U.S. Olympic basketball player LeBron James listens to music while stretching during a training session at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona July 23, 2012. (Photo : REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino)
USA Basketball's biggest foe is Spain, for the men's national team that is, and today, the American team led by LeBron James and Kobe Bryant will have the chance to measure their abilities against the European team that is also full of NBA talent.
The game is promising to be a pre-Olympic gem not only for the level of basketball expected to be displayed, but also for the drama that surrounds it.
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Lakers teammates Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol will likely make the starting line-up but on different sides of the court, while Serge Ibaka will experience just how it feels like to defend his Thunder teammate Kevin Durant.
Although USA stands as favorite to win not only the exhibition game but the Olympic Basketball tournament as well, they'll face plenty of obstacles to achieve that feat.
While Team USA may boast superstars such as Kobe, LeBron and Durant, they possess a weak spot Spain is likely to capitalize on: height.
While team USA's average height is just about half an inch lower than Team Spain's average height, the U.S. men's team starting lineup stands lower than Spain's starting five. Tyson Chandler will have to compete against Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka for the rebounds since the remaining starting U.S. players are about 3 to 4 inches shorter than their Spanish counterparts.
USA will have to rely on its athleticism and young talent to put up a fight against a Spanish team that possesses a team chemistry arguably better than USA's since they been playing together more.
Live Online Stream:
Live treaming of the Game will be provided by ESPN 3. Watch by clicking here. (USA free)
TV Schedule:
Initial tip-off at 4:30 p.m. ET and it will be played in Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, Spain. ESPN 2 will broadcast the event live.
Team USA Roster
Carmelo Anthony - New York Knicks
Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers
Tyson Chandler - New York Knicks
Anthony Davis - New Orleans Hornets
Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder
James Harden - Oklahoma City Thunder
Andre Iguodala - Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James - Miami Heat
Kevin Love - Minnesota Timberwolves
Chris Paul - Los Angeles Clippers
Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder
Deron Williams - Brooklyn Nets
Spain Roster
Gasol, Pau - Los Angeles Lakers
Fernández, Rudy - Real Madrid
Rodríguez, Sergio - Real Madrid
Navarro, Juan Carlos - FC Barcelona
Calderón, José - Toronto Raptors
Reyes, Felipe - Real Madrid
Claver, Víctor - Portland Trail Blazers
San Emeterio, Fernando - Caja Laboral Baskonia
Llull, Sergio - Real Madrid
Gasol, Marc - Memphis Grizzlies
Ibaka, Serge - OKC Thunder
Sada, Víctor - FC Barcelona
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