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After Spain dominated the latest european chamionships, i would like to discuss their chances of going for gold in in the 2012 olympics.

Why i am asking?

In 2008 the US Team beat Spain by a margin of only 11 points and the game was close till 8-9minutes into the 4th quarter.

It was a great game where Rudy Fernandez played out of his mind despite only playing 18 minutes because of foul trouble. Spain played without their starting point guard, Jose Calderon. Instead the 17-year-old Ricky Rubio had to organize their offense.
The best players on the US Squad were D-Wade with 27 points and Kobe with 20.
The US team shot an incredible 46,4% from the three point line (13/28).

I know that nobody can guess who is playing for the US in 2012, but what do you expect from this upcoming tournament?

When i think about 2008 and the Olympics in London next year...

... Marc Gasol has improved his skills a a lot
... Ibaka could be a much needed athletic big man
... Spain will be much stronger on the pg position
... no spanish player is to old
... Rubio could have the experience of his first nba year
... will the USA be that much effective from the 3-point-line?

It really depends mostly on who will be on team USA.

Spain is for the most part set, but team USA could have a lot of possible players who either decide to play or decline.

This is just good thoughts And a lot of big teams is not negligible

Spain is in a good moment to try to defeat USA. No doubt about it.

Spain could be the best opponent for USA in 2012 final, but if USA brings their best players Spain will have no chance

Derrick Rose
Chris Paul
Deron Williams
Dwayne Wade
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Carmelo Anthony
Kevin Durant
Blake Griffin
Amare Stoudemaire
Dwight Howard
Kevin Love

The US has made it a point to not just "bring their best players", but to organize a team that can play well together. Like everyone says, it comes down to who's willing to play. I think the big question is: did guys like LeBron and Wade get playing for Team USA and getting a Gold in Beijing out of their system? And after this brutal season, are they going to be willing to play in the Olympics? Spain has some of the same problems, but I expect a Spain/US final.

USA is adding Lebron's vastly improved jumper and a guy who is arguably the best international basketball player in the world in Kevin Durant. Also it is likely that every player on the team will have significant international experience. This team will be extremely good.

I don't see how Spain can beat the US. Talent wise the US team is ridiculous. The only chance for Spain is if Westbrook plays, he may be able to shoot the US off the game! Watching KD perform his magic is disheartening. He is the best player in the world. Yes, better than LeBron and Bryant. I said it.

Spains talent is crazy as well... i wonder how many centuries will pass before another generation like this appear. A pity not a lot of people actually cares or understand it in the country.

styLesdavis wrote:After Spain dominated the latest european chamionships, i would like to discuss their chances of going for gold in in the 2012 olympics.

Why i am asking?

In 2008 the US Team beat Spain by a margin of only 11 points and the game was close till 8-9minutes into the 4th quarter.

It was a great game where Rudy Fernandez played out of his mind despite only playing 18 minutes because of foul trouble. Spain played without their starting point guard, Jose Calderon. Instead the 17-year-old Ricky Rubio had to organize their offense.
The best players on the US Squad were D-Wade with 27 points and Kobe with 20.
The US team shot an incredible 46,4% from the three point line (13/28).

I know that nobody can guess who is playing for the US in 2012, but what do you expect from this upcoming tournament?

When i think about 2008 and the Olympics in London next year...

... Marc Gasol has improved his skills a a lot
... Ibaka could be a much needed athletic big man
... Spain will be much stronger on the pg position
... no spanish player is to old
... Rubio could have the experience of his first nba year
... will the USA be that much effective from the 3-point-line?

A classic matchups

I wish, I wish.....

It's only a proud for us , to be mentioned as a potential team which have options to beat USA. Some years ago, that was a joke.
We have the players in the paint (both Gasol Brothers, Ibaka, Reyes ....and the unknown yet for the american audience Nikola Mirotic...try to remember the name of this kid.It will be useful in the near future )
We have the shooters as Navarro o Rudy, and we have two of the best PG in this moment in the league (Calderon and Ricky)
Almost all players who have been in a All Star of the best league of the world

But there are two main problems.

1- Perhaps our bench depth is not too much.
2- We know that agains a inspired USA team, playing near to his normal level...its almost impossible to beat them.

But as I said, that's a proud for us, that other people speaks so good about us!!

But the first step to beat the gold, is reaching the final...and to reach...we must win every game...We must be modest or every team might beat us


Greetings from Zaragoza, Spain !!!

PS: Sorry about my grammar mistakes. I try to do my best!

Team USA would be better served by adding LaMarcus Aldridge to the team for his
perimeter game would be perfect for the International game.

Maybe it goes unnoticed for many people but Spain lost the most reliable players at the 3 spot. Jimenez and Mumbru were not stars but very important players for the team. Nowadays, Spanish squad doesn't have the defence, hustle and even 3 point shooting of those two players.
Spain is great at 1, 2, 4 and 5, but I don't like Rudy Fernandez playing as small forward, which they use to do lately.

How's Claver playing these days? Still in Valencia?

Chalk1 wrote:How's Claver playing these days? Still in Valencia?

Claver will always be a "could have been" player.
Skills and body are there. The will and the mind not.
For one championship "could" help but I think nobody has hopes anymore.
Spain needs a 3 that brings defense and consistency and (that's the most important thing) has a body for a 3. Rudy can work for teams with small 3, not for bigger ones.

This huge hole at the 3 position has me worried. Rudy is a pure 2. Maybe Ibaka should be moved to the 3? He is by far the most athletic guy, maybe he could keep up with the speed of opposing 3's..

Is there any chance Nikola Mirotic make the squad?? How good is this cat?? What's his game like?Who is he closely compared to?

With Ricky Rubio out, I wonder if Spain can make it to the Gold medal game?

Spain will make it to the Gold medal game. They've still got the best frontcourt among all FIBA teams, if only both Gasols and Ibaka will declare themselves to play

... and they still got an amazing backcourt!
Juan Carlos Navarro. Jose Calderon. Sergio LLull. Victor Sada.

They will be fine.