Q: So who will challenge them?

The Americans got a break when Slovenia, the current European champs, didn't qualify. The ballhandling team of Luka Doncic and Goran Dragic would've been a threat.

Team Canada will have the best roster it has ever had, though there are questions regarding whether its backcourt stars will play. Both Jamal Murray and Cory Joseph wavered on their commitments but reported to the team Sunday. They also have the talented Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Canadians are coached by the Toronto Raptors' Nick Nurse, who has extensive experience coaching international-style play. But they've suffered losses, too, as Andrew Wiggins and Tristan Thompson decided not to play, and young star RJ Barrett has pulled out because of an injury.

Spain is always competitive and will be again as Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio and Sergio Llull, one of the best players in Europe, are on the roster. But Pau Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Nikola Mirotic and Sergio Rodriguez aren't playing, so Spain might not be at its best.

A matchup to watch for is a potential meeting between the U.S. and Greece in the second round. Greece has a talented young player you might have heard of named Giannis Antetokounmpo. Just like many of his opponents in the NBA, the Americans really don't have a way to stop him, and in a 40-minute international game in which he is the best player on the floor, anything is possible.