Today in New York City's Madison Square Garden, the World Basketball Festival concluded as Team USA faced the French national team in an exhibition game before the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

In the end, Team USA beat France, 86-55.

After the game, I spoke with French guard and San Antonio Spurs' 2009 draftee, Nando de Colo to talk to him about the loss against the US and what the team needs to do before the World Championship begins later this month.

Jeff: This was the first time the French team played Team USA and unfortunately it ended in a loss for France. Got to be a difficult loss.

Nando: It was a difficult loss. We were not ready for this game. They played very tough and aggressive.

What areas does the team need to address before going to Turkey?

We need to be together on defense and on offense we must move the ball. When we move the ball we can play against each team at the Worlds but if we take the shot after one pass it becomes difficult for us.

For the game, France did not shoot the ball well. Had to be frustrating for the entire game.

Exactly. We need to shoot better. We have to move the ball to have better looks.

Heading into the game, what did your coach, Vincent Collet, talk to the team about Team USA?

He said they (Team USA) are aggressive so we have to move the ball. When we played against Canada we played too much one-on-one. That's not our role. We must play together. We don't have a lot of big men so we need better passing.

Even though France lost, were there any positives to take away from this game?

In the first half we scored. We moved the ball and when we scored we got back on defense.

Looking forward to playing in the World Championship in Turkey?

Yeah. We have one more week before the Worlds but we still have much to learn.

For the game, de Colo finished with five points, one steal, one assist, one rebound, was 2-2 from the free-throw line, hit one three-point shot in 20 minutes of play.

Denver Nuggets' guard, Chauncey Billups, is the veteran for this young Team USA squad as they head into Turkey for the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

While I was at Team USA's practice in New York I caught up with Billups as he was heading off the court. Check out this brief interview I had with #4 for Team USA.

YouTube link

The 2010 World Basketball Festival concludes today in New York City as the main event gets underway this afternoon in Madison Square Garden with Team USA facing the French national team.

Yesterday, Team USA held a scrimmage against the Chinese national team to gauge their development as the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey draws near.

After the scrimmage Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski spoke with the media on the state of the team, which players he feels are solid pieces, trying to get the team to adjust to international play, and much more.

no comments

Today at the World Basketball Festival in New York City's Rucker Park, the French national team held an open practice for the fans.

As soon as the practice was over, I caught up with former San Antonio Spurs player Ian Mahinmi, now playing for the Dallas Mavericks, and we spoke about the French team taking on Team USA tomorrow in Madison Square Garden, the French team without Spurs' guard Tony Parker, missing San Antonio, and much more.

In the 2009 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs drafted Nando de Colo with the 53rd pick out of France.

Since then Spurs fans have not heard much about de Colo but Spurs GM R.C. Buford has called him the best French point guard currently in France and Spurs fans are hoping to see him put on a Spurs jersey soon.

While I was at the 2010 World Basketball Festival in Rucker Park in Harlem, the French national team held an open practice and I caught up with de Colo to ask him a few question about the French national team, what aspects of his game the Spurs told him to work on and much more.

First, check out some video of de Colo practicing with a familiar face to Spurs fans.

Here is the Project Spurs exclusive interview with de Colo.

 

no comments

After yesterday's Puerto Rico-Brazil scrimmage in Harlem's Ruker Park, I caught up with Toronto Raptors' guard, Leandro Barbosa, who also is a member of the Brazilian national team, to discuss the 2010 FIBA World Championship, the chemistry of the Brazilian team, joining the Raptors and much more.

Yesterday the Puerto Rico and Brazil national teams faced off at the world famous Rucker Park in Harlem.

Although San Antonio Spurs' center Tiago Splitter did not see any time on the court, he did enjoy the game, had some laughs with teammates and if Spurs fan were worried about the injury he suffered recently, they can breathe easy. During the game Splitter jumped out of his seat to avoid getting hit.

Check out this exclusive Project Spurs footage of Splitter.

NEW YORK CITY -- As Team USA is continuing preparations for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in New York City, I had a chance to talk with Chicago Bulls' guard Derrick Rose about the team, winning gold, the pressure of winning in Turkey and more.

As I walk to Rose, he is lacing his sneakers, icing down his knees and chatting with Oklahoma City Thunders' guard Russell Westbrook.

Jeff: I bet you and the team are ready to play against the international teams instead of each other?

Rose: (smiles) We want to start now! We want to start this journey we are on.

Got to get that gold huh?

We got to win this World Championship. We have to win it. No let downs!

Is there any pressure to win it in Turkey seeing how the US has not won at the Worlds since 1994?

No pressure at all. I know we are just going to go out there and play. I know with the guys we have on the team are young but we worked hard. We are just trying to bring it together, trying to gell, before we make it out there.

How are you and the team adapting to the international rules of basketball?

You don't really think about it too much. Only thing you think about is stopping people from scoring the ball. We still need to work on rebounding the ball because everybody is in the paint so you are rarely going to get a clean rebound. So its really up to the guards to get the long rebounds and when we get them we just got to get out and run.

As I conclude the interview with Rose, a group of kids and their parents come up to him and ask for an autograph and pictures. Despite the sore knees and tried look on his face he happily obliges.  Talk about a great ambassador for Team USA huh?

The World Basketball Festival events in New York City's Rucker Park continue as the Puerto Rico and Brazil national teams held a scrimmage in front of a packed house.

After the game, Project Spurs caught up with San Antonio Spurs' center, Tiago Splitter, to talk about his injury, finally playing with the Spurs and Tim Duncan and much more.

Enjoy this Project Spurs exclusive interview with Tiago Splitter.

 

The World Basketball Festival continues in New York City at the mecca of streetball, Rucker Park in Harlem.

This morning, Miami Heats' Dwayne Wade, Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony and and New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul took part in the Jordan Breakfast Club basketball clinic for the children of Harlem.

After the clinic, Wade, Anthony, and Paul held a press conference to talk the 2010 FIBA World Championship, playing for Team USA and much more.