DeRozan eager to work with Popovich
LAS VEGAS — Kyle Lowry had the ball in the right corner. He was well-defended and not able to shoot or drive, so he fired a crosscourt diagonal pass to DeMar DeRozan.
For years, that was a fine idea.
This time, it became a turnover. They were on different teams during this particular scrimmage, which seems fitting.
USA Basketball’s first minicamp of this Olympic cycle started Thursday in Las Vegas, with DeRozan and Lowry — longtime teammates in Toronto — both wearing the same uniform again. DeRozan is now with the San Antonio Spurs and set to be coached by Gregg Popovich, who just happened to be running his first national team practice Thursday.
DeRozan has made no secret: He wasn’t happy getting traded out of Toronto. But if there’s a consolation prize to be had, it’s that he now gets Popovich.
“It means everything,” DeRozan said. “I could have ended up in the middle of nowhere with Joe Blow. I ended up in a great place that wanted me that strives for greatness. You can’t ask for nothing better than that.” The task of making
DeRozan was sent sure the Americans get to the Spurs on July to China next year has 18, along with center fallen to G League Jakob Poeltl and a protected players, who are being 2019 first coached by Jeff Van round pick, for Kawhi Gundy and went 5-1 Leonard and wing in the first round of Danny Green. qualifying. The second Leonard was one of round of qualifying the 35 players invited starts in September. to attend this Popovich is taking minicamp; he was over the national team one of roughly a dozen reins from Mike who didn’t show, a list Krzyzewski, the Duke that also includes coach who led the U.S. LeBron James, to Olympic gold in Stephen Curry and 2008, 2012 and 2016. Klay Thompson. Krzyzewski was in the
Popovich didn’t gym to watch Thursday. seem bothered that there were no-shows. “He’s been great,”
“People have lives,” Popovich said. “I Popovich said. “We had would be remiss if I a good number of didn’t bug him to people here and the death, ask him millions people who were invited of questions and that aren’t here try to learn from him.” have reasons, whether DeRozan got some it’s injury or personal 1-on-1 interaction with things going on in his new coach toward their lives. And we understand the end of practice. that.” Popovich chatted with
This two-day camp him for a couple of that ends Friday is minutes, and then little more than a getto-know-you-better Houston guard Eric Gordon joined in and event for the players the three of them went and Popovich. There over some post strategy are no games to play, for guards. and technically there It was consistent aren’t even future with the theme of the tournaments to prepare day for Popovich, who for — under the bounced around conversations new qualifying rules, all day long the U.S. isn’t yet assured — harassing Russell of having a spot Westbrook during a in either the 2019 FIBA free throw, chatting World Cup in China or with James Harden the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. after one drill, then moving on for a word with Kevin Durant and finally heading over to where Kevin Love was sitting and feigning exasperation as they spoke.
“All these guys have a different story, right? Just like all of you,” Popovich said. “We all have families or kids or situations in life. It’s fun to find out who they really are over and above basketball players. It helps me coach them. It makes them feel a bigger part of the program. And they know we’re genuinely interested in them off the court.”
But as far as whether Popovich got a little something extra out of working with DeRozan, that was kept secret. Popovich wanted to keep his answers specific to USA Basketball, not the Spurs.
“That was a good try,” Popovich said to one reporter who asked about coaching DeRozan.
DeRozan spoke plenty, though. There are many tough parts to him leaving Toronto, and not having Lowry at his side anymore will be one of the very hardest for him to deal with. They were inseparable at times together Thursday, even wrapping up their end-