Young US squad tries to end world title drought
The Americans, who open Saturday against Croatia, are without Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony or the other elite players who made good on their vow to reclaim Olympic gold.
Instead, a US lineup with five 21-year-old players will try and ensure a berth at the 2012 London Olympics by bringing the Americans their first World Championships crown since 1994 in Toronto.
"It makes us go out and play harder knowing everyone is calling us the 'B-team' and not thinking we're going to win," US guard Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls said.
"If anything, we're the underdogs now."
The last US team to win a world crown was dubbed "Dream Team II" with a lineup of US veteran stars that still paled in comparison to the legendary 1992 Olympic originials such as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.
Instead, a US lineup with five 21-year-old players will try and ensure a berth at the 2012 London Olympics by bringing the Americans their first World Championships crown since 1994 in Toronto.
"It makes us go out and play harder knowing everyone is calling us the 'B-team' and not thinking we're going to win," US guard Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls said.
"If anything, we're the underdogs now."
The last US team to win a world crown was dubbed "Dream Team II" with a lineup of US veteran stars that still paled in comparison to the legendary 1992 Olympic originials such as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.
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