While most basketball fans are leaning Team USA as the heavy favorites for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, Team Spain stands in their way as very real threats.

Team USA's roster is not in full force for the upcoming tournament. With Paul George out due to injury and Kevin Durant - the expected leader of the team - pulling out just two weeks before the tournament begins, pundits have offered that Team USA does not have the best players that can be offered.

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A number of NBA Superstars have opted to sit the tournament out - names like Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Kobe Bryant. Their squad is then left with relatively young players.

This opens up the door for Team Spain who have a significant wealth of experience when it comes to international games.

The Spanish Basketball Team is currently ranked number two in the world, behind USA, in the FIBA rankings.

Daniel Zimmerman of International Sports Hub states that the lineup of Spain could deter USA's chances at winning the gold.

Their lineup consists of NBA Superstars including Jose Calderon, Marc and Pau Gasol, and Ricky Rubio. While he says that the USA may be better individually, Spain has beaten USA before, giving them a scare in the 2012 Beijing Olympics.

A considerable advantage that Team Spain possesses is height, and it is embodied in the Gasol brothers. Team USA's power forward and center rotation is thin. They lack players with the size to rival that of the Gasols, with DeMarcus Cousins opting out due to injury.

The roster of team USA seems to suggest the use of "small ball" tactics, as they incorporate quick players who can chase away shooters.

While this is a possible disadvantage for European teams that usually use their big men to spread the floor and shoot from anywhere on the floor, it could be seen as an advantage for Team Spain who can rely on the Gasol brothers to pound the ball on the post.

With the game tournament being played in Spain's home turf, they can truly be seen as the biggest threat for favorite Team USA.

TagsTeam Spain, Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, FIBA World Cup, Ricky Rubio