Basketball On The Internet.

MATTHEW Dellavedova recently became the latest potential Boomer joining the chorus singing Australia is after the Gold Medal at this year's Rio Olympics.

To reiterate, personally I'm rapt our guys are aiming for the Games' penthouse because for too long they've made tentative and unconvincing overtures about how we "might be good enough to win a medal" at this year's Olympics/World Cup/Olympics ad nauseum.

Then has followed the gentle disclaimer about the draw and how tough every national team is and the basic preparation of the net for when our boys tip off the tightrope.

So yes, with our clever Cleveland Cavaliers cager declaring we are mining for gold in Rio, it only should warm our hearts as Aussie basketball lovers.

What appeals to me most is the people leading this gold chant are guys such as NBA champions Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills, along with Euroleague champ and Utah Jazz swingman Joe Ingles.

What it says is by regularly playing against the guys who will comprise the basis of many of the national teams, they have become demystified to our guys who now see them as just rival basketball players.

When the closest you get is watching them perform on TV, it can be easy to let your admiration grow to disproportionate lengths and therefore start you behind a psychological eightball when you share the same hardwood.

But then to also reiterate the task ahead - Australia has never won a medal in 13 Olympics. The USA, for example, has won 14 Olympic Gold Medals.

Somewhat daunting? You bet.

Even moreso today with the USA revealing its initial 30-man squad.

Take a squiz.

The other candidates for Rio are: Carmelo Anthony (Knicks), Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (OKC Thunder); Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan (Clippers); Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs); Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes (Warriors); LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love (Cavaliers); Dwight Howard and James Harden (Rockets); Anthony Davis (Pelicans); Paul George (Pacers); DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay (Kings); John Wall and Bradley Beal (Wizards); Jimmy Butler (Bulls); Mike Conley (Grizzlies); DeMar DeRozan (Raptors); Andre Drummond (Pistons); Kenneth Faried (Nuggets) and Gordon Hayward (Jazz).

Truthfully now, there was a time the US could have picked two teams out of that lot and they would have played off for Gold! 

But King James is no certainty and will wait until after his playoff commitments conclude to make the call.

And Kobe Bryant, who is retiring at the end of the NBA regular season, has since reversed his stated intent to close his career in Rio.

The 30-man squad has 18 players who have won Olympic or FIBA World Championship/World Cup Gold, and seven players who have played at least 30 international games.

Anthony leads with 72.

"This selection process was difficult from the start, and obviously it is only going to get more difficult as we look to get to the official, 12-man roster," USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

"I’m excited about the possibilities this team has."

And the Boomers remain positive about their chances of performing their own "miracle on pine".

TOMORROW: NBL & WNBL Tips, Rankings and other stuff.