SAITAMA, Japan -- Chris Paul is no ...

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

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

in this way when USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski set together their team, they wanted to find a authentic point guard. The U.S. destitutioned someone to feed LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade.

"The point guard, the way we are going to be structur lacks 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 between the walls of Group D. The U.S. team make opens 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 house of god star. Paul also has simply 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 the present day Orleans/Oklahoma City last season, Paul's talents were none 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 equable have to think about it, to disclose 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 set forth your country."

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

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

"He's a well adapted player, and he's been remarkably quick to pick up forward the different rules," said forward Shane Battier, an international veteran. "I think he's undivided of the quickest learners in in what manner much more physical you can be, especially at the defensive completion 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 do job-work right now for our team."

Paul has also adjusted to the demands of running an offense that features a certain quantity of of the world's best scorers. He averaged 161 points for the Hornets however 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 repress 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 unfailing everyone's in the right stains With the court being a little bit smaller, you have to be a portion more efficient.

"I think the thing that helps this team the greatest in number is the fact that no single cares who scores. D-Wade, LeBron Carmelo, any single in kind of those guys could lead us in scoring forward any given night, and that's for what cause [i]or[/i] reason this team is so potent"

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

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