Archive for September, 2014
Posted on Sep 14
MADRID–Derrick Rose concluded the USA’s gold medal winning journey through the FIBA Basketball World Cup Sunday night in this decorative Castilian capital city with his second scoreless game of the tournament in the USA’s overwhelming 129-92 victory over Serbia. Rose finished nine games averaging 4.8 points and 3.1 assists while shooting 25.4 percent and one of 19 on threes, missing …
Posted on Sep 13
MADRID—Just one game left for USA Basketball in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Sunday here against Serbia for the gold medal. But for Derrick Rose, not that the championship isn’t foremost on his mind, because it is. But he’s won, already, won big the way Rose has come through this grueling seven weeks strong, healthy and confident.
The enormity of …
Posted on Sep 12
BARCELONA — The USA Basketball team packed up Friday morning and left this shimmering coastal city in northeast Spain for Madrid, the last stop on this seven-city international seven-week tour that Team USA hopes and believes will conclude in a gold medal and championship Sunday (2:00 p.m. CT | ESPN2).
Derrick Rose said earlier this week, appropriately, it is a …
Posted on Sep 11
BARCELONA — What Derrick, worry? Nah.
“I think I played all right,” Rose was saying late Thursday night after the USA cruised into the FIBA Basketball World Cup final Sunday with a going away 96-68 victory over Lithuania. “Missed shots.
“Missed almost all my shots,” Rose added with a laugh, sort of shaking his head at the curiosity of one …
Posted on Sep 10
BARCELONA–Pau! Ker-baka! There goes that Derrick Rose/Gasol matchup for what was supposed to be a classic in the presumptive final Sunday of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The NFL can go back to scheduling this Sunday’s games.
“People bring them up,” Rose was saying at USA practice Wednesday about what everyone in this tournament predicted was an inevitable USA/Spain game …
Posted on Sep 10
BARCELONA — There almost was a devastating moment Wednesday for USA Basketball following practice in preparation for Thursday’s World Cup semifinal with Lithuania.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski was discussing the reinvigorated Derrick Rose after his 12 points and five assists in 18 minutes in the win over Slovenia and a late game crossover burst that had teammates jumping out of their …
Posted on Sep 9
It’s as if Derrick Rose Tuesday was saying in the USA’s 119-76 victory over Slovenia, “That, that’s what you wanted? Just that? Scoring, beating guys to the basket, highlight plays and an easy 12 points and team high five assists in 18 minutes? That’s what all the fuss was about? That, I can do anytime.”
It’s been a curious couple …
Posted on Sep 9
BARCELONA — There a pounding in Derrick Rose’s head these days that probably sounds like so many flamenco guitars as USA Basketball Tuesday prepares to play Slovenia Tuesday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup
Shoot, shoot, Derrick!
Score, score!
Pass, find the open man, pass!
Help your teammates, help your teammates!
Save us, Derrick, save us!
Just win, baby, win!…
Posted on Sep 8
BARCELONA — The USA Basketball staff members had been talking about Derrick Rose. Yes, all the players, but there’s been this discussion about Rose’s game as the team plays its next round of 16 elimination game Tuesday against Slovenia.
They’ve been thrilled with the way Rose has pressured defensively, showing speed, aggression and quickness. But they have not seen it …
Posted on Sep 7
BARCELONA–It’s time for Ray Allen to come back to the Midwest, where it started for him on the western shores of Lake Michigan 18 years ago.
Ray Allen’s best — and, really, only sensible — option is to sign with the Bulls this season.
The future Hall of Fame shooting guard, who is 39, remains a free agent and has …