Why is the US basketball team not that strong?

Hi, I am not really a basketball fan, nor do I know much about the sport. I just got into a conversation the other day with a friend of mine who claims something along the lines of "NBA players are not that interested in competing in international competitions and therefore the US team is not that strong" and that if the US decided to compete seriously, then it would very easily win. I don't believe this argument is true. I could not find anything online to support either view.. Any articles or views on that matter?Why is the US basketball team not that strong?
I look at it this way. NBA players play 82 games and most teams go on to the playoffs. The playoffs end in June and the season starts in October. That's not a whole lot of time to rest and enjoy the time off. I think most of America only cares about non-NBA basketball when it's the Olympics, and USA won the gold in China.Why is the US basketball team not that strong?
The US is the defending world champion and defending olympic gold medalist. How do those results lead you to believe our team is not that strong? The NBA season is very long and while some players think it is an honor to represent their country in international play, that is not really the priority of most players. In other countries it is different because the rival nations are much closer and the seasons are shorter.



NBA players are also extremely well paid by their NBA teams and feel more of a loyalty to the team that is paying them so mcuh than the country which is not. If the top American players in the NBA devoted themselves to USA basketball on a consistent basis instead of just having some of them do it when the big tournaments are happening they would almost never lose.Why is the US basketball team not that strong?
Basketball is a team sport.



when you get different guys playing in different systems from all over america.

not everyone is going to be in sync with each other so it's hard to win...specially against foreigners who are trying to showcase their talents to get into the NBA or others who believe they are as good as NBA players.



if they got more time to build some chemistry...they would be unstoppable.



since the talent is there...but talent isn't enough....you need chemistry
the us just puts a bunch off all stars and they dont build a perfect team. this is a lineup id roll with.



pg-chris paul

sg-ray allen

sf-kevin durant

pf-carmelo anthony

c-dwight howard



no need to bring in the kobes wades lebrons this team is cheap enough.