London 2012 Predictions: Teams That Could Spoil USA Basketball's Gold Medal Hope

USA Basketball is the favorite to win gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

But they're not the only team with a chance. The world has caught up with the Americans in basketball and there are plenty of talented teams.

Which teams have the best shot of de-throning American basketball? Let's find out.

SPAIN

Spain has perhaps the best chance of knocking off the Americans.

One of the weaknesses of the American team is their lack of frontcourt depth. Spain has plenty.

They feature the Gasol brothers—Marc and Paul—and Serge Ibaka. It's a more talented frontcourt than the US features.

In addition, the Spainards have talented guards in Jose Calderon, Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Rodriguez and Juan Carlos Navarro.

Spain is stacked with talent. To beat Spain, the US will have to have a big game from LeBron James. He's the only player that Spain doesn't have a match for. 

ARGENTINA

Argentina won gold in 2004, and they could do it again this year.

They feature a talented team led by Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Carlos Delfino and Andres Nocioni. They are ranked third in the FIBA world rankings. 

Argentina has been playing together for awhile. They have years of chemistry, something the US does not have. 

They have solid big men, led by Scola, who will test the weakened US front line.

The Americans have more perimeter talent, and Ginobili probably wouldn't even be on the American team. The US bench is deeper and more athletic.

That said, we all know the US struggle against talented big men, and Argentina has plenty. The key will be to shoot well and play terrific perimeter defense. The US does not want to play a half-court game against Argentina. Instead, they want to play a transition game; one that Argentina cannot play.

FRANCE

The French feature Tony Parker and Boris Diaw, two players who could give the US problems.

Parker is one of the elite point guards in the NBA. Chris Paul and Deron Williams will have their hands full.

Diaw is perhaps the one player in the Olympics who can guard LeBron James and Kevin Durant effectively. Nic Batum can also guard multiple players on the perimeter.

Center Joakim Noah will not play for France due to injury, which is a boon for the US. This could be a game where Tyson Chandler and Kevin Love do well. Ronny Turiaf is a decent player, but Chandler and Love are much better.

Unless Parker has a big game, the US should be fine. But as we all know, Parker is capable of winning a game single-handedly. The US will have to throw their best defense on him.

LITHUANIA

Lithuania is ranked fifth in the FIBA world rankings and for good reason. They feature a very talented group of big men.

Led by Jonas Valanciunas and Robertas Javtokas, Lithuania can bang in the post.

Valanciunas, who will play for the Toronto Raptors this season, is big and skilled in the post. He's athletic and can rebound effectively.

Javtokas is 270 pounds and will be a force inside.

That's not to mention forwards like Linas Kleiza and Darius Songalia.

The US will be tested. They may not have a match for Valanciunas and Javtokas. Tyson Chandler will need to play a tremendous game. If he gets in foul trouble, the US will be in danger.

Again, the US need to play terrific perimeter defense to prevent the ball from getting down low. They need to play a transition game, not a half-court game.

It will be tough to handle the forwards of Lithuania, and how the US does will go a long way towards determining their medal chances.

FINAL SAY

The US has the best player in the world in LeBron James. They have perhaps the second best player in the world in Kevin Durant—and he's coming off the bench.

But this is not the Dream Team. This is not the Redeem Team. This year's version of USA Basketball has some flaws.

They are weak in the post and there are plenty of teams who can exploit that.

While no team matches the US defensively on the perimeter or in transition, Spain, Argentina, France and Lithuania could give the US problems down low.

The US needs to play excellent and suffocating defense every game. They will win with transition baskets, where they are almost unstoppable.

The world is talented. They have some tremendous players. This is not a slam dunk for the US. While they have the talent to win and are the favorites, they will face tough challenges. Above all, it will make for some great basketball.