(Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

While most would read the headline and think, "We won the Olympics. We're the best," There's more to international basketball than most know.

David Stern, the NBA's commissioner, loves the idea of the NBA in Europe. Unfortunately, the Euroleague (a competition between the best club teams in Europe, usually national league champions) has disallowed the playing of preseason games against NBA teams. No, it's not because NBA teams tend to win.

Currently, the FIBA (the international federation for basketball) is holding it's Under-19 tournament in New Zealand (basketball in New Zealand?). Yes, the USA did field a team, and no, it's not all D-II players. The likes of Duke, North Carolina, and Butler have all contributed.

What's the importance? Well, since the recent performance of the USA Football, erm, Soccer team, international awareness may have struck an all-time high in America. Sure, we all know about Europe and their crazy fans. Sure, we know Manchester United and Barcelona played in the Champions league final—whatever that is.

Did you know that there's a Champions league for the Western hemisphere? The Americas League is that league. Teams from the Caribbean, South America, and even the great US of A have participated. What teams? Ever heard of the Premier Basketball League? Neither had I until the wonders of the Wikipedia universe had me going for hours.

The Premier Basketball League is just another developmental league in America. But who crowned the All-Stars and the Champions (Miami Tropics) of that league the teams that deserve to play against South America's best? What, because the likes of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol would surely dominate, but why not at least a D-League team?

The USA had to establish its dominance over the world in last summer's Olympics. But why stop there? The champions of the "Americas League" get to play in a "Club World Cup."

I'm not sure about you, but the shot to see at least someone I've heard of playing against the World's better half would be amazing. Wouldn't the commissioner love this? A NBA vs. Europe game which wasn't sponsored or forced to be played by owners for the money?

Typically, Americans like to establish dominance. While our leagues may seem just as developed as the rest of the world (OK, sorry MLS) we still become cocky of ourselves.

Why not, for once, we let ourselves be like the rest of the world? Wouldn't you love it to see the Lakers and the Celtics extending their rivalry to literally be crowned "Champions of the World." P.S- - Great marketing theme!

The world of basketball is truly improving. Some of the biggest names in the NBA aren't from here. Ricky Rubio could very well be the NBA's next best thing.

So we can't just go into these competitions besides all the contractual and financial reasons. But as an American, I would love to opportunity to see my teams and the players I root for, whether in a USA or company-funded NBA jersey, playing against the world's teams. Not only could this bring us together for a better cause and better world cooperation (Americans and Russians singing, cheering, rooting across sections and balconies) but it would also give basketball the biggest improvement it could get.

Last time I checked, players play for the love of the game, right? Well I know the ones dying to compete against those teams from around the world are.

James Moschella can be contacted at jcm718@gmail.com

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