The attitude and mentality of Team USA has changed considerably over the past few years, and players from opposing countries have taken notice.

"I've seen a big improvement in (the U.S. team's) play (between '04 and '08)," said Spanish center Pau Gasol. "I think they took this tournament very seriously; they were very hungry. They gave a better feeling of a team; it wasn't so much individual stuff, individual talent."