Rose expected to rotate with Irving during the FIBA World Cup…
Team USA will start with Kyrie Irving at point guard in their final warm-up game against Slovenia ahead of the start of the FIBA World Cup 2014.
The Americans will face Finland in Bilbao in their tournament opener on Saturday, and Coach Mike Krzyzewski has revealed that he will likely alternate between Irving and Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose during the fortnight of basketball.
“We’ll see as thing goes on,” Krzyzewski said after Monday’s two-hour practice, ESPN reports.
“We might alternate ’em. Both of them are going to play significant minutes.”
Krzyzewski also revealed that he can envisage both Irving and Rose playing alongside each other if the situation allows it, with Rose continuing his comeback after playing in just 10 games in the past two NBA seasons due to two serious knee injuries.
The 25-year-old has insisted throughout training camp and exhibition games that he feels great, although he did sit out practice on two consecutive days before skipping a game in order to allow him to rest and avoid suffering any setbacks.
Coach K conceded that he spoke with the Bulls star on Sunday and he responded with a full workout to prove that he is fully prepared and ready to have an impact on the tournament in Spain.
Analysis of the final 12-man roster continues in the build-up to the tournament, with many suggesting that Team USA opted against an entirely small squad in order to have options against the likes of Spain.
The hosts have Marc Gasol, Pau Gasol and Serge Ibaka make up a formidable frontcourt, and if they two nations collide in the final as expected, the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, Mason Plumlee and Andre Drummond could likely have a significant role to play.
Nevertheless, despite all the withdrawals and injuries, Team USA are still considered the favourites to win the tournament and will look to extend a remarkable run of winning games in major tournament which dates back to the 2008 Olympic Games.
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