In international basketball, the United States has been the most dominant team for a long time. In 2006, Team USA lost in the semifinals of the FIBA basketball world cup in Japan. The loss made international headlines. Despite the presence of rising stars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony on the team, it was a devastating loss for the team.

Later on, King James shared his opinion on the loss.

LeBron James remarks on the 2006 loss

The whole American audience gasped in disbelief as Greece beat the United States. A 101-95 victory for Greece in one the most memorable matches in the history of international basketball. Later the year, LeBron James made an appearance on the Late Show, and when the host David Letterman asked, “How is it possible for the team of All-Stars from the United States loses the world championship.” On which LeBron smiled a little and replied “I think it means more to them”

The Los Angeles Lakers legend explained his statement, saying, “Internationally, when you grow up as a kid you want to be on the Olympic team or the world championship team, but in America, kids grow up to be in the NBA. For the international kids it means more to them.” Incidentally, Team USA returned home with the bronze medal.

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The host further asked about the mood of the team when they returned home with the bronze. LeBron added that there was a difference in the mood compared to their loss in the 2004 Olympics. This time they were more positive as compared to the Olympics. He later added that when they go out to play basketball, it is not for them, it is for the entire United States.

It is a fact that American basketball has influenced the entire world. However, the rest of the world is also evolving fast and trying to catch up with the US in basketball.

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