The recently completed World Cup of basketball crowned the USA number one but not without some trepidation. This year’s team was marked in part by the number of top-tier stars that pulled out or found reasons not to participate.
Sitting this one out were players like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, LeMarcus Aldridge, Chris Paul and Kevin Love.
So many wondered how this group would fare especially with question marks like Derrick Rose and DeMarcus Cousins. Fortunately this year’s edition won the World Cup by wide margins.
The experience will catapult some of the players to greater heights and possibly sully some others.
Who are they?
Aug 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; United States forward Kenneth Faried (18) during a game against Brazil at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Kenneth Faried: Kenneth, (affectionately known as the Manimal) stunned an international community with his relentless effort and intensity. Faried was so active rebounding, helping on defense and running the floor that observers overlooked an essential stat and the one which is most rewarded by the basketball gods. (remember Dennis Rodman and Moses Malone). That absolutely crucial stat would be the offensive rebound. ( 8.6 ttl -3.0 off 3.8 off-World Cup) Faried’s World Cup performance will certainly pay off for him in the NBA and abroad now that his global footprint has grown.
Aug 22, 2014; New York, NY, USA; United States guard Klay Thompson (5) takes a three-point shot against Puerto Rico during the second quarter of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Klay Thompson: Now we know why Jerry West and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr were adamant in keeping Klay Thompson during the proposed Kevin Love trade discussions. Originally considered an outside shooter par excellence Klay became with the possible exception of Anthony Davis the U.S. teams best defender. He is capable of defending all of the perimeter positions and displayed a bit of toughness/edge to his approach. The Warriors were wise to keep the Splash brothers together. Klay Thompson can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, he can make the connection now. The connection between that of a promising young player and a night in and night out star.
James Harden, say hello to your rival for the next ten years.
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team Blue guard Derrick Rose (41) shoots the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Rose: For the most part everyone is in agreement that the World Cup experience was a win win for Derrick due to the fact that he came through it with his health intact and whatever rust he experienced will eventually disipate with time. An overlooked aspect of Derrick’s involvement was the fact that he put a boat load of pressure on himself by even trying out for the team stocked with some of the best point guards in the league.
By accepting this challenge head on and by establishing himself as the fastest and most explosive guard in camp Derrick served notice that he is prepared to compete at the absolute highest levels this season. Of particular interest was Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau’s feelings regarding the benefits of Derrick’s time off.
I suspect coach Thib’s was referring to Derrick’s improved passing and court vision both featured prominently during the tournament. Note to self, just occurred to me that Pau Gasol was possibly the best player in the tournament and Bulls center Joakim Noah is coming off of a season where he was named defensive player of the year and 1st team All NBA. All of this coupled with Derrick Rose improvement as a floor general should serve notice to the Cavaliers and to the rest of the league that D.Rose may just grab the prize this year he has spent his life reaching for.
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team White center DeMarcus Cousins (36) celebrates after assisting on a score during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarcus Cousins: DeMarcus ( Boogie) Cousins has always possessed all world talent but lacked the temperament and self-control to harness those gifts. By placing Boogie on the U.S. team and in an environment where he competed against the world’s best may benefit him more than any other player.
Boogie showed restraint ( although it was put to the test against Lithuania) and actually helped seal the title against Serbia when Anthony Davis was saddled with foul trouble.
The Kings don’t have much but they do have arguably one of the best centers in the game and that’s a lot.
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team White guard Kyrie Irving (23) chases a loose ball during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Kyrie Irving: Kyrie’s transformation from All Star to All NBA took a serious turn for the better with his triumph on the international stage. Awesome talent and confidence mark this third year player from Duke University who averaged 26.0 ppg and won MVP of the 2014 World Cup. Focus and identity issues have plagued Kyrie to this point, however, rumor has it LeBron James will take over from coach K and in the tradition of any self-respecting Jedi Knight, complete Kyrie’s training.
Andre Drummond: I like Andre Drummond and one day I believe he will be a heck of a player….enough said.
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team White guard Kevin Durant (52) watches USA Team Blue defender Mason Plumlee (35) while dribbling the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
And Kevin Durant: Trying to make a statement about Kevin Durant’s decision to pull out of the World Cup trials after the devastating injury to Paul George, Kevin Durant possibly looking to protect himself by leaving the U.S. team during shoe contract negotiations between Nike and Under Armour,
Kevin Durant calling Russell Westbrook the team leader during an interview, Kevin Durant working out with number one rival LeBron James during the off-season early in his career,
and then I made the mistake of peeping K.D’s top ten plays of 2013-2014. At this point I will just say maybe one day in the not so distant future you and Russell will have will have a modern and effective offense to operate from. Until then, keep doing what you are doing.