Behind Anthony, Americans blowing away FIBA field

Carmelo Anthony led the U.S. with 28 points, tying the American record in an Olympic qualifier. AP

RELATED • RECAP: U.S. 127, Mexico 100

Las Vegas -- Five things we learned about Team USA at the start of the quarterfinal round of the FIBA America's tournament.

1. The U.S. really has no competition

For those of you waiting on Argentina, don't bother. Even the defending gold medalists don't stand a chance. Besides not having their full complement present in Las Vegas and despite a terrific effort by Houston's Luis Scola (the Rockets might have found a gem in that one), the U.S. is simply too deep, too talented and playing too much like a cohesive unit to be beaten. Really the only way the U.S. could fall is if the aliens from Space Jam orbed in and took their skills ... OK, that was lame.

2. Carmelo Anthony is the USA's best player

I got a curiously large amount of e-mail last week when I proclaimed Anthony the U.S.' top threat. But there really is no argument. Anthony is the team's leading scorer (22.6 points per game) and seems to have realized that even the physically superior opponents are no match for his strength inside. After a Dwight Howard free throw attempt in the first quarter against Mexico on Monday, Anthony muscled 300-pound former Washington Wizards center Horacio (don't call me Lorenzo) Llamas underneath the rim and collected the rebound. His three-point shooting has been excellent as well (61.1 percent), making him virtually unstoppable in this tournament. Extra points, by the way, if you can name the cult classic Lorenzo Lamas starred in.

3. Defense wins championships -- at any level

The U.S. hasn't always been the stingiest defensive team -- Mexico scored 51 points at the half Monday -- but that is more a byproduct of the fast pace the Americans are setting. But with Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups, Dwight Howard, Tayshaun Prince and Kobe Bryant setting the defensive tone, the Americans have shown the ability to buckle down when necessary. Even average defenders like LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire have stepped up their defensive games.

4. The competition will be stiff for next year's Olympic team

Jerry Colangelo told me this weekend he is planning on holding a mini-camp for the U.S. team in June to continue building chemistry before heading to Beijing in August. But that mini-camp could also be a battle ground, with Dwyane Wade (a lock to be on next year's team), Greg Oden, Paul Pierce and others fighting for a roster spot. Mike Miller is the most likely candidate to lose his spot, but depending on what Colangelo & Co. think the team needs, someone like Tyson Chandler could also miss out on the chance to play for Olympic gold.

5. Las Vegas should never have an NBA team

The crowds here have been pathetic, never topping more than 10,000 and generally less than 5,000. The fact is that Las Vegas is a transitional city that doesn't have the fan base to support a team for 41 games a season. This tournament was proof of that. And the arena stinks.