James Harden talking with Rico about his Camp experience and his thoughts on winning the World Cup.
Background: East L.A. Sports Scene.Com will keep our avid basketball fans up to date with our recaps and coverage of Team USA & USA Basketball at the FIBA World Cup Tournament. This tournament was re-formatted to become the FIBA World Cup of Basketball. The (24) countries that will compete for the 2014 FIBA World title, began “Pool or Round-Robin” play in several Spanish cities on August 30th. USA Basketball, the national governing body of basketball for our country, once again has assembled (12) outstanding NBA players, both young and veteran, from our Men’s National Team roster. They are charged with defending our World Championship title, claimed in Istanbul, Turkey, four years ago. To follow all of the 2.5 weeks of International hoops action, go to these sites: www.nba.com/fiba and www.fiba.com. To follow Team USA on-line go to www.usab.com
Recap/Game Day 5/
Team USA continues to show teams in FIBA’s World Cup tournament that they are a growing and formidable force on the court. As evidenced in today’s easy victory over Ukraine, it was James Harden (17) who took scoring and “Player of The Game” honors with his relentless offense and tenacious defense. The Artesia High Pioneers’ famed alumnus is as steady as the Rock of Gibraltar when you look at his game-by-game stats. Stephen Curry (14) was pleased that he began to find his 3 point-shot rhythm. Other teammates who scored in double figures were: Anthony Davis (12), DeMarcus Cousins (11), Kyrie Irving (11), and Kenneth Faried (10). Team USA got a big scare at the end of the game when Irving landed awkwardly on his back as he drove to the basket. He was helped off the court and Team doctors reported that he’ll play in the Medal round beginning Saturday. The USA draws Mexico (2-3), the #4 seed from Group “D,” in the “Knockout” round of 16 on Sept. 6th in Barcelona. Final score: USA 95 Ukraine 71.
Selected Player Stats:
*Harden (17) pts. on 7-12 FGs/3-5 FTs/2 stls/5 assts/3 rebs; Curry (14) pts. on 3-6 FGs/3-4 3-ptrs/5-5 FTs; Faried (10) pts on 8-11 FGs/8 Rebs; Davis (12) pts. on 6-9 FGs/6 Rebs/1 Blkd shot; Cousins (11) pts. on 4-8 FGs/3-5 FTs/3 Rebs/1 stl; and Irving (11) pts. on 4-6 FGs/1-1 3-ptr/2-2 FTs/3 rebs/6 assts/4 stls.
* = Player of The Game Rico Cabrera, Sr./East L.A. Sports Scene.com
Next Game: vs Mexico, Saturday, Sept. 6th at 7:00 am (PST) on ESPN.