SHANGHAI: Basketball’s World Cup launches on Saturday in China, with two-time defending champions the United States missing their biggest stars and looking uncharacteristically vulnerable after surrendering their long winning streak.

The chief threat to the LeBron James-deprived Americans looks likely to come from Serbia, but Spain, France, Australia and Greece — led by NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo — are all snapping at Team USA’s heels.