Olympic Basketball 2012: Why USA's Exhibition vs. Dominican Republic Matters

The Dominican Republic men's basketball team is far from loaded with NBA stars, but Team USA and head coach Mike Krzyzewski won't be taking their exhibition against this squad lightly when the two teams meet on Thursday, July 12 at 9 p.m. ET.

USA can't afford to rest on its laurels and expect to win another Olympic Gold medal.

International basketball isn't what it used to be. USA isn't the top dog by default anymore, as we clearly saw from its third-place finish in 2004, and the team must be prepared for what is sure to be fierce competition in London later this summer.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the reasons why USA's exhibition against the Dominican Republic matters more than you might think.

Shake off the Cobwebs

The players on Team USA haven't played a meaningful game in several weeks. For those who didn't make it to the NBA playoffs, the layoff has been even longer. 

This upcoming game against the Dominican Republic is an excellent chance for the players to get back into the groove of what it's like to bang bodies against players that aren't teammates. It's their chance to shake off the cobwebs and get back into the competitive spirit.

The Rules Are Different

International basketball follows a different set of rules that NBA players aren't familiar with. 

One big difference in rules is that players don't have as many fouls to give. The NBA allows players to stay on the court with five fouls, but five fouls will get players permanently removed from the game in international play. 

There are a multitude of other minor differences, including a shorter three-point line and the ability of players to touch the ball while it's still in the cylinder (as long as it has already touched the rim).

Team USA's players will need to make sure that they are aware of all of them, lest they become embarrassed in a crucial moment when the real competition begins. 

For a more comprehensive list of rule differences, I'll direct you to this handy list, courtesy of USABasketball.com.

First-Time Olympians

Guys like LeBron James, Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant are familiar with the international game. They participated in the 2008 Summer Games and just need to brush up on the aforementioned rule differences they'll be facing.

There are seven new faces on Team USA, and three of them—James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Blake Griffin (or Anthony Davis if he takes Griffin's spot)—haven't played any international basketball before.

These exhibitions are priceless in this regard. 

Chance to Develop Strategy

One of the biggest challenges facing Team USA this summer in London will be its lack of size down low. 

The team only features one center and two power forwards. Chandler, Love and Griffin (or Davis) will only have 15 fouls to give between them, so it's going to be crucial to develop sound strategies on both ends of the court to protect the team from a scenario where they are forced to run with a small lineup.

Additionally, as I've already alluded to, the rules in the paint are different.

Out of the big men, only Love has the kind of game that is truly suited for the international game. He has an incredible offensive repertoire that will come in handy down low, but the other bigs will need to establish a role in the team's offense. 

Team Chemistry

Most of the international teams have players who have been practicing and playing with one another for years. They have already developed the chemistry that is critical to performing well under stress. 

Team USA, on the other hand, is composed of players who normally compete against one another—with the exception of the trio from the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

This game against the Dominican Republic will be a launching pad for USA's players to develop the chemistry they'll need to execute under pressure when the games are on the line in London.

Chance to Strike Fear into the Rest of the World

Team USA can do one of two things with this game as it pertains to the rest of the teams they'll be facing at the Olympics in London: They can either strike fear into them by destroying the Dominican Republic squad, or they can give them hope with a poor outing.

Perception is reality, and the way the Americans perform during these exhibitions will determine how teams view them in London. 

This first exhibition against the Dominican Republic is the players' first chance to really lay down the law, and they need to take full advantage of the opportunity.

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