Having two of the NBA’s top point guards at his disposal might lead Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski to mix up his starting lineup a bit during the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
Kyrie Irving will get the nod Tuesday night in the team’s final tuneup game, but Krzyzewski told ESPN.com that Irving and the recently rehabilitated Derrick Rose might trade off starts once tournament play opens Saturday in Spain.
“We’ll see as thing goes on,” the Duke bench boss said. “We might alternate ’em. Both of them are going to play significant minutes.”
Knee injuries have limited Rose to just 10 games over the past two season, but the Chicago Bulls star showed the Team USA brass enough in camp to warrant a selection over Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, who was among the final cuts Saturday.
“I asked him (Monday), and he said, ‘I feel great,'” Krzyzewski said of Rose. “He did everything. He’s full go. I think there’s a part of him that’s like: ‘Quit asking me how I feel. I’m good.’ So I’m not going to ask him anymore.”
The U.S. will play Finland, Turkey, New Zealand, the Dominican Republic and Ukraine in World Cup pool play.
Photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
