U.S. Hoops Wins Despite 3 Suspensions

[1niksder]

U.S. Hoops Wins Despite 3 Suspensions

By EDDIE PELLS
AP Sports Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Allen Iverson and Larry Brown got their first Olympic tiff out of the way Saturday, and the American team defeated Puerto Rico 96-71 despite missing Iverson, LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire because of suspensions.

Brown, often at odds with Iverson during their six years together with the Philadelphia 76ers, scratched The Answer and the other two for missing a team meeting earlier in the day.

They sat on the end of the bench and watched their nine teammates put in a hot-and-cold effort to be expected from a group of players who are just getting to know each other and were further hamstrung by the suspensions.

Carmelo Anthony and Carlos Boozer led the Americans with 16 points each. Dwyane Wade had eight assists, more than half of which were alley-oops, or sweet, no-look feeds. Tim Duncan finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

But after getting off to a quick start, the Americans went cold and got sloppy in the second quarter, possibly in part because they were playing with only two guards, only one of whom, Stephon Marbury, was a true point guard.

The U.S. team also has trouble shooting outside, going just 3-for-7 from 3-point range, a problem that existed even before the suspensions, although one that surely won't be as bad when Iverson and James return.

If Puerto Rico was the 51st state, Larry Ayuso might have a chance at making the U.S. roster. Ayuso hit five 3-pointers to keep Puerto Rico close in the second quarter, and when his backcourt mate, Carlos Arroyo made a steal and layup, Puerto Rico trailed by just five before halftime.

The Americans tore off 10 of the first 14 points in the third quarter to go ahead comfortably again, although it was hard to imagine Brown, who prides himself on defense and discipline, was ecstatic with this performance.

The United States left Jacksonville later Saturday for Germany, where it will continue with workouts and exhibitions until the Olympics, where the Americans will open against Puerto Rico on Aug. 15.

It will be interesting to see how big an impact - if any - these suspensions will have, especially on the fragile relationship between Iverson and Brown. The two never really got along when Brown was with the Sixers, but soon after the coach left after the 2003 season, both men said they had patched up their differences.

They reiterated the point this week, but Brown made it clear he's still the boss.

The decision didn't go over well with a sellout crowd in Jacksonville, a city that doesn't enjoy many stop-ins by NBA stars. When the suspensions were announced over the public-address system, the fans booed heartily and Brown glared at the scorer's table, angry at the commotion the announcement caused.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the fans chanted "I-ver-son, I-ver-son," but their pleas went unanswered.

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[DaSkin]

I watched the game, dwayne wade tommahawked right in this puerto ricans face! Gotta love the olympics.