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.

Can anyone beat the USA?

TC:Yes, we need to understand that we can get beat by anybody and we need to go out there and play that way.

KL:Anybody can be beat. You see the powerhouses in this single-elimination format, and any team can beat any other team on any given day so you have to bring it. We can't just assume that we're going to win. We have to play like the underdogs. We have to play with a lot of heart. We have to play as hard as we can to win that gold.

CA:Well, we don't feel like anyone can beat us, but we have to have that attitude. We have to have that edginess. That confidence is not cockiness. Its just that we have a lot of confidence in ourselves. We expect to win gold.

LJ:Anyone can be beaten. We're really comfortable. We're confident.

CP:I'm going to hope not.

Who is the most dangerous player outside your team?

TC:You really can't focus on one player or team because that's when you get bit by another one, but if I had to single anyone out, the Gasol brothers on Spain are always a real test for us. I'm really looking forward to seeing the other teams and players, our opponents on the court and how they play.

KL:The NBA is so international these days that I get to play against guys like Tony Parker, who plays for France and Manu Ginobli with Argentina, but there are a lot of of guys who I don't see that often and entire teams who play domestically that are serious threats. Every player is dangerous because any player can beat you if you're not ready.

CA:I believe that every country is building their team to beat us. We have a target on our back. We know that. We accept that, but we'll be ready when the time comes. I laughed at Serge Ibaka's comment. (The Oklahoma City power forward, who plays for Spain, said: "They are just like us, they also have players with a lot of talent"). It's funny. I haven't really heard the exact comment, but it's funny to hear that. We'll be ready to play them.

LJ:You know Spain and Argentina are always two of the best teams, and we'll see how the rest stack up against us.

CP:Tony [Parker]. The French national team is going to be there this year, and if people think Tony is a handful when he's playing with the [San Antonio] Spurs, they ought to see him when he's playing with his national team.

Who is the most dangerous player in your team?

TC:That's very difficult to pick. The international game is different from the NBA in a lot of ways, but all of these guys can beat you. I'll say Kobe or LeBron.

KL:Well, we have so many great players on this team so it's difficult to single out just one guy, but [Kevin] Durant probably presents the toughest match-up for teams as he is a threat from anywhere on the court and he can play as a guard, potentially the tallest and longest guard other teams will face in London with a deadly shot just as we saw in Turkey .

CA:It depends on the night. It depends on who we're playing. I can't single out one guy because on certain nights we'll need different things from our team to attack and defend.

LJ:I can't say any one individual is the most dangerous. We, as a team, are a force to be reckoned with. We look to play as one.

CP:Pick one. You can have your choice.

What other event are you looking forward to seeing in London?

TC:I really just can't wait for the opening ceremony, and the whole Olympic experience.

KL:I grew up watching the Olympics, and I watched the gymnastics, the swimming, and the track and field. It wasn't just basketball.

CA:I'm going to try to get to a lot of them; boxing, swimming, track and field, soccer.

LJ:I'll watch soccer, swimming, track and field, and some others.

CP:Last time, I went to tennis, I went to boxing, I went to volleyball, swimming. I have to do track and field this time.

What are you looking forward to sightseeing in London?

TC:I'm definitely interested in seeing the city. I might go to the Tate or some museums because I'm into art so that's on my list.

KL:I'm 100 per cent focused on winning the gold medal. This being my first time, I'm looking forward to the competition.

CA:I really just want to enjoy the entire experience so we'll see the city as a team.

LJ:I've been to London and done some sightseeing before. It's a great city.

CP:I'm always excited to see the other sports. That's what I'll be focused on.