The opportunity to practice this summer with Team USA leading up to the FIBA World Championship seemed like a boon for Danny Granger back when it was announced in February.

Working out with some of the league's best players and the USA Basketball coaching staff was a great alternate offseason program to help Granger improve his game and prepare for the upcoming season. Shortly after the workouts began, though, with many big-name players sitting out the summer and other players dropping out due to injury, Granger found himself in the mix for the final 12-man roster that would compete in Turkey.

Once on the team, Granger had a legitimate shot at playing a significant role as well, joining Andre Iguodala and Rudy Gay in a quest for forward minutes alongside Kevin Durant. But aside from an offensive outburst of 22 points in an exhibition against China, Granger's offensive production ranged from inconsistent to minimal. Since scoring the bucket is his calling card and coach Mike Krzyzewski and staff put an emphasis on defensive pressure, Granger morphed into the odd man out in the playing rotation once the games started to count.

Save for some blow-out run and mop-up minutes, Granger spent his time in Turkey supporting teammates from the bench. From a fan perspective, it was disappointing to watch, knowing Granger could jump in the action and light up the scoreboard if given the chance, even though the situation was reasonable from an objective, basketball perspective.

Zooming out to appreciate the bigger picture though, reveals plenty of benefits that the Pacers forward can bring with him to the Fieldhouse when training camp begins in a few weeks. It was truly a golden opportunity for Granger to improve as a player, leader and teammate. After the jump, more on what Granger can take away from his experience with Team USA this summer.

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Team USA finished their FIBA World Championship run in strong fashion with an 81-64 win over Turkey to earn the gold medal for the first time in 16 years.

More talented rosters have let gold slip away in that time, but this U.S. team relied on its strengths -- defense and, well, Kevin Durant -- and found a way to control games throughout the tournament. That isn't to say this team was void of talent, in fact time may reveal that this team was fully loaded and thus the gold medal a mere by product. But for now that talent is quite young and inexperienced save for Chauncey Billups and Lamar Odom. The players and coach Mike Krzyzewski deserve a lot of credit along with that gold medal  for staying on point and executing their winning game plan.

Durant again paced the way with 28 points including 20 in the first half which helped the U.S. team seize the game after a tight start. Whenever, and from wherever, Durant rose to launch his silky stroke the ball seemed destined for the bottom of the net. Lamar Odom also held down the middle with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Hedo Turkoglu was dinged up in the first half but finished with 16 points for Turkey, a surprise silver medalist in this tournament.

Danny Granger was among the players out of the playing rotation for the championship game although he did finish the game on the court in the final minute and looked absolutely psyched to take home a gold medal with his teammates. Eric Gordon played 13 minutes but missed all five of his shot attempts. His international experience was fabulous and should raise his profile in the NBA heading into the upcoming season.

After the jump, a few links of interest with stories wrapping up the WCs and a look at unresolved issues still facing the Pacers.

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This has to be the most exciting day in the basketball history of Istanbul, Turkey. With an exciting double-header of FIBA World Championship semifinals set to tip, the matchups should have the gym jumping all day.

Of course, the nightcap is the main matchup for the locals with Turkey taking on Serbia. But the "JV" game should be an epic appetizer with Team USA playing Lithuania. Both the U.S. team and Lithuania seem to be peaking at prime time in the tournament. Team USA did beat Lithuania in an exhibition a few weeks ago but it wasn't easy and the stakes are much higher so expect this game to be tight throughout.

If the U.S. squad prevails and faces Turkey as expected in the Finals, tomorrow will become the most exciting day in Turkish basketball history. But until then, enjoy the action today because it should be sweet.

The game tips at noon on ESPN Classic and ESPN3.com.

After the jump, a few links of interest including previews and news from the WCs along with a nice piece on Ron Artest making a real impact with middle school children.

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You can't go wrong with USA vs. Russia in any sport, but in basketball this game will always wake the echoes of the former Soviet Union swiping gold in the 1972 Olympics. After nearly 30 years it was surprising to hear a diplomatic debate break out between the Russian coach -- and American citizen -- David Blatt and Mike Krzyzewski over the validity of the ridiculous finish in Munich gold medal game.

That talk has to be a bit of a yawner for the young U.S. squad so they'll need to rely on their own personal pride to take down the modern-day Russian team today in the FIBA World Championship quarterfinal matchup. The Russians will certainly present some front-court problems for the undersized Americans.

Timofey Mozgov is a 23-year-old, 7'1" center signed by the New York Knicks this offseason. He's leading the Russians in scoring but remains a work in progress and a player who shouldn't dominate the middle on his own. But with Sasha Kaun (6'11") and Sergey Monya (6'9") added to the mix, the U.S. team will have to keep things moving and not allow the Russian bigs to play at a favorable pace.

The game starts at 11:00AM on ESPN. Serbia's defeat of Spain yesterday raised the bar of excitement in Istanbul as the one-and-done round has provoked some serious intensity among the elite teams. Expect nothing less in this game.

After the jump, a few links of interest with stories about the WCs, NBA free agents and performance enhancing basketball shoes.

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As expected, Team USA had no trouble with Angola in their first game of the elimination round at the FIBA World Championships. Although, the 121-66 drubbing was more excessive than expected.

Chauncey Billups set the tone early for the U.S. team and finished with a game-high 19 points. Eric Gordon came off the bench with another strong offensive showing, knocking down 5 of 6 3-pointers to finish with 17 points. Danny Granger got his share of minutes as well, but couldn't get his shots to fall missing all for of his 3-ball attempts to finish with 5 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound.

Team USA moves onto a quarterfinal matchup with 5-1 Russia on Thursday. A couple of intriguing games on the U.S. side of the bracket today will have Lithuania taking on China and Argentina against Brazil. The winner of those games will play in the quarterfinal opposite the U.S. and Russia.

Here are the updated FIBA World Chamiponship brackets.

After the jump, more links of interest from the WCs, an interview with T.J. Ford and a Portland slant on the Rudy Ferenandez trade rumors.

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The FIBA World Championships continue over the weekend and yesterday's biggest game saw Spain hang on to knock out Greece in their first game of the medal round. The Spaniards remain the biggest threat to win the gold along with Team USA.

Speaking of the U.S. squad, today's links reveal they are trying to take advantage of their days off to work details before they resume their run for the gold on Monday against Angola.

Also, former Pacer and all-around good guy, Luther Head will get a shot at a roster spot with the Sacramento Kings. After New Orleans did him wrong by signing him earlier this summer in the midst of a front office transition, the Kings did him right by bringing him in much like the Pacers did last year. Nothing is guaranteed unless he remains on the roster for a couple of months. But it's a fair shot for Luther and I hope it all works out for the best.

Check out the links after the jump.

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Team USA finished up pool play 5-0 after cruising past Tunisia 92-57on Thursday at the FIBA World Championships.

Eric Gordon continued his stellar play in the international competition with an efficient 21 points on 7-10 field goals off the bench, to lead all scorers. Danny Granger played 16 minutes off the bench but couldn't find his shooting stroke, finishing with 5 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

Team USA has a few days off before getting back to work on Labor Day for their first game in the elimination round against Angola. Struggling heavyweights Spain and Greece did not end up on Team USA's side of the bracket and will end up facing each other in the first round. But regardless of the opponent, the U.S. squad controls their destiny. Defense is their calling card and despite the flawed roster which has been analyzed to death, they remain the favorite to win it all. Should be some fun games to watch next week.

After the jump a few links of interest with stories from Turkey and Pacers Crate hitting the road.

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After rolling over Iran yesterday to the tune of an 88-51 victory, Team USA closes out Group B play today in what amounts to a tune up against Tunisia at 9:30AM ET on ESPN2 at the FIBA World Championships.

The U.S. squad has already clinced the top seed coming out of Group B, so I imagine Coach Krzyzewski will spread the minutes around the 12-man roster today just as he did yesterday. In fact, Coach K may use his bench extensively in order to keep his starters fresh for the round of 16 games in the medal round.

That means more action for Danny Granger who scored 10 points with 3 assists in 15 minutes of action against Iran. Eric Gordon played 21 minutes and chipped in 8 points along the way.

The intrigue at the WCs today revolves around other games where seeding for the round of 16 still needs to be determined.

After the jump, a few links of interest with stories about the WCs and a look at the Pacers' power forward situation.

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