US men hope for a layup

BEIJING - Before the renowned "Dream Team" played Angola in the 1992 Olympics, US forward Charles Barkley was asked what he thought about his next opponent.

"All I know about Angola is, they in trouble," Barkley memorably responded.

Sixteen years later, not much has changed about the Americans' knowledge of Angola basketball. The US should have its easiest game of the Olympics tonight (broadcast this morning at 8 on USA Network) against the Angolans before finishing Group B play with much tougher games against Greece, Spain, and Germany. The Germans routed Angola, 95-66, Sunday.

When asked after Sunday's rout of China who Angola's best player was, US guard Jason Kidd paused several seconds before saying, "Uh, I don't know."

When next asked if he knew anything about the Angola team, Kidd said, "No. Uh, no I don't. I don't. I know they play hard."

Angola actually won eight FIBA Africa Championships from 1989 to 2007, losing only in 1997 to Senegal. This year's team is led by Angolan National League MVP Olimpio Cipriano, forward Joaquim "Kikas" Gomes, and forward Eduardo Mingas. Mingas scored a game-high 24 points and nailed five 3-pointers against Germany, but his undersized team shot 33 percent from the field and had only 7 assists.

In Olympic play, the Americans have defeated Angola, 116-48 in 1992, 87-54 in 1996, and 89-53 in 2004. The Angolans know they are in trouble.

"We'll try to play our game the best way we can," said Angola coach Alberto Carvalho. "They are the favorite team to win, and the difference between both teams is very clear."

Still, the Americans say they aren't taking the Angolans lightly.

"Right now, our most difficult game is Angola," said guard Chris Paul. "So that's who we are worried about right now."

Lithuania improved to 2-0 in Group A with a 99-67 rout of Iran (0-2) this morning. Linas Kleiza of the Denver Nuggets led Lithuania with 22 points and eight rebounds. Also in Group A, Croatia (2-0) received 22 points from Marko Popovic in an 85-78 victory over Russia (1-1).