Team USA (Official Thread)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

7/25/06

U.S. coach Krzyzewski working overtime

GREG BEACHAM

Associated Press

<!-- begin body-content -->LAS VEGAS - Mike Krzyzewski's orange folder bulges with notes, diagrams, lists and more notes. He opens the folder and instantly snaps it shut, teasing a foreign reporter wondering whether the U.S. national team will play zone defense at next month's world championships.
"You don't know me very well," the venerated Duke coach says.
The world soon will know all about Krzyzewski - but he's still learning plenty about himself as the U.S. national team's new coach. When managing director Jerry Colangelo decided to reinvent the program in hopes of returning to world dominance, he decided Krzyzewski had the smarts and the intellectual curiosity to implement his revolutionary changes.
And when Krzyzewski got the three-year assignment to turn around a team that seemed misguided and uninspired in recent years, he saw it as more than a late-career challenge as he approached his 60th birthday next year. It was a patriotic calling for the former Army captain - and a way to satisfy his never-consummated desire to coach the best players in the world.
The American team needed Krzyzewski, but the man with three NCAA championships thinks he needed this job just as much.
"I see it as an opportunity to do something that will benefit our country and this program for years and years to come," Krzyzewski said. "It's been exactly what I hoped it would be - an intellectual challenge, but also a great experience to be around a lot of great guys.
"We've still got a long way to go, but we're putting a foundation in place here that will hopefully stand for years."
Krzyzewski, an assistant with the 1992 Dream Team, flirted with NBA jobs in Boston, Los Angeles and other spots during the last two decades. He ultimately chose to stay at Duke, his home since 1980. Though he wears Team USA's colors and logos on nearly every article of clothing these days, he hasn't forgotten his Dukedom: He also wears a "Duke for Life" blue bracelet and a watch commemorating his 2004 Final Four team.
"I'm not going to coach in the NBA, but I would have loved to do it," Krzyzewski said. "I just love what I'm doing more."
And this assignment is an incredible substitute. Krzyzewski and his staff - including Phoenix's Mike D'Antoni, Portland's Nate McMillan and Syracuse's Jim Boeheim - are in charge of restoring respect to a national team that fell on hard times in the last four years.
Colangelo and Krzyzewski rethought nearly everything about the program since the coach was hired in October. Gone were the rotisserie-league selection processes, followed by short training camps and blind faith in sheer American talent to push through international competitions.
"I remember the Dream Team when I was a kid, but that's not how we're doing it," said Chris Paul, the 21-year-old former Wake Forest point guard who might be Krzyzewski's starter. "I only knew Coach K from the ACC, when he would be over there yelling at the refs, and sometimes at me. Now I can see what everyone was talking about."
Krzyzewski knew what worked in 1992 no longer gets it done, both because of the world's improvement and the declining baseline skills of American youngsters. He couldn't rely on his players' college coaching, because several never went to college.
He made a side trip Sunday night to watch a high-school tournament in Las Vegas, but was dismayed to see the best American teenagers' dismal practice habits and fundamental skills.
"In the NBA, they take basketball to a whole other level, and I don't think people get that impression," he said. "Our guys ... are the hardest workers at the highest level. They're just so talented that they make some things look easy."
He decided he would emphasize defense and teamwork - and on Monday, his new players finished six days of workouts they never anticipated. The coaching staff put them through extensive film sessions before three-hour practices, stretching their abilities and improving their midsummer conditioning.
They've already done more pre-competition workouts than the 2004 Olympic team, and they've still got three more days of practice left next week never embarking on a tour of Asia.
"Year after year, he gets the best out of his guys at Duke," D'Antoni said. "If he can get the best out of these guys, they're the best in the world, so it should be good. We're doing a lot of things that these guys might not be used to doing, but sometimes a change is a great thing."
Off the court, Krzyzewski emphasizes team building with a college coach's appropriate zeal. He fills his players full of film study and emotional appeals with equal enthusiasm, and the former West Point letterman invited an Army colonel to speak to his team Saturday on the role of patriotism in any team representing its nation.
No matter the result of this summer project, Krzyzewski seems confident he has approached it the right way, both for this year and beyond.
When his players reported to camp just a week ago, "there was a bit of that jam-session mentality," Krzyzewski said. "We've got to make beautiful music instead."
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[BB73]

Shawn Marion: The only guy in camp who played on both the 2002 World Championship team and the 2004 Olympic team. A favorite of Colangelo's, so we'll list him as a 99 percent lock to make the final 12.

ESPN is reporting that Marion will not make the trip due to a knee injury.

espn.katz

Updated: July 25, 2006, 10:18 AM ET
Marion to miss World Championships with injury


LAS VEGAS -- Getting the USA Men's Senior National team roster down to a manageable number of 15 for the trip to Asia next month became a bit easier Monday when Shawn Marion pulled out because of a left knee injury.

Marion told ESPN.com that he won't make the trip to Japan for the World Championships after Monday's final training camp practice at UNLV's Cox Pavilion. Players who don't make the trip aren't being cut from the overall national team program, which is a three-year commitment.

"The process [of picking the team] was great," Marion said. "Everybody feels a part of the family for all three years. If I'm not there, I'll still feel like I'm there cheering them on."

Marion, who was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1999 out of UNLV where he played for one season after transferring from Vincennes University (Ind.), said simply, "I'm not going."

"My knee has been bothering me a bit. I sat out the last two days of practice. I just came in here and got right into it. So, I'm going to check it out [Tuesday]. I'll make sure there's nothing wrong with it, rest it and take
care of it."

The 15 players who likely will return to Las Vegas on July 31 for exhibition games will be announced Tuesday morning at the Wynn Hotel. The Americans don't have to submit a final roster of 12 players until 24 hours before the first game in Japan on Aug. 19, according to USA spokesperson
Craig Miller.

Marion's departure trims the roster down to 17, leaving two more possible cuts -- likely Seattle point guard Luke Ridnour and former Gonzaga forward and Charlotte Bobcats first-round draft pick Adam Morrison. That means the 15 players likely to travel to Asia are: Carmelo Anthony, Gilbert Arenas, Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Bruce Bowen, Elton Brand, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Chris Paul, Amare Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade and Kirk Hinrich. The coaching staff will meet Tuesday morning before the news conference to make the final call. Ridnour looks to lose out to Chicago's Hinrich, and Morrison is up against veteran options.

Morrison's coach at Gonzaga, Mark Few, was in attendance and said the forward knew going in he would have a hard time making the squad.
Ridnour told ESPN.com that while he hadn't been told he definitely wouldn't be going to Asia, he anticipates he'll receive the news.

"I'm here for the experience, and if it doesn't happen this summer then I've got two more years," Ridnour said. "When they called me during the season they told me that there were a lot of veterans and it would be tough to make it. But I've got a bright future, and I'm excited about it."
Ridnour is caught in a logjam at point. Chris Paul of New Orleans/Oklahoma City is expected to compete for starter's minutes. USA coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke also talked about Hinrich's ability to play pressure defense and finals MVP Dwyane Wade's ball handling skills.
Krzyzewski didn't rule out using younger talent, though, to perform some of the more pedestrian activities at the point.

"You don't want to use gold for bathroom fixtures," Krzyzewski said. "You want to use your natural resources, as well. Not to put down those other guys, but we'd rather it not be Dwyane. Joe Johnson could also play there, so we have some flexibility."

Hinrich sat out half of Monday's practice with what he characterized as some tightness behind his left knee, but he said he could have played if pressed. He anticipated he was going to make the final 15.
"They're just being cautious," Hinrich said.

So, the numbers are stacked against Ridnour. Marion's injury means Washington forward Jamison is safe, for now, as is Sacramento's Miller and Houston forward Battier.

The Americans are slated to have 15 players available on the roster for an exhibition against Puerto Rico at the Thomas & Mack Center on Aug. 3, and then for games against China and Brazil in Guangzhou, China, Aug. 7-8. The squad will then train in Hong Kong, Aug. 9-11, play the World Basketball Challenge in Seoul, South Korea against Lithuania and Korea Aug. 13 and 15 before participating in the FIBA World Championships Aug. 19-Sept. 3 in Saitama, Japan.

"The beauty of a fluid roster is that it covers a lot of different things that happen like injuries," Krzyzewski said.
Asked about the number 15, Krzyzewski said he's not married to that or any other number of players.

"It's not a magic 15 or 14 or 16," he said. "We don't want to place ourselves in a position where we have to call on somebody [from Asia]."

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

This is from ESPN:



Uhhh...he is arguably the best player in the league, and you are going to start Bruce Bowen and Carmelo Anthony over him!?! Carmelo??? If Coach K does this I wil lose all respect for him. Is he trying to look like Larry Brown by not playing him or something? Another reason I hate Duke...

Edit: It's not like he is a ballhog or anything. He loves sharing the ball. I don't see what would be the good part of having him come off the bench.

Carmelo knows how to win a Championship though

 

[aurorabuckeye13]

Cuts made for Asia... Marion, Ridnour, and Morrison were cut. Amare Stoudemire and Hinrich were the only mild surprises.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/more/07/25/team.usa.ap/index.html

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

7/26/06

Team USA trims roster

Marion leaves because of knee injury; Ridnour, Morrison both released

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->Much was made during the past week about NBA superstars having to ``try out'' for Team USA.
LeBron James' spot truly hasn't been in peril since December, when USA Basketball Managing Director Jerry Colangelo offered him a major role. He's always been a lock to make the final roster of 12 that heads to Japan for the World Championships next month.
But still, he felt a sense of accomplishment Tuesday, when he was named to the traveling squad of 15 players who will go to China to begin an exhibition tour in 10 days.
``I wasn't sweating, but it makes it a lot more fun when you're with a great team,'' James told the Associated Press before leaving Las Vegas for a break until Monday.
``Guys were great coming here and not having a personal agenda.''
Coach Mike Krzyzewski trimmed three players from the roster Tuesday, none of which was a surprise.
Shawn Marion pulled out with a knee injury, joining Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce, who can't play due to health reasons. With three other point guards -- Gilbert Arenas, Chris Paul and Kirk Hinrich on the roster -- Luke Ridnour was an odd man out.
Rookie Adam Morrison was the final cut. He was at training camp more for experience than anything else.
James and fellow 2003 draft stars Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh are safe. So are shooting guards Joe Johnson and Bruce Bowen and small forwards Shane Battier and Antawn Jamison.
Other forwards/centers are Elton Brand, Brad Miller, Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard.
Three more players will have to be dropped before the World Championships start Aug. 19.
It would figure it would be difficult to keep both role players Bowen and Battier, but if both make it, Jamison could be on the bubble.
Howard and Brand appear safe, but how healthy Stoudemire's knees are might play a role in his future.
Miller, the team's oldest player, is favored to be left off the final roster.
Krzyzewski probably won't keep three point guards because Wade, James and Johnson can also handle the ball.
That makes Hinrich, who's been dealing with a hamstring injury, an underdog.
More interesting is who will make up the starting lineup. Some have speculated Krzyzewski could start Wade, James and Anthony together, along with Arenas or Paul at point guard and Brand at center.
Others have speculated James might be valuable off the bench with defenders Bowen or Battier as a starter, though that would be surprising.
James might have helped himself after a slow start.
According to insiders who watched the closed practices, James struggled buying into the system during the first three days of practices, but really came on at the end of training camp and was playing as well as anyone.
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[scarletngrey11]

48-35 at halftime against Puerto Rico.

James had a great block, and Arenas had a great hustle play jumping out of bounds to save a ball. Carmello looks good with 11 points at the half, and Wade looks very explosive. We have played pretty poorly at times but still lead by 13.

EDIT: We came out of halfimte and are dominating now leading by 22.

Lebron had a monster and-1 dunk.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

8/4/06

Stoudemire dropped from U.S. roster

Associated Press

<!-- begin body-content -->LAS VEGAS - Amare Stoudemire was dropped Thursday from the U.S. roster for their trip to Asia, leaving 14 players available for the 12 spots on the world championship team.
USA Basketball announced Stoudemire's departure hours before it played Puerto Rico in an exhibition game. The Phoenix Suns forward was to miss that game and return home to continue rehabbing his right knee and await the impending birth of a child.
"During the past few days of our training camp we concluded that it would be difficult for Amare to continue with the rehabilitation he needs to do while the team continues its training in Asia," USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said in a statement.
"He is not quite where he needs to be and he needs to continue his work here in the States to get ready for the season. He is also expecting the birth of a child, so we decided it would be best if he returned home."
Stoudemire entered camp as somewhat of a long shot to make the final 12. He was limited to only three games last season after a pair of knee surgeries, and was still well off his top form after an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee in April.
But a strong finish to the first segment of camp paved the way for him to make the second week after Suns teammate Shawn Marion developed a knee injury during the earlier session.
Stoudemire remained on the national team roster and is eligible to play in the 2008 Olympics.
The remaining 14 players are scheduled to depart for China on Friday to continue training. The roster must be reduced to 12 before the world championships begin in Japan on Aug. 19.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/4/06

USA BASKETBALL

Optimism abounds even though team’s top shooters are missing

Friday, August 04, 2006

Luciana Chavez
RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER

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LAS VEGAS — Make the three-pointer, win the championship.
That simple lesson, one the U.S. men’s basketball team learned during its disappointing run in the 2004 Athens Olympics, was supposed to have been taken care of by now. Not quite.
Because of injuries or family problems, the U.S. team will play in the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan later this month without its three best shooters.
Two of the NBA’s best, Michael Redd and Paul Pierce, and the best shooter in college last season, J.J. Redick, will miss the tournament.
Redd and Redick were chosen for the national team specifically because of their intimate relationship with the three-point line.
U.S. national team member Joe Johnson promises you’ll hear more "swish" than "clank" despite the absence of the three.
"We’ll definitely be fine," he said. "Shooting is just confidence. Anyone out here can hit the three-pointer."
The U.S. team will open world championship play Aug. 19 against Puerto Rico. It defeated Puerto Rico 114-69 in a tuneup last night in Los Angeles.
U.S. assistant Mike D’Antoni said he and national team coach Mike Krzyzewski discussed not having the marquee shooters this summer, but neither thought it would matter in Japan.
"We have so many on this team who can hit that shot," D’Antoni said. "Joe Johnson is one of best shooters in the NBA. So is Gilbert Arenas. We have Dwyane Wade. You can go right down the line."
In Athens, teams sagged on San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan and clogged the lane to ward off dribble penetration. Teams dared the U.S. team to beat them from long range. With Duncan in chronic foul trouble in Greece, the United States had to shoot from the outside, not always successfully.
In the medal-round semifinal game, Argentina beat the U.S. team 89-81. Argentina went 11 of 22 from three-point range and the Americans, who didn’t try a three in the final two minutes of the game, went 3 of 12.
That 2004 team didn’t have a great shooter and had just one true point guard (Stephon Marbury) to get the ball in the right hands. This team has several good scorers who can hit the shot, and two drive-and-kick point guards in New Orleans’ Chris Paul and Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich to get them all the ball.
It also will be using D’Antoni’s wide-open Phoenix Suns offense. That could help, too.
"If you get the shot, you take it. It’s pretty simple," said Johnson, the Atlanta Hawks standout who played for D’Antoni in Phoenix from 2003 to 2005.
Washington Wizards forward Antawn Jamison elaborated.
"I think in past international tournaments, certain guys dominated the ball while other guys had to find a way to get it going," Jamison said. "Then everything got congested and everyone got in each other’s way.
"In Mike’s offense, the more spread out you are, the better chance you have to get and knock down open shots."
The FIBA three should feel like a gimme compared with the NBA. The NBA line — 23 feet, 9 inches at its farthest point and 22 feet nearest the baseline — trumps the 20 feet, 6 inches of the international three-point line. Easier or not, the NBA players on Team USA will have to make adjustments.
The NBA is loaded with players who create their own shots. NBA players are used to setting up shots — including longrange ones — off the dribble. FIBA’s game is pass-and-shoot. "It is different because most of us are so comfortable with the ball and shooting off the dribble," Johnson said. "It’s a big adjustment. It may be tough sometimes, but it’ll be fun to watch."

 

[OH10]

It looks like Coach K wants to expose our depth more. We were running that full court press, and it was ineffective in the first quarter. But you could see it start to wear down Puerto Rico. I think we're finally starting to realize that other teams are more than capable of shooting the ball, and if they're on fire, they can cause us trouble. But they don't nearly have the depth to keep up with us if we can force them to expend all their energy early.

One thing I did find discouraging is that the players are still so used to making one on one moves, rather than passing the ball around for a high percentage shot.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

8/5/06

U.S. basketball takes momentum to Asia

BRIAN MAHONEY

Associated Press

<!-- begin body-content -->LAS VEGAS - With a sensational debut behind them, the American players lingered on the court for a few extra moments to soak up the last of the "USA!, USA!" chants. It'll be a while before they see or hear from the home fans again.
Hours after closing their second training stint here Thursday night by overwhelming Puerto Rico 114-69 in their lone exhibition on home soil, the Americans departed Friday for a month in Asia, culminating with the world championships in Japan.
And when it's over, they hope to be wearing gold medals upon their return home in early September.
"It's the longest trip that I've ever taken. I'm really excited," guard Kirk Hinrich said. "It's going to be a great experience, and the only way it's going to be a truly great experience is to go out and win, so that's what we're focused on."
The training in the Far East begins with games against China and Brazil next week, the first time a USA Basketball team featuring NBA players has played in China.
That will be followed by more training in Korea, which features games in Seoul against Lithuania and Korea. After that, it's off to Sapporo, Japan, for the start of the worlds on Aug. 19 against Puerto Rico.
"I'm excited about going over to China, Korea and Japan and see how it is, but most importantly I'm ready to go over there and play," Carmelo Anthony said.
Realizing it could no longer just throw together a team on short notice and expect to win international competitions, USA Basketball revamped its selection process and chose this team in March. The players arrived here in the middle of July, and will be together for nearly a month before their first game tips off.
To the players who were part of a woefully unprepared team that managed only a bronze medal at the Olympics two years ago following a short training stint in Florida, that additional practice time is a welcome change.
"It doesn't matter how good of a basketball player you are individually, to become a team you need more than just a week of training in Jacksonville," LeBron James said. "It doesn't matter if you've got 21 Michael Jordans on the same team, you need more time to prepare."
The Americans looked ahead of schedule Thursday night, at least defensively. The U.S. used a 31-2 run spanning halftime to turn a four-point deficit into a blowout, pulling away with a flurry of dunks from James and Dwyane Wade during the third quarter.
There were perhaps a few too many defensive slips in the first 15 minutes - the Americans allowed 26 points in the first quarter - but coach Mike Krzyzewski had stressed earlier this week that his team had plenty of growing to do.
"I think we'll all learn, this is why we play a scrimmage and five exhibitions," Krzyzewski said. "We all, me definitely included, you have a learning curve and that's why we're going on this trip, is to be able to learn before we go on Aug. 19."
Still, it was a mostly dominant debut for a team desperate to regain its place on top of the basketball world. The U.S. followed a sixth-place finish in the 2002 worlds with another disappointing showing in Athens. The Americans lost three times there - including a 92-73 rout by the Puerto Ricans the last time the teams met.
"I think it's a team that has a lot of pride, with what they've been through the last couple of years," Puerto Rico guard Carlos Arroyo said. "They're a team that's hungry for a medal, hungry to show the world that they're not what they've shown the last couple of years."
The Americans are bringing 14 players to Asia, and will have to drop two before the start of play in Japan. Krzyzewski didn't get any help with his decisions Thursday, as 13 players scored - the lone exception being defensive specialist Bruce Bowen.
"It's been a great experience," Hinrich said. "Everybody has come out here and they're doing a great job of giving it up for the good of the team. That's what we're going to have to do if we want to win over there."
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

8/8/06

Yao-less China crushed by U.S.

LeBron scores 22 points, thrills capacity crowd. Drubbing ends 119-73

By Christopher Bodeen

Associated Press

<!-- begin body-content -->GUANGZHOU, CHINA - With Yao Ming out with an injured left foot, China never had a chance against the powerful United States.
LeBron James scored 22 points and Carmelo Anthony added 18 to lead the Americans to a 119-73 win over China on Monday.
``We are always going to be ready to play. The guys are bringing a lot of energy off the bench,'' said James, who thrilled the capacity crowd in the southern Chinese city with several dunks on the fast break. ``We are producing on the court and taking care of business. We just had our stuff.''
Monday's victory was the second consecutive drubbing of an opponent by the United States, coming on top of last week's 45-point victory against Puerto Rico.
``I was happy in that we played very hard every second and we played unselfishly, and as long as we do those two things, we will continue to improve,'' coach Mike Krzyzewski said.
China held the United States' lead to five points after the first quarter, but the margin increased to 23 at halftime and 40 after three quarters.
``We are one of the best teams,'' James said.
China didn't even have its best players.
Besides Yao, NBA veteran Wang Zhizhi sat out with a torn ligament in his right knee. The other Chinese players struggled against the physically superior Americans. Yi Jianlian, a 6-foot-10 center considered China's next NBA prospect, had 14 points, while Du Feng led the scoring for China with 18.
The U.S. defense repeatedly stole the ball, and the Chinese were slipping and falling as they attempted to keep up with their faster opponents.
``Today we played against one of the best, maybe the best team in the world,'' said China's Lithuanian-born coach, Jonas Kazlauskas. ``It was really difficult for us, especially for those young boys on the court.''
Brad Miller was 5-for-5, including 3-for-3 from behind the 3-point line for the Americans, who are preparing for the world championships in Japan starting Aug. 19.
It's the second straight blowout between the teams. At the 2002 World Championships, the United States beat China 84-65 in Yao's first official national team appearance.
The U.S. plays Brazil in Guangzhou today before flying to South Korea. China travels to the eastern city of Nanjing for more exhibition games.
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[OH10]

USA squeeks by Brazil 90-86.

Benefitted from a couple of favorable calls. But this a good gauge for an American team that is going to grow by leaps and bounds over the next two years by gelling. Brazil has NBA talent and plays hard-nosed basketball.

 

[akronbuck]

were these games back to back. I watched the usa/china game then woke up for a scare by brazil/

 

[Brutus1]

11 points and 16 boards for Varejeo. Nice.

 

[scarletngrey11]

Carmello Anthony hyperextended his knee, but it isnt thought to be serious...