The US players are focusing on trying to stop Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki when America faces Germany tomorrow.

"Man, they have Dirk," U.S. point guard Chris Paul said. "He's one of the best players in the NBA and one of the best players in international ball as well."

Everyone here is on a first-name basis with Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas Mavericks' star forward who has joined the ranks of the one-name basketball stars. There's Kobe, Shaq, LeBron, Yao and Dirk.

"He's an amazing player," U.S. guard Kirk Hinrich said. "He poses unbelievable matchup problems for any team, either in the NBA or here. He is used to playing internationally and with his German teammates. He poses a real challenge."

Nowitzki leads the tourney's remaining players in scoring, at 24.5 points per game, and rebounding, at 10.3.