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Friday 27 July 2018

‘It means everything’: DeRozan eager to work with Popovich

By TIM REYNOLDS ich said. “I would be remiss
AP Basketball Writer if I didn’t bug him to death,
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kyle ask him millions of questions
Lowry had the ball in the and try to learn from him.”
right corner. He was well- DeRozan got some 1-on-
defended and not able to 1 interaction with his new
shoot or drive, so he fired a coach toward the end of
crosscourt diagonal pass to practice. Popovich chat-
DeMar DeRozan. ted with him for a couple of
For years, that was a fine minutes, and then Houston
idea. guard Eric Gordon joined in
This time, it became a turn- and the three of them went
over. They were on differ- over some post strategy for
ent teams during this par- guards.
ticular scrimmage, which It was consistent with the
seems fitting. theme of the day for Popo-
USA Basketball’s first mini- vich, who bounced around
camp of this Olympic cy- conversations all day long
cle started Thursday in Las — harassing Russell West-
Vegas, with DeRozan and brook during a free throw,
Lowry — longtime team- chatting with James Hard-
mates in Toronto — both en after one drill, then mov-
wearing the same uniform ing on for a word with Kevin
again. DeRozan is now Durant and finally heading
with the San Antonio Spurs over to where Kevin Love
and set to be coached by was sitting and feigning ex-
Gregg Popovich, who just United States men’s national team basketball coach Gregg Popovich left, speaks with Eric Gordon asperation as they spoke.
happened to be running (46) and DeMar DeRozan during a training camp for USA basketball, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in “All these guys have a dif-
his first national team prac- Las Vegas. ferent story, right? Just like
tice Thursday. Associated Press all of you,” Popovich said.
DeRozan has made no se- protected 2019 first round invited that aren’t here the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “We all have families or kids
cret: He wasn’t happy get- pick, for Kawhi Leonard have reasons, whether it’s The task of making sure the or situations in life. It’s fun to
ting traded out of Toronto. and wing Danny Green. injury or personal things go- Americans get to China find out who they really are
But if there’s a consolation Leonard was one of the 35 ing on in their lives. And we next year has fallen to G over and above basketball
prize to be had, it’s that he players invited to attend understand that.” League players, who are players. It helps me coach
now gets Popovich. this minicamp; he was one This two-day camp that being coached by Jeff Van them. It makes them feel a
“It means everything,” of roughly a dozen who ends Friday is little more Gundy and went 5-1 in the bigger part of the program.
DeRozan said. “I could didn’t show, a list that also than a get-to-know-you- first round of qualifying. The And they know we’re gen-
have ended up in the mid- includes LeBron James, better event for the play- second round of qualifying uinely interested in them off
dle of nowhere with Joe Stephen Curry and Klay ers and Popovich. There starts in September. the court.”
Blow. I ended up in a great Thompson. are no games to play, and Popovich is taking over the But as far as whether Popo-
place that wanted me that Popovich didn’t seem technically there aren’t national team reins from vich got a little something
strives for greatness. You bothered that there were even future tournaments Mike Krzyzewski, the Duke extra out of working with
can’t ask for nothing better no-shows. to prepare for — under the coach who led the U.S. to DeRozan, that was kept se-
than that.” “People have lives,” Popo- new qualifying rules, the Olympic gold in 2008, 2012 cret. Popovich wanted to
DeRozan was sent to the vich said. “We had a good U.S. isn’t yet assured of hav- and 2016. Krzyzewski was in keep his answers specific
Spurs on July 18, along with number of people here ing a spot in either the 2019 the gym to watch Thursday. to USA Basketball, not the
center Jakob Poeltl and a and the people who were FIBA World Cup in China or “He’s been great,” Popov- Spurs.q

Red Bulls’ Bradley Wright-Phillips

fastest to 100 MLS goals

tic Cup rival D.C. United become the 11th player to high 11th goal. The Dyna-
1-0 on Wednesday night in reach the century mark. mo (7-7-6) lost for the first
a game delayed about 90 UNION 3, DYNAMO 1 time in five games.
minutes due to lightning. HOUSTON (AP) — Cory SOUNDERS 1, EARTHQUAKES
Wright-Phillips scored his Burke broke a tie in the 70th 0
14th goal of the season in minute to help Philadelphia SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) —
the second minute. He ran beat Houston. Raul Ruidiaz scored his first
past the defense for a long Alejandro Bedoya tied it MLS goal in his first league
through ball and rolled it at 1 for Philadelphia (8- start to help Seattle beat
through the legs of a de- 10-3) in the 34th minute, last-place San Jose.
New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips, center,
celebrates his goal during the first half of the team’s MLS fender and past goalkeep- and Fabrice-Jean Picault Ruidiaz chested down a
soccer match against D.C. United, Wednesday, July 25, 2018, er David Ousted. added a penalty-kick goal pass from Cristian Roldan
in Washington. Wright-Phillips celebrated in second-half stoppage near the penalty area on
Associated Press by taking off his red No. 99 time. a breakaway and one-
By The Associated Press the fastest to score 100 jersey to unveil a custom Houston’s Mauro Manotas touched a shot inside
WASHINGTON (AP) — Brad- MLS goals and the New No. 100 white jersey. He opened the scoring in the the far post in the 62nd
ley Wright-Phillips became York Red Bulls beat Atlan- needed just 159 games to 10th minute with his career- minute.q