RIO DE JANEIRO -- Everyone in American basketball circles understands that there will never, ever be another Dream Team.
That's easy to accept.
Far less pleasant for the latest assemblage of Team USA hoopsters to stomach is the growing realization that even their dream scenario here at the Summer Olympics, which was presumed to be pretty attainable, continues to dribble out of reach.
Winning in style is no longer the target.
Winning, period, is the sole aim now.
USA Basketball's Rio roster is unquestionably stronger than the one stocked with fill-ins that dominated the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain, but opposition continuity is proving to be a stubborn and dangerous equalizer a mere two years later down here in South America.