Rio Olympics 2016: 5 teams which can upset USA basketball team

The Olympics represent the highest level of competition across sports. The very best athletes around the world compete at the pinnacle of their respective sports, and the winner in any team sports is rarely a foregone conclusion.

Except when it comes to Basketball, when the world generally assumes that Team USA will walk away with the gold as they have 14 times out of 17 in the past. On the other three occasions, they had to settle for one silver and two bronze medals. What is often overlooked is that although Team USA has swept the competition more often than not, they are a far cry from the days of the Dream Team which would annihilate the competition.

The days of the Dream Team elevated those superstars to the level of rockstars. They took on a persona larger than life as they demolished the competition which was more interested in taking pictures with them than dreaming of beating them.

That Dream Team inspired a number of foreign superstars who have now become legends in their own right in their countries. In an ironic twist of fate, they are the ones who are now looking to take Team USA down in the Olympics.

Here's how the groups stack up in the 2016 Rio Olympics:

Group A: USA, France, Venezuela, Serbia, China and AustraliaGroup B: Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Lithuania, Croatia and Nigeria

In 2012, USA barely beat Spain by a margin of 7 points which was the second closest score in an Olympic Final. Team USA is not infallible by any means, and here's a look at five teams which could upset the USA basketball team in the Olympics:

#1 Spain, FIBA Rank-2

Spain come into the 2016 Rio Olympics having won two straight silver medals in 2008 and 2012. That is no consolation to the team which has won the gold in FIBA EuroBasket in 2009, 2011 and 2015.

Spain ought to have fielded one of the most formidable frontcourts in the league, but they will be without the services of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka. Gasol will be out with a broken foot, his attempts at an early recovery having failed.

Serge Ibaka is a different matter. In the 2012 Olympics, it was reported that Ibaka "felt underused and questioned his standing on the team." Last time, he played only 121 minutes in the 8 games that Spain participated in. Although, he was third in minutes played with only the Gasol brothers enjoying more floor time.

Speaking of the Gasol brothers, this time, the burden is squarely on the shoulders of Pau Gasol. He had considered skipping the Olympics over concerns regarding the Zika virus. He confirmed his decision and loyalty thusly, "My commitment to the national team is greater than my fears over what might happen,"

Spain is still a team to be reckoned with. Jose Calderon, Rudy Fernandez, Nikola Mirotic, Juan Carlos Navarro and Felipe Reyes will present tough competition with Pau Gasol manning the middle

This is probably the last chance for an Olympic gold medal for Navarro, Pau Gasol, and Felipe Reyes as all three of them are 36 years old now.

#2 France, Rank-5

Tony Parker and Rudy Gobert form a potent duo for France

France has won the silver medal twice at the Olympics in basketball, in 1948 and 2000. They feature a dominant starting lineup led by superstar Tony Parker. His ability to make a splash on offense and years of championship experience with the San Antonio Spurs will serve them well.

They have a pair of immensely capable forwards in Boris Diaw and Nicolas Batum. Diaw's cerebral game was tailor-made for international competition, and Batum's athleticism and size can put the clamps on the star wings of the opposition. In Nando de Colo, France is fielding another former Spur who can make an impact. The 2016 Euroleague MVP is a capable addition to the roster which features starters who have all played/are playing in the NBA.

In the middle, France has the Stifle Tower manning the fort and rejecting all comers with gusto. Rudy Gobert is an intimidating force in the middle, and France will rely upon him to anchor their defense.

After Spain, it is likely that France present the strongest threat to Team USA's medal hopes.

#3 Serbia, Rank- 6

Miroslav Raduljica of Serbia will not let his team go down without a fight

Serbia won the silver medal in the 2014 FIBA World Cup when they lost 92-129 to Team USA. They qualified for the Olympics in the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying tournaments along with France and Croatia.

They won the silver medal in 1996 Olympics, and their current roster still presents sufficient intrigue. Captain Milos Teodosic established himself as a gunner to watch out for. But Serbia has a weakened roster whilst also being without the services of Boban Marjanovic and Nemanja Bjelica.

They do have Bogdan Bogdanovic at SG who can light it up from outside. But his inexperience can be exposed at the highest stage. Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets can be a steadying force down low for them, but he's also only 21 years old right now. Miroslav Raduljica will have to hold down the fort, standing at 7”0 ought to help him.

Serbia will be coming off a high from their near triumph in 2014. Look for them to put up a brave front in 2016 Rio Olympics.

#4 Lithuania, Rank- 3

Lithuania at the 2015 Eurobasket

Lithuania arrives at the 2016 Rio Olympics after qualifying at the Eurobasket 2015 along with Spain. They have won three silver medals in basketball at the Olympics. Now that Spain is without its twin towers, Lithuania's two big men have an opportunity to impose their will on the competition.

Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas has proved himself as a force to reckon with in the Eastern Conference Finals before going down with an injury. He will have the support of Thunder big man Domantas Sabonis, son of legend Arvydas Sabonis.

Of Domantas, Lithuanian coach Jonas Kazlauskas has said, "I can say that another basketball star is growing. His father was uncommon and such human is one per 100 years. I was thinking that if Domantas will not interfere the national team, it will be good, but when he actually helps, I appreciate it very nicely."

Look for Lithuania to bully teams with their size. They don't have a single player below 6"4 on their roster, and six of them are over 6"9 in height.

#5 Argentina, Rank-4

Argentia is the last team to have wrested away a gold medal from the USA in 2004

Argentina qualified for the Olympics through the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, along with Venezuela. They feature a number of current as well as former NBA talents on their roster, even though three of them are over 36 years of age.

Argentina memorably won the gold medal in 2004 when they beat Team USA led by Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson. They also won the bronze medal in 2008 but finished fourth in 2012. Now, they may be over the hill.

Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni are both 36 years old, playing in what could be their last Olympics. Manu Ginobili is definitely competing in his last at the age of 39. Another NBA talent, Carlos Delfino, is 33 years old. This team will have to rely on smarts over explosive athleticism in order to win.

It will be interesting to see if Argentina can maintain the high standard fans have come to expect from them. They will need all the luck in the world to upset Team USA though.