Redick aims to leave lasting impression

J.J. Redick is realistic. He knows it will take an extraordinary set of circumstances for him to play for USA Basketball in next month's FIBA Americas Tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Redick, a second-year guard for the Orlando Magic, will have to play exceptionally in today's 4 p.m. Blue-White scrimmage at the Thomas & Mack and hope a few of his teammates have injuries or family issues that preclude them from playing next month.

But Redick doesn't want to benefit from someone else's misfortune. He wants to make a favorable impression today.

Regardless of whether he makes the team, though, Redick said he has enjoyed his minicamp experience in Las Vegas, which wraps up with today's public scrimmage.

"I know I'm a long shot," he said after Saturday's workout at Cox Pavilion. "But for me, this is about growing as a basketball player, learning from all the great players, seeing how they prepare, how they practice. I want to use this opportunity to get better."

Seattle rookie Kevin Durant feels the same way. He, too, has spent his time at the minicamp learning and trying to improve.

"There's no pressure on me at all," Durant said. "I'm a young guy. If I don't get to play this year, I'll just root my teammates on. I know there will be other opportunities."

Seventeen players are participating in the minicamp. That number must be reduced to 12 by Aug. 21, the day before the FIBA tourney begins.

USA Basketball previously announced the cutdown would come Monday afternoon, but coach Mike Krzyzewski and managing director Jerry Colangelo said Saturday that probably won't happen.

"Everyone's pretty healthy, and I don't know that we need to rush," Krzyzewski said.

Colangelo said the likelihood is more than 12 players will report to training camp Aug. 13 when Team USA reconvenes at Andre Agassi Preparatory Academy.

But at some point, the roster must be trimmed, and today's scrimmage figures to boost or drop the stock of some of the borderline players. Along with Redick and Durant, Utah's Deron Williams and Chicago's Kirk Hinrich appear to fall into that category.

Williams, who just completed his second season with the Jazz, has opened eyes in minicamp with his passing and scoring. His stock appears to be on the rise.

"I just tried to soak everything in and play my game," Williams said. "When you're on the floor with so many great players, you just try to fit in and show the coaches you can play."

Williams said three days is not a lot of time to make an impression, so expect him to play extra hard today.

"It's definitely important," he said of the scrimmage, which will be televised by Fox Sports Net West (Cable 49). "There's a little bit of pressure because it's one chance to show what you can do. But I want to make the team, so I'm going to try to make the most of the opportunity."

Hinrich, the four-year NBA veteran who started at point guard for the USA in three of the nine games during last year's world championships, said he feels no pressure, even though Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups also play the point.

"I'm not concerned either way," Hinrich said. "I felt like I played well last summer, and of course I want to make the team. But if they don't want me back, I'll go home and get ready for training camp."

Krzyzewski said Hinrich's play last summer gives him something the others don't have -- game experience with Team USA.

"Definitely," Krzyzewski said when asked if Hinrich's time with the national team worked in his favor. "He had some big games for us. He nearly won the Greece game by himself."

Krzyzewski will not be coaching either team today. Instead, he'll observe as assistants Mike D'Antoni and Nate McMillan handle the Blue and White squads, respectively.

"We're treating this as a serious game," Krzyzewski said. "It's very important that we see what they can do."

Said Colangelo: "There's a lot at stake to see who we invite back. So from our perspective, this is a real game."