http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=afp-basket_usa_oly_2004&prov=afp&type=lgns US downs Puerto Rico in pre-Olympic scrimmage July 29, 2004 JACKSONVILLE, United States (AFP) - Tim Duncan scored 22 points and LeBron James delighted the crowd with some spectacular slam dunks here as the United States ripped Puerto Rico in a pre-Olympic basketball scrimmage. The US team of National Basketball Association players opens the Athens Games on August 15 with a preliminary round game against Puerto Rico. The US dominated the four 10-minute periods, each scored separately to add pressure. "We did a lot of good things," US coach Larry Brown said. "We've got a lot to work on. We got to play a lot of people. We have got to get a lot better defensively than we are now." ADVERTISEMENT Showing speed and skilled passing for players who gathered together just four days ago, the US team won by 27-18, 26-18, 25-20 and 25-19. Puerto Rico came within three points twice in the last minutes but could never grab the lead. "This was a great step to maturity," US guard Dwayne Wade said. "Everybody touched the ball. LeBron showed a lot of leadership. It showed us the young guys have to be poised. "Everyone is a great individual player. But the key is to play great USA basketball as a team even when it gets tough." The biggest cheers from a crowd of about 2,500 US soldiers, sailors and military families came when James, last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, followed a back-to-the-basket flip-in with an alley oop reverse slam dunk. "We were just happy we could come though and could showcase our talent," James said. "We've got to keep working on it. It's all a learning experience." The US team plays Puerto Rico here on Saturday in the squad's first true exhibition game, then plays twice in Germany next week before a pre-Olympic matchup with powerful Serbia and Montenegro. The Serbians will be without Peja Stojakovic, the Sacramento Kings playmaker whose absence robs one of the Americans' top rivals of a major threat. But US coach Larry Brown has no doubt the reigning world champions will be a handful. "They have played together a lot longer than we have. They are older and know the international game better," Brown said. "We have 30-something days to prepare. They have been preparing for 10 years as a team. They are up on a mountain training. They are not staying in this (posh) hotel and going one-a-days." US forward Emeka Okafor, who twisted his right ankle in practice Tuesday, played briefly. His future participation depends on how fast his ankle heals. Co-captains Duncan and Allen Iverson and forward Richard Jefferson will start Saturday against Puerto Rico, Brown said. They started in the scrimmage alongside Lamar Odom and Stephon Marbury. Brown was impressed with James as much for his versatility as his high-flying slam-jam style. "LeBron can play a lot of positions," Brown said. "The more depth we have, the more chance we have of doing what we want to do." Duncan was able to use his power inside and even sank a three-pointer. With size a precious thing on this US team, Duncan has to rely on help from teammates to avoid taking on too much of a burden and risking foul trouble. "It has been fun," Duncan said. "Coach Brown's philosophy is team-oriented. He tries to get everyone playing together more. He built playing together and defense."
