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Kevin Durant scored a game high 28 points in Saturday night's USA Basketball
Showcase. The lanky 6'9" forward is a sure - fire fixture in the USA World
Championship roster this summer. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant led all scorers with 28 points on 10 of 17 shooting from the field Saturday night taking home MVP honors in the 2010 USA Basketball Showcase.
Durant and the talented white squad blew past the youthful Blue team 114 - 96 in a sloppy, yet impressive early showing for team USA.
Durant showcased his immense talent and versatility dazzling the Thomas and Mack Center crowd with a nice array of long distance jumpers and impressive forays to the basket.
Athletic forward Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies put in an extremely efficient effort posting a team high 23 points on 7 of 11 shooting from the floor in a losing effort.
Derrick Rose, possibly dealing with the most competition from any position on the USA team, did himself well manning the point for the victorious White team. Rose's speed, strength and vision were on full display Saturday night as he continually pushed the ball in transition successfully locating his talented NBA teammates for open shots cutting to the basket and out on the perimeter. Clearly the most impressive point guard to this point, Rose, is looking to beat out a star - studded group of young All - World point men in Rajon Rondo, Stephen Curry, and Russell Westbrook.
Rose ended the night posting an impressive line of 15 points, 8 assists, 5 steals and not a single turnover to boot. Ironically the combination of Rose and Steph Curry performed well during their time out on the court together Saturday evening. One would think that Curry's ability to play off the ball (14 pts, 6 rbs, 3 of 7 from three) as well as handle some of the point guard responsibilities would give him a leg up on the current guard competition for the USA team; especially in Internationally play where, as we have seen in the past, having reliable three point shooters and savvy ball handlers who can run pick and roll action is paramount for a team's success.
Speaking of guard play, Eric Gordon of the Los Angeles Clippers put in a surprisingly impressive effort considering the talent with which he was playing with on the loaded White team. The physical 6'3" combo guard showed his ability to stretch the defense knocking down a game high four treys on seven attempts. He closed out his productive effort finishing third on the talented White team in scoring at 16 points on 5 of 10 shooting from the field.
Although their is a healthy competition going on at the point, the USA team's front court lineup is another story entirely. With the recent losses of David Lee (hand injury), Amar'e Stoudemire (uninsured), and Robin Lopez (back), the USA team is looking for anyone at this point that may be able to provide them some assistance holding down the all important lane in International play.
For his part, recently traded big man Tyson Chandler did a tremendous job Saturday night showing the USA coaching staff that he could potentially be a reliable piece of the missing puzzle this summer at the center position. Registering 13 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks on 6 of 6 shots, the Mavericks' big man showed just how dominant he can be when healthy.
Right now Wizards' JaVale McGee (recently added due to injuries of Lee, Stoudemire, and Robin Lopez), Brook Lopez and the aforementioned Tyson Chandler are the only legitimate options the USA team has at center, so Chandler's dominant performance in the Blue and White scrimmage on this night is definitely a welcome sign moving forward.
By Monday the current 19 player squad will be cut to 15, ultimately resulting in just 12 players being named to the USA team when the World Championship games begin in late August.
Game Notes: O.J. Mayo competed admirably knocking in 3 of 6 from deep on his way to an 18 - point, 7 rebound effort in 25 minutes of action for the Blue team.
Andre Iguodala was also impressive throughout showcasing his unquestionable athleticism and skill to the tune of 17 points on a highly efficient 5 of 6 shooting from the field. He also chipped in with six rebounds and 5 assists to round out his all - around effort Saturday night.
Although Rajon Rondo's final numbers (7 pts, 6 assts, 1 stls) in this summer scrimmage do not jump off the page at you, one can definitely see the value of having the Celtics' undisputed floor general on the USA squad moving forward. His relentless pressure on the ball defensively along with his ability to find teammates for easy open looks in the offense should not be overlooked.
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