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
Team USA’s 2015 mini-camp concluded with a five-on-five blue versus white scrimmage on Friday. However, the game didn’t look like a typical NBA contest.
The fast-paced, dunk-oriented nature of the scrimmage looked more like a Harlem Globetrotter’s event than an NBA game. Both teams played little defense, and the players essentially were goofing around trying to go for the highlight type play to keep the crowd entertained. Bleacher report writer Grant Hughes confirmed the lax nature of the entire game.
"Though the action wasn’t particularly intense, and though the very biggest names in the Team USA pipeline took the night off, it was still good to see some of the NBA’s finest trotting up and down the hardwood in Las Vegas. And trot they did, in a fast-paced, dunk-filled 134-128 victory for the White team. (BleacherReport.com)"
This type of environment — while fun and exciting to watch — tends to breed injuries. The last thing that Derrick Rose needs is to sustain another major knee surgery while playing in a meaningless basketball game in early August.
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Additionally, the nature of this game would have done little in terms of helping Rose prep for the upcoming NBA season. As stated earlier, his time was better spent training seriously on his own or with his trainer.
This training, not a goof-off basketball game that was more of a dunking showcase than an actual NBA competition, will help get him ready for the upcoming NBA season. Rose’s decision to forgo Team USA’s mini-camp clearly shows that he has his priorities straight.
Next: Conclusion