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5 Teams That Might Not Get Embarrassed By U.S. in Olympics

By Matthew Medley

July 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USA center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts with guard Klay Thompson (11) and guard Jimmy Butler (4) against China in the second half during an exhibition basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
July 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USA center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts with guard Klay Thompson (11) and guard Jimmy Butler (4) against China in the second half during an exhibition basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Team USA is expected to roll through the men’s Olympic basketball tournament in Rio, but there may be a few teams that put up a fight.

July 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USA center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts with guard Klay Thompson (11) and guard Jimmy Butler (4) against China in the second half during an exhibition basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
July 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USA center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts with guard Klay Thompson (11) and guard Jimmy Butler (4) against China in the second half during an exhibition basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s a transition to a new era for USA Basketball, as the team is filled with fresh faces heading to RIo de Janeiro and looks to win the gold medal for the third consecutive time.

There are 10 first-time Olympians on the roster, which is led by gold-medal winning veterans Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony.

Durant is making his second Olympic appearance, but it will be Anthony’s fourth time representing the Stars and Stripes on the biggest stage and the 32-year-old will be the leader of the team.

It’s Mike Krzyzewski’s last time as head coach of Team USA and some of the young players get this one chance to bring him a gold medal in his last outing before Gregg Popovich takes over going forward.

The team may be lacking Olympic experience, but there’s no shortage of talent, as 11 of the 12 players on the roster have been NBA All-Stars in recent years.

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Unless the U.S. suffers some major mental lapses, plays with poor chemistry or has an extraordinarily cold night shooting jumpers, it’s hard to envision anyone threatening the Americans from going undefeated in the men’s Olympic basketball tournament.

However, there are five teams that might make the games interesting and competitive, who may not embarrass themselves against Team USA.

The easy punchline would be to say the only five teams that won’t embarrass themselves against the U.S. are the five teams that don’t have to face them, but seriously, let’s take a look at some of the reasonably formidable challengers.

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