TOKYO (AP) — The rules are different. The game goes more quickly.
Basketball is basketball, but American NBA players are quickly learning that the game played under international rules at the Olympics is far from what they are used to at home.
Quarters are 10 minutes long instead of 12, games have fewer time-outs, the 3-point line is closer, the level of physicality is higher and much of what happens on defense under FIBA rules simply doesn't fly in the NBA.