A look at Team USA

America's dream team days are over. This was particularly evident in the 2004's embarrassing third-place performance.

In an effort to remedy the United States' international struggles, the USOC worked for four years to compile a team that wouldn't just be a gathering of stars, but a team.

Let's take a look at the roster:

Point guards Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Deron Williams Having a good point guard is the most important piece of any basketball team and that's what the 2004 team lacked. With Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury and Dwyane Wade – none of whom are true points – the team struggled. Without an unselfish player to share the ball, it's difficult to score. But this year they have three true point guards, arguably three of the best the NBA has to offer aside from Canada's Steve Nash. Kidd will give the team a big, bruiser who likes to run. Paul is perhaps the best 1-guard in the game today and Williams is isn't far behind.

Two guards Kobe Bryant, Michael Redd, Dwyane Wade Bryant is the best player in the game today. Period. No one can guard him one-on-one. With him in the lineup, it opens up a shot for any number of players. Redd is a deadly three-point threat, something else the team was missing in 2004. With three true point guards, Wade will be more effective playing his more natural 2-guard position.

Forwards LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Tayshaun Prince It's difficult to make the distinction between the 3 and the 4 positions with this year's team. Over the past few years, James and Anthony have both positions. James gives the team another distributing threat and can take over games if he needs to. Anthony has been the team's best scorer over the past few years and he should continue to in the Olympics. Few can guard him when he's posting up. Prince is a long, gangly defender who will be a pest against opposing player. Boozer is a prototypical power forward. He's big, physical and will be a presence on the inside. Look for him to play some minutes at center.

Centers Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh Howard has emerged as a monster with Orlando since he was drafted, finally utilizing his physical talents and size. He's a rebounding machine. Bosh is an athletic big man who will draw defenders out of the paint with his range.

Strengths • Athleticism No team in the world is more athletic than the U.S. They'll use this to their advantage.

• Everyone is a scoring threat From the point guards to the centers, everybody on the team is a potentially dangerous threat to drop 20. And with three highly skilled point guards, everyone will.

• Thieves Paul, Bryant, James and Kidd all finished in the top 10 last season in steals. Team America is certain to be filled with ball hawks in Beijing.

Weakness • Size At 6'11, Howard is the tallest person on the team. It's a far cry from the true centers the team used to have with David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon. It could be a problem when playing against larger teams such as Spain and the Gasol brothers.

• Inexperience in the international game There are subtle differences with NBA and FIBA rules such as the trapezoidal paint, true zone defense and one less referee. But FIBA rules are a little closer to NCAA rules and Coach K certainly knows those.

• Shot blocking
The team lacks a great shot blocker. Howard averaged 2.2 and Bosh had 1.2 last season. True, Howard finished fifth in the league last year, but beyond him, there's no one else.

Prediction: I'm a homer when it comes to sports, so my views may be bias. But I'm thinking the U.S. is going to be undefeated in Beijing en route to the gold. There are going to be obstacles – Argentina and Spain have strong teams – but I tend to side with teams who have good point guards. And the U.S. have the best out there right now.