USA – Versatile Melo leaves his calling card

BARCELONA (Olympics) - Carmelo Anthony has carried Syracuse, the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks on his back at times during his star-studded career.

On Tuesday night in the Palau Sant Jordi, the temple of basketball where the Dream Team wowed the world in 1992, Melo also showed he can carry the United States in "FIBA" basketball.

Anthony had 23 of his 27 points in the first half when Team USA weren't in their rhythm and helped fire the defending Olympic and world champions to a 100-78 triumph over Spain.

The friendly was the last for both teams before the start of the Olympics.

As good as he was on offense, Anthony also provided a spark on defense.

He and his American teammates forced Spain to turn the ball over 20 times.

"Carmelo (Anthony) was sensational," USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

"I thought his play in the first quarter and second period was the difference in the game because Spain came out and played such great basketball.

"Carmelo kind of kept us in it ..."

Spain got 14 first-quarter points from Serge Ibaka and went in front by nine but with Anthony on target, including from long range where he connected on five of eight attempts, the Americans eventually got their noses in front and led 48-40 at the break.

The defending Olympic and world champions then pulled away in the second half.

USA squads have had Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul over the years so Anthony hasn't always stood out as he normally does in NBA games.

But Krzyzewski said: "He’s been with me since I started (in 2006) and he’s been as good as anybody we’ve had in that time period.”

Anthony creates match-up problems for the opponents, and that was certainly the case against Spain and their veteran Felipe Reyes.

"He’s that stretch 4 and to have the shooting and scoring ability that he has along with the physicality of his game," Krzyzewski said.

"So, he can play defense on a power forward but a power forward has a difficult time playing defense on him because he can lose you in transition ... he takes you into untraditional places for that position."

Anthony, 28, relishes the opportunity to play for his country.

"FIBA basketball allows me to play multiple positions and do a lot of different things out there on the basketball court than in the NBA," he said.

"I’m in a different position … I’m playing 3, I’m playing 4, I’m playing 5.

"I don’t play the 5 back in the NBA where I’m more of a wing, I’m handling the ball a little more in the NBA.

"Over here, it’s more than just playing off of (teammates), doing the dirty work.

"When the ball comes to you, try to knock down shots, play good defense, rebounding.

"Most of the time, I’m playing against the 4s and the 5s internationally that are much bigger, much taller. It’s a more physical game in FIBA for me than it is in the NBA."

The performance of Anthony underlined how difficult it is going to be for any team to beat the United States because he is just one of their superstars.

Any one of them can carry the United States.

Anthony did in the first half against Spain and James, who had 25 points, eight assists and five steals, did for most of the second.

"One thing I would say about Carmelo," Krzyzewski said.

"LeBron can play all positions but Carmelo can play three of them.

"He’s as versatile a guy after LeBron that we have.

"Carmelo has outstanding talents that if he’s played at multiple places on the court, he is able to show those talents.

"He’s as good of a guy as we have on our team."

With the win over Spain, the United States completed an unbeaten run in their preparations for the London Games.

FIBA