2016 Rio Olympics Team USA Basketball Team Preview: SWOT Analysis

Team USA in all it’s splendor 

#2 Strengths: Skill and athelticism

Carmelo Anthony can be the first USA basketball player to win 4 medals this year

Oh boy, where to begin! Here's how Coach Mike Krzyzewski put it, "We have great shooters and explosive scorers, we're big and athletic, and I think we'll really be able to defend."

The biggest strength of Team USA has usually been their explosive athleticism. These athletes can run faster and jump higher than anyone else. Running up the score on fast breaks has been a staple of USA teams in international competitions. The amount of ground Durant, George and DeRozan will cover in transition is scary.

Team USA would be salivating at the prospect of competing in international basketball. DeAndre Jordan would be salivating to himself at the prospect of the international rule which enables players to knock the ball while it is on the cylinder without goal-tending. Thompson, Durant and Irving would be tingling at the shorter 3-point line. And the entire team would be relishing the prospect of being more athletic and riding their win streak.

The superior athleticism will help the team with their trademark smothering defense, and the interior presence of DeAndre Jordan or DeMarcus Cousins will deter drives by the opposition. Team USA's star power alone can run the score up 10-0 even before the game begins against some opponents.

Directed by the unflappable Coach K, the team is going to be really hard to beat. One can bet on any of Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving to step up as the alpha male on this squad on offense.

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Edited by Staff Editor