Philadelphia, PA (Best E Casino) - The U.S. men's basketball team is on a mission to capture the gold medal for the first time since 2000, as it faces the best competition in the world at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The U.S. team finished 8-0 and captured the gold medal in Sydney, Australia. However, the 2004 games were a different story, as Argentina took the gold, Italy the silver and the U.S. left Athens with the Bronze.

NBA MVP Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James highlighted an impressive group of 12 NBA players which will represent the United States during the competition.

Thirty-five-year-old point guard Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks is the veteran leader of the U.S. squad. Kidd, who was a member of the last gold medal winning team for the United States, is a perfect 44-0 at senior level competition.

Denver's Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer of the Utah, Miami's Dwyane Wade and James will all compete in their second Olympic games for the United States. Along with Kidd, they will all attempt to add their names to a U.S. group of multiple-time Olympians which currently consists of 13 men (David Robinson-1988, 1992 and 1996; Charles Barkley-1992, 1996; Patrick Ewing-1984, 1992; Burdette Haldorson-1956, 1960; William Hougland-1952, 1956; Michael Jordan-1984, 1992; Robert Kurland-1948, 1952; Karl Malone-1996, 1992; Chris Mullin-1984, 1992; Gary Payton-1996, 2000; Scottie Pippen-1992, 1996; Mitch Richmond-1988, 1996; and John Stockton-1992, 1996.

New Orleans' Chris Paul, Utah's Deron Williams. and Milwaukee's Michael Redd join Bryant, Wade and Kidd in the backcourt, while Anthony, Boozer, Toronto's Chris Bosh, Tayshaun Prince of the Pistons and Orlando's Dwight Howard make up an impressive frontcourt for the U.S. squad, which will be coached by Duke's Mike Krzyzewski.

"For me, it has been the ultimate honor to coach our countrys team," said Krzyzewski. Before you select a team and ask players to be committed to be a part of the team, we have asked them to play for their country, not just to play. Each of the guys have done that. We have seen our program develop to where LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and whoever our guys are on the team, they feel like they are part of a team. We feel like they are part of a movement."

Syracuse University and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, Mike D'Antoni of the Knicks and Portland's Nate McMillan will serve as assistant coaches.

"Mike (DAntoni) having the experience of international basketball is very important for us," added Krzyzewski. "To the extent of calling them co-head coaches, each will have a scouting report. I will add to it. Not to adjusting to the head coach, we are all adapting to one another. There will be a time out, put in a side out of bounds. They feel free to exchange things because it is not all mine. They are team oriented."

The United States has a well-balanced team and is the favorite to take home the gold. Kidd, Paul and Williams are three of the elite point guards, while Bryant can do it all and Redd is one of the top outside shooters in the NBA.

Howard is the team's only true center, but he will get a lot of help on the boards and in the low post from Boozer and Bosh. Anthony and James are slashing small forwards and will provide plenty of scoring from the wing and moving towards the hoop. Prince, who is the unsung hero of the Pistons, is a shut-down defender and will draw difficult defensive assignments throughout the games.

There are 12 teams, including the United States that will compete in the men's competition. The squads are divided into two groups, with the first four teams of each group qualifying for the quarterfinals.

Group A will consist of Argentina, Australia, Iran, Lithuania, Russia, while Group B has the United States, Angola, China and Spain. As of July 16, three teams (1-A, 2-B) were still attempting to qualify for the final three spots.

There are many NBA stars competing for the international clubs. San Antonio's Manu Ginobili will try and lead Argentina to its second straight gold medal, while Yao Ming of the Rockets and New Jersey's Yia Jianlian will play for China. Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut is on Australia's roster and Andrei Kirilenko of the Jazz will suit up for Russia.

Prior to the 2004 games, Argentina's best finish ever at the Olympics was in 1952 when they came in fourth.

Preliminary round play for the men takes place from August 10-18. The men's Olympic quarterfinals action is scheduled for August 20, semifinals play is slated for August 22, and the gold and bronze medal games will be played on August 24.

WOMEN

The United States is the favorite to capture the gold in the women's competition. The Americans have captured the gold in the last three Olympics. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi headline a talented team for the U.S.

Tamika Catchings, Delisha Milton-Jones, Tina Thompson and Sylvia Fowles join Leslie and Parker in the frontcourt, while Taurasi, Kara Lawson, Sue Bird, Katie Smith, Seimone Augustus and Cappie Pondexter give the United States a dominant backcourt.

Bird, Catchings, Leslie, Smith, Taurasi and Thompson all won the gold in 2004. The U.S. women have won five golds (1984, '88, '96, 2000, 2004), a silver (1976) and a bronze (1992) since entering Olympic play. The U.S. opens its Olympic play on August 9 against the Czech Republic.

The groups are set for the women. Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Latvia, Russia, and South Korea form Group A. The United States, China, Czech Republic, Mali, New Zealand and Spain make up Group B.