Team USA faces stiff competition in Paris Olympics basketball

Basketball fans are eagerly anticipating the Paris Olympics, where Team USA will face a rising tide of international talent.All 12 members of the U.S. men's basketball team are NBA All-Stars. The Americans are the favorites to once again win gold, but the rest of the world has caught up. Seventy-three current NBA players are in the Olympics or helping their countries try to qualify for the games in Paris.Lithuanian NBA player Jonas Valanciunas expressed his pride in representing his country."I always feel pride putting on that Lithuanian jersey, being able to play for my country, small country, participating in Worlds, Euros, Olympics, that's ride or me. That's what I do, that's what I enjoy," Valanciunas said.Australian player Dyson Daniels echoed this sentiment."Everyone is starting to creep up, just the talent level you see in the NBA with the European guys, everyone is on the same level now," Daniels said.On top of Team USA, other countries favored to end up on the medal stand are Canada, Serbia, France, Germany, and Australia.As the road to the Paris Olympics continues, the competition promises to be fierce, with basketball fans worldwide eagerly awaiting the tournament.