Argentina Olympic Basketball Team: Why Argentines Are Biggest Threat to Team USA

Despite getting blasted 126-97 by Team USA in the final game of pool play, Argentina still represents the stiffest challenger for the Americans in the Olympics’ medal rounds. 

The first half—which ended with the USA clinging to a 60-59 lead— and last month’s 86-80 exhibition victory were more indicative of the way that Argentina can make life difficult for coach Mike Krzyzewski’s club. 

The second-half brilliance of Kevin Durant—the Thunder sharpshooter drained eight three-pointers en route to a 28-point effort—and LeBron James (18 points and five assists) thwarted Argentina’s upset bid. 

However, consider that Argentina was playing without point guard Pablo Prigioni—and starting forwards Luis Scola and Carlos Delfino played sparingly—and it becomes clear that this was far from their best effort.  (h/t Ian Thomsen, Sports Illustrated) 

After all, the core of the South American powerhouse that claimed the gold medal in Athens in 2004—one that defeated the Americans along the way—remains intact.  

Sure, players like guard Manu Ginobli and Scola are not playing at the level they were eight years ago. 

But considering that their team has had the benefit of playing with one another for such a long period of time—with Team USA having been together for a just a little more than a month—that experience could come into play when the stakes are raised.   

Krzyzewski and his team—while still being the heavy favorites in this tournament—have a few issues that will likely prevent them from steamrolling all the way to a gold medal. 

With the Americans showing that they have a tendency to go cold from the perimeter—like they did in last week’s lethargic 99-94 win over Lithuania—skilled teams like Argentina and Spain might be able to capitalize down the stretch of a close game in a way that the Lithuanians could not.  

Also, aside from center Tyson Chandler, Team USA lacks noticeable depth on the inside. Although Krzyzewski showed against Argentina that he is not afraid to let the world’s best player (James) work from the post.  

The last two gold medal winners could meet once again in the semifinals if Argentina gets past Brazil and the Americans dispatch Australia.  

While there are other challengers left in the medal round capable of playing the Americans close (like the aforementioned Spanish), none have proved to be a tougher out than the Argentines. 

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