'To put on the red, white, and blue, and have 'USA' across your chest is a way to feel patriotic whether you're a fan or not'

American stars LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tyson Chandler, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony give their views on different issues ahead of the London Games

How would an Olympic gold compare with an NBA Championship?

Tyson Chandler:Winning the NBA Finals with Dallas was a great experience for me. As far as the Olympics goes, it’s something that I dreamed of as a kid. It’s hard to imagine actually standing on that medal stand. To be able to represent my country in the Olympics on the gold medal stand would be a new level for me.

Kevin Love:It’s tough to say. The Olympics for a guy like Kobe who can only play in it three or four times, and that’s Kobe Bryant. For a guy like myself, especially in today’s day and age where it might go to an under-23 rule, you know I only have probably one time to do this.

A NBA Championship brings bragging rights, but to be able to put on the red, white, and blue, and have ‘U.S.A.’ across your chest is a way to feel patriotic whether you’re a sports fan or not. So I think it’s definitely different, but it’s equally as great.

Carmelo Anthony:It’s two different things. At the end of the day, they’re still championships. You reach the pinnacle of each, the NBA and the Olympics. But to go [to London] and try to repeat, to go for my second gold medal is going to be harder.

It’s going to be tougher, but that’s why we’re going through what we’re going through right now in training camp and this journey. So, I’m trying to enjoy the journey once again because who knows. This might be our last [chance].

LeBron James:It’s always fun for me. Period. The NBA play-offs and the Olympics are fun for me. I love the game of basketball and that’s the way I approach it.

“They are both special, but I have a great respect for representing my country, and that’s what it’s about.

Chris Paul:Well, I don’t have an NBA Championship to compare it to, but the Olympic gold is always pretty sweet. I actually have my 08 [medal] in the room in a safe just to take on the trip with me to remember it by, because one thing I can say is there are a lot of guys that can say they won an NBA Championship or a World Championship, but very few guys can say they won a gold medal.