Tuesday morning, USA Basketball held a media teleconference that included USA Basketball National Team managing director Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski. While the purpose of the teleconference was to announce the cut-down 16-man roster and talk about the team moving forward, all of that was overshadowed by talk of the Paul George injury.
Colangelo started the talk in his opening statements when he said, “Until the injury to one of our players, Paul George, we had a great week … maybe one of the best weeks we’ve ever had.” He then went on to talk about the mindset of the team and how they are moving on from the injury, “We have been in communication with our players, we needed a few days to sit back and let some time go by.”
A lot of the talk surrounding the Paul George injury was whether it would dissuade players to play for Team USA. Colangelo said, “They (players) recognize that injuries and sports go together.” Then reiterated, “The stanchion is not the issue here. Some people want to make it an issue, but it’s not.” Injuries happen and it is an unfortunate and unpredictable aspect of the game.
The task at hand now is being able to move on from the injury and focus on preparing for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup, in which Team USA is a heavy favorite.
When asked whether the players would have a hard time being motivated to play hard after the injury, Mike Krzyzewski said, “I don’t think they will need motivation. They will be ready. I think they will want to do something to honor Paul. I do not think there will be a lack of motivation.” Krzyzewski was then asked if players would hold off on the court in hopes of not facing similar injuries. “You know, I don’t think we’ll have any problem with that. I think our guys will go after it. In fact, I think our guys might go after it even harder, to honor Paul.”
The teleconference was very focused on the injury and how it would impact the team, until TrailBlazers.com’s Casey Holdahl brought it back to basketball by asking about the improvement of Blazers’ guard Damian Lillard and what his chances were of making the team.
“Damian had a good week, I think he can be even better,” Krzyzewski said, “Certainly we are heavy in outstanding talent at the guard spot. Guys have to be ready to play both (guard spots).”
With Lillard being slated in as a point guard alongside Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving and Derrick Rose, there truly is stiff competition for the point guard spots on the final 12-man roster. Krzyzewski, however, did not rule out the chance of all four of the point guards making to roster, especially with what each of them bring to the table. “All of these guys play in a different role.”
Next for Team USA is a trip to Chicago where they will practice a couple days before playing an exhibition game against Brazil. Then they head to New York City for exhibition games against Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The farther along in the process the team gets, the more this roster will continue to take shape.
Krzyzewski said, “I thought the week was outstanding. The effort was terrific … Damian did a good job and we will be able to see more in our next two stops in Chicago and New York.”
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
