Full coverage: 2016 Rio Olympics

The men's Olympic basketball tournament has begun on Saturday, with defending champions US beating China 119 to 62. But most of the attention on the American squad is on who is not there -- as Steph Curry, and LeBron James decided to skip the Games. But the American players in Rio are determined to show the world that the team means business.

They've been labelled the "less-than-dreamy team."

The U.S. men's basketball team head into Rio looking to win a third straight gold medal.

But they'll be playing without NBA All-Stars - Lebron James and Stephen Curry.

Those that remain say they won't let their absence distract them.

"It is going to really challenging either way. It would be challenging if they were here. But we got some great players here. Just because they have not been here before or they might not be MVPs, or ten time all stars. But we got some damn good players on this team，" said Kevin Durant, team USA forward.

Absent two of the NBA's brightest stars, Team USA may lack the dazzle that Olympic fans hoped to see here.

But that may make the 12 American players who will be on the court all the more determined to win gold.