Team USA arrives for minicamp in Las Vegas — LIVE BLOG
Team USA has officially arrived at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV in Las Vegas for its minicamp. Check out our live blog below.
2:04 p.m. — Howard steps off, Oladipo and Drummond disappear and day one of practice is done as the team USA staffers and kids take over the court.
We'll be back tomorrow, same time, same place for the second of Team USA's two scrimmages before Thursday night's showcase game.
1:58 p.m. — Oladipo and Drummond are shooting half-court shots (and making more than you'd expect), as the only two left here on the near court. To his credit, Dwight Howard is still at the free throw line, where he has practiced for at least a half-hour over on the far court.
1:43 p.m. — Oladipo with the dunk of the day after bouncing a ball off the back wall and under the backboard before catching it on the fly and throwing it down.
With their knees fully ice-packed, Westbrook, Paul and Durant are officially done for the day. Blake Griffin is shooting 3-pointers and mid-range jumpers with one side of the court completely to himself. Harden is getting an ice pack for his right ankle on the far side of the court as day one of practice comes to a close.
1:38 p.m. — The squads are fully integrated as practice has become more of a shootaround than anything. Dwight Howard hit three consecutive free throws before DeAndre Jordan stuck a hand in his face, causing him to miss the fourth.
1:30 p.m. — Durant, Paul and Westbrook, all members of the U.S.' 2012 gold medal-winning squad in London, still have the near side of Team White's court to themselves. The three have been working on 3-point shooting drills with coach Monty Williams for about 20 minutes now.
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard is shooting 3s on the far side with Team Blue. With him are Harrison Barnes, Klay Thompson, Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, and.. is that Steph Curry?! Why yes it is, taking his first shots of the afternoon, too.
1:20 p.m. — Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams among the new national team players stroking 3-pointers on the far end of Team White's court here at the Mendenhall Center.
Carmelo Anthony and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins have been full participants in practice so far for Team Blue. Irving, with an ice pack taped around his left knee, just took his first couple shots as well.
1:15 p.m. — Even though the drill is over, Durant, Westbrook and Paul are taking some extra reps. Durant started the afternoon of strong, but let out a shout of frustration after clanging a few shots off the front iron.
Some unexpected guests in the house this afternoon include New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher and UNLV's very own, Dave Rice.
1:07 p.m. — Team White is taking it behind the arc for a 3-point shooting drill. After an airball from Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler, Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris finds all nylon. Harris and Orlando teammate Victor Oladipo are among the few players that seems to be locked in. And rightfully so — both Team USA newcomers, the two have much to prove.
12:53 p.m. — Durant is looking festive in his return to the national squad, cracking jokes with head coach Mike Krzyzewski. The 2013-2014 NBA MVP, who missed most of last season with ankle injuries, has been a full participant in shooting drills with Team White.
Curry and Wall are taking it easy on the far side for Team Blue, standing on the side and chatting while their teammates fun shooting drills. The Cleveland Cavaliers trio of Team USA players are all sitting out today's practice. Guard Kyrie Irving and forward Kevin Love, both of whom were injured in the 2015 NBA playoffs, are sitting on the sidelines watching. LeBron James is nowhere to be found.
12:36 p.m. — Team USA has split into two squads, "Team White" and "Team Blue." Thunder assistant Monty Williams is running the show for Team White, which includes Paul, Harden, Rockets center Dwight Howard and Thunder forward Kevin Durant.
Former Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is coaching Team Blue on the far court, running through calisthenic drills with Washington Wizards teammates John Wall and Bradley Beal, Clippers forward Blake Griffin and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony.
Thibodeau, who led Chicago to five-straight playoff berths before losing his job this offseason, figures to have a more prominent role with Team USA, at least until the NBA comes calling again.
12:19 p.m. — It can't be too serious of a practice if Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan is shooting 3-pointers. The Clippers big man, fresh off one of the most dramatic free agency flip-flops in recent memory, is letting them fly from deep here early on. Jordan has never hit a 3-pointer in his 7-year NBA career.
12:07 p.m. — After a few minutes of picture-taking, laughing and high-fiving, the Team USA staffers have moved the makeshift stage on the far court and shootaround is under way.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook and Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond knock down back-to-back shots, and they're soon joined by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Warriors swingman Klay Thompson and Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo.
One thing you'll never see at an NBA game, the orange and white striped FIBA basketballs are almost an inch larger in circumference than a standard size NBA rock. At 30.7 inches around, the FIBA ball trumps the 29 7/8 inch NBA ball. The players don't seem to be having trouble adjusting to that, as shots are finding nylon like any other NBA shootaround.
11:58 a.m. — Quick team picture as the squad gets ready to start practice.
11:48 a.m. — Team USA is officially in the building. The squad of over two dozen NBA stars files into the Mendenhall Center, led by L.A. Clippers guard Chris Paul and Houston Rockets guard James Harden.
Contact Chris Kudialis at ckudialis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Find him on Twitter: @kudialisrj
