Granger makes first cut for Team USA
By Conrad Brunner | July 28, 2010
One down, one to go.
"In Granger you have a solid pro; in the NBA a three or a four, and for us a three or a four, but somebody who really stretches the defense," said U.S. head coach Mike Krzyzewski in a teleconference after the announcement. "He's an outstanding shooter and a really good guy. You know, he's an easy guy to play with. He doesn't need the ball for long periods of time. ... Granger can really shoot the ball."
In a diary of his Las Vegas experiences on his Facebook page, Granger wrote that "narrowing the team down to 12 guys is definitely going to be tough for these coaches. There is definitely a lot of NBA potential amongst those guys."
He also said players were working to make the adjustment to the style and rules of international play as well as to new teammates.
"We are all learning a different style of basketball so getting everything in tune is gonna take a little while, but we are making great strides everyday," he wrote. "It's really interesting to see how the overseas game differs from the NBA – everything from the rules to the lines on the court. But like I said before, this is going to help make us all better basketball players!"
The other finalists are Chauncey Billups (Denver), Tyson Chandler (Dallas), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City), Rudy Gay (Memphis), Eric Gordon (Clippers), Jeff Green (Oklahoma City), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia), Brook Lopez (New Jersey), Kevin Love (Minnesota), Lamar Odom (Lakers), Rajon Rondo (Boston), Derrick Rose (Chicago) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City).
The coaching staff is headed by Duke University's Mike Krzyzewski and includes assistants Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Mike D'Antoni (Knicks) and Nate McMillan (Trail Blazers).
"We had an outstanding week of training camp in Las Vegas and it is apparent we have a group of guys that are very focused, committed, and desirous of playing for USA Basketball," said Colangelo in a statement issued by USA Basketball. "The identity of the team is still evolving, but it is pretty obvious we’re going to be very athletic; we’re going to be very strong in the back court; we think our shooting ability is underestimated, we think we’ve got a number of people who can shoot the ball; and so we’re pleased with our progress to date."
The U.S. team will play exhibition games against France on Aug. 15 in Madison Square Garden, Lithuania and Spain (Aug. 21-22 in Madrid) and Greece (Aug. 25 in Athens).
"We have an unconventional team that we’re forming, but it’s still one that is built with great spirit, athleticism and a little bit more guard-oriented than most U.S. teams have been," said Krzyzewski. "I like their attitude. They all want to be on the USA team. They want to learn and they’re willing to sacrifice for what’s best for the whole. There’s a great, great spirit of cooperation, an unbelievable spirit of cooperation."
The Las Vegas camp concluded with an intrasquad scrimmage game on Saturday in which Granger played 21 minutes off the bench, producing five points, two rebounds, one assist, one blocked shot and five personal fouls.
One down, one to go.
Danny Granger was among the 15 finalists for the USA World Championship team named today by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo. Having survived the first cut after training last week with 19 original candidates in Las Vegas, Granger and the rest of the finalists will convene in New York from Aug. 9-15. He must survive one more cut, when the roster is trimmed to 12, prior to the start of the World Championship on Aug. 28 in Turkey.
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In a diary of his Las Vegas experiences on his Facebook page, Granger wrote that "narrowing the team down to 12 guys is definitely going to be tough for these coaches. There is definitely a lot of NBA potential amongst those guys."
He also said players were working to make the adjustment to the style and rules of international play as well as to new teammates.
"We are all learning a different style of basketball so getting everything in tune is gonna take a little while, but we are making great strides everyday," he wrote. "It's really interesting to see how the overseas game differs from the NBA – everything from the rules to the lines on the court. But like I said before, this is going to help make us all better basketball players!"
The other finalists are Chauncey Billups (Denver), Tyson Chandler (Dallas), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City), Rudy Gay (Memphis), Eric Gordon (Clippers), Jeff Green (Oklahoma City), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia), Brook Lopez (New Jersey), Kevin Love (Minnesota), Lamar Odom (Lakers), Rajon Rondo (Boston), Derrick Rose (Chicago) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City).
The coaching staff is headed by Duke University's Mike Krzyzewski and includes assistants Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Mike D'Antoni (Knicks) and Nate McMillan (Trail Blazers).
"We had an outstanding week of training camp in Las Vegas and it is apparent we have a group of guys that are very focused, committed, and desirous of playing for USA Basketball," said Colangelo in a statement issued by USA Basketball. "The identity of the team is still evolving, but it is pretty obvious we’re going to be very athletic; we’re going to be very strong in the back court; we think our shooting ability is underestimated, we think we’ve got a number of people who can shoot the ball; and so we’re pleased with our progress to date."
The U.S. team will play exhibition games against France on Aug. 15 in Madison Square Garden, Lithuania and Spain (Aug. 21-22 in Madrid) and Greece (Aug. 25 in Athens).
"We have an unconventional team that we’re forming, but it’s still one that is built with great spirit, athleticism and a little bit more guard-oriented than most U.S. teams have been," said Krzyzewski. "I like their attitude. They all want to be on the USA team. They want to learn and they’re willing to sacrifice for what’s best for the whole. There’s a great, great spirit of cooperation, an unbelievable spirit of cooperation."
The Las Vegas camp concluded with an intrasquad scrimmage game on Saturday in which Granger played 21 minutes off the bench, producing five points, two rebounds, one assist, one blocked shot and five personal fouls.
