It may not be the Olympics, but Team USA has a lot to prove at this year's Basketball World Championships.

After the national team's disappointing bronze-medal finish in the 2004 Summer Olympics, American basketball fans have questioned whether or not they will ever see another "Dream Team" again.

For the better part of the past two decades, the U.S.'s rank amongst the basketball world was unquestioned — it was the best, by far. Recently, however, the rest of the world has suddenly boomed with improving talent to the point where the U.S. is no longer a unanimous No. 1.

What really put a black eye on Team USA was how Puerto Rico, a team consisting of an NBA backup point guard, Carlos Arroyo, an NBA reject, Daniel Santiago, and a handful of semi-pro players could knock off a team overloaded with NBA all-stars.

While many may still be shaking their heads at the red, white and blue's performance in 2004, this year's head coach, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, is out to restore America's basketball respect and reclaim its spot at the top.

Gone are the headaches of Stephon "Starbury" Marbury — who, sadly, holds the Olympic American team record for most points scored in a game — and Allen Iverson — who, despite what everyone says, should be on the team because he is one of the few who actually wants to be on the team and gives it his all night in and night out. They are replaced by an actual team with role players and all.

Spurred by all the criticism, Team USA held tryouts for the first time ever to ensure itself the best possible team. Note: TEAM, not the usual group of all the best players thrown together.

The result is a team with some of the NBA's best young talent including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, mixed with some solid, hardworking role players: Bruce Bowen, Brad Miller and Shane Battier. However, it is still missing a pure shooter or two — an essential for the international game. May I ask why Michael Redd isn't on this roster?

While things may seem all fine and dandy now to American fans, all anyone cares about in the end is whether or not Team USA brings home the gold. It is ironic that the team is playing its exhibition games in Las Vegas before heading to Asia — what are the odds they win it all?

Germany's Dirk Nowitzki said USA was the team to beat, and they are, but a handful of teams aren't too far behind.

Serbia & Montenegro is widely heralded as the second-best team in the world, and Argentina, the 2004 gold medalists, will be up there as well with the feisty Manu Ginobili back at the helm.

Italy hopes to improve upon its silver medal from 2004, while Lithuania is seeking to bounce back from finishing just one place out of a medal, and Spain will be a tough team to beat with Pau Gasol in the paint.

Not to mention, a team can come out of nowhere as Puerto Rico did. China, with Yao Ming, can make a surprise, or the talented squad of Brazil could turn some heads.

Judging by the exhibition games, Team USA looks to be ready to reclaim its international recognition, but it's simply too early to tell. They still have to travel half way across the world — away from the comforts of a home crowd — and continue to play together as a team, which is not always an easy task for a group that hasn't been together for even a month.

So while Krzyzewski and Team USA may be doing everything to appease the American public now, it doesn't mean diddly-squat until the beginning of September when they're either playing for a medal or flying back home.