London 2012: Spain and the 5 Biggest Threats to Team USA in Winning Gold

At the 2012 Olympics, one of the premiere events will undoubtedly be men's basketball.

Twelve teams divided into two groups of six will try for the gold. They include America, Tunisia, Nigeria, Lithuania, France and Argentina in Group A, and Great Britain, Russia, China, Australia, Brazil, and Spain in Group B.  

Team USA, filled with NBA All-Stars, is the No. 1-ranked team in the world, and will be heavy favorites to repeat their gold medal performance from the 2008 Games in Beijing.

However, international competition only continues to get better and better. In the last 15 years, the NBA has seen an influx of international players go to the NBA, many of whom have gone on to shine and become All-Stars.

While I believe the 1992 Dream Team would beat this year's team if they were to play, the reason why Team USA 2012 isn't crushing teams by 40 points is for one simple reason: Their competition is better.

If America doesn't come out with gold medals in London this summer, it will likely be one of these five teams that knocks them off. 

5. Lithuania

FIBA Ranking: 5

Number of NBA players: 2

Lithuania is a country with a rich basketball history that includes three European championships as well as being a large part of the success of the Soviet Union team before they regained their independence.

Perhaps the most well-known name to come out of Lithuania is former Portland Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis.

As for their recent squads, they placed fourth in the 2008 Olympics and won the bronze medal at the 2010 World Championships.

Leading the way for them are a pair of Toronto Raptors: Linas Kleiza, who averaged nearly 20 points a game in Olympic qualifying, and Jonas Valanciunas, the fifth overall pick of the Raptors in 2011 who will make his NBA debut next season.

Other players to look out for are Jonas Maciulis and Martynas Pocius, who both played in Europe last season. 

4. Brazil

FIBA Ranking: 13

Number of NBA Players: 4

Brazil was a basketball powerhouse in the mid-20th century, but they have not medaled in the Olympics since 1964.

This year's group, however, certainly has a chance to change that.

Brazil hung tough with Team USA in an exhibition game a few weeks ago, out-rebounding the smaller American squad 38-30, but falling on the scoreboard 80-69.

Still, it was a competitive contest in which Brazil jumped out to an early lead, proving they can play with the Americans.

This is thanks in large part to their trio of NBA big men—Nene, Tiago Splitter and Anderson Varejao—who all have had success at the pro level.

Throw in Leandro Barbosa, and you have a serious threat to medal in this year's Games. Expect Brazil to battle it out with Spain for tops in Group B. 

3. France

FIBA Ranking: 12

Number of NBA players: 6

After winning the silver medal in the 2000 Olympics, France failed to medal in '04 and '08.

However, in 2012, they may have their best roster yet and are one of the top teams in Europe.

France has half a dozen NBA players on their roster including Spurs star Tony Parker, who finished fifth in this year's MVP voting.

They also have young stars like Nicolas Batum and Nando De Colo, and savvy veterans like Boris Diaw and Ronny Turiaf. 

France would be even better equipped if they had the services of Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, who played with the team in European qualifying. 

Noah had to withdraw from the Olympics because of an ankle injury. 

2. Argentina

FIBA Ranking: 3

Number of NBA players: 4

The only team in the world to win a gold medal in basketball this millennium outside of the United States, Argentina has an opportunity to do the same in 2012.

Argentina has consistently been one of the top basketball countries in the world, and a thorn in the side of Team USA. 

Led by Spurs stud Manu Ginobili, Argentina is loaded once again this year as they prepare for London.

Other notable names joining Ginobili in the Argentina lineup are Bucks forward Carlos Delfino, recently acquired Phoenix Sun Luis Scola, former Chicago Bull Andres Nocioni and Pablo Prigioni, who is currently signed with the Knicks organization. 

Argentina played the U.S. closer than any other team in their recent exhibition stretch, falling to Team USA by just six points in an 86-80 defeat.

In that game, Argentina went only 9-of-25 from beyond the arc, and if they can get hot and limit Team USA to under 90 points again, an upset is certainly not out of the question.

1. Spain

FIBA Ranking: 2

Number of NBA players: 5

Yes, Team USA just crushed Spain 100-78 in an exhibition game, but don't expect the result to be so lopsided if the two teams meet in this year's gold medal game. 

Spain has had plenty of success with their basketball squad in recent years, winning silver in 2008 Olympics and winning gold in the 2006 World Cup.

This year's squad has a dynamic frontcourt led by Gasol brothers Pau and Marc, both NBA All-Stars. Serge Ibaka, the power forward for the defending Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder, also holds down the line and provides the team with a dynamic rebounder and shot-blocker.

While the other two NBA players at the moment are Jose Calderon and Victor Claver, most basketball fans would also recognize the names Rudy Fernandez and Juan Carlos Navarro, both former NBA players. 

Navarro, in fact, led the Spanish team in scoring in European qualifying. In his only NBA season in 2007-2008, he averaged nearly 11 points per game.

Spain didn't tank the game against Team USA like some are suggesting, but it is hard to believe that was their best effort.

They would have a shot because of their excellent post play, which is exactly what Team USA lacks the most—dynamic big men to match up with the Gasol's down low. 

With Marc Gasol back in the lineup, a Spain vs. USA gold medal game would be an entertaining and competitive battle that would come down to the wire.