Tribune: U.S. focus on defense in exhibition vs. China

With no centers, team will rely on power forwards to fill the gaps

By Vittorio Tafur STAFF WRITER Oakland Tribune

OAKLAND -- It looked like an All-Star game practice, with so many of the NBA's bright young stars running up and down the court at the Golden State Warriors' facility on Saturday morning. But the USA World Championship team, here for Thursday's exhibition game against China, cannot just throw alley-oop passes to each other and dunk for the cameras.

USA coach George Karl ran the team through a two-hour practice, emphasizing defense, and is making sure his team has the right mindset.

"We need to prepare for the (World Championship Games) like it's a playoff game rather than an All-Star game," said Karl, who coaches the Milwaukee Bucks for a living. "And I think the guys realize that. They are a confident bunch and they respect the challenge. I was hoping going in that we would be OK defensively -- because the offense will take care of itself -- but I now think we can be very good defensively."

The USA doesn't have any legitimate, big-bodied centers on the roster. Instead, they have four rugged power forwards who can play center: Antonio Davis, Jermaine O'Neal, Ben Wallace and Raef LaFrentz. They will control the boards, while guards Baron Davis, Andre Miller, Michael Finley and Jay Williams harass opposing ball-handlers into bad decisions and rushed shots. Reggie Miller, Paul Pierce, Shawn Marion and Elton Brand can also get a hand in someone's face.

Some critics have said that this group is not exactly the best the NBA has to offer, and that without Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Jason Kidd, the second-tier All-Stars could be challenged by improving foreign teams. Karl half-smiles and half-winces when he hears that.

"Every player here is a special player," he said. "Will we become a special team? I think we can. I think we can shut up all the critics talking about who's not here by playing good defense and becoming a special team. Throw in the fact that we are playing on our soil and this is a very special opportunity for this team."

Karl, who coached the Warriors from 1986-88, thinks that the international rules will help the USA. The 3-point shot is three feet closer than it is in the NBA, and there are only two referees instead of three.

"The 3-point shot is huge in international ball," Karl said. "And while we are more score-oriented, with guys like Michael Finley and Baron Davis, than shooting-oriented, that line is still too close. And with two refs, teams are going to get away with a lot more physical play inside."

Some players admitted that things might get a little rough for China's Yao Ming, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. Players on the USA team will relish a chance to welcome the 7-foot-6 center to the NBA with a vicious dunk or a hard defensive stop. Karl would not be surprised if Yao's presence helps some of his big men get fired up.

"NBA players have a lot of pride," he said. "There is no question that in our first game, players are going to come out with a little extra juice and energy."

Other topics that Karl touched on Saturday were new Warriors coach Eric Musselman and the Bucks' big trade this month of All-Star forward Glenn Robinson.

Karl has the highest winning percentage in Continental Basketball Association history, and second on that list is Musselman, still in his first month as Golden State coach.

"I am really happy for him," Karl said. "The Warriors showed a lot of class and a lot of energy with that hire. I went a similar route that Eric did, so I can appreciate all the hard work he put in to work his way up from the CBA. He is a very passionate coach, which can be great for such a young team. If they open up to him, it will work out very well."

The biggest difference between coaching an NBA team and a CBA one is the media, Karl said. "In the CBA, 90 percent of your job is basketball," he explained. "In the NBA, it's maybe half of your job."

People think that players' egos are harder to handle in the NBA, but Karl said he massaged just as many in the CBA. "Coaches have to worry about ego management in high school ball nowadays," he said, laughing.

Milwaukee went from going to the Eastern Conference Finals to not making the playoffs at all last season. Karl blames injuries for that, but didn't disagree that the Bucks needed to try a different path this next season. The Bucks traded Robinson, who's averaged 21 points in his eight-year career, to Atlanta for reserve Toni Kukoc and a first-round pick next year.

"It was a combination of financial restraints, the staleness of our team chemistry and me wanting to be more defensive-minded," Karl said. "For three years, I catered to my players' offensive abilities and overlooked other things. Last year, defense was our biggest failure. And Glenn should not be singled out. He was just the guy who was available to trade."