Intro:

The 2012 USA Basketball Men's National Team held a special "Hoops For Troops" practice at the D.C. Armory on Saturday (14th July).

Script:

When a team is about to compete in an Olympic Games, a sense of national unity can really boost the confidence.

So, the USA basketball squad trained in front of military personnel to give themselves a patriotic push ahead of London 2012.

Over 3000 armed forces packed the Washington D.C. Armory to see the likes of LeBron James in action as well as getting the chance to meet the likes Carmelo Anthony - which provided the New York Knicks star with plenty of pride.

SOUNDBITE (English) Carmelo Anthony, Team USA
"It's motivational for us, you know just to be here, just to practice, just to walk around and see the troops around here with us, talking to us, seeing how happy they are, how inspired they are not knowing that we're definitely inspired by what they do ... It's a wonderful feeling for us."

This could be the last Games featuring top basketball players.

NBA Commissioner David Stern has said the league wants to discuss limiting future Olympics to players aged 23 and under.

Either way, coach Mike Krzyzewksi and Kobe Bryant will say goodbye in London.

SOUNDBITE (English) Kobe Bryant, Team USA
"It's a huge honour for me because I always wanted to play for him and then coming into the Olympics in 2008 I kinda had my opportunity to do that and this one being his last one, this is definitely my last one as well ... This has great symbolism to it."

The USA continue their Olympic preparations against Brazil on Sunday before they cross the Atlantic with the aim of regaining the Olympic gold medal they won in Beijing four years ago.