Spaniards have a roster packed with NBA talent that is considered USA’s biggest competition.
Although Team USA are considered huge favourites for the inaugural FIBA World Cup, hosts Spain will undoubtedly prove to be a significant obstacle if their paths cross in the championship game.
The hosts boast a talented roster with the likes of Ricky Rubio, Serge Ibaka and the Gasol brothers, and it is their frontcourt in particular which many expect to cause the USA problems.
Although the likes of Lithuania and France are outside bets to produce a shock when the tournament tips off on August 30, it will most likely come down to the two more dominant teams on paper.
While much of the focus is on Pau and Marc Gasol, both Rubio and Ibaka produced a play in an exhibition game against Argentina to showcase exactly why Spain will be a force that will seriously challenge the Americans.
Despite losing the likes of Kevin Durant, Kevin Love and Paul George, this is still Team USA’s tournament to lose, but ultimately, if the Spanish can get this going in front of a noisy home crowd then the final game promises to be a memorable one.
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