USA vs Brazil: Why the Americans' Close Call Guarantees Gold in London

The 2012 London Olympic games certainly have a lot to offer. From Michael Phelps' pursuit of solidification as the greatest swimmer of all-time to Usain Bolt looking to hold down the crown and prove himself to be the fastest man in the world once again.

But let's be honest for a second, folks. Whose eyes are anywhere but on Olympic basketball?

For those loyalists who are anxiously awaiting the Olympics to begin and the Americans to take home gold, let Monday, July 16th, 2012 serve as a day you will all remember. The day that the Americans learned that they are not invincible. The day that LeBron, Kobe and the best players in the world learned that anything can happen on any given evening.

The moment in time in which the Gold Medal was guaranteed to the United States of America.

In 1992, the Dream Team was viewed as untouchable. The combination of elite talent was unlike anything we'd seen in the history of athletics and there simply wasn't a chance that the Americans could lose to any of their opponents.

And then came the college kids with something to prove.

The storied Dream Team fell to a team of college athletes led by Bobby Hurley, Chris Webber and Grant Hill. The media went crazy, the team's ability to play as a unit fell into question and, to put it kindly, all hell broke loose. Hell that the United States placed upon their opponents.

Consider the United States' near-loss to the upstart Brazilians their '92 moment.

After one quarter, the United States found themselves trailing 27-17. They had no answer for point guard Marcelinho Huertas, who had torched them in the same way when the two teams met in the 2010 World Basketball Championship.

And then it all clicked.

The first quarter was highlighted by the United States' inability to develop a rhythm on offense, settling for mid-range and three-point jump shots on every possession. This led to transition buckets from Brazil and a sense of comfort as they set up half-court sets.

As the second quarter rolled around, however, the Americans realized what has long been preached throughout each and every team sport: defense wins championships.

Brazil was smothered, scoring just five points as a team throughout the entire second period of play. From meeting their opponents at the half-court line to closing out on every opponent from the paint to the perimeter, the Americans finally utilized their greatest advantage: quickness and athleticism.

The formula that will lead the Americans to the Gold Medal.

As the game went on, Team USA continued to waste possessions with jumpers and weak attacks at the basket. What they also continued, however, was the pace they set in the second quarter as they never once let up on the defensive end.

Every time Brazil appeared to be re-discovering their form, a play was made to break their momentum up on the defensive side of things.

With elite perimeter defenders such as LeBron James, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant and Andre Iguodala, this team is ready to contain anyone. With an X-Factor like Russell Westbrook covering opposing point guards, containing doesn't do the United States' potential justice.

As we enter the London Olympics, this wake-up call will push the Americans in the proper direction. No longer will the team look to outscore their opponents, but instead smother them with defense and take the points as they inevitably come.

Most importantly, they'll take Jamal Crawford's truthful words in stride.

"

USA will be fine, it's always harder putting a team together like that until roles are defined..Never want to step on each other's toes..

— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) July 17, 2012"

It's time to come together as a unit. It's time to realize your collective goal and go beyond simply appreciating one another's abilities. As of tonight's soon-to-be historic victory, they've done just that. They've become a team.

As of Monday, July 16th, 2012, the Americans have guaranteed Gold in the 2012 London Olympics.