ESPN.com: Williams, Washington appear to head group
Interesting tidbit about Justin “Front Page” Gray…
[b]Wake Forest senior Justin Gray tried to play the point, the position he will apparently play for the Demon Deacons in place of Paul, but he had trouble handling the ball, which has pushed him back to the off-guard spot for the U-21s.[/b]
[i]Originally posted by run49er[/i]@Jul 22 2005, 01:51 PM [b]Looking forward to the Observer follow-up on this one. I certainly hope he doesn't suffer the same fate as Rashad McCants last year.[b]Wake Forest senior Justin Gray tried to play the point, the position he will apparently play for the Demon Deacons in place of Paul, but he had trouble handling the ball, which has pushed him back to the off-guard spot for the U-21s.[/b][/b]
A lot of pressure on Martelli (sp?), I think you have to almost start last years starters, especially since they won the medal in the “warm-up” year and have the international experience.
Also remember “The committee” picks the players who make the team, not just the coach.
Sunday don’t they play the Dallas Mavericks summer league squad.
Justin Gray is no point. His poor ball handling at the McInnis pro am told me that.
That and the ball never leaves his hand except to shoot when he has it.
Back in the Saddle Again USA Basketball
Curtis Withers
How does it feel to be back out here with USA Basketball?
It’s an honor, as well as a great opportunity for me to get seen by a lot of people. I had fun last year winning the gold medal and that’s the best experience I’ve ever had - winning the gold medal. That’s my first championship, my only championship ever. I want to try and get another one.
What’s your motivation to make the team?
I was just talking to Sean (May) and Chris Paul, and we were reminiscing about last year’s USA team as well. Sean said he’s missing this, he wanted to be out here, to go to Argentina. He told me good luck and to call him either way.
Who’s the toughest competition out here?
Toughest? Rudy Gay. He’s real good. I’ve heard about him but never really played against him. He’s real athletic, real long. He’s one of the most skilled out here. You can’t really tell after just one practice though. I’ll have to wait and see after a few days who’s the toughest.
What do you remember about the international competition?
It seemed more NBA-like. There’s no real five-second count, you can pick the ball off the rim, the paint is trapezoid, so there are some adjustments to the game. As well as the competition. A lot of players last year were really good and I know some teams didn’t have all their players so I know the competition will only get better.
What are some of your favorite memories of Halifax, either on or off the court?
Being on the podium, getting the gold medal around our necks. But also on the bench. Even if players were not even playing, like Bracey Wright, some guys were playing like six or seven minutes a game, how we all set our egos aside, we all played together and went out and got a gold medal.
[i]Originally posted by LeftyNiner+Jul 22 2005, 02:40 PM-->
[b]QUOTE[/b] (LeftyNiner @ Jul 22 2005, 02:40 PM)
Good link Apex. I smell a new avatar.
[b]Martelli is a big fan of push-ups. Not doing them himself, mind you but imposing them as penalties (10, 15, 20 or 25) for the losing team in a myriad of practice competitions at the trials. Washington has appeared to master a lax version of the push-up.[/b]
Anyone suprised by this?
[i]Originally posted by NinerLoudNProud[/i]@Jul 23 2005, 02:43 PM [b]Washington has appeared to master a lax version of the push-up.Anyone suprised by this?[/b]
[font=Optima][SIZE=4]NO[/font][/SIZE]
[i]Originally posted by NinerLoudNProud[/i]@Jul 23 2005, 02:43 PM [b][b]Martelli is a big fan of push-ups. Not doing them himself, mind you but imposing them as penalties (10, 15, 20 or 25) for the losing team in a myriad of practice competitions at the trials. Washington has appeared to master a lax version of the push-up.[/b]Anyone suprised by this? [/b]
[b]• Duke's J.J. Redick is the marquee name on the team and will probably prove to be the squad's top scoring option in Argentina, but he looked a bit flat on Day 1, missing a fair share of his jumpers. In his defense, he took a nasty charge from Curtis Withers -- who outweighs Redick by 40 pounds -- early in the first session. In reaction to the blow, the Blue Devils' star rose from the court coughing and appeared to lose some of the spring in his step. Prediction: Once he shakes off the cobwebs, he'll be back to old-Redick form for the weekend.[/b]
Bwahahahaha. Note to Redick: Don’t get in Curt’s way next time :o :lol:
[i]Originally posted by Iron9er[/i]@Jul 23 2005, 05:06 PM [b][b]• Duke's J.J. Redick is the marquee name on the team and will probably prove to be the squad's top scoring option in Argentina, but he looked a bit flat on Day 1, missing a fair share of his jumpers. In his defense, he took a nasty charge from Curtis Withers -- who outweighs Redick by 40 pounds -- early in the first session. In reaction to the blow, the Blue Devils' star rose from the court coughing and appeared to lose some of the spring in his step. Prediction: Once he shakes off the cobwebs, he'll be back to old-Redick form for the weekend.[/b]Bwahahahaha. Note to Redick: Don’t get in Curt’s way next time :o :lol: [/b]
no way in hell does jj red dick weigh 207lbs. run his ass over curt! 
:lol:
Some cuts were made yesterday:
Four cuts made in USA U-21 Trials
Three were injury related:
Josh Boone - Connecticut
CJ Giles - Kansas
JamesOn Parole - OK State
Shannon Brown - MSU was cut for the second straight year
With all the point guards and wing players coupled with the injuries to Boone and Giles, Curtis has an excellent chance to make this team.
Final cuts will be Wednesday.
Here’s another article on the cuts that you guys will like even more:
Martelli, U.S.A. Basketball make first U-21 team cuts
[b]oone was a major loss for the Americans, seeing that the squad now lacks a real center and will likely turn to two power-forward types in its starting lineup, Charlotte's Curtis Withers and Oklahoma's Taj Gray. Both players have been impressive, with Withers both the camp's leading scorer and rebounder thus far.[/b]
And further along
[b]While players like Withers, Redick, both Grays (Justin and Taj), UConn's Marcus Williams and Rudy Gay look like good bets to remain, the final four cuts should be difficult for Martelli and the committee. [/b]
Enjoy.
The report from this morning’s Observer… <_<
More on U-21 trials…
Withers Among 16 Finalists For 2005 U21 World Championship Team
Mike DeCourcy – Inside Dish: Temple’s Collins impresses at U-21 trials
And what you’ll read in today’s Observer… :rolleyes:
Link to Curt’s page at the USA Basketball website:
Sounds like Curt had a rough game versus the Mavs’ summer league team. This from a poster on the Billikens board…
[b]Watched the Under-21 U.S. team play one of the Dallas Mavericks summer league teams yesterday in a game preceeding the 05 Global Games. The U-21 team was coached by Phil Martelli and comprised of players like JJ Redick, Justin Gray, Rudy Gay, Nick Fazekas, Rajon Rondo, and [b]Curtis Withers[/b]. The Mavs team had Roger Powell, Keith Langford, a few "projects" (who were much worse than Ian and Bryce, trust me), and other no-namers. The Mavs completely manhandled the U-21 team 102-86...I know the U-21 roster had just been finalized the day before and those guys probably hadn't played much together, but they were completely out of sync and there was no communication at all.Withers in particular was disappointing: 1-7 from field, 3 pts, 4 fouls in about 10 minutes. I’m sure he’ll be tougher come December but yesterday he was far below what I’ve even seen him do at the Savvis Center; he was getting blocked out for almost every rebound and was rusty on his turn-arounds. Best player was Justin Gray, with Aaron Brooks (Oregon) and Glen Davis (LSU) also playing very well. (For any UofI fans, R. Powell played with heart and pulled down several nice boards…still has a shot at a roster spot).
U-21 team plays Ukraine, Slovenia, and Lithuania before the “medal games” next weekend.[/b]