Kirk’s excellent adventure has begun.
Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich was among 15 players named Tuesday to go forward with the USA Basketball team in preparation for the world championships next month in Japan.
The group will train again in Las Vegas starting Monday and will play an exhibition there Aug. 3 against Puerto Rico. The team next plays tournaments in China and South Korea. The group is to be cut to 12 for the world championships beginning Aug. 19.
Hinrich played through a hamstring injury this week, the first week of camp in Las Vegas. Dwyane Wade put forth a similar effort despite injuries.
That work ethic is considered typical of this team, which organizers have sought to unify with personal motivation and unselfish commitment–unlike the third-place 2004 Olympic team.
Three players were left off the group that will travel overseas: Shawn Marion, who has knee problems, and Adam Morrison and Luke Ridnour.
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Coach Mike Krzyzewski, however, emphasized that no one had been cut and everyone on the initial roster would be considered for the 2008 Olympic team. That includes several players missing the world championships for injuries or personal reasons, such as Kobe Bryant, Chauncey Billups, Paul Pierce, Lamar Odom, J.J. Redick and Michael Redd.
Hinrich was a late addition after initially declining to participate. But with the principal point guards being Chris Paul and Ridnour, Krzyzewski and team director Jerry Colangelo decided the team needed another floor general and asked Hinrich to reconsider.
Hinrich is likely to make the final 12 for the world championships because of his ability to run a team and defend his position.
Krzyzewski emphasized that team defense and aggressive full-court play would be the game plan, in part to make up for a lack of size. The only center is Brad Miller, who is more of a perimeter player. Amare Stoudemire was included, but his status remains unclear because of knee surgery that kept him out almost all of the 2005-06 season.
“Our strength has got to be depth and athleticism,” Krzyzewski said. “More full-court, up-and-down. No one has to pace himself. If someone is pacing himself, we’ll get someone else in. The game is 40 minutes and goes by fast.
“There won’t be a starting five, and if we do a great job this summer, the players who are with us will have built up equity [for the 2008 Olympic team]. We have no excuses. Everything is there. Now we have to do it.”
Krzyzewski used the first week of camp to get players accustomed to playing together. He also brought in military veterans who served in Iraq to spend time with the players. Krzyzewski, once the coach at West Point, sought to develop an esprit de corps among the players and emphasize the larger goals of representing the U.S.
“I think everything in our first phase of training was set up well,” Krzyzewski said. “What we wanted to do was to pick 15, 16 or even 14 players to go forward with. We wanted to start developing a team, not only X’s and O’s, but where we know each other, where we have confidence in one another, where we like each other. I think that was accomplished.
“We do have a lot of young players. To be able to include a mixture of veterans who have accomplished a lot and who have played with or are playing with very talented players is, I think, a really good combination.”
Krzyzewski was impressed by the players’ level of commitment.
“All of my surprises have been good ones,” he said. “I expected the players to work hard. They worked harder. I expected them to cooperate. They cooperated better. I expected them to listen, and they listened better. I expected them to show enthusiasm, and they showed enthusiasm at a higher level.
“They showed a spirit of cooperation. I didn’t realize the friendship they already have because I’m not around them, but a lot of these guys are really close friends. That helps with our team building.”
U.S. national team
Coach Mike Krzyzewski must trim the roster to 12 players before the world championships begin Aug. 19.
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PLAYER P HT WT TEAM
Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 230 Den
Gilbert Arenas G 6-4 210 Wash
Shane Battier F 6-8 220 Hou
Chris Bosh F 6-10 230 Tor
Bruce Bowen F 6-7 200 S.A.
Elton Brand F 6-8 254 L.A.C.
Kirk Hinrich G 6-3 190 Bulls
Dwight Howard F 6-11 265 Orl
LeBron James F 6-8 240 Cle
Antawn Jamison F 6-9 235 Wash
Joe Johnson G 6-7 230 Atl
Brad Miller C 7-0 261 Sac
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Chris Paul G 6-0 170 N.O.
Amare Stoudemire C 6-10 240 Pho
Dwyane Wade G 6-4 212 Mia
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