Chris Paul, Blake Griffin & DeAndre Jordan to attend Team USA mini-camp

[BlzMwt]

I believe the world championships are in September if he makes that team. While I say "if" I would expect him to make the roster, even without taking into account his ability to contribute, he was a significant player for both the 2008 and 2012 teams so they would likely give him the nod out of respect

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There is so much competition at the PG position that I wouldn't even expect the US to take a step back if Paul decided not to play. Curry, Irving, Rose, Westbrook, Wall and Conley are all expected to be trying for a roster spot as well

Thoughts on if this is good for Paul or will just wear him down before the season even starts? Or maybe he'll come into the season a little more in shape than usual>?

Also, Griffin is attending

[Ranma]

Griffin seems to take it down a notch during the regular season before ramping it up to full throttle in the postseason in order to focus on his perimeter game and deferring rebound opportunities to DJ, so I think he could definitely use the tutelage and reps of USMNB development, especially if Mike Krzyzewski is still coaching the program. Defense and ball-handling are two particular areas where he could definitely use some refinement. A lot of players have benefited from this experience such as Kevin Love and Eric Gordon. Plus, Blake kept getting hurt during his previous attendance of the program, which limited his exposure significantly.

Paul could probably use the rest more than benefit from participating in the United States Men's National Basketball program, but he's such an ambassador and competitor, I can see him wanting to represent his country for national pride and the opportunity for another gold medal. Plus, Chris seems to always be participating in something during the offseason, anyway, albeit at a less strenuous level.

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[mkwest]

I believe it's just 2 practice days and an intrasquad scrimmage. It should have happened already, but I'm hoping that Blake and CP will be able to get an Olympic gold medal together next year.

As far as being in that environment, it's done wonders for most players that have participated (and who weren't injured in the process). The biggest strides seem to be in defense. Blake can certainly benefit from improvement on that end of the floor.

[nickhx2]

yeah, young players who go through the process tend to explode the next season in the nba. not sure how much blake will benefit at this point but it definitely can't hurt (aside from injury).

[mkwest]

USA Basketball lists 34 attendees for next week's Las Vegas minicamp

Colangelo announced Thursday that Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan will join the list of seven newcomers to the pool that ESPN.com reported last month: Golden State's Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green, Chicago's Jimmy Butler, Milwaukee's Michael Carter-Williams, Memphis' Mike Conley and the Orlando duo of Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo.

Of the 34 players who were in the USAB player pool as of September 2014, 26 have said they plan to be in Vegas next week. They are: LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs); Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks); Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards); DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings); Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans); DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors); Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets); Rudy Gay (Sacramento Kings); Paul George (Indiana Pacers); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); James Harden (Houston Rockets); Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz); Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets); Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs); Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers); Chandler Parsons (Dallas Mavericks); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Mason Plumlee (Portland Trail Blazers); Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors); John Wall (Washington Wizards); and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).

Anthony, Durant, Irving, Love and Parsons are among those recovering ‎from long-term injuries and already excused from any on-court work at the minicamp.

The minicamp is going to be low-key with light workouts, no contact, and the USA Basketball Showcase on Aug. 13 will be a fun All-Star-type game.

Marc Stein, ESPN

Boeheim, Monty Williams and Thibs will be on the bench with Coach K.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

That's a nice collection of players, it should be fun

[Woodsanity]

Its not all that strenuous and is a good experience. Its a good thing all 3 are attending.

[Neddy]

I hope DJ expands his knowledge of the game and gain confidence through all this.

[nickhx2]

i could see dj learning a few things. most young guys come away from these things with a big jump in play.

[BlzMwt]

also if all 3 happened to make the official roster, then it would definitely help to strengthen the bond that they have

given team USA's propensity for playing small ball, I would think that hurts DJ's chances of making the team. Depending on who decides to play and how they come out, I would say that Demarcus has a better chance of making the team than DJ would except if he displays any attitude issues he'll be a quick cut. Anthony Davis would get the nod at C even though he is a true PF. I'm not sure about Howard, I would assume Houston wants him to sit out the olympics considering his injury history but he would definitely get the starting spot IMO due to his 2008 role with the team. Chandler filled it remarkably well in 2012 because of howard's injury. I don't think Drummond gets in over DJ

in the best case scenario for DJ's case, I could see DJ starting, with Howard sitting out due to injuries, Davis starting at PF or sitting out due to his own health concerns, Cousins either coming off the bench due to a lack of defensive capability or not playing at all due to attitude concerns

[mkwest]

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[Ranma]

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Blake looks chummier to Chris than DeAndre does, but that's just me. I'd love to see a "30 for 30" about what went down at DJ's house during the "Dilemma Over Dallas" on ESPN. Talk about must-see TV.

[mkwest]

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[mkwest]

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[mkwest]

Clippers Trio Practices At Day 1 Of Team USA Camp

“I remember in 2012 when me and Blake were practicing, trying to get ready for this team, and we talked about how special it would be to actually play on one of these teams with one of your teammates,” Paul said. “To have the opportunity to play with two of them would be even better.”

Whether or not Paul will get that chance remains to be seen, but all three are appreciating the time they have together with Team USA while representing the Clippers at the minicamp.

“It’s amazing,” Griffin said. “To have two of your teammates that you’re with during the regular season play on the Olympic squad and play in the summer together, it’s awesome. It’s just a lot of fun.”

Jordan said it’s great to be around “so many great minds and players and athletes,” and while he knows some of the star players will make the team while others won’t, it’s special just to have the opportunity for a chance to represent USA.

“It’s fun to be thought about as a guy they would consider to have a shot at the national team,” Jordan said. “It’s something that we all think about as kids. Winning a gold medal, that’s the highest. Just to be a part of that and have that chance, it’s cool.”

Rowan Kavner, Clippers.com

[mkwest]

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[mkwest]

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[nickhx2]

imo this is a must watch game. otherwise you'll never find all-star nba players playing in a game they actually CARE about.

[mkwest]

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Clippers' Blake Griffin will finally get a chance to play for Team USA

"It would be the chance of a lifetime," Griffin said Wednesday of representing his country.

Griffin is slated to play in the intrasquad showcase Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center, giving Team USA Coach Mike Krzyzewski a versatile power forward he has not been able to utilize much in previous competitions.

Of course, Krzyzewski would rather have Griffin available when the games really count.

"It will be nicer when we see him next summer too," Krzyzewski said.

Griffin said he has spent most of his summer working on his continually evolving shot, including face-ups, shots off one dribble and catch-and-shoots.

He'll presumably get more rest next season with the Clippers after averaging a career-high 39.8 minutes per game in the playoffs last spring, his team adding proven depth at his position with Josh Smith and rookie Branden Dawson. Newcomer Wesley Johnson could also play power forward in a small-ball lineup.

"Over the course of a year," Griffin said, "six or seven less minutes every single game adds up. … Having a deep bench is going to help us tremendously, especially come playoff time."

Ben Bolch, LA Times

[mkwest]

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