With day two of the Senior National Team's mini-camp in the book, USA team members can now turn their focus to the State Farm USA Basketball Challenge that will see the men divided into Blue and White teams for what promises to be a thrilling contest. Th
Senior Men To Close Out Mini-Camp With Blue-White Game
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The leading scorer on last year's World Championship, Carmelo Anthony shows he's in rim-rattling form. (Andrew D. Bernstein / NBAE).
With day two of the Senior National Team's mini-camp in the book, USA team members can now turn their focus to the State Farm USA Basketball Challenge that will see the men divided into Blue and White teams for what promises to be a thrilling contest. The game goes off at 7 p.m. EDT and is being televised by FOX Sports.
The USA Blue Team, coached by Mike D'Antoni, includes Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Durant, Kirk Hinrich, J.J. Redick, Amare' Stoudemire, and Daren Williams.
The USA White Team, mentored by Nate McMillan, will feature Shane Battier, Chanucey Billups, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Mike Miller, Tayshaun Prince and Michael Redd
Read what the players had to say following the completition of Day Two.
USA Basketball Senior National Team Quotes
Post-Practice July 21, 2007
Tomorrow we're going to run four periods; we already split up the teams and we're going to do at least one period of all zone and
MIKE D�ANTONI
You would pay hundreds of dollars to attend and All-Star game and this is an all-star game. We have our guys trying to get into a system and get ready to roll. It will be more competitive and you will see a lot of defense being played. It�s really the best of both worlds. You get to see some of the best players in the world playing intense, organized basketball. You will see a lot of effort and a lot of teamwork. It should be a great game.
When you are representing your country and not an individual, you get all the pride in the world. Last summer, we didn�t win the world championship but they played hard and to they played together as a team. That�s going to be our success in trying to get a gold medal.
I think it has gone really well. I think the addition of some more veteran guys has raised the team to a new level. The tournament should be a lot of fun and we are all excited about playing some games.
I think the main purpose of this camp is getting familiar with one another.
We introduced the themes of international basketball, because it is a different game from the NBA game and the sooner we can make that adjustment, the better we will be prepared for the FIBA tournament.
Are you looking forward to tomorrow�s intrasquad game?
There will be a lot of pride on the line. We�re going to see each for the next year and although we�re teammates vying for a spot in the Olympics, this game will carry a lot of bragging rights for the next year.
There will be a lot of pride on the line. We�re going to see each for the next year and although we�re teammates vying for a spot in the Olympics, this game will carry a lot of bragging rights for the next year.
CHAUNCEY BILLUPS
We have guys out here competing at a very high level. We are taking this as a challenge and going at one another. We have guys playing unselfish basketball. They are all saying, �what do you need me to do� to help this team. Our biggest challenge is to try to become a cohesive unit. This camp is to take a baby step towards that.
CHRIS BOSH
I think it will be a really good game just based on the fact that both teams will be very competitive. Each team will want to win. Our first goal is to just get better because we are all on one team but it is still a competitive game and we will try to execute as best as possible. I think it will be real entertaining for the fans.
We just have to go out, play basketball and compete. You have so much enjoyment because there are so many great players here. The talent takes over, you can make some great plays and people really enjoy it. You never have to wait on a pass or wait on that alley-oop, because you just play basketball and let to it come.
I think there�s a lot of chemistry already. Playing with Jason (Kidd), it�s pretty easy. During the season, I play with TJ Ford, and he�s kind of a young version of Jason Kidd, meaning you always have to have your hands ready and make eye contact because if you don�t they will hit you in the head with the ball.
Kidd gets that ball up the court and he knows when to make that pass and he makes everyone better. He�s an amazing player. We played them in the playoffs and I got to see it first hand.
KOBE BRYANT
What has the team accomplished the last few days?
It�s been a great start in terms of getting our rhythm down, continuity, knowing exactly how we want to run and execute. The first few days is always a feeling out process.
On the State Farm USA Basketball Challenge Blue-White game tomorrow:
It�s always competitive when you put us out on the floor. We�ve always competed hard against one another. Yesterday we were able to win and give it to them pretty good in practice and today they returned the favor. It�s all about competing hard and competing at a high level.
It�s always competitive when you put us out on the floor. We�ve always competed hard against one another. Yesterday we were able to win and give it to them pretty good in practice and today they returned the favor. It�s all about competing hard and competing at a high level.
There were some legendary intrasquad games with the 1992 Dream Team. Do you envision some similar competition tomorrow?
That�s how it should be. It�s so much fun to compete. This is the best basketball you are going to have anywhere in the world. You are competing against the top at the top. The important thing is to compete, to go out and play one another and demand the best from one another.
That�s how it should be. It�s so much fun to compete. This is the best basketball you are going to have anywhere in the world. You are competing against the top at the top. The important thing is to compete, to go out and play one another and demand the best from one another.
How do you think the team will do in the FIBA tournament?
I think we will do fine. It�s the first step in a long journey and we know that. It starts here and we are going to continue to build and get better.
I think we will do fine. It�s the first step in a long journey and we know that. It starts here and we are going to continue to build and get better.
You have competed at every level. How important is it to you to compete with USA across your chest?
It�s the most important because you are representing your country. There is no bigger significance than representing your country. It�s something that we take pride in and is something that I have been looking forward to for awhile. We want to represent our country in the right way. It is very important to us.
It�s the most important because you are representing your country. There is no bigger significance than representing your country. It�s something that we take pride in and is something that I have been looking forward to for awhile. We want to represent our country in the right way. It is very important to us.
This has been your first chance to play with Deron Williams. What do you think of him?
I love him. I�ve had a chance the last couple of days to just hang out, kick it with him and talk with him. He is a fabulous, fabulous player and an even better person. I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. Utah has a hell of a player for years to come.
I love him. I�ve had a chance the last couple of days to just hang out, kick it with him and talk with him. He is a fabulous, fabulous player and an even better person. I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. Utah has a hell of a player for years to come.
KIRK HINRICH
What has the team accomplished here the last few days?
I think we�ve accomplished a lot. We�ve been able to come together and put in place ther system we want. Basically the mindset of what we want to do this summer. These two days have been as good as any two days last summer.
What has the team accomplished here the last few days?
I think we�ve accomplished a lot. We�ve been able to come together and put in place ther system we want. Basically the mindset of what we want to do this summer. These two days have been as good as any two days last summer.
We are all excited about the opportunity we have.
How important is the game tomorrow?
Tomorrow�s game will be very competitive. Every time we step out here, guys are going to compete, and that�s what makes it fun.
Tomorrow�s game will be very competitive. Every time we step out here, guys are going to compete, and that�s what makes it fun.
DWIGHT HOWARD
How did this mini-camp work for you?
These two days have been great. There�s been a lot of competition, we have been playing extremely hard and everyone is having fun, getting to know one another. It�s a great atmosphere.
These two days have been great. There�s been a lot of competition, we have been playing extremely hard and everyone is having fun, getting to know one another. It�s a great atmosphere.
We are learning how to play with one another. It�s a new squad from last year. Everyone is working on his game and we are learning. It is good preparation for what lies ahead.
On the State Farm USA Basketball Challenge Blue-White game tomorrow:
It�s going to be a lot of fun. The only thing we are trying to do is get better as a team, so we will be ready when the real competition begins.
It�s going to be a lot of fun. The only thing we are trying to do is get better as a team, so we will be ready when the real competition begins.
LE BRON JAMES
How has this camp been?
Basically we are just trying to learn each other�s game right now. We�ve gone over our philosophy and how we want to get into it. But we want to establish the relationships now so when we come back in August we are ready to really build on it and get into it.
Basically we are just trying to learn each other�s game right now. We�ve gone over our philosophy and how we want to get into it. But we want to establish the relationships now so when we come back in August we are ready to really build on it and get into it.
Are you looking forward to the game tomorrow?
Of course I am. Any time you can play with and against players like we have here, it will be a lot of fun. It�s about competing and getting better.
Of course I am. Any time you can play with and against players like we have here, it will be a lot of fun. It�s about competing and getting better.
We are looking forward to playing in front of the troops. It�s our way of recognizing them and showing them our thanks for what they do for our country.
JASON KIDD
Anytime you take the court and you are wearing a USA
On the longterm national team program that is now in place at USA Basketball:
This is a great program. Even though this is a time of year that players can be with their families and can recover from the NBA season, this is important to get the national team together to play and learn each other. There are a lot of young guys, and this is an opportunity to bond with a couple of the older guys.
In the past, there was some one-on-one and now, this system gives everybody a chance to touch the ball and everybody makes that extra pass, so it makes the game so easy.
My job is to help the younger guys � and that is everybody, I guess, because I�m the oldest player on this team. I can make the game easier and fun. We compete during practice and go out there with the mentality to show the world that we are the best and come back with a gold medal.
How has this camp gone?
So far, do good. The last two days have been great. I�m working myself back to shape. The team is getting to know one another. We just have to keep it going.
We�re trying to get out offensive and defensive schemes and concepts down.
On the State Farm USA Basketball Challenge Blue-White game tomorrow:
It will be competitive. We want to play a good game for the fans and especially the troops we have invited to attend. We want to show our love and support for the USA troops and that�s pretty much what it�s about. We want to put on a good show and have some fun for them.
It will be competitive. We want to play a good game for the fans and especially the troops we have invited to attend. We want to show our love and support for the USA troops and that�s pretty much what it�s about. We want to put on a good show and have some fun for them.
DWYANE WADE
On what to expect when fans tune in to see the USA Blue vs. White game � (on FSN)
They are going to see some awesome basketball and a lot of excitement. Guys are not in NBA playoff form right now but these guys are competitive, so people will see all of their favorite players competing against each other and having fun.
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