No less than Kevin Durant, the leader of Team USA that won the gold in the 2010 Basketball World Cup is saying that the 2014 version is better than the former. That's a bold statement coming from a usually reserved Durant. Is he also guaranteeing a gold medal?

Practically, yes. Team 2010 won the title of World Champions and to be better than them means they have to do the same.

Durant talked to NBC Sports after their daily practice: "Our team is better than that 2010 team I think..."

"Just different guys. I'm four years better. Steph (Curry) is four years better than he was on that team, we got Kyrie Irving, we got Klay Thompson, we got better players I think. It's just a different team. But that 2010 team was one of the best experiences I've ever had. I think we have a team that's even better."

In 2010, Durant was a rising star and so were most of his teammates. That team has now spawned two MVP awardees (Derrick Rose and Durant).

"That four years experience is a lot. I've been in different situations as a player these last four years. Once you see stuff you learn. You learn from your mistakes, you can tell someone else and help them learn."

However, the task will not be easy especially for Durant because of the withdrawals from the power forwards Kevin Love and Blake Griffin. Durant has to adjust and take over the position: "That's all I've been playing here and it's difficult, I'm used to playing the three and spacing a lot. Now I'm setting screens and rolling, kind of initiating my offense from the top and swinging the ball. Just trying to be a guy who can space the floor, shoot it when I get it also be a decoy as well -we got so many good players and you gotta guard everybody."

It's difficult but not a problem for the reigning Most Valuable Player. He's gifted enough to play practically any position. But the opposition won't just let them take the title, especially since USA's bitter rival Spain is playing on their home floor.