Derrick Rose highlights a group of NBA players who are in Hawaii for a five-day event to entertain our servicemen called “Hoops for Troops.” Sure, the 2011-2012 NBA season may not happen, but that is not going to stop some of the biggest basketball players in the world from playing the game they love.
A crowd of about 1,700 at Bloch Arena at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam came out to see the NBA players mix with the troops to play a fun game that everyone could enjoy. Needless to say, the game was close; with Sacramento Kings start point guard Tyreke Evans hitting the game winning three pointer, allowing the Red team to claim an 81-78 victory over Derrick Rose’s White team.
“We don’t take this for granted. We’re coming here for the troops — it’s just an honor to be over here,” said Rose, who drew several chants of “M-V-P!” from the crowd. “This is the first time I’ve been on a base. It’s great. … I know everybody’s happy that we’re here. We’re happy to be here. And we’re just happy that they invited us over here.”
Evans scored a game-high 34 and Rose had 20. Joining Rose on the White team was Miami Heat forward Mike Miller, Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford. Evans was joined by
Washington Wizards center JaVale McGee, Charlotte Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin and New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez. The rest of the rosters were filled in by Navy and Air Force servicemen.
If you want to try to make it out to see the NBA stars on the court, you still have a couple of chances. The Oahu tour lasts five days. The tour continued today with a press conference and tour of Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe. On Thursday, there will be a second game at Schofield Barracks.
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