Gordon puts best foot forward

With so much talent and so few opportunities to make a positive impression, the pressure was on for most of the players in the USA Basketball Showcase on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Only 12 spots are available on the roster for the FIBA World Basketball Championships and 19 players trying to fill them. For some, it was their last chance to convince the Team USA hierarchy they are worthy of being asked back to next month's training camp in New York.

Eric Gordon knew that. The Los Angeles Clippers guard made the most of his 26 minutes off the bench, scoring 16 points and looking good while helping the White team defeat the Blue 114-96 in the intrasquad scrimmage in front of a crowd of 11,635.

"I hope I helped myself," said Gordon, whose four 3-point baskets were a game high. "There's a lot of pressure out there when you have only so much time to do something. I came in with the mindset that I wasn't going to rush. (I would) make smart plays, play good defense and take good shots. I think I accomplished that."

Like many of the young players who participated in this week's Las Vegas minicamp, Gordon has little international experience. But his ability to run the floor, defend in the open court and not waste shot attempts has improved his chances of sticking around when Team USA reconvenes in New York on Aug. 10.

"It is a different kind of game," Gordon said. "But I think I adapted well to it, especially when you're playing with so many different people. You have to be able to make adjustments to the way you play.

"Being out here with these guys this week has been great. Everyone knows how talented the players on this team are. But when you see how unselfish they are, how they try to fit in and how hard they play, you appreciate it even more."

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski thought Gordon helped his cause throughout the week, not only on Saturday.

"I said earlier in the week his elevator was rising and I don't think he's reached the top floor yet," Colangelo said. "I thought he did a great job out there, and he shot the ball really well."

Krzyzewski said: "He had a rhythm out there and he was knocking down shots. I thought Eric was impressive."

Gordon wasn't the only player to help himself. O.J. Mayo scored 18 points off the bench for the Blue, and Andre Iguodala had 17 points, six rebounds and five assists for the White.

Colangelo said the plan is to trim the roster to 15 in the next few days.

"It was a terrific week," he said. "We got a lot out of this minicamp, but we have some tough decisions to make."

Gordon hopes his performance pushes him over the top to make the World Championship roster.

"This would be big," he said. "Not just for me, but for the Clippers organization. We haven't had a whole lot of success lately, and if I can earn a spot on this team, it would be something positive for the Clippers and our fans to be represented."

■ NOTES -- The White's Kevin Durant led all scorers with 28 points and was named the game's Outstanding Player. Rudy Gay had 23 for the Blue.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.