Derrick Rose put on a juke move, changed directions in a blur and drove baseline.
The NBA’s reigning most valuable player couldn’t finish the move, as Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis Divita slid laterally to stay in front of the Chicago Bulls point guard. He was whistled for a foul, but Divita wore a huge grin as he received highfives from his teammates.
"I asked (our coach) if I could guard him," said Divita, of Los Angeles. "I’m a confident dude. I’ve been playing basketball since I was 3 years old. I’m thankful to these (NBA) guys for the opportunity."
Rose and seven other NBA players were a huge hit in their first main stop on the five-day "Hoops for Troops" USO tour to Oahu.
Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans hit a fadeaway 3pointer at the buzzer to give the Red team the win over Rose’s White team. The crowd of about 1,700 at Bloch Arena at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam went ballistic as Evans backpedaled with his wrist raised.
The final score — 81-78 — was an afterthought on the night’s theatrics.
"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 were 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.
Most of the time the servicemen were matched up with each other, but occasional cross-matchups, like Divita’s, had the crowd cheering for their overmatched-but-enthusiastic military comrades.
The players chose, for the most part, to skim past questions about the ongoing NBA lockout and focus on the present. Many of the league’s top-tier stars have played in similar goodwill games across the country while a salvaging of the 2011-12 season remains in doubt. The season would have started on Nov. 1 under normal circumstances.
"Obviously it’s unfortunate that we’re not playing (the season), but the guys here, like myself, are taking advantage of this opportunity," Horford said. "We’re trying to make a difference here, and we’re very blessed and fortunate to be here."
The players have also shared meals with military personnel, led a youth basketball clinic and toured a Stryker vehicle unit.
In 40 minutes of exhibition time, McGee had a season’s worth of highlight-reel dunks and blocked shots. The servicemen were plenty happy to set him up on the fast break with off-the-glass alley-oops.
"I’m definitely trying to stay in shape," McGee said. "Games like this aren’t really serious five-on-five but it still helps."
Rose got the loudest ovations. The players clearly weren’t worried about injuries, going hard to the rim. Defense was usually an afterthought, until the final sequence, when Miller defended Evans at the top of the arc.
There was a 3-point contest at halftime, with Augustin winning handily over a serviceman. McGee played a game of elimination against eight amateurs and trash-talked his way to the win.
Atlanta Hawks All-Star guard Joe Johnson was a late scratch for the event.
The tour continues 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.
