SANTA CRUZ, Calif.—The undefeated United States World Cup qualifying team blew past Cuba, 84-48, here last night at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in the game that came dangerously close to never being played.
When the Cubans initially applied for visas to come to this country, sources indicated their applications were denied. And it wasn’t until USA Basketball stepped in and worked with the State Department at the highest levels that common ground could be found.
Since the United States does not have an embassy in Havana, four members of the Cuban team who are playing in Argentina had to interview with the American embassy in that country and 12 other members of the delegation had to go through the American embassy in Mexico to gain permission for a two-day trip. They were finally cleared Tuesday and Wednesday. USA Basketball was generous enough to make their flight arrangements, pay for their airline tickets as well as their accommodations and meals.
Not playing this game would have been major public relations problem for everyone involved including FIBA, who has been pushing the idea of playing preliminary zone games, much like soccer does leading up to the World Cup.
Since the first and second windows of competition are being played during the midst of the college and NBA season, the Americans have been forced to use G-League players who do not have NBA contracts. Aside from guard Larry Drew II and 6-10 forward Travis Wear, this is a completely new—and fluid roster that could change at a moment’s notice.
Former UConn guard Rodney Purvis from the Lakeland, Fla. Magic led the U.S. with 14 points and former Northern Illinois forward Xavier Silas from the Northern Arizona Suns set the tone for the route with 10 of his 13 points in the first half. Former West Virginia center Devin Williams from the Maine Red Claws added 12 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and had 6 assists.
“We still have some things we have to work on,’’ Silas said. “It’s all about being relentless and we didn’t do that the entire time.’’
But this is not a vintage G-League All Star team, certainly not as good as the team that defeated Puerto Rico and Mexico in November. The Americans were missing two key players—guard Trey McKinney Jones and guard Marcus Thornton—who were called up by the NBA Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers. Thornton looked like he would be a major factor for this team but received a 10-day deal from Cavs, who needed a 14th player on their roster and could get Thornton for $40,000.
Thornton, ironically, may never play for the Cavs. He played for their Canton G-League affiliate last night, scoring 22 points, playing on a court that was technically longer than normal size.
It has not made things easy for Jeff Van Gundy, who volunteered to coach this team. “I’m happy for these two guys and a lot of players from our last team,’’ he said. ““They’ve improved their careers by being called up. I hope the same thing happens with this group. At the same time, it’s created a challenge trying to build a team with the chemistry other teams that have played together for a long time have. Sean Ford (the senior team manager) has done a good job selecting people who are not only talented but have high character. They will be tested mentally. The FIBA game is a lot rougher than your average G-League game.
“I have a lot of respect for the G-League coaches and players. I don’t think mentally people have an idea what they go through to keep hope alive and the perseverance it takes to continue on. A lot of them are good enough to be on an NBA roster. But there’s a limited player pool.’’
Van Gundy has done an exceptional job using his personnel. The Americans are 3-0 so far with three games remaining in group play—including one, Monday night against a dangerous Puerto Rico team, which defeated Mexico by 20 points last night on the road.
The U.S. defeated Puerto Rico, 85-78, in November in a game that was moved from San Juan to Miami because of Hurricane Katrina. “They outplayed us the first time,’’ Van Gundy said. “They dominated us. We just came up with some big plays by Xavier Mumford, Jamaal Warney and Reggie Heard at the end. The atmosphere for the rematch should be electric.’’
The Americans finished up group play on June 28 and July 1 against Mexico and Cuba on the road.
If Team USA finishes in the top three in its group, it will advance to the second round, which will be made up of two divisions of six teams apiece. The top three teams plus the highest ranked fourth place team will advance to the 32-team World Championships next year in China.
The U.S. will assemble a 35-man roster of NBA candidates for the World Championship team for voluntary workouts in Vegas at the end of July.
Van Gundy replaced Thornton with 6-9 Derek Willis, the former Kentucky forward who plays for the Grand Rapids Drive and McKinney with guard Damion Lee from the Santa Cruz Warriors.
The U.S. jumped out to a 15-0 lead on Cuba, which did not score until guard Yunkiskel Molina Rodriguez made a free throw with 5:20 left in the first quarter. The U.S. only shot 42.5 percent for the game and made only six of 27 three-point attempts but had just too much depth and defense for the Cubans and constantly hurt them with their ability to get to the rim.
Cuba shot just 25 percent for the game. The Cubans’ 6-10, 25-year old center Javier Justiz Fernandez did make an interesting impression with his passing, vertical leap, right and left hand and ability to score in the low post. He finished with six points and 10 rebounds. “He’s a load down there,’’ Van Gundy said. “He has skill, but we had good ball pressure and I thought Devin and Rashawn Thomas did an outstanding job on him.
“All good FIBA teams are very physical. It tests you. In the G-League and the NBA, you have freedom of motion. IN FIBA you don’t.”