Spain Olympic Basketball Team: What Spain Can Learn from Team USA

Spain figured to be the greatest threat to Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics this summer, but after a 100-78 thrashing at the hands of the Americans in their exhibition, the Spanish proved they were not on par with the 2012 Dream Team. They have a lot of work to do if they hope to medal.

It may seem like a long time ago at this stage in the tournament, but they need to look back at that game against the top team in the tournament if they want to achieve success.

Spain opened that exhibition game with a 23-21 advantage after the first quarter. Then, everything fell apart. Team USA dominated the final three frames, 79-57, and rolled to victory.

But not all is lost. Here is what the Spanish must do in order to steal gold away from the Americans.

Take Care of the Ball

Team USA may have had 16 turnovers, but the heavily-favored Americans can afford a bit of sloppy play, because they have the talent and explosiveness to make up for it.

Spain, while talented, isn't as talented as Team USA. In that respect, 19 turnovers as a team simply isn't going to cut it.

Pau Gasol said after the game, via Fox News Latino: 

"

Well, it was definitely a game that we would have loved to play better as a team. We made too many mistakes which they capitalized and they played their game. They're a quick unit, very athletic and once they were able to convert a few fast-break opportunities due to our turnovers, it was hard for us.

"

Team USA forced Spain into seven turnovers in the second quarter, which helped them break things open in the game. They outscored Spain 27-17 in the second quarter en route to a solid victory.

Slow Down Team USA's Fastbreak

Team USA is simply too talented—with too many players who can go on scoring surges at any moment—to give them easy buckets.

Spain did that in the exhibition. Part of it was the Americans, but part of it was the Spanish turning the ball over or failing to get back quickly on defense. 

Obviously, slowing down Team USA is easier said than done, but the Americans are shooting well enough from downtown; if they start getting easy layups and dunks, it's over.

Rebound the Basketball

Despite being a taller team, Spain was outrebounded by Team USA on Tuesday, 37-26.

With Marc Gasol sitting out the exhibition, it was up to Pau Gasol and Serge Ibaka to carry the load on the boards. They didn't, and it should concern Spain.

Pau Gasol has been called soft while playing with the Los Angeles Lakers the past two seasons, and Ibaka had a career-low rebound rate of 15.9 this season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, per ESPN. He averaged a mediocre 7.5 rebounds in 27 minutes per game.

Pau and Ibaka need to step up on the glass; the Spanish simply can't afford to give up 14 offensive rebounds to Team USA. 

Attack in the Paint

One thing Gasol and Ibaka did do well was assert themselves in the paint. 

Tyson Chandler is Team USA's primary post defender, and he picked up two early fouls, forcing him to the bench. In turn, Gasol and Ibaka combined for 35 points on 14-of-19 shooting.

Chandler is not essential for Team USA to win gold, but he does play a big role for them on defense. Limiting his minutes increases Spain's chances to emerge victorious.

Marc Gasol's Left Shoulder

Marc Gasol was held out of the exhibition game as he recovered from a left shoulder injury, but he's back on the court now. He must play through the pain and remain effective.

Adding another post defender and rebounder like Gasol helps Spain tremendously. Gasol averaged 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks this past season for the Memphis Grizzlies. He also averaged 3.23 defensive plays (blocks plus steals plus charges), per Hoopdata.com (the NBA average was 1.38).

Beyond that, Gasol adds some offense in the post. He averaged 14.6 points for the Grizzlies in 2011-2012.

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