Hilfe zu Bildern » Playing two doubleheaders in a week can be taxing on a

NEW YORK -- The U.S. has picked the 12 players it believes can defend its world basketball title. The Americans kept Derrick Rose and cut All-Star Damian Lillard and three others early Saturday morning, getting their roster down to the limit for the FIBA World Cup of Basketball. Though team officials had previously said they might carry extra players when they left for Spain on Saturday, and final rosters arent due until next Friday, the Americans decided there was no need to wait. Kyle Korver, Gordon Hayward and Chandler Parsons also were cut, shortly after the Americans beat Puerto Rico 112-86 in their final home exhibition game. "Since taking over the USA Basketball mens national team program in 2005, this was without doubt the most difficult selection process weve gone through," USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said in a statement. "I cant stress enough the outstanding effort and commitment that has been given by each finalist. "I also want to make it clear that this is not just about talent -- each player is incredibly talented and each player offered us unique skills. In the end it was about assembling the best team, selecting guys who we felt would be able to best play the kind of style we envision this team playing." The rest of the roster is: Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, DeMarcus Cousins, Klay Thompson, Andre Drummond, Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan, Kenneth Faried and Mason Plumlee. The Americans can still change the roster in event of injury or withdrawal before Friday, a day before the World Cup opener, which is why they originally considered bringing extra players to Spain. "We feel that its better to go with 12 because thats really difficult on anybody if theyre not going to be on the team to travel that far," coach Mike Krzyzewski said after the game at Madison Square Garden. Lillard, Drummond, Hayward and DeRozan didnt play in the game, but Krzyzewski stressed afterward the final decisions on the roster hadnt been made -- and it turned out two got tickets on the plane. "Im excited about the 12 players selected and feel we have excellent versatility and the makings of a really good defensive team," Krzyzewski said. Rose came off the bench and scored six points in 14 minutes. He had sat out the previous game and a couple of practices this week after feeling soreness following last Saturdays exhibition opener against Brazil, his first action since missing most of the last two seasons after a pair of knee surgeries. But he proved he was healthy enough to make his second U.S. team, having played for the Americans when they won the former world basketball championship in 2010. "These guys want to play with him. Thats part of getting back is to be around a group of peers," Krzyzewski said. Curry scored 20 points, while Harden and Gay had 13 points apiece for the Americans, who will play a final exhibition game in Spain against Slovenia and open the World Cup next Saturday against Finland. The U.S. led 52-47 after Thompsons buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of an entertaining first half before a divided crowd that included plenty of Puerto Rican fans. Knicks All-Star and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medallist Carmelo Anthony, who is part Puerto Rican, was in the front row along with golfer Rory McIlroy and tennis star Andy Murray. The Americans lost a number of key players this summer but are still good enough to defend their world title with the roster that remains, though they are vulnerable, which Puerto Rico proved by staying right with them for 20 minutes. But they can also turn close games into blowouts in a hurry, which they did by outscoring Puerto Rico 14-2 to open the second half, with some energetic plays from Faried on both ends, to open a 66-49 lead. "The team is looking great," Puerto Rico guard Carlos Arroyo said. "A lot of young guys motivated to represent their country with a lot of pride and honour, and youve got to give respect to that." Puerto Ricos veteran backcourt of Arroyo and J.J. Barea has loads of international and NBA experience, and they didnt wilt under relentless U.S. pressure the way so many other teams do. Former Knicks forward Renaldo Balkman also started for the Puerto Ricans, who play in Group B along with regional rival Argentina, Croatia, Greece, Senegal and the Philippines. Barea scored 16 points and Arroyo had 15. "Not every game is going to be pretty when we get to Spain, so this is a good test for us and a good experience for everybody on the roster," Curry said. Cheap New Balance Shoes From China . Go to turbozone.ca to see more of his epic work and you can follow him on twitter (@Turbo_Zone). 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New Balance Outlet Online . -- Ricky Romeros comeback bid hit another road bump Tuesday in an ugly 18-4 Jays loss to a Detroit Tigers split squad.CLEVELAND -- Corey Klubers got a cloud hanging over him so far this season. And its already opened up twice. For the second time in a week, Clevelands right-hander had a start postponed because of rain as Mondays interleague series opener between the Indians and San Diego Padres was washed out. With steady rains falling at Progressive Field and the forecast for more showers and no window to play, the Indians announced the postponement less than two hours before the scheduled opening pitch. The teams will play a traditional doubleheader on Wednesday with the first game scheduled to begin at 12:05 p.m. The second game will start 20 minutes after the conclusion of the opener. Last week, Klubers season debut in Oakland was postponed as the Athletics were rained out for the first time since 1998. The Indians and As made up the rainout the following day with a day-night doubleheader, the earliest doubleheader in baseball history, according to STATS. So, is this Klubers fault? "I dont know if you can blame this one on Klubes," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "It seems like there is always a pitcher, though, who catches it." Kluber, incidentally, was drafted by the Padres in 2007. Because the Padres are not scheduled to come back to Cleveland again this season due to the interleague format, the Indians decided to make up the postponement as soon as possible rather than push it back to a later date. "This is obviously the only time well play San Diego so it makes sense to play and not have them flying back on some other day off," Francona said. "Its too easy to put it off until later and all of a sudden theres a lot of laters. So I think making it up now makes sense." The Padres, who are making their first visit to Cleveland since 2008, dont deal with many rainouts in California. "It doesnt happen much in San Diego, but in other parts of the country and in other parts of your career, you get accustomed to this," said manager Bud Black, who had two stints as a pitcher with the Indians. "Its always a little unsettling, but most players are conditioned for days like this based on the number of times this happens over ones career.&quoot; Still, the Indians are conditioned to the weather theyve faced since returning home.dddddddddddd Their home opener against Minnesota on Friday was delayed more than two hours by rain, and they played three straight games against the Twins in blustery, frigid conditions. "Its tough," Indians catcher Yan Gomes said. "Even San Francisco, man, it was cold out there, too. Coming out here and playing in the cold weather, I know it takes a toll on a lot of guys bodies. But hey, you cant pick your spots. Youve got to play in this kind of weather and the other teams are doing the same." Klubers start is pushed back until Tuesday against San Diegos Tyson Ross. Zach McAllister will start one of Wednesdays games and Francona said the Indians will promote a starter from the minors for the other. The Padres are bumping Mondays starter, left-hander Robbie Erlin, back to Wednesday with lefty Eric Stults starting the other game. The Padres havent decided in which order theyll pitch. Playing two doubleheaders in a week can be taxing on any pitching staff, but Francona said its not a major issue as long as games arent cancelled on consecutive days. "When you start missing two or three games then you have to start to skip guys and we havent had to do that," he said. Whats been challenging or the Indians so far has been the cold. After spending spring training in beautiful Arizona, theyve returned to a winter that still has its grip on Cleveland. "Its difficult, but at the same time you have to be mentally tough," outfielder Michael Brantley said. "We know what were getting into coming to Cleveland, especially in the beginning part of the year. We layer up and stay as warm as possible." NOTES: Francona does not yet know if CF Michael Bourn will travel with the club to Chicago, where the Indians will begin a seven-game trip on Thursday. Bourn is on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. He was eligible to be activated on the weekend, but has made only one minor league rehab appearance and needs to play more. ... The Indians are 148-155 in interleague play. The Padres are 119-155 against AL teams. ' ' '