USA vs. France Olympic Basketball: Keys to French Upset in Group Stage Clash

Any team facing the United States men's basketball team in London will face a tall task, but for medal hopefuls France, that test will come immediately in the group stages.

While France should easily make it out of the group alongside the United States and Argentina, the squad's showing against the United States will offer a glimpse into how capable the team is of reaching the medal stand.

Let's break down what the French side need to do to pull off the shocking upset against the Americans.

Work the Ball Down Low

The United States will often play a "small" roster, playing LeBron James at power forward alongside of Tyson Chandler. Though the team has Kevin Love and Anthony Davis on roster, the strength of the squad is clearly in its collection of small forwards and guards.

While France doesn't exactly have an elite collection of bigs—Spain and Brazil present the most problems in the paint for the U.S.—they have NBA players who can compete with the United States down low in Ronny Turiaf, Boris Diaw and Kevin Seraphin.

The more it can bang and mash down low, limiting second chances for the United States on the boards and scoring cheap buckets down low, the better chance it will stand in this game.

Tony Parker and Nicolas Batum Better Show Up

The two best players on the French team are certainly more than capable of holding their own against the United States roster. Heck, Tony Parker would fit right in on the team.

For France to beat the United States, Parker will need to run the game and give France a huge performance, something in the vicinity of a 20-point, 10-assist effort.

And Batum will need to be a suitable right-hand man, hitting his open looks and playing tough defense against one of the talented United States small forwards or shooting guards.

Against the best, your top stars need to elevate their games. France will need special efforts from Parker and Batum to beat the U.S.

Force U.S. Jumpers, and Hope They Miss Them

If opponents play tough defense, force Team USA to settle for jumpers and catch the Americans on a cold-shooting night, an upset is a real possibility.

But if the U.S. and players like Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James are allowed to drive the lane at will and finish at the basket, the team is unbeatable.

It's that simple. And easier said than done to keep the talented Americans on the perimeter, of course.

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