US clearly set for Rio, but maybe not ball

So far, the U.S. Olympic basketball team is having a ball with everything -- unless you count the actual ball. "It takes some time just to get the feel of that

So far, the U.S. Olympic basketball team is having a ball with everything -- unless you count the actual ball.

"It takes some time just to get the feel of that basketball," said U.S. forward and Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. "It's difficult. Very, very difficult."

The Olympics begin Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. Team USA opens the preliminary round vs. Team China at 6 p.m. EST on NBC.

The Americans went 5-0 in the exhibition season. Despite their issues with the means of scoring, they won each game by no less than 35 points.

Maybe that's why they're talking about the ball. Maybe the competition itself isn't generating enough of a challenge.

Anyway, back to the ball.

Even U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski has noticed his team can struggle from time to time.

"I think our guys are getting used to the basketball," he said. "It has a different feel. You can see it has a lot more panels on it."

Coach K speaks the truth. The Olympic basketball does indeed consist of two more panels than the NBA ball. They're thin panels, but extra panels nonetheless.

Anyone who has ever shot baskets in their own driveway or at the local playground can relate. You grow accustomed to using the same ball over and over. It's your ball, and it just feels right.

Then you get picked for a game of five-on-five, and play with a different ball. It can rock your hoops world, at least at first.

All of this may seem like a lot of fuss over nothing. It may seem downright silly. But the U.S. players are admittedly adjusting.

Will it cost them a medal? Probably not. But from them the sounds of things, it might cost them some sleep.

"It's far different than the one we have in the NBA," said U.S. swingman Paul George of the Pacers.

"It's real slippery. It feels smaller. It's light. It's a completely different ball."

OLYMPIC RULES

The basketball isn't the only thing Americans will find different about internal play. Here are some other rules specific to the Olympics:

1. NBA games are 48 minutes, or four 12-minute quarters. Olympic games are four 10-minute quarters, eight minutes less than the pros.

2. Players get five fouls before being disqualified in Olympic play -- or one less foul per game than the NBA.

3. In the Olympics, you can swat the ball when it's above the rim. In the NBA, that's considered goaltending, and results in an automatic two (or three) points.

4. Timeouts are confusing no matter where you play. But NBA teams get six full, along with one 20-second timeout per half. In the Olympics, each team receives two one-minute timeouts in the first half, and three in the second.

5. Finally, the NBA 3-point arc is 23-feet, 9-inches at the top and 22 feet in the corners. The Olympics? A little closer at 22-feet, 1.75-inches at the top and 21-8 in the corners.

• Amico Hoops Olympics Page