The team gets back together after a two week break. One thing I thought was interesting was how they totally stack one team in the scrimmages - White (Billups, Curry, Durant, Igoudala, Odom, Rose) vs Blue (Chandler, Gay, Gordon, Granger, Green, McGee, Rondo, Westbrook). I believe they do this intentionally actually. The White team is filled with players they consider a lock while the Blue are the ones competing for spots. I think they want to see who on the Blue team will step up their game in the face of adversity. Excerpt: http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/together_again_2010_08_10.html
On the Blue team above, Chandler, Gay and Rondo are locks. On the White team, Curry is playing for a spot. Curry's chances might have improved now that Granger is out.
The team doesn't have a lot of size but from what I heard they plan on using their speed against other teams. I expect Durant, Rose, Curry and Billups to lead that team. I think losing Granger was a big blow though. Durant will probably put up godly numbers.
I think Curry and Westbrook will be playing for a spot. I like Curry because of his shooting and his ability to drive the ball. Westbrook is solid and can play defense but lacks FT shooting and overall shooting.
My read is the team is pretty well-defined now. Jeff Green will definitely be cut. After him, Eric Gordon and JaVale McGee. That leaves: 5 Chandler 4/5 Love 4/5 Odom 3/4 Gay 3/4 Durant 2/3 Iggy 2/3 Granger 1/2 Westbrook 1/2 Curry 1 Rondo 1 Rose 1 Billups If Granger is out because of his finger, either Gordon or McGee will make the 12-man final roster. My guess would be Gordon. I agree with them taking all 15 players to Europe. To your comment, supposedly Curry and Gordon were fighting for a spot but that battle might be over. I don't think Westbrook is on the bubble.
i thought curry would be a lock with his shooting and iq does anybody have a schedule of stuff that will show on tv?
Ah, that sucks. All of the team's games will be shown on TV, I'm assuming on at those times listed in that schedule. The practice games, like the one vs France, will be shown on NBATV. And pretty sure all of Team USA's FIBA games will be shown on ESPN. I'm sure some streaming site will have them up for you there
the game was fun watching them play on stage but I hated the red and blue court. it went into sudden death(yes sudden death like football) and Tyson Chandler won the game with an alley opp from Rondo. Iggy was flying everywhere and got player of the game. He showed why he belonged. Even Coach K calls him the athlete on the team. That's pretty impressive when he's on a team with some of the best athletes in the league i.e. Rose and Westbrook. Hope we can get him here as a Rocket one day.
well for anyone else interested here's a little something i just found: • Sunday: USA vs. France, Madison Square Garden, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN3.com • Aug. 21: USA vs. Lithuania, Madrid, Spain, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN3.com • Aug. 22: USA vs. Spain, Madrid, Spain, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com • Aug. 25: USA vs. Greece, Athens, Greece, Noon ET, ESPN2, ESPN3.com