Rose's team clobbered in Team USA scrimmage

Derrick Rose wrapped up a three-day Team USA mini-camp by playing on the losing side of an intrasquad scrimmage late Saturday night at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center.

The Blue team, led by Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, rolled to an 100-81 victory over the White, which was led in scoring by a couple of Memphis Grizzlies.

Rudy Gay was the game’s high-scorer with 27 points and he hit an impressive 11-of-12 shots from the field. O.J. Mayo didn’t shoot as well (5-for-16), but added 13 points for the White squad.

Rose finished with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 turnovers in 28 minutes of action, hitting 3-of-7 shots from the field.

“It was fun, too bad that we lost, but it was a fun experience out there,” Rose said after the game. “I've got to get back in condition, but the biggest things were trying to push the ball, trying to play defense and getting my teammates open.”

Rose’s team led by as many as 10 points in the first half, but the Blue finished the second quarter with a 9-0 run to pull within 43-42 at halftime. The White team was then outscored 58-38 in the second half as the Blue shot 63 percent from the field following intermission.

Durant finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds, while New Jersey center Brook Lopez added 18 points and missed just 1 shot. Kyle Korver (Utah), Thaddeus Young (Philadelphia) and Anthony Randolph (Golden State) scored 12 points each off the bench for the Blue.

“Man, it was a lot of fun,” Durant said. “We got that lead closed down a little bit and gave us some momentum going into the second half. I learned a lot from the guys, played hard. I was like a sponge all week, and I’m looking forward to doing it again, hopefully.”

Joining Rose in the White starting lineup were Gay, Mayo, Oklahoma City forward Jeff Green (8 points) and Portland center Greg Oden (7 points, 10 rebounds).

Utah’s Ronnie Brewer was effective off the bench for the White, producing 11 points and 6 steals. The rest of the White squad included Javale McGee (Washington), Paul Millsap (Utah) and Eric Gordon (L.A. Clippers).

Rose was also asked if this three-day camp was a good experience.

“Of course it was,” the Bulls second-year point guard said. “I got to play with and against great players, getting some leadership from some of them and just seeing how they do off the court, too. They probably didn't know I was watching them, but I was watching them off the court, seeing how they eat, see how they preserved their energy and how they are.”

Here are a couple more interesting items from the quote sheets. First, Mayo described the mini-camp, which is supposed to help identify candidates for the national team and get these players used to international rules:

“They actually took it kind of light on us,” Mayo said. “The first day was pretty tough. The second day was a lot of scrimmaging, and we had a lot of fun -- got an opportunity to compete and get out there and get down a little bit. (It was a) tremendous opportunity for all of us.”

Toronto coach Jay Triano was in charge of the mini-camp and this was his assessment of the participants:

“Kevin Durant was very good. I thought that Rudy Gay put up great numbers and was very efficient with the basketball. (Andre) Iguodala played well. If a couple guys surprised us, it was Brook Lopez. He just did a nice job of catching the ball, and keeping it high. (Oklahoma City guard Russell) Westbrook was very good too. Probably the same guys I thought played extremely well throughout the practices.”

Does that mean Rose didn't play well throughout the practices? Not sure, but Rose still figures to be a top candidate to replace Jason Kidd on the national squad for next year's FIBA World Championships in Turkey. Durant, Gay and Lopez certainly helped their cause.