Even before tip-off in an exhibition game against Canada at Thomas & Mack Center, two subtle messages were being sent — that the country these players were representing was more important than the individuals in the uniforms, and that the players were famous enough already.

With the name “Dream Team” officially retired — buried, rather — after the United States finished a disappointing third at the 2004 Athens Olympics, this new collection of all-star talent has been dubbed the “Redeem Team.” The goal is not only to return American basketball to the top in Beijing, but also to change the perception of the U.S. game: that it often promotes individuals — and selfish play — over team play.

The 12 players who make up Team USA have accepted the responsibility by saying all the right things, but they took the first step toward backing up those actions with a 120-65 romp of their neighbor to the north.

“We feel like we have a lot invested in this team,” point guard Chris Paul said. “And we’re hungry. We have a team of guys who are hungry and are not satisfied. I think everybody is so amped to get on that plane and get over to China.”

Canada, which failed to qualify for the Olympics, posed limited opposition to the superior talents of the Americans, who were playing without LeBron James. James sprained his ankle on Tuesday but said he should be healed in time for the Olympics. He caused a minor stir this week by guaranteeing gold for the United States and refused to back down from those statements when pressed.

“We want to guarantee winning the whole thing,” James said. “It’s not me being overconfident, or saying anything against our opponents. Our goal is to guarantee the gold medal, and that’s how everybody should look at it.”

Wade started in place of James and scored 20 points, equaling the game high. The Miami Heat guard hadn’t played competitive basketball since early March after having season-ending surgery on his left knee. Wade spent his offseason rehabbing in Chicago and once again looked like the slashing, dunking former NBA Finals MVP. He scored eight of the first 14 points for the United States, and punctuated his night with a spectacular windmill dunk that put the Americans ahead 101-58 in the fourth quarter.

Six players scored in double figures for the Americans, with Anthony and Michael Redd also scoring 20. During a break with 4 minutes 56 seconds left in the third period, players led the crowd with chants of “USA! USA!” when members of the armed forces were recognized. Billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates sat courtside next to rapper Ludacris. Actor Jamie Foxx, original Dream Team coach Chuck Daly and former Olympians Clyde Drexler and Dominique Wilkins were also in attendance.

Team USA caught a flight Saturday morning to San Jose, where the Americans will go through processing. They will leave from San Francisco and arrive in the Chinese territory of Macau early Monday morning to train and play exhibition games against Turkey and Lithuania. From there, they will travel to Shanghai and train for three days before playing exhibition games against Russia and Australia.

The Americans will open the Olympics against China and Yao Ming on Aug. 10. The United States is in a dangerous preliminary pool that includes world champion Spain; Germany, which features NBA players Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman; Greece, which defeated the United States in the world championships in 2006; and Angola.

If the United States is able to make it to the gold medal game on Aug. 24, the players would have spent a total of 39 days together — three during a short minicamp in Las Vegas, one during a media event in New York and another 35 with training camp, exhibition games and the Olympic Games.

“We’re going to a spend a lot time in China together, so much that we’ll probably get tired of each other,” Wade said with a laugh. “But that’s good time for friendships for a lifetime.”

The United States spent the four days here training at Valley High School, scrimmaging against a select team of younger NBA players. U.S. Coach Mike Krzyzewski focused mostly on pick-and-roll defense, which has been a major weakness for the Americans in international play — especially in a semifinal loss against Greece in the 2006 world championships, the only misstep since Managing Director Jerry Colangelo established a national program, requiring a three-year commitment from the players selected.

Colangelo, who flipped upside down the old Olympic team-building model — throw the most talented players together and hope they jell quickly — said he expects the system he established to remain intact for the future. “It seems like the only way — win, lose, or draw,” Colangelo said. “Our successful programs, they are the ones with continuity. The only way to have continuity is to have commitments that extend beyond a year.”

“I think it’s now an ‘in’ thing to wear a USA jersey, where a few years ago, people weren’t looking to represent their country. I think we’ve changed that culture, and I think a win in Beijing would solidify everything we’re doing,” Colangelo said.

Even if the names on the backs are faded out.