5 nations that can upset Team USA for men's hoops gold

It's no secret that the United States is the heavy favorite to capture the gold medal at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Team USA has won four straight Olympic tournaments and comes into the event with another loaded roster full of future Hall of Famers.

But with the influx of international talent in the NBA, other nations aren't just praying they can catch the Americans on a bad night. A few countries believe they can bring home gold.

Here are five teams that have a legitimate shot at beating the United States.

• Best Olympic finish: Silver (1984, 2008, 2012)
• Most valuable player: Santi Aldama
• X-factor: Lorenzo Brown

Spain may be short on NBA talent as its golden generation nears the end of the line, but La Roja will always be an extremely tough out in international competition. The Spaniards run the world's best offense with intricate ball and player movement, have elite shooters all over the floor, and, most importantly, can slow down the pace in a potential matchup against Team USA.

This iteration of Spain - which depends heavily on Memphis Grizzlies reserve Santi Aldama and former NBA point guard Lorenzo Brown - will need to play a perfect game to hang with a loaded USA squad. But if the team gets hot from deep and eliminates transition, it can be done.

• Best Olympic finish: 7th (1992)
• Most valuable player: Franz Wagner
• X-factor: Dennis Schroder

Medalling at the last two international tournaments - bronze at EuroBasket and gold at the FIBA World Cup - are unquestionably the two greatest achievements in German basketball. Led by brothers Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner, Die Mannschaft has already proven that it can take down Team USA, as it beat the juggernaut in the semifinals of the World Cup last summer.

Dennis Schroder attacked the rim relentlessly during both tournaments and led the team in points and assists, and his dynamic playmaking and ability to get into the lane causes teams, including the Americans, fits. If they can get enough outside shooting, the Germans will challenge Team USA.

• Best Olympic finish: Silver (2016)
• Most valuable player: Nikola Jokic
• X-factor: Bogdan Bogdanovic

Serbia squared off against the U.S. in an exhibition on July 17 and fell apart in a 26-point loss. The squad went ice cold from three, and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic shot just 6-of-19 from the floor.

But the Balkan nation will get another shot against the Americans in the group stage of the Olympics and perhaps again in the medal rounds, as both teams are heavy favorites to advance out of the round robin. A big difference this time around will be the addition of Atlanta Hawks sniper Bogdan Bogdanovic, who missed the exhibition. His career 3-point mark of 38.4% will free up Jokic and make an upset much more plausible.

• Best Olympic finish: Silver (1936)
• Most valuable player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• X-factor: Dillon Brooks

In terms of pure talent, Canada is clearly second to USA in the Olympic field. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray lead the way as two star guards in the NBA, while RJ Barrett and rising reserve Andrew Nembhard provide excellent complimentary scoring. At the other end of the floor, the elite perimeter defense of Lu Dort and Dillon Brooks is an ideal counter to Team USA's plethora of guards and wings.

But one area where Canada does not stack up is the paint. While the Red and White play small-ball with Brooks at the four and 6-foot-10 Dwight Powell at center, the U.S. boasts Cameroonian import Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo. During an exhibition on July 10, USA dominated the interior offensively and defensively, blocking nine shots compared to Canada's one en route to a 86-72 win.

• Best Olympic finish: Silver (1948, 2000, 2020)
• Most valuable player: Victor Wembanyama
• X-factor: Evan Fournier

Despite all the hype, the hosts are limping into the Olympics having lost their final four exhibition contests. But France has incredible length inside, as four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert will be starting alongside Victor Wembanyama, who is the odds-on favorite to be the breakout star of the tournament.

The key for France will be guard play. In a double-digit loss to the Canadians, Les Bleus struggled to deal with Canada's perimeter defenders and racked up 20 turnovers. France simply must be better when it matches up against the Americans, who will be able to throw Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Anthony Edwards at France's inexperienced guards.