Carmelo Anthony has waited two years to face Greece on Thursday morning.
That’s when he has the chance to erase the memory of the U.S.’s stunning, 101-95 loss to the Greeks in the semifinals of the 2006 FIBA World Championship, costing them a shot at the world title.
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“It’s been circled on my calendar for awhile now,” the former Towson Catholic star said. “Since we left Japan [in 2006], it’s been circled on my calendar.”
Anthony gets his chance against Greece (1-1) at 8 a.m. in front of a worldwide television audience on USA Network. The U.S. cruised through its first two games, drubbing host China, 101-70, before pulling away from Angola, 97-76. In the victory over Angola, the U.S. clearly lacked focus at times against an inferior opponent.
That won’t be the case against the Greeks, who lost to defending World Champion Spain, 81-66, before rebounding to down Germany, 87-64. Greece is led by Dimitris Diamantidis, who has been voted “Defender of the Year” in the Euroleague three consecutive times and was the 2007 Euroleague Final Most Valuable Player.
Greece, known for its ability to run the pick-and-roll offense, enters the game shooting 58 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc.
“[In 2006] we didn’t know they were going to come in and play pick and roll and everything,” Anthony said. “By the time we realized we had to make some adjustments, the game was over and we lost the game.”
Anthony, who starts at forward, is seventh on the team in scoring at 7.5 points per game, but tied for the team lead by averaging five rebounds per game. The U.S. is led by guard Dwyane Wade, who is averaging 19 points per game and has made a team-high 10-of-12 free-throw attempts.
“We definitely remember [Greece],” forward LeBron James said. “This team has only lost one game the past three years and that was to Greece. We definitely have that in the backs of our minds. We just want to come out, approach it like any other game but understand that we owe those guys.”
