BEIJING -- Finally, an athlete worthy of the U.S. men's basketball team's company showed up at the Olympic basketball arena.

Swim star Michael Phelps was in the stands as the United States sent Germany and Dirk Nowitzki packing, 106-57, in the final game of group play. Phelps met the U.S. players in the locker room afterward. It was the highlight of the night for a team that has beaten its five opponents by an average of 32.2 points.

And the NBA players sounded almost giddy about meeting him.

"He's definitely one of the greatest athletes I've ever seen in my life," LeBron James said. "It's humbling for me and humbling for Kobe [Bryant]. It was unbelievable."

Dwight Howard, who led the U.S. with 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting, added: "I told him I was going to swim the 100-meter medley next year."

At least that would be a challenge, which is more than can be said for Spain, Greece and Germany. Not since the original 1992 Dream Team has the United States so handily defeated its first-round opponents. That team won its games by 43.8 points. This team is averaging 103 points, but things likely will get tougher beginning with the quarterfinal against Australia tomorrow.

The Aussies lost by only 11 points to the U.S. two weeks ago and got as close as seven points in the fourth quarter in an exhibition in Shanghai. Milwaukee Buck Andrew Bogut had an injured ankle and missed that game, but he is expected to play this time.

"Australia plays a completely different style of game than we played [against Germany]," Bryant said. "They run a continuity offense and they are very proficient at it, and they run hard cuts and set hard picks. They are real smart, so it will be a different ball game. They will come ready to play."

The Germans did not. They trailed, 23-5, before they knew what hit them. Howard had eight of the first 16 points, mostly on dunks. When Nowitzki left the game to a standing ovation with 3:23 left in the third period, Germany trailed, 78-39.

Asked what it would take to beat Team USA, German center Chris Kaman of the Los Angeles Clippers smiled and replied: "Two of their all-star players. They have such a great team. They handled everything so easily. I don't think anybody can beat them."

James scored 18 points against Germany, Bryant had 13, and Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul added 10 apiece. There had been some concern the U.S. would come out flat for the meaningless game against the Germans, but they didn't. They came out firing.

"This team was not about to just go through the motions," guard Jason Kidd said. "We had to fine-tune the machine and play as hard as we do against Spain, Greece and Argentina because Australia is going to be tough."

Among the English songs that blared through the arena loudspeakers during the game was "If You're Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands." The U.S. players were happy, though they didn't clap their hands.

"We know we are just six days away from holding a gold medal, and our excitement levels are on the rise," forward Carlos Boozer said.