I can understand the perspective on this; however, it is one I do not share. I am aware that other countries use their professionals--it is what spawned the original Dream Team. While that was an amazing, exciting thing to do that first time around it quickly lost its luster for me.
While I would prefer to go back to the amateur status for Olympic play (FIBA is different, but I don't know how that would be reconciled) I do like the compromise put forth in the article by Woj (not sure if it was his idea or someone else's). That idea was to use 21 and under players--from any level. That means NBA players like Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Jabari Parker, Marcus Smart, Elfrid Payton, Zach LaVine, Glenn Robinson III, and so on would populate the team, gain valuable early career experience and mentorship, and be entertaining as hell while being easy to root for as the underdogs. What's not to like?
Losing? Sure, but it's about more than proving we're the best. We are the best--everyone knows it. Going to FIBA and bullying our way to the championship is so very, very American. We just sent our JV squad over there and dominated. The US team should be Paul, Durant, Melo, James, Love, Howard, Aldridge, Bosh, Griffin, and of course Harden and Anthony stay on the team plus whoever I'm forgetting....it's debatable, but we all know that team doesn't sweat playing Spain--or anyone for that matter. What's the point? Where's the challenge? What glory can one actually garner from such a spectacle?
My preference would be to send that squad of up-and-comers into international play and let them expand themselves as people and players. It will improve the NBA by jump-starting the careers of its rising stars.
Could you imagine how awesome it would be for the 2004 USA Olympic team to have been made up of Lebron, Carmelo, Wade, Bosh, Dwight Howard (fresh out of high school), Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston (fresh out of high school), Josh Smith (fresh out of high school) and so on.....how cool would that have been to watch? Would they win Gold? Maybe....that's a lot of talent.
I like my sports to actually be competitive. I don't watch my Longhorns when they play football against an opponent that barely has a team and is only playing the game for the paycheck that funds their program for the remainder of the season. That is not "sport"--it's spectacle. I'm not into that. That's why the all-star game is such a letdown every year. Until it gets back to sport it's not interesting.
I'll get off my soapbox now. 
JG, I understand what you are saying. I just don't agree with some of that.
I remember the times (not that long ago) when Team USA was continually being embarrassed in the Olympics and in FIBA.
By the way (can any of the international basketball followers on this board please take a moment to confirm or refute this?), World Championships (FIBA) are considered to be much more important internationally than the Olympics.
Since Colangelo has come on board and righted the ship, Team USA has simply dominated.
I listened to his interview on Sirius XM NBA Channel yesterday and he mentioned numerous times the word "consistent".
International teams are pretty consistent with their key players, coaching, etc.
If Team USA reverted back to that low period we suffered through last decade, well, the number one reason would have to be INCONSISTENCY especially with coaching as well as which players were on the team.
Finally, I would just simply pose, would it be the same if any of several international teams chose to play their JV during World Cup instead of their best players?
I wouldn't mind seeing only the younger (non-professional) players be eligible for Olympic and FIBA competition going forward. Unfortunately, that genie is out of the bottle and I don't see how to change that.
Since Team USA under Colangelo is responsible for both Olympic and FIBA competition going forward, I much prefer CONTINUITY going forward.
The bottom line is that most people in our country take great pride in The Olympics and would not understand watching an inferior USA team battling with international teams that boast professional players, including a number from the NBA.
This is far from a perfect solution. However, as basketball continues to grow internationally, I expect the competition level to continue to rise as it clearly has these past couple of decades.
