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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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MONTPELLIER, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 6: Tony Parker #9 and Boris Diaw #13 of France are talking on the bench during the EuroBasket Group Phase game between Bosnia and Herzegovina v France at Park and Suites Arena on September 6, 2015 in Montpellier, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
MONTPELLIER, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 6: Tony Parker #9 and Boris Diaw #13 of France are talking on the bench during the EuroBasket Group Phase game between Bosnia and Herzegovina v France at Park and Suites Arena on September 6, 2015 in Montpellier, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images) /

France

France owns one of the most-talented rosters in the 2016 Olympic field, featuring five NBA players and several other valuable contributors.

Les Bleus, the nickname of the French National Basketball Team, appears to be the most competitive team in Group A alongside the U.S., as Serbia, Australia, Venezuela, and China make up the group.

This will most likely be French star Tony Parker‘s final Olympic appearance and the 34-year-old is on a mission to bring glory back to the nation’s basketball program.

Boris Diaw will also be making his final international appearance for France.

Although neither of those players are in the prime of their careers, Parker had an amazing run to help his team qualify for the Olympics back in early July, scoring 26 points in the do-or-die championship game to secure a spot in Rio.

Along with those two veterans, Nicolas Batum, Rudy Gobert and Joffrey Lauvergne will play big roles in Rio.

Outside of those current NBA players, EuroLeague star guard Nando De Colo, who briefly spent time in the NBA from 2012-14, could end up making the biggest impact of any French players in the Olympics.

De Colo was the MVP of the EuroLeague in 2015-16 on the champion CSKA Moscow team and followed that up with an outstanding performance in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, earning MVP honors at the end of the four-game tournament, as well.

The backcourt duo of De Colo and Parker along with a deep roster should make France competitive against USA.

Even if USA were to win by a large margin in the preliminary round, there’s a chance that the two teams could meet again down the road in the knockout stage, potentially for the Gold Medal.

France is one of the contending teams to win a medal in Rio and they won’t be an easy out for anybody.

Next: Spain