Bryant, U.S. Soar to Semis

BEIJING, Aug. 20 -- Fresh off the U.S. men's basketball team's sixth straight blowout victory -- a 116-85 beating that dropped Australia even further down under -- Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Chris Paul held off hopping on the team bus and gathered around a television to watch the start of Argentina's quarterfinal game against Greece.

All four watched intently, in silence, as they dissected a Greek team that beat the United States in the 2006 world championship semifinals. Wade, Anthony and James were also around when Argentina beat the United States in the 2004 Olympic semifinals. So they studied Argentina closely, too.

They didn't stick around to see Argentina evade Greece, 80-78, to set up a rematch from Athens. But as Wade, Anthony and James make their third trip to a major international semifinal, the trio believes that the U.S. team is better than it was four years ago, collectively and individually; that the players matured; and that they have a greater understanding of the mission. The United States also has something else that was missing from the previous two bronze medal teams -- Kobe Bryant.

Through the first five games in pool play, Bryant struggled with his outside shot, had more turnovers than assists and even missed two dunks in a win against Germany. But with the U.S. men in the quarterfinals, Bryant raised his game and scored a tournament-high 25 points and carried his team out of an early dogfight against the tenacious Aussies.

"Being that it's do or die, it's 'go' time," Bryant said. "The medal's on the line."

Bryant scored 11 during a 19-0 run that spanned almost four minutes between the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the third. Bryant started the run with a strong baseline move and ended it with a ridiculous reverse layup on Australian center Andrew Bogut, following by making a three-pointer that put the United States ahead 69-43.

"He's that one guy on our team that can seize the moment, that can sense the knockout punch," James said. "He likes hitting the dagger. He's not afraid to take any shot, and he's won championships. He's been in big games before. He's mentally always prepared, focused. He's always on. Never off."

Bryant is the most accomplished player on the roster, having won three NBA championships, one league most valuable player award and two scoring titles, but that didn't necessarily translate to success in international basketball. James, Anthony and Wade learned from previous experiences that they can be more effective with quick moves and discretionary shot selection. They have excelled under Coach Mike Krzyzewski's more open, running style, while Bryant has had to work harder to get off shots.

Despite his difficult adjustment to the international game, Bryant has been showered with the most affection from Chinese fans at Wukesong Indoor Stadium. They often chant "Kobe-a!" whenever he makes a spectacular play.

After Bryant hit his fifth three-pointer of the game for a 99-67 lead, he flashed three fingers on both hands and crowd went bonkers. "Me and LeBron was talking about that. We thought we had some popularity over here -- until Kobe came," Anthony said. "They are just excited to see him over here, seeing him out here with Team USA instead of just the Laker uniform."

Bryant has been adamant that winning an Olympic gold medal trumps an NBA championship, which may explain why he held off having surgery on his injured right pinkie. In many ways, Bryant, who turns 30 on Saturday, is like an older brother coming to protect his younger siblings from the neighborhood bullies.

He said he watched the United States lose to Greece in 2006 and "it [ticked] me off." Bryant said he knew that his role would have to change from being the primary scoring option for the Lakers to being the defensive stopper and occasional scorer with Team USA. His previous best game in this Olympics came when the team avenged its 2006 loss to Greece. Bryant scored 18 and nullified guard Vasileios Spanoulis with his defense.

After the win over Australia, Bryant was immediately focused on helping the United States avenge its Olympic loss to Argentina. "We want to play the best, the defending champs," Bryant said. "You want the guys who won it the last time. There is a sense of pride that comes from beating the champs."

Paul said Bryant's presence on the team "gives us just a little bit more swagger, more confidence. It's just another competitor that we have on this team."

And one who could be the difference between third and first place.