The 2010 USA National Team has been practicing this week at the Cox Pavillion next to the Thomas and Mack. These are the NBA players competing to make the final roster. Also practicing and competing against the NBA players are the college stars - 2010 'Select' team.

Tonight is the Showcase scrimmage at the Thomas and Mack. Teddy Covers, Erin Rynning and myself are going to take a look. I think some side bets might break out on some scoring and other player bets. I'm going to let Teddy take Tyreke Evans as first to score...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/2010-07-23-usa-bas ketball-scrimmage_N.htm

USA Basketball's training camp will close Saturday night with an intrasquad game at the Thomas & Mack Center. The roster could be trimmed by a few sometime after that before the Americans reconvene in New York next month to continue preparation for the World Championships to be held in Turkey Aug. 28-Sept. 12.

The 19 players in camp will play in the game, except perhaps NBA Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, who was held out of practice for a second consecutive day Friday due to a sore ankle. Then Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski will decide who is going from the Strip to Broadway.

The Americans are still deep in the backcourt but not up front, so most of the remaining big men could survive the first cut.

"Especially with the big guys, you need to look at them closely as to how they fit in," Krzyzewski said. "We want to keep taking a look at our team

Featured on the USA Showcase Blue team are:

Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets)
Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings)
Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies)
Jeff Green (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets)
Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)
O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies)
JaVale McGee (Washington Wizards)
Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics)
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Playing for the USA White squad are:

Tyson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks)
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers)
Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers)
Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers)
Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers)
Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats)

The 2010-12 USA National Team coaching staff is led by Duke University’s Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, and features as USA assistant coaches Syracuse University’s Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D'Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan

I see USA to win it is Yes -250 NO +175. Any thoughts on this?

Coach K's thoughts:

"They're coming together more than I thought they would," United States coach Mike Kryzewski said. "There's a great spirit of cooperation. They're really a good group of guys. They've been tested this week. They've done it enthusiastically. It was a really good week for us."

Redmon,

I would like to see final rosters and figure out where the weak spots are before any real capping can be done. This roster doesn't appear to have the defensive presence I would typically like.

No resistence at the rack by the blue team. Brook Lopez was non-existent and while Rudy Gay led the blue team in points and minutes, he also led in both teams in TO's and did little on the defensive end to rebound. Jeff Green mostly a non-factor and Kevin Love lone white guy and only strength inside in limited minutes.

White teams scored at will in 114-96 drubbing, led by player of the game Kevin Durant with 28 pts. White bombed away from the outside, hitting 14/29 from the arch and 55% for the game. Danny Granger played limited minutes and Tyreke Evans did not play. They will add additional strength.

ER and Teddy set a game line at 11. You'll have to ask them which team they bet. I watched along as another friend of mine also took the +11 and lost a few bucks on the blue... one of the Sportsmemo guys left with a smile and a some extra cash...

The White’s Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) led all scorers with 28 points, and was named the player of the game. But five more players scored in double figures for the White squad, including Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers) with 17, Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers) had 16, Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) scored 15 and added game-high 8 assists, Tyson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks) was credited with 13 points (6-of-6 FGs) while raking in a game best nine rebounds.

Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies) led the Blue with 23 points, while O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies) scored 18, Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) added 14 and Jeff Green (Oklahoma City Thunder) tossed in 11 points and grabbed a team best eight rebounds. Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics), who scored seven points, led the Blue with six assists.