Why do people think SPain can beat USA?

Question

Spain's best player is Pau Gasol, 3/4 of the US team is better than him. I mean the talent levels of the teams are so different that even with great chemistry, I don't see how they can win. Also, Argentina? Manu?I don't get it.

Is the USA team chemistry that bad??!!

Compared to US players, European players are just role players, like Jose Calderon, all star in europe, but help for Bosh in US.

Or is it that they are more used to playing with European rules.

Someone tell me why people actually doubt the US Olympic team when their skill level is far superior than all the other teams.

Answer 1

Andy, you're wrong. Spain only has lost one match in the last 4 years, against Russia in the last Euro-basket. Spain won the silver medal. Down through these 4 years, Spain has beaten Argentina, Russia, Greece and so on many times, and it won the gold medal in the last FIBA world cup. Maybe do you remember August 2002, when Spain beat USA by 81-75?

USA is better at physical skills than Spain, but Spain is better in technical skills and it plays as a team. Expect the Olympics. ;)

Answer 2

Under Olympic rules, it's a different game.  It doesn't matter as much who's the most athletic or explosive, but who plays the best as a TEAM within the rules.  

Big guys can't dominate as much because teams play zone.  Don't confuse skill level with physical gifts- on average NBA players these days have WORSE fundamental skill levels than players 10-15 years ago- I'm talking things like footwork, playing team defense, recognizing defenses and passing out, shooting accuracy etc.  At those things, the European players are better on average than American players.

How long did Magic, Bird, Duncan, Jordan play college ball?  Guys who only play one year before going pro or go straight from high school are behind in developing that aspect of their games, but make up for it with their superior physical talent.

Being able to take guys off the dribble and having a sick vertical leap is nice, but doesn't help as much in International play as being smart about moving the ball  and hitting open 20-foot jumpers.  Guys like Peja and Michael Redd help your team win MORE than Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudemire (good thing he chose to sit out)

It's no different than some tennis players being unbeatable on grass, but not on clay courts, or great no-limit poker players not being as great in limit tournaments.

The players chosen for Team USA are still much more suited to the NBA style of play than Olympic basketball.  A smart, experienced and disciplined team of very good players is better than a bunch of individual superstars who've only played together for a month. We've seen that in 2000 and 2004.

Answer 3

The only reason people think they have a teensy chance is because Spains team plays together all year. For the U.S. we put the team together in a couple months and can only hope they have some chemistry. If the U.S competed with Spain year round, it would be a different story.

I for one do not see the U.S. falling short gold. The chemistry seems okay...and it doesn't have to be amazing when you have Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, ect.

Answer 4

Role players that play as a team can and will beat a team full of super star that only care about their individual stats and think they are god.

Basically what you have is Kobe vs. Spain.  One against five?  One would never win no matter how good he is unless he is Jordan or god himself.

Answer 5

Individually U.S.A. has better players, but it's a team sport and team usa still show it can't play that well together no matter what the talent.  And Spain beat Russia by 30points.  U.SA beat same russian team by only 20 points.  Spain has been together longer and play better international basketball.

Answer 6

its because euro teams have more will and pride to win. especially argentina. and if manu gets hot, almost no one can stop him those euro teams dont have the best players, but they have the best TEAM

Answer 7

Individually, yes I think the USA players are more skilled and much better than the Spain players. But together as a team, I think Spain is better. They work better as a team and pass when they need to.

As I keep saying, it's because for most of the year the US players are playing on their own separate teams then they come together for a month or two in the summer to play together. The other countries play together almost year-round.

Answer 8

people are just being conservative and giving respect to spain being fiba champion. but spain itself is wary of team usa and does not want to be billed as the title favorite. for good reason because spain lost to usa in 2004 olympics in elimination round and recently lost to russia in last europe championship. spain is not a consistent team and not as confident as argentina which won twice versus usa.  

Answer 9

THEY ARE A REAL TEAM! THEY HAVE EXPERIENCE! THEY HAVE SUPERIOR CONDITIONING! THEY CAN PLAY REAL DEFENSE THEY CAN SHOOT LIGHTS OUT AND THEY ARE FAST FAST FAST FAST! THEY WILL RUN CIRCLES AROUND THE US!

Answer 10

Because the US lost in 04' when they lost 3 games the rest of the World realized Hey we can beat these guys. ALSO you have to remember the international players that are playing now....are the same guys that looked up to the Dream team of 92, and 96' as kids. those two teams are enough aspiration to succeed in the game.

Answer 11

yea..sure there skill level is superior to every other team..but as playing as a team goes....there just getting that together.. we've seen this is just about everygame. sumone decides to take the shot when sum1 else is open..

but i think they'll still win. no way in h**l LeBron, Wade, or Kobe is gonna let any1 beat us

Answer 12

Yes, I think together USA isnt that good as Spain. But the USA Skills are so much better. Also, I think I remember watching the 04 season and Spain's outside shots were ok! Hope this helps!