4 Reasons Team USA Will Have Trouble in the Olympics

Team USA was able to escape a scare against the Brazilian national team. It looked like a beatable team at times throughout the game and other countries are taking note. 

If it does not fix its flaws, it could spell trouble for the team once the Olympics start. Yes, it was only an exhibition game, but Brazil may have exposed the team's weaknesses.

Here are four reasons why the USA will have a tough time in the London Games. 

4. Poor Rebounding

Team USA faced many struggles on the glass. It was not able to put bodies on the Brazilian big men or grab rebounds.

Anderson Varejao snagged 13 rebounds by himself. Team USA's big man, Tyson Chandler, grabbed one. He is not the only player responsible for grabbing rebounds, but he will have to get more than just one since he is the team's biggest player.

Team efforts on the boards will have to improve if the team wants to bring home the gold. 

3. Lack of Size Inside

The lack of size will be a major problem for the Olympic team. Coach K has fallen in love with playing "small ball" and has left Kevin Durant to play the center; this is a detriment to the inside defense.

"Small ball" is an advantage for them when it comes to pushing the pace, but on defense it will usually benefit the other team if it has size. Anthony Davis barely played at all and he is the team's best paint protector behind Chandler.

Either Davis will have to see more time or Chandler will have to make his inside presence known a little more during the London Games.

2. Jump Shooting

Teams can live by the jump shot or die by it. So far Team USA has been dying by it.

Against Brazil, the team shot 40 percent from the floor and 25 percent from three-point range and only made six out of 24 attempts. With some of the best shooters and scorers in the world, there is no way that it should be shooting so poorly from the field. 

It has not yet hurt the team to point where it has suffered a loss, but poor shooting like this could give the team many more scares similar to those that it experienced during its game against Brazil.

1. Overconfidence

Team USA does have the world's best talent, but it must remain focused and not get too arrogant. It has a target on its back and teams will give it their best shot.

It cannot continue to keep coming out flat at the beginning of games and just think that it can turn it around at any moment. Yes, Team USA was able to play through the slow starts in the exhibition games, but it might not always be able to flip the switch so easily.

Team USA must remember that it has to work and not expect the gold medal to be given to them.