Can Spain upset the USA for gold at the Olympics?
By koopharper
@koopharper (7601)
Canada
July 30, 2012 7:24pm CST
Because of injuries the US Olympic men's basketball team is going to play Spain with a clear height disadvantage in the paint. Do you think that Spain can take advantage of that situation? Do the Gasol brothers have what it takes? Personally I think the Americans will take it all but this could be an interesting challenge for them.
4 responses
@lampar (7584)
• United States
31 Jul 12
Of course that is always this possibility that Spain can win gold in men basketball game in Olympic, there is no guarantee in whatever match a particular country will definitely win the gold, it is not just Spain is able to upset USA men basketball team, many other countries also have that opportunity and ability to win gold medal in basketball. There is no forever winner in any game in Olympics' event, as long as the team and players train hard enough, they will always stand a chance they can beat the former champion in reaching the top of the game. We just have to wait and see! Nothing can be surprising during Olympic game, everything is possible. 
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
31 Jul 12
You're right. Lightning can strike. I've seen bigger underdogs come up big and win a title. They don't have to win a series they just have to win that one game against them.
@Sportseconomics (162)
• United States
3 Aug 12
This is a good point to make. At the knockout stages, all it takes is one bad game from the USA and one good game from another solid team. I think this concept is what makes March Madness for college basketball so intriguing: the possibility of upsets. Take just this last year: Norfolk State beating Missouri (my national champion pick, d'oh!) and Lehigh beating Duke. I can almost guarantee that were these 7 game series, Lehigh and Norfolk State would have no chance. However, given a chance in 1 game, they can make something amazing happen.
This same concept appears in the Olympics, but to a lesser extent, I think, due to the fact that team USA has so much more talent than every other team. While I think the gold medal game of USA vs. Spain has a chance at an upset happening, I just don't see it. But if it did, imagine the drama!
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
5 Aug 12
Spain knows how it feels now with a loss to Russia and the US now had a close call against Lithuania.
@sinnedsejatnom (1311)
• Philippines
6 Aug 12
The only injured player from the US roster is only Blake but still they are very strong. Though they lack height advantage against Spain but USA will win that game. The Gasol brothers can probably dominate the shaded lane but the game could not be won by just putting scores in that area. It's a total team effort.
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
6 Aug 12
Blake was injured while on the Olympic roster. I say injuries in the plural because I'm including players that would have been on the roster had they not been recovering from injuries. That includes Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum and Chris Bosh all of whom play and defend the post.
@Sportseconomics (162)
• United States
7 Aug 12
Indeed, were we to have all of those injured big men to choose to add to the roster, I think maybe those discussion about whether the 2012 team could beat the 1992 Dream Team would be more warranted.
Also, one other person we are forgetting that is not on the 2012 team is Dwyane Wade, who was really the big playmaker off the bench for the 2008 Olympic team. I think Russell Westbrook is a good replacement for that role for this team, though.
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
31 Jul 12
Injuries? Try Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum. Both are recuperating from injuries that have kept them from playing in the Olympics. Chris Bosh is also missing from the team. The only real centre on the American team is Tyson Chandler. I think Spain is capable of giving the dream team trouble but it won't be easy.
@skyandgrassplot (1497)
• China
31 Jul 12
There are many talents in USA team so some one get injuries just little impact to USA team.As for Spain team,according to the match with China,though Spain win this game but the advantage is very limited so I do not think this Spain team will beat USA team,but at least,we hope that these two team will bring a wonderful match to us just like the 2008 Olympics game.
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
31 Jul 12
I don't think they will either. I am hoping it will be an exciting game. Hopefully I will get to watch it as it happens. Not sure whether I'll be able to be free for that.
@Sportseconomics (162)
• United States
3 Aug 12
I personally believe that the USA will not have very much trouble at all getting to the gold medal game, and not too much of a challenge from Spain in the finals either. However, what I do hope for is an interesting game. Watching the US against Nigeria today was fun, but the game was out of reach as soon as it was 13-0 to start. I am hoping for a closer and more interesting game in the finals, since I think a bit of competition for the USA would make it far more intriguing to watch.
