USA eyes measure of revenge

The painful memories of 2004 still linger for those who experienced it.

There was the mighty United States, full of NBA superstars, getting upset in the opening round of the Olympics by tiny Puerto Rico. And this wasn't some fluke, last-second victory. This was a thorough 92-73 thrashing, the worst loss suffered by the United States in Olympic competition.

LeBron James was there. So was Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. They don't forget. Which is why they will be ready to roll at 4 p.m. today when Team USA faces Puerto Rico at the Thomas & Mack Center in the FIBA Americas Championship semifinals. They know what can happen if you decide to just show up and forget to compete. And with a berth in next year's Olympics riding on the outcome of today's game, there's simply too much at stake for complacency to set in.

And don't tell them about the alleged revenge the United States got last year by beating Puerto Rico at the world championships in Japan or the 117-78 whipping the Americans put on the Puerto Ricans on Tuesday in the second round of the FIBA Americas. The players aren't buying it.

"I don't hold grudges, but I still keep that (Olympic) game in the back of my mind every time we play them," Anthony said.

James said: "I think we're ready. It's a brand new team, and we have a brand new mind-set. We know how important (today) is, so we're going to go out with the same intensity we had the first seven or eight games and keep it going."

Guard Chauncey Billups said: "It's not personal. We're just trying to get the win. But this is the big game, and that's what this whole thing is about, trying to qualify for the Olympics."

Things could get personal in the other semifinal, as South American powers Brazil and Argentina square off at 1 p.m. for the other Olympic spot. Brazil is still smarting from blowing a 17-point lead Wednesday and losing to its rivals in overtime, 86-79. The winners of today's semifinals will play for the gold medal at 4 p.m. Sunday, and the losers will compete for the bronze at 1.

"Puerto Rico is a very confident basketball team, and they use their strengths well," Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "The strengths are their 3-point shooting, they spread you out and they cause you to have a lot of switching situations, and they have great outside shooters in (Carlos) Arroyo and (Elias) Ayuso. We played pretty good defense against them in the second quarter of our game, and defense will be a key."

While the USA players focus on the present, Puerto Rico looks back on the past and hopes that history repeats itself.

"It's been proven before that anything is possible," Arroyo said. "We are all on the same page, and we believe in Puerto Rico.

"I think that if we go into the game thinking we already lost, we will lose. We have to play with a lot of pride and respect for what we are playing and representing. We know we are playing a very talented home team, but we will play hard."

Look for the Americans to do the same.

"We're close to accomplishing our goal," Kobe Bryant said. "The key is continuing to work hard and play together."

Brazil, which found itself on the short end of a disparity of free throws in Wednesday's loss (Argentina went to the line 35 times to Brazil's 17), is hoping for a more evenly called game.

"We expected to be in this position," Brazil forward Tiago Splitter said. "We knew this would be a tough tournament. Throughout it, we had some good games and some bad games. Now we will just have to get ready for our big finale. I think our team realizes how important our next game will be and we will fight until the end."