2014 USA Men's Basketball National Team

[Motownkid]

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First blood

-John Wall
-Bradley Beal
-Paul Millsap

USA Basketball cuts three players to reduce World Cup roster to 16 | Yahoo! Sports

[blu bizcuitz]

[Motownkid]

Kevin Durant withdraws from Team USA, won't play in FIBA World Cup | CBSSports.com

"This was an extremely difficult decision as I take great pride in representing our country," Durant said in a statement. "I know that I owe it to my USA Basketball teammates to be totally invested in the experience. After going through training camp with USAB, I realized I could not fulfill my responsibilities from both a time and energy standpoint. I need to take a step back and take some time away, both mentally and physically in order to prepare for the upcoming NBA season. I will be rooting for USAB and look forward to future opportunities with them."

[inxss4]

^ YUP THAT'S true indeed KD won't play.....sayang! maybe he still contemplating on PG's injury.

[adzilla81]

He already made a lot of contributions before and now it's time to let the other guys exp the same. Good decision KD

[jEiiWhO08]

Nahadlok na si Durant nga maparehas ni PG or basin ang OKC ang nahadlok nga mapareha si KD ni PG. hmmm!

Nabasahan nako sa comment sa fb :
"Ni.withdraw daw si Westbrook, kay showing na ang Ninja Turtle" AHAHAHHAAH

[supermarionism]

Nag-panagana naman si KD ug ni-withdraw gyud ug dayun sa team..!
D-Rose ug Uncle Drew nalang ang pag-asa sa USA team..!

Kevin Durant Withdraws From The 2014 USA Basketball Men

[ojoberrebs]

good news for OKC organization! haha saonz nalng kung ma injury, wan a juy OKC.. bcn OK C u in the draft

[Motownkid]

Rudy Gay Replaces Kevin Durant on Team USA's FIBA World Cup Roster | Bleacher Report

This move represents an attempt to bring in a player who can create shots for himself and rack up the points. He averaged 20.1 points per game last season as a member of the Sacramento Kings after being traded from the Toronto Raptors.

...Although he hasn't always been the most efficient player on the floor, his ability to put the ball in the basket will provide the national team—as currently assembled—with something it lacks outside of James Harden and Stephen Curry.

Of course, Gay is still not guaranteed a spot on the team. The 27-year-old will have to show he can play up to the standards set by Krzyzewski. If he cannot play with a team-first attitude, he will be cut before the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

[dirk14]

Ayay Piang c Big baby Demarcus Cousing may gani Minor injury ra. hiyak ang Kings gamay



In the first practice since Paul George broke his right leg during a scrimmage, Team USA suffered another injury scare Thursday.

DeMarcus Cousins injured his right knee while going for a loose ball, but the Sacramento Kings star seemingly dodged a bullet, as an MRI revealed no structural damage.

Team USA announced that Cousins is day-to-day.

"USA Basketball National Team member DeMarcus Cousins suffered a knee-to-knee collision with a teammate during Thursday's USA practice in Chicago. According to USA Basketball team physician Dr. Lisa Callahan (Hospital for Special Surgery/New York Knicks), an MRI was done and revealed no structural damage. Cousins is listed as day-to-day," the team said in a statement.

Cousins took to Twitter after the scare.


Cousins got tangled with Anthony Davis when both big men hit the floor during a scrimmage toward the end of practice. He had to be helped off the court, and favored his right leg.

Jerry Colangelo, director of Team USA, told reporters that the Kings big man will miss Saturday's exhibition game against Brazil.

In Good Company
DeMarcus Cousins posted a 26.1 player efficiency rating last season, fifth-best in the NBA. Only LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love and Anthony Davis were better in that regard.



-- ESPN Stats & Information
Coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Team USA staff spoke with Cousins immediately after practice ended. He was sitting on a training table with an ice pack on his right knee. Cousins did not appear to be too concerned as he checked his cellphone.

The team is practicing at Quest MultiSport Complex in Chicago.

It has been a rough few weeks for Team USA. After losing George to an open tibia-fibula fracture, NBA MVP Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder withdrew from consideration for the team, citing "physical and mental fatigue."

George's injury and Durant's withdrawal followed previous withdrawals by All-Stars Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge, and NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.

Team USA is down to 15 finalists, with the final 12 scheduled to be selected before the Americans depart for the World Cup of Basketball in Spain in late August. The FIBA World Cup, featuring 24 national teams, is scheduled to be held Aug. 30-Sept. 14.




Source:
DeMarcus Cousins of Sacramento Kings injured during Team USA practice - ESPN