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Playing with purpose Young stars lead U.S. to victory in Australia
Updated: Tuesday September 04, 2001 9:37 PM
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- Kenyon Martin sent a message that he's back. The New Jersey Nets forward sparked the U.S. team of NBA players in a 97-67 victory over Argentina at the Goodwill Games. The U.S. men are 2-0 in the preliminary round. Phoenix Suns forward Shawn Marion led the Americans with 19 points as all 12 players scored. But it was Martin who helped turn the game around after a lackluster first period. The United States fell behind by five points before tying it 20-20. Martin, returning from a broken leg in March, opened the second period with a big steal and dunk. He jammed again when a teammate stole the ball on the next possession. He played again in the third period but limped off after colliding with a defender. He slammed the ball to the court, making it bounce into the rafters. 'I wasn't upset with the defense -- I play hard,' he said. 'I was frustrated with myself and I'd twisted my ankle a little, but I'm OK.'
The Americans next play Cuba on Wednesday. In other men's basketball results, it was: Mexico 86, Cuba 75; Australia 111, Canada 64; and New Zealand 84, Brazil 79 in overtime. Martin, who has twice broken his leg -- the first time in college at Cincinnati -- said he tried to make some difference. 'That's the way I always start the game -- I was trying to pick it up a bit, get the defense going -- I think I did that,' said Martin, who had four points, four rebounds and four fouls. U.S. coach Flip Saunders said it took a player like Martin to contend with the physical play of the Argentines. Saunders said the biggest thing for his NBA stars to focus on is playing with purpose. 'If you don't play with purpose, you're not going to look good and you're not going to reach your potential.' Seattle SuperSonics forward Rashard Lewis, who led the scoring in Monday's record 74-point win against Mexico, added 14 points against Argentina. Wally Szczerbiak of the Minnesota Timberwolves scored the first six points for the Americans with consecutive 3-pointers and finished with 14 points. Walter Hermann led Argentina's scoring with 19 points.
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