The United States will soon send a 12-man team of N.B.A. standouts to play in the FIBA World Cup — formerly the world basketball championship — in Barcelona, Spain. It was there in 1992 that America's so-called Dream Team, led by Michael Jordan and a sparkling roster of future Hall of Famers, captivated the world during the Summer Olympics.
Anthony Davis, who played on the 2012 Olympic team at 19, had not yet been born then. But he has emerged as a leader and perhaps the best player of the Americans heading to Spain this summer.
Only four players on this Team USA squad were N.B.A. All-Stars last season. Superstars like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul declined to play; Paul George broke his a left leg in an intrasquad scrimmage; and Kevin Durant left the team suddenly, citing emotional and physical fatigue. This summer has been anything but a dream.
Walter Cornett, of Glendale, Kentucky, is the owner and operator of Walter's Wildcat World. He founded WildcatWorld.com in 1998 making it one of the oldest Kentucky basketball fan sites in operation today.