Summer Olympics: 5 Nations That Will Give USA Basketball a Run for Their Money

This isn't the 1992 Summer Olympics. 

The world has gotten better at basketball. From here on out, winning gold is not going to be an easy task for Team USA. This was first exemplified during the Athens Games in 2004 when USA had a lackluster performance and lost three times throughout the tournament to win the bronze medal.

Spain also gave USA a run for their money in 2008 at Beijing during the gold medal game.

As the world catches up and evolves in the sport, it becomes increasingly more difficult for the United States to win the gold medal.

This year will be even tougher because  big men Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard will miss the games. The United States will still have guys like Tyson Chandler and Kevin Love in the paint, but the rest of the world definitely has strong counters.

Here are five teams that will give the United States a hard time this summer and could possibly knock them out, especially if the Americans get complacent. 

France

France hasn't medaled in the Olympics since finishing second in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

However, they're coming off an impressive performance in Eurobasket, where they finished second. This was their highest ranking in more than 60 years.

France has improved dramatically. They have a plethora of size now with Joakim Noah and Boris Diaw towering in their front court. They also have the young Nicolas Batum at the shooting guard position. There's no doubt that France's aggressiveness down low is going to give USA a hard time.

Finally, the entire team is highlighted by Tony Parker. He's the reason why they had such a high ranking at the Eurobasket last summer. He can distribute, facilitate and score, and he's easily one of the best point guards in the NBA today. 

Although the French bench is not as deep as the United States', they have enough firepower from their starters to pull off an upset, especially in a one-game knockout tournament. 

Argentina

Argentina is a veteran squad filled with guys who have NBA experience.

Manu Ginobili is the most recognizable name on the team, and there's no doubt that he loves to step it up during international competition. His familiarity and experience with the NBA give him and his squad an edge.

Argentina also has Luis Scola, Carlos Delfino and Andres Nocioni, all of whom have had successful NBA careers.

Finally, Pablo Prigioni rounds out the starting five. Prigioni is a point guard playing in the Spanish league and he used to play for Real Madrid. He's been a solid player overseas with an impressive three-point shot. 

Argentina's biggest problem is age. Only Nocioni is under 30 from the players mentioned above, and he's 29. 

Lithuania

Arvydas Sabonis' impressive NBA career changed the basketball landscape in Lithuania. More and more children wanted to become basketball players after seeing Sabonis play.

Because of this, Lithuania has emerged as an important world power in basketball. Lithuania finished at least fourth in the Olympics since 1992, and they also have three bronze medals. 

They've never gotten over the hump and won a semifinal game, though. That being said, they have given the Americans fits in the last decade. They defeated the U.S. in 2004 during a round-robin match and they also lost to them by just two points back in 2000.

Lithuania's roster is highlighted by a pair of Toronto Raptors in Linas Kleiza and Jonas Valanciunas. Those are the only notable NBA players. However, the nation has never really had a profound NBA presence but they've still played extremely well, most likely because of the chemistry they have playing together. 

Puerto Rico

Remember how the United States got absolutely lit up by Puerto Rico back in 2004?

Puerto Rico still needs to qualify, but if they do they'll try to bring that swagger and confidence back against the Americans.

It's the ultimate David vs. Goliath matchup, but there has been precedent of the Puerto Ricans knocking off the Americans. For that reason, they make this list.

Puerto Rico is highlighted by J.J. Barea and Carlos Arroyo.

Spain

Spain is easily the biggest threat to the Americans' chances to win a gold medal. They played them close in the gold medal game back in 2008, and they're even better now.

In the front court, they have the Gasol brothers ready to wreak havoc. They also have Serge Ibaka, who recently achieved Spanish citizenship and will be allowed to play for the team from here on out. Ibaka and the Gasol brothers are going to give the Americans problems in the paint.

Team USA is already going to be missing Howard and Bynum. Because of this, Pau, Marc and Serge are going to be a handful.

It doesn't end there, though. Spain is extremely deep at the point guard position. They have Jose Calderon and Ricky Rubio, that is, if Rubio is healthy.

If he is, Spain will have a constant attack from the point guard position throughout the games. 

Let's not forget that they also have Juan Carlos Navarro and Rudy Fernandez, who both have decent NBA experience and are extremely talented in international play. 

This collection of players has plenty of experience playing with each other, and for this reason, it really wouldn't be a surprise if they take gold.