As reported by: The Epoch Times
Being made odds-on Favorites to win gold at the world basketball championship has cut little ice with a business-like United States.

The US take on Puerto Rico in their opening Group D game on Saturday with bookmakers firmly convinced the team will bring an embarrassing six-year title drought to an end in Japan.

But the players sought to downplay the hype on Friday.

"We don't worry ourselves about book-keeping or gambling," team co-captain LeBron James told Reuters. "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and we're far away from Vegas now.

"We've got to take care of business over here."

Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony were also named co-captains with James by US coach Mike Krzyzewski, whose team are looking to win their first major title since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The trio tasted defeat at the 2004 Athens Games, where the Americans finished third -- a factor Wade said would help them overcome adversity at the world championship.


Article By: The Epoch Times