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Team USA Mini-Camp Roster
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by im not you,
- Start date
dacomeup
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Team USA emphasizing defense
O.J. Mayo is using the offseason to prepare for a possible move to point guard.
AP
LAS VEGAS -- A few minutes after the start of Team USA's minicamp Thursday, Jay Triano called practice to a halt. Triano, who was brought in by USABasketball chairman Jerry Colangelo to run the three-day camp for Olympic hopefuls, wanted to emphasize what every player needed to do if he wanted any chanceof earning a coveted spot on the 2010 World Championship team: Play defense.
"Defense is why the U.S. was effective in the Olympics," said Triano, the Raptors' coach. "Defense is the great equalizer. They got in[opponents] faces and were aggressive."
The players quickly took Triano's words to heart. Moments after the break in the action, Devin Harris launched himself into the air to chase down a looseball. Greg Oden leveled Derrick Rose on his way to the rim, and Andre Iguodala bounced his body off the floor in an effort to save the ball from going out ofbounds.
"The intensity today was great," Triano said after practice. "Coach [Mike Krzyzewski] and I talked about [how] defense was the most effectiveweapon [for the U.S.] at the Olympics and how it should be the thing the U.S. dominates."
Indeed, if anything can be gleaned from the first day of camp, it's that USA Basketball officials are looking for two things from the players: intensityand a willingness to defend on every possession. That's why a player like Harris was a Day 1 standout. Harris was considered one of the top defensive pointguards in the Western Conference before he was traded from Dallas to New Jersey, where his defense suffered last season as he took on a heavier offensiveburden. He's also a tireless worker who on Thursday showcased his burgeoning leadership skills. When a play broke down on Harris' scrimmage team, hewas quick to approach the offending player and explain where the play went wrong.
Versatility is also a valued commodity. "What we have learned in the international game is that versatility adds a lot," Krzyzewski said."Especially at the 'three' and 'four.' So many 'fours' are perimeter players so it's great if you have a guy who can play both[forward spots]."
Enter Kevin Durant, the 6-foot-10 Oklahoma City forward who nearly made the team in 2008 and is considered a lock to make the 2010 squad. Triano singled outDurant's strong play after practice, and his perimeter skills -- he was one of the few U.S. players knocking down jump shots in drills -- combined with hisability to play multiple positions have made him a favorite of Krzyzewski and Colangelo.
"It's great to have a pool of players that we are familiar with and know what they can do," Krzyzewski said. "We want to start buildingrelationships with these guys not just for 2010 or 2012 but for 2014, 2016 and beyond."
News and notes
• Knicks forward David Lee sounded on Thursday like a man preparing himself for life after New York. Lee, a restricted free agent who will not participate inthe minicamp because he has no NBA contract for next season, is believed to be seeking a multiyear contract worth $10 million per season; the highest theKnicks are willing to go is $8 million. New York is willing to wait Lee out because they don't believe another team will meet his asking price.
"It's frustrating," Lee said. "There is definitely an effort on their part to spend as little money as possible. I don't think we'reasking for anything out of the ordinary."
Lee, who averaged 16 points and 11.7 rebounds last season, said New York remains his first choice. But he is growing more and more uncertain that a return willbe possible.
"[Free agency] hasn't soured me [on New York]," Lee said. "It's nothing personal. We want to get the best deal done possible. Maybe itwill end up that it's not in New York. At the start of this free agent season I would have said, 'Man I can't wait to get this deal done with NewYork -- it should be something we can get done.' Now it's looking like we have to look at other options."
• Grizzlies shooting guard O.J. Mayo has made no secret of his desire to eventually be moved to point guard. To that end, Mayo said he has been working onpoint guard skills at USC with Memphis assistant coaches Johnny Davis and Henry Bibby. Improving his ball-handling is his top priority.
"I got there in mid-May and haven't stopped," Mayo said.
Mayo also took some time in early July to work on strength and conditioning with trainer Tim Grover and had a chance to run drills with All-Star point guardsDevin Harris and Gilbert Arenas.
"Being able to pick their brains was a blessing to me," Mayo said.
O.J. Mayo is using the offseason to prepare for a possible move to point guard.
AP
LAS VEGAS -- A few minutes after the start of Team USA's minicamp Thursday, Jay Triano called practice to a halt. Triano, who was brought in by USABasketball chairman Jerry Colangelo to run the three-day camp for Olympic hopefuls, wanted to emphasize what every player needed to do if he wanted any chanceof earning a coveted spot on the 2010 World Championship team: Play defense.
"Defense is why the U.S. was effective in the Olympics," said Triano, the Raptors' coach. "Defense is the great equalizer. They got in[opponents] faces and were aggressive."
The players quickly took Triano's words to heart. Moments after the break in the action, Devin Harris launched himself into the air to chase down a looseball. Greg Oden leveled Derrick Rose on his way to the rim, and Andre Iguodala bounced his body off the floor in an effort to save the ball from going out ofbounds.
"The intensity today was great," Triano said after practice. "Coach [Mike Krzyzewski] and I talked about [how] defense was the most effectiveweapon [for the U.S.] at the Olympics and how it should be the thing the U.S. dominates."
Indeed, if anything can be gleaned from the first day of camp, it's that USA Basketball officials are looking for two things from the players: intensityand a willingness to defend on every possession. That's why a player like Harris was a Day 1 standout. Harris was considered one of the top defensive pointguards in the Western Conference before he was traded from Dallas to New Jersey, where his defense suffered last season as he took on a heavier offensiveburden. He's also a tireless worker who on Thursday showcased his burgeoning leadership skills. When a play broke down on Harris' scrimmage team, hewas quick to approach the offending player and explain where the play went wrong.
Versatility is also a valued commodity. "What we have learned in the international game is that versatility adds a lot," Krzyzewski said."Especially at the 'three' and 'four.' So many 'fours' are perimeter players so it's great if you have a guy who can play both[forward spots]."
Enter Kevin Durant, the 6-foot-10 Oklahoma City forward who nearly made the team in 2008 and is considered a lock to make the 2010 squad. Triano singled outDurant's strong play after practice, and his perimeter skills -- he was one of the few U.S. players knocking down jump shots in drills -- combined with hisability to play multiple positions have made him a favorite of Krzyzewski and Colangelo.
"It's great to have a pool of players that we are familiar with and know what they can do," Krzyzewski said. "We want to start buildingrelationships with these guys not just for 2010 or 2012 but for 2014, 2016 and beyond."
News and notes
• Knicks forward David Lee sounded on Thursday like a man preparing himself for life after New York. Lee, a restricted free agent who will not participate inthe minicamp because he has no NBA contract for next season, is believed to be seeking a multiyear contract worth $10 million per season; the highest theKnicks are willing to go is $8 million. New York is willing to wait Lee out because they don't believe another team will meet his asking price.
"It's frustrating," Lee said. "There is definitely an effort on their part to spend as little money as possible. I don't think we'reasking for anything out of the ordinary."
Lee, who averaged 16 points and 11.7 rebounds last season, said New York remains his first choice. But he is growing more and more uncertain that a return willbe possible.
"[Free agency] hasn't soured me [on New York]," Lee said. "It's nothing personal. We want to get the best deal done possible. Maybe itwill end up that it's not in New York. At the start of this free agent season I would have said, 'Man I can't wait to get this deal done with NewYork -- it should be something we can get done.' Now it's looking like we have to look at other options."
• Grizzlies shooting guard O.J. Mayo has made no secret of his desire to eventually be moved to point guard. To that end, Mayo said he has been working onpoint guard skills at USC with Memphis assistant coaches Johnny Davis and Henry Bibby. Improving his ball-handling is his top priority.
"I got there in mid-May and haven't stopped," Mayo said.
Mayo also took some time in early July to work on strength and conditioning with trainer Tim Grover and had a chance to run drills with All-Star point guardsDevin Harris and Gilbert Arenas.
"Being able to pick their brains was a blessing to me," Mayo said.
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Javale mcgee..watch and see what this dude can do on the court
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Originally Posted by mustbetheshoe58
Javale mcgee..watch and see what this dude can do on the court
wiz betta recognize
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*sigh*
Can't wait to go to some games this season. It's scary to see the type of leaps Rudy and OJ can make next season.
Can't wait to go to some games this season. It's scary to see the type of leaps Rudy and OJ can make next season.
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Does anyone know where I can watch the White vs. Blue game later today?
mateen cleaves
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Originally Posted by mustbetheshoe58
Javale mcgee..watch and see what this dude can do on the court
hes raw IMO, this minicamp and next season will hopefully make his game better. No doubt he has talent so in a year or two hes gonna be pretty good.
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Originally Posted by Im Not You
Originally Posted by I NaSmatic I
I'm going to get laughed at, but why isn't J.R. Smith there?
I think he showed up unannounced last summer and got invited to play.
Uhhh...probably something to do with him just getting out of jail a couple days ago maybe?
dont matter, he could just shoot 3's from wherever he at
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Durant, Green, and Westbrook
Soon enough, Harden will be there.
Soon enough, Harden will be there.
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J Bay
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so no where to watch the game??
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Originally Posted by dreClark
MmmmmmHmmmm definitely the future of Team USA right in a row
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lol @ how short DJ Augustine is in that pic.
Hopefully there are some highlights or something from the game.
Hopefully there are some highlights or something from the game.
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anyone find this yet
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Originally Posted by E3LAL
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We can get video of Erin Andrews Diddy-bopping naked in a hotel room, but not of a USA BasketballShowcase?
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it wont be on the net or TV
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Nike probably put the clamps on the cameras in case someone gets dunked on.
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