How Team USA Can Overcome Size Problem to Secure Gold Medal

It's hard to believe a roster drawing from the NBA's most elite talent would suffer from anything resembling a weakness against international competition.

But, the London Summer Olympics could highlight some vulnerabilities that emerged over the course of Team USA's five tune-up games, namely the roster's lack of size in the paint.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with its size on the wing, mind you. Forwards LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony are long and strong enough to create problems for NBA and international opposition alike.

The bigger concern is what's happening around the basket.

The exhibition against Spain was a painful reminder, especially in the first quarter when Pau Gasol and Serge Ibaka looked to be unstoppable. Pau's brother Marc sat the game out, but he should be ready should the two clubs meet again in London.

It goes without saying the United States' size deficit wasn't by design.

Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh and LaMarcus Aldridge weren't healthy enough to join the roster. Andrew Bynum just wanted to be extra cautious. As if that weren't bad enough, Blake Griffin then tore his meniscus and prematurely ended his Olympic run as well.

That's left Team USA to make the most of center Tyson Chandler, power forward Kevin Love and the sparingly-used first-overall selection from June's NBA Draft, Anthony Davis.

Sure, LeBron James can hold his own at the 4 against most of his opponents, but this rotation still remains short on shot-blockers and guys who can defend the post.

It's not time to panic just yet, though.

As former general manager Kiki Vandeweghe explains, Team USA has the physical tools to compensate:

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This United States team is not going to have any trouble on the defensive end. The Americans are athletic enough to provide help from the weak side and it's going to be very difficult for their opponents to get close to the basket. The US players are very strong, very athletic and so quick that they can really dominate and change a game from the defensive end. 

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Beyond supplanting length with quick team-defense, this team is also well-equipped to dictate the pace of the game.

In fact, at their preferred tempo, there aren't a whole lot of big men who can keep up. And, of course, this roster is built in the perfect mold to create that tempo.

The speed and athleticism help, but the depth is game-changing.

When guys like Russell Westbrook and Andre Iguodala are coming off the bench, you know the other team will be in store for a four-quarter track meet. That's not the average seven-footer's cup of tea.

There will obviously remain situations in which Team USA finds itself overpowered in the half-court, but thus far head coach Mike Krzyzewski hasn't allowed those situations to become too commonplace.

His perimeter defense has consistently risen to the occasion and engineered a pace to this roster's liking. 

If it can continue to do so, this undersized squad will remain the prohibitive favorite to once again bring home the gold medal.