New Orleans: Keystone of (Team) USA

By:
Published: June 16, 2013

I live in America
I live in America
You may not be looking for the promise land
But you might find it anyway
Under one of those old familiar names
Like New Orleans, Detroit City, Dallas, Pittsburg P.A.
New York City, Kansas City, Atlanta, Chicago, and L.A.

— James Brown, Living in America

News

In a strong vote of confidence for the New Orleans Pelicans, Team USA issued three invites to people employed with the team.

First, Monty Williams was added as an assistant coach. Then, forwards Ryan Anderson and Anthony Davis were invited to the Men’s National Team Mini-Camp.

More on Team USA below.

Friday, the focus was not on Pelicans joining Team USA, but members of NCAA teams joining the Pelicans. Trey Burke, Alex Len, and Michael Carter-Williams participated in the Pelicans’ first (and seemingly only) draft workout.

Also, here is a video from the midnight basketball event reported last week.

Youth camps have also started. Brian Roberts and Roger Mason, Jr. each had a local basketball camp, and the Pelicans’ summer series has begun. There are two starting in a week. Monty’s camp starts tomorrow.

Lastly, Jimmy Smith has a nice piece on Coach Williams with a Fathers’ Day slant.

Around the Site

The Sixth Pick Tournament is into Round 2.

Also, Michael looks back at last season for some clues to what this team needs and does not.

Part of the fun of the week was when Michael Pellisier made fun captioned picture of Ryan Anderson with a Sithy fan over his shoulder. If you want, take the raw picture, make your own caption, and send it out.

Here is the URL if that helps.

http://www.bourbonstreetshots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Ryan-Anderson-and-a-Sith-Lord.jpg

Michael also created a 2013 NBA Draft Class for XBOX 360 NBA 2K13.

Gerry V continued to provide insight into the back-and-forth we see in the NBA Finals.

We also added a calendar to the sidebar to help keep track of parties, radio appearances, and more. Click an entry for details.

`Voices’ of the People

Seems to me that Monty lit up a lot more when talking about Alex Len than he did when talking about the other players.

xulapaul

i remember that play, was almost a Utah´s flex offense, and the best play i saw in the entire season for the “horlicans”, absolutely agree with Aminu until he can shoot from mid range/3s he is a PF. The problem here is Gordon,the first month or so he play better and better, but after that he was AWFUL, i mean, in numbers he was worst than vasquez with a PER worst than average, and in defense was nonexistence; can be for his knees, his ankle, frustation i don´t know, but that can´t happen again if we can win some games the next year or trade for somebody who can play with us

soulbreaker

This is great for Monty and the Pelicans. I think he will be a great ambassador for the organization and NOLA. Besides he will get the opportunity to observe the techniques and incorporate the best of Coach K and Tibbs into his coaching style. The remarks of Coach K regarding Monty speaks volumes of his character in the basketball community and his exposure to the players cannot be anything but a draw for the Pels.

LaNative

42 Sense

With the ascendance of Monty Williams to Team USA, and the possible selection of Pelicans to final rosters, we take a look at the basics: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How.

About Team USA:

Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for men’s and women’s basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the U.S. by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international competitions, as well as for some national competitions.

During the 2009-12 quadrennium, 1,273 men and women players and 235 coaches participated in USA Basketball, including USA Basketball teams and trials, and USA Basketball 3×3 FIBA championships.

About the Mini-Camp:

USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo announced today that Pelicans Forwards Ryan Anderson and Anthony Davis are among the 27 players confirmed to attend the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s National Team mini-camp that will be held July 22-25 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Davis, the lone returning Gold Medalist from the 2012 Olympic Games, and Anderson will join recently named USA National Team Assistant Coach Monty Williams at the mini-camp.

Along with Ryan Anderson and Anthony Davis, the following 25 players are accepting invitations to participate in the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s National Team mini-camp: Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors); Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards); Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies); DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings); DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors); Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons); Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets); Derrick Favors (Utah Jazz); Paul George (Indiana Pacers); Taj Gibson (Chicago Bulls); Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz); Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers); Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers); DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers); Ty Lawson (Denver Nuggets); Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs); Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers); Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons); Chandler Parsons (Houston Rockets); Larry Sanders (Milwaukee Bucks); Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors); Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers); Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats); John Wall (Washington Wizards); and Tyler Zeller (Cleveland Cavaliers).

2013-16 USA Basketball National Team head coach and Duke University’s Naismith Hall of Fame mentor Mike Krzyzewski will direct the mini-camp. In addition to Pelicans head coach Monty Williams, Syracuse University veteran coach Jim Boeheim and Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau will assist with the mini-camp.

Over the course of the 2013-16 quad, USA Men’s National Teams will conduct a team mini-camp in Las Vegas, Nev., July 22-25, 2013; compete in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup (formerly the FIBA World Championship) Aug. 30-Sept. 14 in Spain; if necessary, participate in the 2015 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD); and if the USA qualifies, compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games (Aug. 5-21) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Over the few years, here is what Team USA members can expect.

Over the course of the 2013-16 quad, USA Men’s National Teams will conduct a team mini-camp in Las Vegas, Nev., July 22-25, 2013; compete in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup (formerly the FIBA World Championship) Aug. 30-Sept. 14 in Spain; if necessary, participate in the 2015 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD); and if the USA qualifies, compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games (Aug. 5-21) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

We’ll have more when appropriate.

One Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.