I was able to catch Doc Rivers in the stands for a quick pre-game interview. I didn't want to bother him with the same old, "Will you be coaching the Celtics next year?" questions, so I decided to inquire about Duke alum Shelden Williams:
How is coaching and being around Shelden Williams, on and off the court?
"He's terrific, he was great for us. Big Baby [Glen Davis] gets hurt early and he steps in for us. Then, Glen came back and he lost his minutes, but he kept doing his job everyday. He showed up, there were games where we put him in, but he always stayed ready and that's all you can hope for. I know he would have rather played more, but as far as being a professional, he's as good as I've had."
After a handshake and a short chat with his wife (Kristen), I went back to my seat on press row to begin watching the opening ceremonies. Each team was paraded out onto the floor led by their countries flag. The amusing part was that immediately after the ceremony ended, every team that wasn't playing (all except the USA and USVI) went to the stands to take pictures with Doc.
Game:
The starters take the floor for both teams with Duke well represented. Team USA starters were 5-Kyrie Irving (Duke), 6-Vander Blue (Marquette), 11-Austin Rivers (Duke, Florida, and UNC), 12-Josh Hairston (Duke), 15-Pat Young (Florida). The story of the first quarter is defense. USVI looks very nervous and it is easy to see that they haven't encountered a man to man press defense like Team USA plays. Great team defense from the USA - switches, helps, and backside blocks. USVI is undersized inside and is attempting to make up for it with quickness, but obviously didn’t count on the quicks of Kyrie, Austin, Washington's Gaddy, Blue, and others. Coach Capel is not content to sit back and watch his guys play though, as he is constantly out on the floor directing and instructing.
Big Pat Young is too much to handle inside for the USVI team, but after 4 quick points off two dunks, he has to sit with two fouls. Quincy Miller comes off the bench and plays very well, notching 7 points and 5 rebounds in the first quarter alone. After a deep 3 from Austin in the corner, Kyrie rips the USVI PG and sends a long pass to Mizzou commit Tony Mitchell who lobs up an alley-oop for LeBryan Nash. The USA lead now stretched to 24-6 with 2:25 remaining in the 1st. More of the same as the USA goes on another quick run to close the 1st quarter up 35-8.
The 2nd quarter begins with a flurry of threes from the USVI team and Coach Capel calls a quick timeout. Out of the TO, Capel sends the starters back. Austin answers the call with a 3 from the wing and the next possesion Pat Young overpowers his defender for an easy dunk. After going 0-4 from deep in the first quarter the USVI team shoots 4-6 in the 2nd. Team USA still with a big lead as the half closes 62-28. Quincy and Austin lead Team USA in the first half with 11 points each, while Quincy also pulled down 8 boards. Leading the USVI is Merwin Potter Jr. with 11 points.
After ending the first half with a strong drive and two free throws, Kyrie picks up right where he left off with a quick move by his defender and an uncontested layup, and follows it up with a jumper from the corner on the next possession. Pat Young is again relegated to the bench following his 4th foul, Capel doesn't look worried as he glances at the scoreboard to see his team up almost 40 points halfway through the 3rd quarter. After two more free throws from Kyrie, Quincy enters the game and immediately makes his presence felt with a bucket and a foul. A few minutes later, following two made free throws from Austin, Kyrie swats USVI's Jones' layup attempt and takes it coast to coast for a beautiful reverse layup. The 3rd quarter ends with Team USA up 95-48.
Pat Young back in the game to start the 4th quarter and delivers a no-look pass to
Richmond for a dunk to hit the 100 point mark for the USA. Syracuse commit Trevor Cooney coming alive in the 4th with back to back 3 pointers and shortly thereafter Rivers rips Jones for a quick layup followed by a deep 3 on a great look from Kyrie.
Josh Hairston makes a great move in the post with a power dribble and a dunk with two USVI defenders hanging on him; he then sinks the free throw. After yet another 3 from Austin, Team USA attempts to let up and finishes the game 131-63.
Austin ends the game as Team USA's leading scorer with 18 points followed by Quincy, Cooney, and Nash with 15. Kyrie finished with 11 points, 6 boards, and 3 dimes, while Quincy broke the USA Basketball record for rebounds with 17.
Written By: Big Pappa
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