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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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Jul 22, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Argentina forward Luis Scola (4) is defended by USA guard Kevin Durant (5) during a basketball exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena. USA won 111-74. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Argentina forward Luis Scola (4) is defended by USA guard Kevin Durant (5) during a basketball exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena. USA won 111-74. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /

Argentina

When the U.S. dominated Argentina in a pre-Olympic exhibition game, no one would have thought the two teams were even close heading into Rio.

However, Argentina has played like a different team since that loss and recently swept Croatia, Serbia, and France in a four-team tournament to warm up for the Olympics, proving that they are ready to go for Rio.

The Argentina squad has a nice mix of veterans, like Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni and Manu Ginobili plus young players on the rise, like Facundo Campazzo and Patricio Garino, who recently signed with the Spurs.

Once again, this is not to say Argentina would be expected to win and most would say USA is the heavy favorite to win in a landslide, but crazier things have happened in the Olympics.

In 2004, not many expected Argentina to even reach the gold medal game, let alone come away as champions. Twelve years later, some of those same faces have a chance to do the unexpected in Rio, where they’ll have a large contingency of fans in attendance to support them.

If Argentina were to face the U.S. in Rio, it would be during the knockout stage and there’s a good chance of that matchup being played in either the quarterfinals or semifinals.

We know the U.S. is more talented, but counting out the savvy veterans on Argentina and expecting them to lay down might be underestimating the South Americans.

My feeling is that if the two teams meet, Argentina would at least keep it competitive and would put up a respectable showing in what will be the final Olympic appearances for Scola and Ginobli.

Next: France