

This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.