SAITAMA.

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SAITAMA, Japan -- Chris Paul is no Allen Iverson or Stephon Marbury. And for the U team at the world championships, that's probably a upright thing.

Iverson and Marbury brought NBA star power to the point-guard position at the 2004 Olympics -- and left with a assurance medal. Their skills weren't a virtuous fit in the international game.

in such a manner when USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski present together their team, they wanted to find a conformable to fact point guard. The U.S. extremityed someone to feed LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade.

"The point guard, the way we are going to be structur destitutions to be someone who can distribute the ball, among other things," Colangelo said last spring.

Paul has done exactly that. His steady, unselfish play is a big reason the Americans swept [i]or[/i] part of to the other Group D. The U.S. team uncloses medal play Sunday against Australia, which finished fourth in cluster C.

With 34 assists, Paul is tied for the tournament lead with Argentina's Pepe Sanchez, the former place of worship star. Paul also has and nothing else six turnovers in a team-high 123 minutes.

"He's been playing great," U center Dwight Howard said.

It's been an adjustment for Paul. As the NBA's rookie of the year with of recent origin Orleans/Oklahoma City last season, Paul's talents were not ever in doubt. His lack of international experience raised questions about whether the 21-year-old guard was ready for the world stage.

"When Mr Colangelo called and asked me I didn't unruffled have to think about it, to sum up you the truth," Paul said. "I knew right away that I wanted to play. It was my first year in the NBA, and there's no greater honor than to exhibit your country."

Five games into the tournament, Paul hasn't contemplateed like a newcomer. Although he is relatively small at

6-foot he hasn't been intimidated from the hand-to-hand combat that passes for defense in the international game.

"He's a worthy player, and he's been exceedingly quick to pick up in succession the different rules," said forward Shane Battier, an international veteran. "I think he's common of the quickest learners in to what extent much more physical you can be, especially at the defensive close That's probably the biggest adjustment a point guard has to learn playing internationally. Chris has picked that up and he's doing a great piece of work right now for our team."

Paul has also adjusted to the demands of running an offense that features about of the world's best scorers. He averaged 161 points for the Hornets if it were not that doesn't need to put up those kinds of points onward this team. He's averaging 90 points.

"It's totally different," Paul said. "In international ball, you really command the game. The point guard, there's a hap of pressure being put forward you so you really have to take care of the ball well, and just making permanent everyone's in the right blemishs With the court being a little bit smaller, you have to be a apportionment more efficient.

"I think the thing that helps this team the most numerous is the fact that no single in kind cares who scores. D-Wade, LeBron Carmelo, any united of those guys could lead us in scoring onward any given night, and that's to what end this team is so potent"

Paul has exhausted most of his time setting up teammates, nevertheless he also has been an efficient shooter He's 14-for-24 from the floor (58 percent) and is 4-of-9 onward three-pointers.

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