Team USA — fresh off a 95-78 win over Brazil in Chicago in its first exhibition game Saturday night — begins a week of preparation in New York for the FIBA World Cup with a practice at West Point on Monday afternoon, followed by games at the Garden on Wednesday against Puerto Rico and Friday against the Dominican Republic.
With that in mind, here are five things for fans to keep an eye on as the team makes its last stop before departing for Spain and the beginning of the tournament later this month:
1. Mason Plumlee’s surprise candidacy
When the two local members of the 2012 Olympic gold-medal winning team — Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams — declined to participate this summer, it seemed there wouldn’t be a compelling reason for local hoops fans to pay attention.
Team USA roster
DeMarcus Cousins, C, Sacramento
Stephen Curry, G, Golden State
Anthony Davis, C, New Orleans
DeMar DeRozan, G/F, Toronto
Andre Drummond, C, Detroit
Kenneth Faried, F, Denver
Rudy Gay, F, Sacramento
James Harden, G, Houston
Gordon Hayward, F, Utah
Kyrie Irving, G, Cleveland
Kyle Korver, G/F, Atlanta
Damian Lillard, G, Portland
Chandler Parsons, F, Dallas
Mason Plumlee, C, Brooklyn
Derrick Rose, G, Chicago
Klay Thompson, G, Golden State
That suddenly changed, however, after Mason Plumlee spent one day of practicing with the select team — a group of young players, including Tim Hardaway Jr., who were brought in as practice players during Team USA’s Las Vegas training camp. Plumlee was promoted to the senior team and became a viable option to make the final roster. He should get plenty of playing time this week after getting extended run in Saturday’s win, finishing with nine points and four rebounds in just under 15 minutes.
2. How Derrick Rose looks
After spending virtually the entire last two seasons on the sidelines with knee injuries, Rose has been turning heads since the start of Team USA training camp, displaying the kind of speed and athleticism that helped make him the NBA’s 2011 MVP and lead the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals.
With Paul George and Kevin Durant — two expected mainstays this summer — watching at home, there will be a greater expectation on Rose to be a key player for Team USA this summer.
3. Say hello to Anthony Davis
With Durant and George out, there is an opportunity for someone to step into the opening left by them to become the face of the team.
There is no one better prepared to do so than Anthony Davis. The Pelicans big man was sensational in Saturday’s win, finishing with 20 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, and is the team’s most important player because of his ability to play inside at both ends of the floor.
4. Battle for forward roster spots
In addition to George and Durant’s unexpected departures opening up spots for someone to step into the spotlight, those absences also open up a pair of spots for two forwards to make the team who might not have otherwise.
Recently added Rudy Gay has a good chance to make it because of his defensive ability at both forward spots, something this team needs with George missing, but he’ll have competition from DeMar DeRozan, Gordon Hayward, Kyle Korver and Chandler Parsons.
5. Who will start?
Team USA has clearly shifted to a smaller lineup, with Rose, Stephen Curry and James Harden locks to start in a three-guard attack with Davis at center. That leaves an opening at power forward, which could lead Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski to go in a variety of directions.
Kenneth Faried played well at power forward against Brazil, which will present one of the bigger lineups Team USA could face in Spain, but Faried is very limited offensively, which could be a problem. Krzyzewski could also choose to go with one of the combo forwards — Gay got the most minutes backing up Faried on Saturday — against smaller lineups, or simply to get more shooting on the floor.