LONDON — Once was enough. Carmelo Anthony doesn't want to mess around against Argentina. Not after a close call against Lithuania.
Anthony, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and the rest of the star-studded U.S. basketball team have now been tested at the London Olympics — and, admittedly, they weren't quite prepared for it.
The NBA's best players face another challenge Monday night when they wrap up pool play with the Argentines, who at 3-1 are not to be overlooked. Anthony says the Americans might have been caught slightly off guard by the Lithuanians' fight in Saturday's five-point victory.
Also on Monday's schedule is the 400-meter final at Olympic Stadium. Yet the race is missing some its luster: Defending Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt is out because of an injured left hamstring that he hurt halfway through Saturday's qualifying heat.