Training CampTeam USA Rewind Article
LeBron James leads members of Team USA in pre-game drills at USA Basketball's practice in Las Vegas.LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- After disappointments at the 2004 Summer Olympics and at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, the USA Men's Senior National Team is looking to redeem themselves at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Team USA's road to redemption began at the 2007 FIBA Tournament of the Americas where they finished first, but more importantly, qualified for the Olympics. That was over a year ago, and preparations have already begun. And with so much talent involved with USA Basketball, only so many can make the roster that will be representing the United States in Beijing this coming August.
"It's never an easy task." United States Head Coach
Mike Krzyzewski comments on selecting the players for the Olympic roster. "There's so many talented players who have committed themselves to USA Basketball. So, trying to narrow down the roster to 12 players is very difficult."
To make things easier for the USA Basketball staff, a training camp session was held for the USA Basketball players to participate in and make their case on why they should play in Beijing this summer. USA Rewind has special coverage of drills that were executed especially for each position in basketball.
First up, are the point guards. Their drill set would test how well their all-around point guard play is. The point guards would go through a series of obstacles that are extremely similar to those in the Playstation Skills Challenge and would be timed. The USA members involved were
Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards),
Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons),
Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls),
Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks),
Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets) and
Deron Williams (Utah Jazz). A participant in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Playstation Skills Challenge, Chris Paul finally came through with the best time of 27.5 seconds. 2008 Skills Challenge winner Deron Williams followed right behind with the second-best time of 29.7 seconds. Kirk Hinrich came up with a time of 32.7 seconds. Struggling with the passing obstacles of the course, Chauncey Billups and Gilbert Arenas both finished with 35.9 and 38.4 seconds respectively. The worse time went to 2003 Skills Challenge winner Jason Kidd who struggled on all obstacles finishing the course in 43.6 seconds.
"You gotta give grandpa props for finishing the course at least." The 23-year old Paul jokes about the 35-year old Kidd.
The shooting guards were up next, with their drill set testing how well they can live up to their position. The players would have 60 seconds to score as many baskets as possible, with each spot on the court having different values. The farther the spot is from the basket, the more points it's worth. (see link below for spot values) The USA members involved were
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers),
Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks),
Mike Miller (Minnesota Timberwolves),
Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks),
J.J. Redick (Orlando Magic) and
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat). Reigning MVP, Kobe Bryant came up strong with the best score of 36 points. Sharpshooter Michael Redd had the second best score thanks to a series of threes with 29 points. Fellow sharpshooters Mike Miller and J.J. Redick both came up with 26 points each. Coming into training camp reviving from an ankle sprain, Joe Johnson finished with a respectable 23 points. Dwyane Wade, who was off throughout the whole session, finished last with 18 points.
"Damn, I don't know what happened. I'd usually, you know, make it rain out there. Ahh well, I'm STILL better looking than Kobe." Wade jokes.
The small forwards had a different drill set. They would participate in a two 5-minute halves scrimmage to test their overall game. The USA members involved were
Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets),
Shane Battier (Houston Rockets),
Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs),
Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics),
LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers),
Shawn Marion (Miami Heat),
Adam Morrison (Charlotte Bobcats),
Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) and
Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics). The players were divided into two teams. Team A and Team B. The players on Team A were Bowen, James, Morrison, Odom and Pierce. The players on Team B were Anthony, Battier, Durant, Marion and Prince. Team B had the early edge in the first half taking the 21-12 lead. Carmelo Anthony and Shawn Marion combined for 16 of the team's points that half. Already more than Team A's score. But in the second half, Team A stepped it up with LeBron James leading the way with 12 of his game-high 17 in the half to cruise Team A to the comeback 42-39 win over Team B. Anthony led Team B with 14 points and Marion followed with 11. Paul Pierce complimented Team A's victory with 12 points of his own. Team A and B also had their share of poor performers. Kevin Durant, who was originally part of the shooting guard drill, was transferred to the small forwards due to a snap decision by 'Coach K'. Durant struggled shooting 3/12 from the field. Adam Morrison, did just as poor shooting 1/6 from the field.
"LeBron's a beast when it comes down to crunch time." said Bruce Bowen. "He'll do whatever it takes to get his team the win."
The power forwards got a special treat. In order to test their post skills, the forwards would have 1-on-1 exhibition games up to 5 against some of USA Basketball's greatest power forwards. Those guys were
Charles Barkley (1992),
Larry Johnson (1994),
Shawn Kemp (1994) and
Karl Malone (1992, 1996). Despite the ages of these retired veterans, they still had some juice left to take on the younger USA players. The USA members involved in the session were
Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz),
Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors),
Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers) and
Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards). Shawn Kemp would start things off in the first round giving everyone a hard time, especially Chris Bosh. Who wasn't as built big as his fellow teammates. But Bosh came through, despite a monster facial delivered by Kemp and moved on to the next round as did the rest of the USA members. The second round wouldn't get any easier with 'Grandmama' Larry Johnson up next. Johnson delivered as he did in his heyday slamming one hard on Antawn Jamison and winning the match 5-3. Jamison would be done here and the rest would move on to round 3. Charles Barkley awaited the final three and packed a punch against them all, but Boozer and Brand escaped with 5-4 victories while Bosh struggled against Sir Charles losing a close one 5-4 due to a single tomahawk jam by Barkley. Carlos Boozer and Elton Brand made it to the final round where 'The Mailman' Karl Malone was waiting. Brand had trouble going up against the future hall-of-famer, losing the bout 5-3. The proclaimed 'Malone' of today by Utah Jazz fans, Boozer had little to no trouble against Malone. Both Malone and Boozer, have played a heavy portion of their career in Utah under Jerry Sloan. Though Malone has spent more time playing under Sloan, Boozer showed that he learned more from Sloan beating Malone 5-3 in an amazing match up.
"That's talent right there." Malone comments on Boozer. "I thought I still had enough juice to beat the both of them. But I could tell Carlos knew my game well, since we both had Jerry (Sloan) as a coach. And that's what got him the win. His preparation and determination played a huge factor here."
The centers were last and had an interesting drill set. The most skilled scorers of the USA Basketball program would be of an assist here. The objective of the centers is to prevent the scorer from scoring on the center. The center would get 1 point for preventing a score, and would get 2 points if he could block the scorer. If the center fails to prevent a score, they get no points. USA members
Kobe Bryant,
LeBron James,
Carmelo Anthony and
Dwyane Wade all assisted in this drill set. The USA members involved were
Tyson Chandler (New Orleans Hornets),
Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic),
Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings) and
Greg Oden (Portland Trail-Blazers). Chandler was up first, as Anthony, Bryant, James and Wade lined up ready to attempt a layup. The four scorers would repeat this five times. Chandler started things off with a nice score of 13 points. Howard was up next, and basically dominated the four with the best score of 20 points. Miller finished with a respective 12 points, while Oden surprised the USA Basketball staff tallying 17 points.
"Damn. Big Ol' Greg shocked me today." LeBron James comments on Oden's performance. "The Blazers will be a playoff bound team with him on their squad."
With Training Camp coming to a close, the USA Basketball staff has just so much time to select the players that will represent the United Stats at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing this August.
Miscellaneous ArchivesShooting Guard Spots ChartSmall Forward Scrimmage Box ScoresPower Forward Drill Set: Barkley Dunks Over BoshPower Forward Drill Set: Boozer Soars Over Malone For The WinCenter Drill Set: Howard Stuffs Bryant