Olympic Basketball 2012: Lessons Learned from Team USA Scare Against Lithuania

After a serious scare against Lithuania, the U.S. men's basketball team can learn a few lessons on how to avoid another disappointing performance.

The U.S. team was actually trailing midway through the fourth quarter before finally stepping on the gas and taking over.

While alarming, this kind of performance should improve the team's focus. If they take these lessons to heart, there is no reason to believe that the U.S. will be seriously tested again.

LeBron James Is the Team's Best Player, Get Him the Ball

Heading into the game against Lithuania, LeBron James was averaging a measly 6.7 points per game, good for ninth on the team.

Against Lithuania, though, James took over just in time to get the team the victory. His 20 points were the deciding factor in the game, as nine of those points came in the final four minutes.

Admittedly, James is not the best scorer on the team. Kevin Durant is the best pure scorer in the NBA, and Carmelo Anthony has been on fire throughout the London Games.

That James is not getting more scoring chances, though, is absurd. James can score from anywhere on the floor, but more importantly, he could offer some solid post scoring that the U.S. team desperately needs.

If the U.S. team gave James more chances to drive to the basket, they could be less reliant on the three-point shot and become more consistent as an offense.

The Big Men Must Step Up for the U.S. to Dominate

Lithuania followed the blueprint to beat the U.S. team to perfection, constantly attacking inside and picking apart the defense.

Though the U.S. team likes to play small ball, the team will need to learn to take control of the paint before it can lay claim to the gold medal.

Lithuania beat the U.S. on the boards 42 to 37, and their inside offense gave the U.S. fits.

If Lithuania can do this to the United States, just imagine what the Gasol brothers of Spain can do, or even Luis Scola of Argentina.

Kevin Love, Anthony Davis and Tyson Chandler must take control of the paint. Davis and Chandler have the ability to do just that, but Lithuania was still able to penetrate on a regular basis.

To alleviate some pressure on Davis and Chandler, James could step in to provide another post presence. He did so to great effect in the NBA playoffs, as his size allows him to at least compete with other big men.

Improved post play would give the offense more second chances while limiting the opponent's. More importantly, it would steady the offense and guarantee better looks at the basket.

For a team that relies so heavily on jump shots, improved post play would complete the team and virtually guarantee them the gold medal.

Play as a Team

What made the "Dream Team" and the "Redeem Team" so special were their willingness to play true, team basketball.

The isolation plays that dominate the NBA are ineffective in international play, so the ability to spread the ball around becomes crucial.

Unfortunately, the U.S. was unable to do this. The team played a hurried offense against Lithuania that jacked up threes at every opportunity, usually without looking for a pass or better shot.

Over 40 percent of U.S. field goal attempts were from deep, and that's a number that will have to change for the U.S. take control once again.

Though the U.S. struggled from deep, the team hit on over 54 percent of it's two-point field goals.

While being able to score from the three-point line is a valuable skill, more important is the ability to score from anywhere.

The U.S. team has shown that ability, but they have yet to truly harness it. When that happens, they will be even more terrifying of an opponent.

All in all, the U.S. is still the easy favorite to win gold, but their weaknesses have become clear.

With the greatest talent in the world at the team's disposal, expect nothing less than a dramatic turnaround from Saturday's clunker, as the U.S. once again showcases it's dominance.