Kyrie Irving to start at point guard for Team USA against Slovenia
Kyrie Irving will start at point guard against Slovenia on Tuesday in Team USA's final exhibition in advance of the FIBA World Cup, head coach Mike Krzyzewski told ESPN's Mark Stein.
Krzyzewski is considering rotating Irving and Derrick Rose as the starter throughout the World Cup, but said he could see the two playing together. Rose has missed most of the past two NBA seasons due to two severe knee injuries.
"We'll see as thing goes on," Krzyzewski said after Monday's two-hour practice. "We might alternate 'em. Both of them are going to play significant minutes."
"I asked him today, 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 other guards on Team USA's 12-man roster, which was announced early Saturday morning, are Stephen Curry, DeMar Derozan, James Harden and Klay Thompson.
GOLLIVER: Player-by-player analysis of USA Basketball's World Cup roster
The World Cup, which is being held in Spain, begins on Aug. 30 and runs through Sept. 14.
Irving scored 11 points and had six assists in 27 minutes in Team USA's 112-86 win over Puerto Rico on Friday night. The two-time All-Star signed a five-year contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer.
Team USA's first game is Aug. 30 against Finland. The other members of the United States' group are Turkey, the Dominican Republic, New Zealand and Ukraine.
- Chris Johnson
