USA men’s basketball’s real Olympics challenge begins

Team USA men’s basketball may have rebounded from its dismal loss to start the Olympics, but now the real challenge begins.

Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and Co. will meet Spain in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, and if victorious, the US will likely draw Australia next.

The Aussies, which defeated the US in an exhibition, will take on Argentina.

Team USA and Spain are very familiar with one another, having played in the 2008 and 2012 gold medal games and in the semifinals in 2016. Spain’s roster is led by the Gasol brothers, Marc and Pau, and Ricky Rubio. The Spaniards went 2-1 in pool play, defeating Japan and Argentina and losing to Slovenia.


Follow all the 2020 Olympics action


“This Olympics is just going to get better as far as basketball is concerned, because the teams are all pretty passionate and very talented and have a lot of individual players that people will enjoy on TV,” American coach Gregg Popovich said.

After having their 25-game Olympic winning streak snapped last week against France, Team USA bounced back to knock off Iran and the Czech Republic

Leave a Comment