Andre Iguodala won't be asked to finish second on the U.S. Olympic basketball team in points or third in minutes, as he did in Thursday's exhibition win against the Dominican Republic.
Instead, the former Arizona Wildcats wing - who was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2004 - figures to be a defensive stopper.
After playing on the national team the past few years, the Illinois native is excited to be on the latest Dream Team installment.
"What better way to display (pride) than representing your country," he said, "and going out there and competing?"
This week, the Star caught up with Iguodala - whose team plays its next exhibition Monday - to talk about the Olympics, Sean Miller, track and more:
What do you see your role on the team being?
A: To bring some energy. I'm here to defend and be able to knock down some open shots. And to do some little things.
What was it like on July 7, when you learned you made the team?
A: It was really busy. I was getting a lot of text messages. It's, like, one of those big moments in your basketball career, like getting drafted or making the All-Star team.
What do you expect, playing in the Olympics?
A: A great experience. There's that competitiveness of the best players in the world. They have one target in mind, and that's to defeat the U.S.A.
Did you watch the original Dream Team as a kid? There's so much talk of it now, 20 years later, and I wonder how it affected this generation of players.
A: I watched the Dream Team, I saw them play. I'm a big fan of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, so I was always watching that.
The basketball world, all their eyes started to pay attention. And it turned the game into a global sport.
Where is the team right now, in terms of how you're playing? Are there things you guys need to improve?
A: There are things we need to work on - we need to continue to mesh as a unit and build the chemistry, have guys filling into their roles.
We're a work in progress.
You get to do a lot of exciting things as part of your career, but is this, in particular, fun?
A: It's a lot of fun. Passing the ball to the guys, hitting (Kevin Durant) and (Carmelo Anthony) in their spots.
And being able to run the floor with some of the most athletic guys in the world.
How often do you make it back to Tucson?
A: I got back there a couple weeks ago (for Sean Miller's basketball camp). It's good to have that connection. You always want to support the school that you represented in college.
(Miller) does a good job of reaching out to the guys.
Do you know any of the guys on the team now?
A: I got a chance to talk to some of the younger guys. Nick Johnson, Kevin Parrom. They had a kid (Solomon Hill) at Kevin Durant's camp, I didn't get to speak to him.
What advice do you give them?
A: I tell them to stay in the gym. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Play your game. One of the mistakes I made was putting too much pressure on myself.
I know your season in Philadelphia didn't end the way you wanted. For a while, the 76ers were the talk of the league.
A: We got some respect in the league. Hopefully we keep it going. We're not going to fly under the radar any more.
Half the players on the Olympic team play in New York or Los Angeles (before an injured Blake Griffin was replaced by Anthony Davis). What do you make of that? Is the league heading in that direction (of consolidation)? Is that good?
A: That's the way the game's evolved. The game goes through trends from decade to decade. The other teams got to continue to get better and improve.
Is there anything you want to see or do in London?
A: Winning the gold medal. It's kinda a business trip for me. I'm not looking to sightsee or anything.
I want to see some other sports - track and field. I want to see the sprints, want to see the men - and women as well.
Where would winning a gold medal rank in terms of your career achievements?
A: Right at the top. I said before, it's like getting drafted, making the All-Star team. Probably bigger than either of those.
That's what practicing is for - to try to get ready for the moment, to play our best basketball.
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