Team USA getting physical

LAS VEGAS – When the United States put together its roster for the FIBA Americas tournament, it went with a tougher, stronger backcourt to withstand the bumping, grinding and handchecking of international basketball.

“That’s one of the reasons we tried to get more physical guard play,” coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

With newcomers Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups and Deron Williams, the Americans’ backcourt may be as physical as any in the world. And that can only help in international play, which Krzyzewski compared to the rough-and-tumble NBA of the 1980s.

“It’s a very different game,” Krzyzewski said.

The U.S. opens the tournament against Venezuela on Aug. 22 at Thomas & Mack Center. The top two teams in the 10-nation field draw berths to the 2008 Olympics.

In an effort to prepare players for the no-blood, no-foul style of international play, Team USA invited FIBA referees to work a scrimmage this week.

Fortunately, everyone survived.

What might appear to be a violation in the NBA – a moving screen, say, or a forearm to the midsection – is often ignored under FIBA rules.

“You have more liberties,” Bryant said. “It’s upon us to take advantage of those. In the past, guys were telling me, when they were playing in these tournaments, they’re so used to playing hands-off. It’s an adjustment. They’re not taking advantage of their size or their athletic ability.

“We’re making a conscious effort to establish that early here.”

In team meetings this week, FIBA referees Terry Moore of the United States and Nikos Zarlanos of Greece talked to the players about what’s allowed, and what’s not.

“What we’re doing is taking about four or five rules and showing the difference between NBA and international, or the similarities, and it was a very productive thing,” Krzyzewski said. “Actually, how we guard the ball is a big thing in that, and our guys responded well to it.”

International basketball is far more physical than the NBA, which has taken strides to streamline the game by cracking down on handchecks and illegal screens.

“The international game’s almost like a completely different sport,” said Seattle forward Nick Collison, who has represented the U.S. in nine events.

One difference, evident to even casual observers, is the number of moving picks. A defender may find himself being blocked from the top of the key into the lane.

“It’s not illegal,” LeBron James said. “In the NBA it is, but in FIBA basketball it’s legal.”

Bryant, who makes his international debut next week, is looking forward to the different style.

“I love it,” Bryant said. “I grew up watching the ‘80s NBA, watching the Bad Boys and the Celtics, the Lakers when they played. Everything was physical. You could put your hands on guys and body them. That made the game extremely competitive, so I enjoy it.”

Notes: The 12-man roster doesn’t have to be finalized until Tuesday, one day before the tournament opener.