Team USA Basketball: Spain Is the Last Step for the Redeem Team

This article is also posted at hoops4life.com, an NBA fan site.

As all the analysts expected, USA Basketball will face Spain in the Olympics Gold Medal match. The United Stated advanced to the final after beating the defending champions Argentina by 101-81. On the other hand, Spain defeated Lithuania in a heartbreaker game, 91-86.

The United States reaches the final unbeaten, and they have won their games by an average of more than 25 points.

Spain, on the other hand, has had an irregular performance during the tournament. The current World Champions have not showed the kind of play that allowed them to clinch the title a couple of years ago.

This will be the second game in a week between these two contenders. In the first one, USA Basketball destroyed the Spaniards by 37 points. The collective play of the Americans was outstanding. They were able to play aggressively for forty minutes. They also had a pretty nice day from the three-point line, and they absolutely drowned Spain.

All the evidence says that the Gold Medal game will have the same script, but a final match is always different. USA Basketball will try to culminate their march to glory, while Spain will try to achieve the biggest upset in hoops history.

USA Basketball comes into the game with all its players. Spain is hoping for the recovery of Raptors’ point guard Jose Calderon. His status is doubtful at this moment.

Let’s take a look to the keys of Sunday’s game (2:30 ET):

USA Basketball

1. Keep it rolling.

They have to keep on with the same system. USA Basketball has to be aggressive, play uptempo, and take the advantage of their physical superiority. When they are able to steal balls and run down the court, they are unstoppable.

2. Be patient.

The grind of the game will benefit the "Redeem Team." They should be patient in tough moments.

USA Basketball struggled a little bit during the semifinals’ second quarter.  They played anxiously attacking the zone defense, and Argentina outscored USA 29-19 over that stretch. 

Against Spain, the U.S. must avoid that kind of impatience.

3. Full-court pressure.

Spain will enter the game with two doubtful point guards. Raul Lopez and teenager Ricky Rubio will have problems managing the pressure.

Lopez was supposed to be the third point guard, and Rubio does not have the experience to face Kidd, Paul, or Williams. If Calderon plays over 30 minutes, it will be a bit harder for USA Basketball to shadow him.

4. Forget the previous game.

The United Stated knocked out Spain in group play—but thatdoesn’t count right now. This will be a different game, with a different environment and momentum. USA Basketball has to remember this.

Spain

1. Miracle on hardwood.

Spain has to believe in their chances. They have to put all their heart into the battle, and fight for forty minutes.

The Spanish National Team has to play passionate basketball, treating each play as the last one in their lives. They have a once-in-a-lifetime shot to write their names in Olympic history.

2. Slow the game down.

The defending world champions have to care of the ball, be patient, play twenty seconds, and slow down the game speed. The fast-break points definitely broke the first game for the Americans.

It will be hard, but if Spain establishes their rhythm, they will have the opportunity to surprise the U.S.

3. Zone Defense.

The Americans’ physical advantage makes them impossible to defend one-on-one. But they may have problems attacking the zone defense.

Lithuania was confused when Spain played zone defense. Spain has the Americans will have similar troubles.

4. Be special on the special day.

Spain has not played at their highest level in this tournament. Now, they have to be perfect—playing aggressive basketball and lighting their offense on fire.

The Spanish stars also have to take a step forward. Pau Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, and Jose Calderon—if he finally recovers—have to lead their teammates to the promised land.

Here, mass media, which unfortunately compares Spain with USA Basketball, is confident of the Spanish chances. In my opinion, Spain might has a shot—but can they be perfect?