And yet the word 'team' could hardly have been more apt.

After a number of reality checks at recent tournaments, the USA has had to face up to the fact that it is no longer number one in international basketball.

The nickname was first bestowed on the 1992 Olympic team, perhaps the greatest collection of basketball talent ever, which swept to gold in Barcelona.

Gold medals followed at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and the 1994 FIBA World Championship.

But in 2002, competing on home soil in Indianapolis, the US could manage no better than sixth place in the Worlds.

Two years later, they had to settle for Olympic bronze in Athens.

The problem was over-confidence on the part of some, but also a lack of commitment.

Several players did not take playing for their country seriously, and they played as individuals rather than a team as egos took over.

Now it is a more humble Team USA which is beginning its preparations for this year's World Championship in Japan.

"It's changing, everything is changing. Our attitude is changing," Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said.

"Everybody is happy to be here, people aren't moping around with their heads down, and when you get 27 people that want to be here, it's hard to have a bad practice, hard to have bad days.

"We've got to get together as a team, as a country, and say we've got one agenda, that's to win."

USA Basketball has turned to a college coach, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, to lead the team - a man who has no patience with individualism.

The players are already seeing the change.

"You have stars on this team, but you don't have too many stars, guys with egos who will say, 'Look, I'm the man'," Anthony said. "Everybody is equal."

Pride in the jersey is also back.

So-called 'trouble-makers' like Allen Iverson have been left off the roster and players have been asked to prove their commitment before being selected.

"It means a lot (to wear this jersey)," said Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade. "Every time you look down and you see 'USA' there, that's past a dream.

"We gotta work. This is not two years ago when we thought we'd just go out and it'd just happen. Now we've got to go out there and plan, put our best foot forward, and play. I think you're going to see a difference this time."

Article courtesy of www.fiba.com