Only four times in history has the U.S. men’s basketball team failed to capture an Olympic gold medal. Don’t expect this year’s team to make it five times.

The men were dominating in two games against China this week in preparation for the games that begin in Rio de Janeiro Aug. 5, winning both by almost identical scores.

Playing at Staples Center July 24, the U.S. won, 106-57. Two nights later, Kevin Durant got to play in front of Oakland fans for the first time since signing with the Golden State Warriors earlier this month and the U.S. won, 107-57.

China may not be among the elite teams in the world (it is ranked 14th), but coach Mike Krzyzewski is still getting to know his roster and no one played an excessive amount of minutes as the U.S. team won its third exhibition in a row as it prepares for the Olympics.

It might not be the Dream Team from the 1992 Olympics — the first time the U.S. sent professionals to the games — but Krzyzewski has quite the roster to choose from, even if LeBron James, Chris Paul, Steph Curry and Blake Griffin are not on the team.

At center are the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings.

At forward are Durant, Green, Carmelo Anthony, Harrison Barnes, Jimmy Butler and Paul George.

And at guards are Thompson, Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, the former Compton High and USC star.

Krzyzewski has lost only one international game since he took over coaching the U.S. team in 2005 after the U.S. settled for the bronze medal in the 2004 Games at Athens.

George, the talented Indiana Pacer player from Palmdale who broke his leg two years ago while preparing for the world championship tournament, summer things up after the first win over China July 24.

“We’re so talented,” he said. “We’ve got so much depth. We can throw anybody in the lineup and we’re going to carry out the job. It’s a luxury that we can play around and have these exhibition games to figure out what works and what doesn’t.”

The U.S. has three more exhibition games before the Olympics open and they already no what they have to do to win the opening game because they face China in the first game Aug. 6.

I would expect the players to be bringing back Olympic gold when the games are over in three weeks.

Former Cerritos College discus thrower Whitney Ashley competes in a track meet in Europe earlier this year. Ashley won the discus championship at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Oregon this month and will represent the U.S. in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics that begin Aug. 5. (Courtesy photo)

OTHER OLYMPIC ATHLETES: In other Olympics-related news, two former Cerritos College track and field athletes have qualified for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

They are discus thrower Whitney Ashley, who won in the U.S. championship trials this month; and 200 meter sprinter Ameer Webb, who took third place at the trials.

A two-time team state champion and All American with the Falcons (2008-09), Ashley defeated the rest of the competition at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon with a throw of 204, feet 2 inches (62.25 meters), which came on her fifth of six throws.

After leaving Cerritos, Ashley transferred to San Diego State University, where she won the NCAA National Championship in the discus in 2012. That same year, Ashley qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trails and came in 22nd place.

Webb posted a time of 20.00 to come in third place in the 200 meter finals at the Olympic Trials. He opened the prelims with a 20.27 time to win his heat, while his time of 19.97 was the second fastest and sent him to the finals.

Webb was the indoor and outdoor NCAA champion in the 200 meters at Texas A&M University in 2013. Prior to transferring, Webb won the state championship in the 200 meters as a freshman (2010) and the 100 meters and 200 meters for the Falcons in 2011.

He still holds the school record for Cerritos in the 100 meters (10.16) and 200 meters (20.33.

DEADLINE LOOMS: The non-waiver trade deadline is Aug. 1 for Major League Baseball and the Dodgers need to solidify their roster if they hope to make a deeper run in the playoffs this year.

With Clayton Kershaw’s back still a major question mark for the pitching staff, team President Andrew Friedman needs to add a solid starter, not a couple of back end of the rotation guys like he added last year.

The Dodgers could also use another outfielder who can hit and a solid relief pitcher wouldn’t hurt, either.

The Dodgers got a firsthand look at Tampa Bay starter Chris Archer July 26. He lost to the Dodgers 3-2, but two of the three runs he allowed were unearned.

Chris Sale may be available from the Chicago White Sox, but the Dodgers might have to surrender left-handed prospect Julio Urias to pry Sale away.

Deals at the deadline don’t come cheap and the Dodgers might have to surrender some of their up-and-coming talent to get difference makers down the pennant stretch. Cincinnati outfielder Jay Bruce would be a solid addition in right field.

The Dodgers no longer can be certain that Kershaw and outfielder Andre Ethier will be back healthy for the playoffs so it is time for Friedman to work the phones and make the improvements the Dodgers will need if they are to have an impact in the postseason this year.