Kurtenbach: The U.S. men’s basketball team is playing better, but they’ll have to be great to win Olympic gold

The United States’ men’s basketball team didn’t look ready for the start of the Olympics in Tokyo.

But three games in, they look like the gold medal favorites once again.

And that’s good news, because their competition is about to become much stiffer.

If the United States slips — if they’re anything less than their best in the knockout rounds of the tournament — the Olympics could end in the same ignominious manner they began.

Credit where it’s due: Since the Americans’ 25-game Olympic winning streak was broken in an embarrassing loss to France in the tournament opener, they have played two games and have looked every bit like the best team in the world. They’re connected on both ends of the court, allowing their superior talent to shine.

Yes, the United States is back to its old ways. They didn’t just beat Iran and the Czech Republic to close out group play — they blew them out with ease. The U.S. is averaging nearly three points a minute in their last two games, led by Kevin Durant and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum on offense and Draymond Green and Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday on defense.

But they haven’t won anything yet. For the U.S. to claim a 16th gold medal in men’s basketball, they’ll have to carry this form into the knockout stage of the tournament, starting with a quarterfinal game with rival Spain (Monday, 9:40 p.m., Peacock).

The U.S. and the reigning world champions have twice played in the gold medal game (2008, 2012) and had a thrilling semifinal showdown in the 2016 Olympics, won by the Americans 82-76.

And while Spain’s best days in international play are likely behind them — their core players from their golden generation are playing in their last Olympics — they do have some younger players to help. Alberto Abalde, a playmaking, sharp-shooting wing from Real Madrid is likely the x-factor in the contest.

The U.S. and Spain played in a pre-Olympic warm-up game, with the Americans winning in (yet another) close one, 83-76. The United States is an 11.5-point favorite for Monday night’s game.

Should the Americans take care of business — and they have no excuse to not — they’ll likely face arguably the second-best team in the tournament, Australia.

This is the height of the Boomers’ golden generation — Australia boasts six current NBA players, one-time Steph Curry-pesterer Matthew Dellavedova, and former St. Mary’s star Jock Landale. This is the second-most talented team in the tournament and they play a tough-nosed but cohesive brand of basketball.

Once the knockout round starts, anything less than the USA’s A-game will likely doom their gold medal dreams. If they play Australia, that’s not just a threat, it’s a guarantee.

The United States shouldn’t need reminding, though — the Boomers beat the Americans in warm-up play in Las Vegas in July, 91-83. The U.S. might be playing better ball as of late, but the Australians can beat them again in August.

That said, should Durant and company keep their heads on straight, they should have no problem beating both the old and new top contenders en route to the gold medal game, where the likelihood is that Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic’s Slovenia or France would loom. No, there’s no reprieve for the U.S.

The United States is unquestionably the dominant force in the game, but if you still doubted the claim that the of the world is catching up to the states on the hardwood, the next three American opponents should prove convincing.

There are four teams the U.S. must keep an eye on moving forward — two have beaten the United States this season and two that have the ability to do it on the right day.

The Americans are still favorites — heavy favorites — but there’s no question that they’re going to have to work harder than most teams in U.S. men’s Olympic basketball history to achieve glory.