"I remember like it was yesterday," he said after a morning practice. "I can't forget that ... whipping."

He guaranteed a competitive atmosphere, then went out and was the best player on the floor. He scored 23 points and shot 10-for-13 from the floor while helping spearhead the strong defensive effort to begin the second quarter.

Anthony said the plan was to build on a strong finish to the first quarter by the previous unit. Krzyzewski played seven players in the first and third quarters, and the other eight in the other two.

"We tried to learn from their mistakes and I think it helped us in the second quarter," Anthony said.

James added 20 points. All 15 players scored for the Americans.

Arroyo scored 17 points for the Puerto Ricans, including a 3-point shot just before the buzzer at the end of the second quarter. Rick Apodaca, who played at Hofstra, added 13 points.

The teams meet again Thursday night in an exhibition game, and face each other in their opening game at the world championships on Aug. 19 in Sapporo.

Bryant could be there at some point. He said he wasn't planning to travel to Asia while continuing to rehab his knee, but Colangelo said Nike would like Bryant to make a promotional appearance in Japan.

But he'll have to wait at least another year before making his U.S. debut.

"It's really, really tough," Bryant said. "Just have to do what I have to do, I guess."