Phelps cheers other pool rulers

BEIJING - About 20 members of the United States swim team came to watch their fellow Americans play in the men's basketball competition last night at the Olympic Basketball Gymnasium. And with the game out of hand quickly, the focus turned to one swimmer in particular - Michael Phelps.

After the Americans completed a flawless run through pool play with a 106-57 victory over Germany, Phelps was invited to their locker room to hang out and take pictures. It was Phelps's first visit to see the US men's basketball team perform. Several of the basketball players had been out to watch Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at these Games.

"When we're swimming and we look up and see these guys, it's awesome to see them in the stands," Phelps said. "We were all so excited it was like we can't lose in front of these guys, we're not losing a single race in front of these guys.

"Just being able to sit in here and hang out with these guys, it's cool to sit in here. These are the guys I'm always watching on TV. It's cool to sit here, hang out and be one of the guys."

Phelps wanted to see a US basketball game before he headed home but waited until his swimming schedule was completed.

"We destroyed them. It was a fun game to watch," said Phelps.

US forward Carmelo Anthony is from Baltimore, as is Phelps. And while Anthony can earn only one medal, the 2004 Olympic bronze medalist hopes to have gold in hand when he goes back to Baltimore, too. Considering how dominant his team has been, odds seem strong that he will.

"It's good to hopefully have a gold medal," Anthony said. "I mean [Phelps has] 14 of them [overall]. Hopefully, I can bring one back to the city. It's just real good to see somebody else from Baltimore participate in one of the biggest events in the world."

An argument could be made that the most popular Olympians are Phelps and US guard Kobe Bryant. Bryant got more cheers than China star Yao Ming when the US played the host country. After last night's game, the two American sports icons posed for a picture.

"We were just talking about shooting the ball, nothing of substance. We had a good time," Bryant said. (Marc J. Spears, Globe staff)