Derrick Rose steals the show at Team USA exhibition

By Case Keefer (contact)

Sunday, July 25, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

If exhibition basketball is all about thrilling the crowd, then Derrick Rose deserves a gold medal for his performance Saturday night in Team USA’s Blue vs. White Showcase.

Although Kevin Durant led the White team to a 114-96 victory against the Blue Squad with 28 points, it was Rose who garnered the most ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the 11,635 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Rose, the Chicago Bulls point guard playing for the white squad, scored 15 points with eight assists, five steals and no turnovers.

“Derrick just played a beautiful game,” Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

“It was easy playing with him tonight because he gave the ball in rhythm.”

Rose spent the evening weaving in and out of the lane using his trademark crossover and setting up teammates with open shots on the perimeter. The white team went 14-for-29 from three.

Near the end of the first half, Rose threw down the biggest dunk of the night when he found himself alone on a fast break. The momentum from the slam nearly carried him into the laps of fans with baseline seats.

Nothing changed in the second half. Rose fed Durant for a dunk when the two got out in front of the defense in transition. Rose then stole an inbounds pass to set up a Tyson Chandler three-point play.

“It wasn’t just about me,” Rose said. “You’ve got to have trust, especially on the defensive end. That’s what I was doing — clogging the passing lanes and trying to get to the ball knowing my teammates had my back.”

For Rose, it was a perfect way to cap a memorable week in Las Vegas preparing for the upcoming World Championship.

“This whole experience was fun, going out there and competing against the best players in the world,” Rose said. “While we were here, we started to get to know every individual and got to know them as brothers. I guess that’s what USA Basketball is all about.”

Now comes the hard part for Krzyzewski and USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo. Over the next 24 hours, the two men will narrow the roster to 15 players who will join the team at next month’s training camp in New York.

The Las Vegas roster contained 19 players. Saturday’s showcase likely didn’t make the decision any either.

Two players who might be on the fence because of Team USA’s depth at guard are the Los Angeles Clippers Eric Gordon and the Memphis Grizzlies O.J. Mayo. Both shined at the showcase.

Gordon came off the bench for the white team to score 16 points and go 4-for-7 from three-point range. Mayo had 18 points and seven rebounds for the blue team.

“I’m unbelievably impressed with all of them to come here not knowing if they were going to make it,” Krzyzewski said. “What we tell them throughout the week is being a part of this will make you better, we’re going to be honest with you and tell you the truth.”

Two players who had likely all but locked up a roster spot and only further cemented themselves Saturday were the Philadelphia 76ers Andre Iguodala and the Memphis Grizzlies Rudy Gay.

Iguodala did a bit of everything with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Krzyzewski said Iguodala would serve as a “key part” of the team going forward.

For the second straight year, Gay led the showcase’s losing team in scoring. After going off for 27 points in last year’s game, Gay poured in 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting this year.

“Personally, I know I can get better,” Gay said. “I think I played pretty good out there, but like a lot of guys I’ve got a lot to work on.”

Team USA still has plenty of time to improve. Their first game in the World Championship isn’t until Aug. 28 against Croatia in Turkey.

“If I do make the team, it’s going to be exciting going over there,” Rose said.

Rose has nothing to worry about. If Rose plays like he did Saturday night, he might be the one to spring Team USA to gold.