Billups leads Team USA to rout of France

Chauncey Billups' childlike grin belies his age.

So do his quick passes in transition and his shooting touch from 22 feet out.

"I definitely am the elder statesman, that's for sure," the 33-year-old guard said with a laugh.

But Billups isn't having any problem keeping up with the Team USA youngsters. He scored 17 points - nine in a critical 16-6 early third-quarter run - as the United States defeated France, 86-55, yesterday at the Garden.

Billups went 5-for-9 from the floor, including 3-for-6 from three-point range in 15 minutes. "First time I've been in the Garden and the people have been cheering for me," Billups joked.

Rudy Gay led all scorers with 19 points and Kevin Durant added 14 points and eight rebounds. Boris Diaw scored 15 points for France.

A star-studded sellout crowd of 19,763 came to watch, including San Antonio Spur Tony Parker - who could not play for France because of injuries - his actress wife Eva Longoria, Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry, Knicks forward Ronny Turiaf, film director Spike Lee, Bulls center Joakim Noah and Wizards rookie John Wall.

It was the only home exhibition game for Team USA before the world championships in Turkey, starting Aug. 28. The team will travel to Madrid Monday and play Lithuania Aug. 21 and defending champion Spain Aug. 22 before heading to Athens to face Greece on Aug. 25.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski said he was pleased by the defensive effort of his players, but he noticed some early jitters.

"It's the first time for most of these guys to play for our country and in a game," he said of his team, which shot just 37.5 percent and committed five turnovers in the first quarter. "And that's why these exhibition games are so important."

Billups also is important. His experience, both in the NBA and abroad, has made him an even bigger asset.

"I think he's as important as anybody on our team because he's the leader of our team," Krzyzewski said of Billups, a former NBA champion, finals MVP and a five-time all star. ". . . Having Chauncey there to settle everyone down, or individuals down, give confidence, know game situations, it's invaluable."

Team USA cut JaVale McGee and Jeff Green before the game, trimming the roster to 13. The final cut is expected to be made after the team has completed its exhibition schedule in Europe. Russell Westbrook, who played just seven minutes likely could be next.

"You're playing for your minutes, so when you come off that bench you should go all out," said Gay, who had back-to-back reverse dunks in the fourth quarter on two Derrick Rose-induced fast breaks.

Durant knows firsthand what it's like to be the odd-man out. He was not selected for the 2008 Olympic team's 12-man roster.

"I had a feeling," he said. "I was around the best players in the world with D-Wade and Carmelo, Chris Paul, LeBron, Kobe. I was the young guy and I had to prove myself so of course I knew I was on the bubble. It's just another steppingstone. It was kind of inspiration for me to keep pushing and keep working."

Puerto Rico 92, China 76: Carlos Arroyo scored 16 points and Elias Ayuso and Peter John Ramos each added 12 for Puerto Rico. China's Wang Shipeng led all scorers with 20 points and five rebounds. Former first-round draft pick of the Knicks, Renaldo Balkman, chipped in eight points and seven rebounds for Puerto Rico.