The honeymoon, at least as planned, is over.

When Kenyon Martin took his marriage vows Saturday in Las Vegas, he said, "For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do us part." How was he to know he was about to add "In Aruba or in Puerto Rico"?

"Anybody who can be on his honeymoon and say, 'We just changed - our honeymoon's in Puerto Rico now [instead of Aruba],' you gotta love that guy," said Gregg Popovich, the San Antonio Spurs coach, working as an assistant to Larry Brown with the U.S. National Team, which begins play tonight in the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

But that's the way things unexpectedly unfolded. First, Karl Malone, who hoped to rejoin the U.S. team yesterday after the sudden death of his mother, Shirley, last week, called Monday night to inform Brown he needed to remain with his family. The selection committee quickly tracked down Martin, the New Jersey Nets' 6-9 forward.

And, in the category of timing is everything, Nick Collison aggravated a shoulder he strained in last week's scrimmage against Puerto Rico in New York.

"With two of our 'bigs' gone, having [Martin] here is a bonus," Popovich said after Brown sent his squad through a full, 2-hour practice in the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.

Martin, like Collison, Elton Brand, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter - the late replacement for Kobe Bryant - has a spot only on the U.S. team attempting to be one of the three tournament qualifiers for next summer's Olympics in Athens, Greece.