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The United States will face Australia in the quarterfinals of the Olympic basketball tournament after soundly defeating Germany 106-59 in the final game of pool play.
Kobe Bryant, who scored 13 points against Germany in a meaningless game for the United States as far as seeding goes, said there wasn't much to work on in preparation for the game against Australia.
"You know Australia plays a completely different style of game than we faced tonight," Bryant said. "They run a continuity offense, they're very proficient at it. They run hard cuts, set hard picks, they're very smart. That will be a different ball game. I expect them to play hard, to play tough, they're not intimidated. They won't back down. They'll come ready to play.
Australia (2-3) was the No. 4 team Group A. Spain plays Croatia, Lithuania plays China and Argentina plays Greece in the other quarterfinal games.
The United States (5-0) had impressive wins over Spain and Greece in pool play. Spain won the world championships earlier this year and Greece knocked the United States out of the world championships two years ago.
"We just play the game the way we know how," Bryant said. "That's what we do. We're not out there to embarrass or intimidate anybody. We just go out there and do what we do best. No matter what the score is, you still have to play hard, so that's what we have to do."
American swimmer Michael Phelps visited the United States team after the game.
"We were just talking, shooting the bull," Bryant said. "Nothing of substance. We had a good time."
Bryant said he was going to watch the soccer match between Brazil and Argentina before the United States plays Australia.
"Yes, of course," Bryant said. "I'll be there tomorrow night. I get to see Messi and Ronaldinho go at it tomorrow at 9 o'clock. I will be there."
The gold medal and bronze medal games will be Sunday in China. The gold medal game starts at 2:30 p.m. in Beijing, which is 11:30 p.m. Saturday night in Los Angeles. The bronze medal game starts at noon Beijing time, 9 p.m. Saturday in L.A.
"This is what we came here for. Now it's go time," Bryant said. "All we're trying to do is get better every day and the last few games we've been getting better. Hopefully
we can do that Wednesday."
Kobe Bryant said the United States 119-82 win over Spain in the Olympics was one of the best games the U.S. has played in international competition.
"It's one of them," said Bryant, the reigning NBA MVP for the Los Angeles Lakers. "We did a pretty good job in the exhibition games, but as far as this tournament goes this is the best that we played."
The United States tied an Olympic record by making 12 3-pointers, won its fourth straight game and remained undefeated. Spain (3-1) lost its first game of the Olympics.
"We started to get our rhythm," Bryant said. "I think that's the difference really. We are starting to get our rhythm, and where the shots are coming from, we are starting to knock them down."
If there was a weakness on the United States team, it was its 3-point and perimeter shooting in the first three games of the Olympics. After its performance against Spain, those shooting woes seem to have disappeared.
Bryant was asked if the United States performance against Spain would put a scare into the other teams in the Olympics.
"Maybe a little bit because everybody knows what a great team Spain is," Bryant said. "I think we sent a pretty strong message tonight."
The United States will be the No. 1 seed in Group A for the medal round quarterfinals. The final preliminary game for the United States is Monday against Germany.
Kobe Bryant is more popular than he even imagined in China. The Los Angeles Lakers star and NBA MVP who's playing for the United States men's basketball team said he was surprised by how many fans he has in China.
"I was running around yesterday, and I was telling my friend that I don't know when this happened," Bryant said after the United States beat Angola. "We come out here every summer to do clinics and stuff like that, and I have always been pretty popular, but I don't know when this happened."
The United States handily beat Angola 97-76 for its second win in the Olympics. Bryant said the fans in China have gone to some extreme lengths to catch a glimpse of him and the players from the United States.
"The other day it was pouring down raining, and there was still a group outside of about 100 kids, just waiting, chasing the bus in the rain," Bryant said. "They're dedicated."
Bryant did not make a shot in the first half against Angola, going 0-for-5 from the field, but scored eight points in the third quarter and was impressed with the way Angola played.
"I think they did a good job," Bryant said. "They were able to knock down shots and stay in the game. It wasn't like we blew them out by 40 or 50 points."
Bryant's Lakers teammate Pau Gasol is on the Spanish basketball team. Bryant said he was able to visit with Gasol before the basketball games started.
"One of the first days I came over here I went over to the village, and I took about 30 minutes with him, just talking and catching up," Bryant said. "It just felt like the first time you've seen your brother in a long time. That's how I feel about him. I care about him a lot, and I want him to do well."
Next up for the United States team is Greece, which beat the United States two years ago in the semifinals of the world championship in Japan.
"It's a match up we are looking forward to," Bryant said. "They are a tough team, and last time we faced them they beat us, so we are looking forward to it. It will be a great opportunity for us to see how much we've improved since we last played them."
Greece, a team with no NBA players, beat the United States, which was loaded with NBA all-stars.
"Basketball is such a global sport, you really don't have to have NBA players," Bryant said. "You can be a great basketball player and never play one game in the NBA. That's just how it is."
After the game against Greece, the United States plays Spain, which is also 2-0 in the Olympics. Spain beat China in overtime for its most recent win. Bryant said he does not think the United States should be considered a favorite to beat Spain when they play.
"No I don't think so," Bryant said. "I mean we haven't done anything, we haven't proved anything. We still have a lot of work to do here."
Bryant was held scoreless in the first half and the United States made five of 21 3-point shots against Angola. The U.S.'s 3-point shooting appears to be the team's only weakness after two games of Olympic play.
"It's been a struggle," Bryant said. "We have to adjust to being spot up shooters. All of us are not acclimated to being spot up shooters. That is something that we have to tweak a little bit and get used to. But when big games come around, they are going to fall."
Coach Mike Krzyzewski said who he would like to have as his starters. They were: Lebron James, Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard.
The team has three point guards. Kidd, Josh Paul and Deron Williams, which probably means Kidd, the oldest player on the team, will have limited minutes in Olympic competition.
Bryant is one of six guards on the team. He is also the only player who played through the entire NBA season and playoffs. There are no Celtics on the team and he is the only Laker.
Kobe Bryant, as expected, will be on the U.S. men's OIympic basketball team. The 12-man roster was announced today.
Here is a look at the team:
Carmelo Anthony F Denver Nuggets / Syracuse University
Carlos Boozer F Utah Jazz / Duke University
Chris Bosh F Toronto Raptors / Georgia Tech
Kobe Bryant G Los Angeles Lakers / Lower Merion H.S. (PA)
Dwight Howard F/C Orlando Magic / Southwest Atlanta Christian Acd. (GA)
LeBron James F Cleveland Cavaliers / St.Vincent-St. Mary H.S. (OH)
Jason Kidd G Dallas Mavericks / University of California
Chris Paul G New Orleans Hornets / Wake Forest University
Tayshaun Prince F Detroit Pistons / University of Kentucky
Michael Redd G Milwaukee Bucks / Ohio State University
Dwyane Wade G Miami Heat / Marquette University
Deron Williams G Utah Jazz / University of Illinois



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