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.

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

 

NEW YORK CITY -- Stephen Curry finished his rookie season in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. He was the runner-up for the 2010 NBA Rookie of the Year and was a unanimous selection to the 2009-2010 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie first team. Not to mention he averaged 17.5 points and 5.9 assists for the Warriors.

Not bad for a rookie entering the NBA but for as much as Curry has accomplished in his budding NBA career, when it comes to being on Team USA and playing on the international basketball stage, there is still much to learn.

As one of the younger players for Team USA, Curry knows he can learn a thing or two from playing with and against other veteran NBA guards such as Derrick Rose, Chauncey Billups, and Rajon Rondo day-in and day-out in preparation for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

"I'm a student of the game no matter if I play against the guys, watch them on TV, or just watching film. I always have my eyes open and try to learn something from those talented guys. Especially because they play my position," said Curry when I asked him about playing with Rose, Billups and Rondo. "I'm not just going out here blind or going through the motions. I'm definitely trying to pick up some stuff and add to my game. Sometimes my athleticism tries to take over but I see how they see the game and I can definitely learn some things."

Learning new things takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to grasping the international style of play. Curry, like most of Team USA, is adapting his style of game and is looking forward to play against any other international teams, "It's kind of tough right now because we haven't played against anybody but ourselves or the college guys (USA Select Team) who play our same kind of basketball," said Curry to Project Spurs, "But once we get to play China and France, get some exposure against other teams, other systems, then we can assess where we are and how we are developing with the international game. With the rule changes, you can get away with just playing ball but this weekend is going to be a good test for us."

One of the biggest differences between the NBA and FIBA is the trapezoid lane. It allows for big men to patrol the middle without the worry of a defensive three-second violation thus allowing for a more physical game. Especially if you are a guard trying to get to the rim.

Curry is fully aware of this but knows it allows him to showcase his three-point shooting touch especially with a closer three-point line, "It is!" said Curry when I asked him if he can sense how much more physical the international game is as compared to the NBA, "The lane is bigger which creates a lot more space on the floor. Guys can sit in the lanes because there is no defensive three-second rule. The big guys will always be down there if you are going to get in the middle. But that helps me because I can just shoot the three all day."

Learning and adapting and focusing on winning gold. There is no doubt Curry will be an asset in Team USA's pursuit of the gold medal.