:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36383824/20140316_ajl_ad3_440.0.jpg)
USA Basketball Showcase
USA Blue Team vs. USA White Team
Time: 6 p.m. PST
TV: ESPN
For those of you who have not been keeping up with the happenings of the USA Basketball training camp, here's a quick summary of what's gone on so far:
- Stephen Curry should be considered a lock to make this team.
- Klay Thompson might not be a lock, but can make a good case for getting a spot.
- Thompson's 3-point shootout loss to Kyle Korver really mattered.
- Stephen "Stephon" Curry may or may not be a real point guard.
- It might be ok for Coach K to call Steph "Stephon" because he's Coach K.
Some of that might be facetious, but the bottom line is that the Golden State Warriors' representatives at USA Basketball training camp should be expected to make the 2014 World Cup roster.
Nevertheless, tonight's USA Basketball Showcase (6 p.m. PST, ESPN) is still probably important for Thompson, who is fighting to earn a) a roster spot and b) a spot in the team's rotation.
USA Basketball Showcase rosters
The rosters for tonight's showcase were announced yesterday, with Curry and Thompson being put on opposing teams.
|
Pos |
Blue |
White |
|
PG |
Derrick Rose |
Kyrie Irving |
|
PG |
John Wall |
|
|
1/2 |
Stephen Curry |
Damian Lillard |
|
2/3 |
DeMar DeRozan |
Bradley Beal |
|
2/3 |
Kyle Korver |
James Harden |
|
2/3 |
Klay Thompson |
|
|
3/4 |
Paul George |
Kevin Durant |
|
3/4 |
Gordon Hayward |
Chandler Parsons |
|
4 |
Kenneth Faried |
Paul Millsap |
|
5 |
Anthony Davis |
DeMarcus Cousins |
|
5 |
Mason Plumlee |
Andre Drummond |
USA Basketball Showcase rosters (via NBA.com)
2014 FIBA World Cup roster battles
The positional classification above by NBA.com's John Schuchmann is interesting because it actually helps that Curry is not a point guard considered to have positional versatility: they have a number of talented point guards in camp and the fact that Curry hasn't been pigeonholed as just a distributor is an advantage for him. That, of course, disadvantages Oakland native Damian Lillard, who is behind Curry in the "scoring guard" category.
Korver and Thompson really are competing for a spot, but with the emphasis on shooting - and the mind-blowing possibilities to stretch the court with a lineup of Curry-Thompson-Korver - both can probably be expected to make it.
The positional battle that most people will probably have their eyes on is the Mason Plumlee - DeMarcus Cousins one - apparently, Plumlee is the preferred choice, whether that be due to his willingness to function as a role player or his Duke connections.
Mostly though, it's NBA basketball on TV for those of you that are already starving for it.