BUENOS AIRES (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - No player headed to the Rio de Janeiro Games has a better grasp of what is needed to be successful than one of Argentina's basketball greats, Luis Scola.

The national team captain and 2004 Olympic gold medalist has a wealth of experience in international basketball and he also plays in the NBA.

By competing in the league that has the most talented players in the world, Scola understands the challenges that Argentina face as they set out to do well against big, strong and athletic sides like the USA and France.

"We have to work on things as we head into the Olympics because we're going to face a lot of teams that have a lot of big players," Scola said. "A lot of size, a lot of athleticism - and we're going to have to find a way to compete with those guys."

When Argentina faced the USA on Friday in Las Vegas and lost, 111-74, they struggled against DeMarcus Cousins and DeAndre Jordan, the USA's powerful centers. Scola's teammates did have some positive moments. Roberto Acuna, who plays in the Argentina top flight and is going to make his Olympic bow, had four blocks, including one memorable one against Cousins. 

The USA are relentless, though. How does a team neutralize a pair of talents like the American duo of Cousins and Jordan? It's not easy, especially when there are so many other tremendous athletes on the floor wearing the USA jersey.

"When you've got size and athleticism, that's a great advantage," Scola said. "They [the USA] do have it. They have the best in the world. The best talent, the best size, the best athleticism. And we don't. And that's a big difference in their favor."

Young center Marcos Delia (ARG) must play well for Argentina at the Olympics (photo courtesy of CABB)

Twelve years ago in Athens, the South Americans beat a talented USA team in the Semi-Finals, 89-81, before capturing the gold. 

In that USA side were star big men Tim Duncan, Lamar Odom, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer. They also had tremendous players like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade that crashed the boards.

Argentina had a pair of centers, though, who were two of the country's greats in Fabricio Oberto and Ruben Wolkowisky. Both spent time in the NBA.

FIBA