Tony Parker: Team USA isn’t “unbeatable”

Jun 2, 2012; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) shoots against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half in game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmonsj-US PRESSWIRE

Tony Parker is an elite point guard. His ethereal speed and finishing ability make him difficult to stop in transition, where his natural ability flourishes.

As a NBA player, naturally, he feels pretty confident against the United States. It’s daunting to face an entire team composed of 12 elite basketball specimens but Parker has tussled with them often in San Antonio. He’s not new to the competition. Parker believes that the United States aren’t necessarily unbeatable.

“… We can beat them,” Parker said. “They (the United States, ed)     are not unbeatable. We will go game by game. It’s true, we talked     a lot about the medal. We will focus on the first game and see     how it goes. In competition, anything can happen. For now, we     want to qualify for the quarterfinals and then we’ll see.”

But he’s in a bit of a slump right now. He scored six points on 2-of-9 shooting in France’s loss to Australia. He hasn’t been comfortable, to his own admission, with his new goggles. Parker’s recovery will be the deciding factor to whether Les Bleus can fulfill their goal of winning a medal — or, at the least, beating Team USA.

Because six points won’t be enough against the top-ranked team in the world.