With the 2014 FIBA World Cup set to begin right around the corner on Aug 30, and with Spain easily being USA's biggest threat in the competition, many fans already are anticipating, and predicting, the inevitable USA-Spain showdown that would determine which country receives the Gold or Silver medals.

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Spain without a doubt has the best defensive frontcourt in the whole international competition and arguably the best frontcourt in terms of international experience. Their frontcourt consists of Spaniard brothers Pau and Marc Gasol, and Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka.

Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka are both elite defenders capable of locking down the paint, as well as the ability to come out and defend the perimeter. Ibaka's also one of the most prolific shot-blockers in the NBA averaging 2.7 blocks per game last season with the Thunder.

On the offensive end you can expect Marc Gasol to hold down the paint trying to force second-chance opportunities with offensive rebounds, while Ibaka stretches the floor with his mid-range jumper and occasionally posting up on the block.

People discredit Pau Gasol because of the fact he's now 34-years-old, but don't let the age fool you. He still managed to put up over 17 points a game while averaging close to 50 percent from the field last season with the Lakers.

He's a knockdown mid-range shooter with a variety of post moves, but his major strength is his passing ability and court vision while racking up assists. Not many big-men are much better than Pau in that department.  

Team USA players Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond and DeMarcus Cousins are going to have to capitalize on their athleticism in order to score on Spain's elite defense while being able to contain Pau and Ibaka's offensive abilities as well.

You also can't forget Spain's talented guards/wings Jose Calderon, Ricky Rubio, Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez and Juan-Carlos Navarro - who all have NBA experience. 

Fernandez played four seasons in the NBA averaging eight points, two assists and two rebounds coming off the bench as a rotation player; and Navarro averaged 11 points in his one and only season with the Grizzlies - but both actually left the NBA by choice, not because they didn't lack the NBA-caliber talent level.

The core of Spain has been together for years and they possess a tremendous amount of chemistry that's been built. This is huge when you consider USA has many new faces that have barely been playing together other than during training camp and recent exhibition games.

Team USA's talent level at the guard/wing positions easily have the advantage with players like Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving - So if Spain wants to win the gold medal, their frontcourt and chemistry are going to be the determining factors in pulling the upset against USA. 

TagsFIBA World Cup, Team USA, Upset