Team USA Notebook: Billups Discusses President Obama's Game-Winning Shot

NEW YORK -- Chauncey Billups likes what he sees in President Obama's game.

The Denver guard was among a group of more than a dozen players invited by Obama to play pickup games last Sunday at the White House in front of fans that included wounded American soldiers. You better believe Obama, quite the basketball player and fan, joined in the fun.

"It was a good time,'' Billups told FanHouse on Wednesday after his Team USA practiced in preparation for this month's World Championship. "The chance to meet Obama, play a little hoops and share some fellowship. ... (Obama) has a nice little left hand. He's a lefty shooter. He hit a game-winner on us.''

So Obama, using a much-needed presidential trait of being cool under pressure, nailed a game-winner?

"We went to double Chris Paul," Billups said of pressuring Obama's teammate, the New Orleans star guard. "It was a wide-open shot. We left (Obama) open by accident and he knocked it down on us. Game time."

It was Billups' second visit to the White House, the first coming after he was named Finals MVP for Detroit's 2004 title win. But the latest visit wasn't too bad since Billups admits to being more of a President Obama supporter than one for President Bush, who hosted the Pistons six years ago.

Still, it's not as if Billups claimed to have offered Obama any basketball advice.

"I didn't give him any pointers. I talked a little smack to him, though,'' Billups said with a laugh.

Billups will have a more serious pursuit Thursday in New York. He will be among a good number of players on hand for a collective bargaining agreement negotiation session between NBA owners and the players union.

"I'm just hopeful,'' Billups, a second-year man during the last NBA lockout in 1998-99, said of trying to avoid another one when the CBA expires June 30, 2011. "But the reality of it is none of us will know until that time comes. I'm hoping there's not one. I've been through one. It's not a lot of fun.''

WAITING ON GRANGER

The news on Danny Granger's injured finger initially was good. But, with all the injuries Team USA has had this summer, it's no surprise team officials are not yet ready to offer up fist bumps.

The Indiana forward suffered what was believed to be a dislocated right ring finger in practice Tuesday. X-rays were negative, but Granger was scheduled to have an MRI on Wednesday.

"I'm realistic,'' Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said after Wednesday's practice. "I'll just wait until somebody tells me (the results). That's the way I've been coaching for the last four years (with USA Basketball).''

While waiting for results, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo at least called it "good news'' X-rays were negative but that "we won't know until the MRI.''

Team USA already has lost four players this summer due to health issues in David Lee (finger), Robin Lopez (back), Brook Lopez (mono) and Tyreke Evans (sprained ankle). While Evans' ankle might not have hampered him the rest of the summer, getting hurt on the first day of a Las Vegas training camp last month wiped him out for the remainder of camp and he ended up being cut.

In addition to Granger not practicing, Team USA was down another player because Boston guard Rajon Rondo had to fly to Kentucky due to the death of his uncle. Rondo was due back in New York on Wednesday night, and Colangelo didn't believe he would be hurt by missing one workout.

TURKISH TIE

It remains to be seen how Turkish crowds will treat the Americans, but there will be a veteran from each of the nations' teams on Team USA's bench.

Assistant coach Jay Triano, Toronto's head man, played in 1985 for Fenerbahce, a team in Istanbul. Triano called himself an "average" player so it's not as if fans have seen his retired jersey hanging.

Triano, who has worked with USA Basketball since 2007, originally only was going to help the Americans for their training camps in Las Vegas and New York. But when assistant Mike D'Antoni, New York's head man, pulled out of going overseas due to back problems, Triano was elevated to a full-fledged assistant role and changed his plans in order to go to Turkey.

"When Mike asked me, it was absolutely,'' Triano said.

As for D'Antoni, he won't have any surgical procedures done this summer. But he believes not going to Turkey is best to help his ailing back.

"I'm all right,'' he said. "Just trying to get it completely well. ... They're doing a lot of things (this summer). Hopefully, it will get well.''

So does D'Antoni plan to coach next season using the type of oversized chair that Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who has battled health problems, has on his bench?

"Not until I win eight championships,'' joked D'Antoni, a reference to Jackson having won 11 titles.

CONFIDENT CURRY

Many observers believe it will come down to the Clippers' Eric Gordon and Golden State's Stephen Curry for one final guard spot. Both are players whom Team USA officials want to see live up to the shooting part of being a shooting guard.

Curry isn't dissing Gordon or anybody else on the team. But he believes he should get the nod when the 15 players in camp are cut down to the 12-man final roster by Aug. 26.

"They need a shooter on the team,'' said Curry, who shot 43.7 percent from three-point range last season with the Warriors. "We have a lot of guards. (It helps) any time you have another guy who not only can shoot the ball and spread the floor when they get it, but, when they don't have the shot, is able to make that next play. I think my passing ability is something that Coach K likes.

"I've been playing pretty well, and I've just got to continue doing what I'm doing. Defending is something that I can do, guarding those quick guards on other teams. I like my chances (to make the team), and I'm just blessed to be here and have the opportunity.''

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com or on Twitter @christomasson.