Q1: There's definitely an international scare now with the World Championship last summer, what happened in the Pan Am Games. What kind of level do you have to play at to make sure that doesn't happen?

JASON KIDD: The big thing is that we have to look at ourselves as a team. We have to play as a team, to go out there and show the world that we are capable of playing at a high level together. A lot of times teams are like all-star teams, but we have to go out there and show the right way to do this. A good sign is that the game of basketball is growing throughout the world. We can't take anybody lightly, we have to go out there and play our ‘A' game.

Q2: You are the best athletes in the world, why is it more difficult to go out and compete internationally?

JASON KIDD: You have to give a lot of credit to the teachers of the game and also the clinics that the United States has put on in other countries, helping teach the game of basketball. You also have to give the other a lot of credit for taking the techniques and advice that we've given, they're helping develop great international players. You've seen a lot of international flavor in NBA games. I think it's good and it also will help us play our best basketball.

Q3: Talk about players on this team being able to play multiple positions.

JASON KIDD: A.I. was playing the point and I was moved over playing the two guard. You just have to remember that everybody is interchangeable and that's a strength. If we can all handle that and help each other through different positions, the sky is the limit. It will be a little awkward sometimes playing without the ball, but that's the beauty of this: to show other strengths of your game and everybody has that on this team.

Q4: Allen Iverson said it's easy to play this game on a team with guys of this skill level. Do you feel that way?

JASON KIDD: Yes. At this level, everybody brings something special to the table and that's the way this game is supposed to be played. It's supposed to be easy. You're supposed to make it easy for your teammate and your teammate is supposed to make it easy for you. I agree with A.I. A guy like that, you give him the ball and you let him do what he does best.

Q5: What is the biggest difference between the international game and the NBA?

JASON KIDD: I think the physical play. There were only two officials out there so they can't see everything. So the physical play there's a lot of holding, a lot of different things. So, we have to get used to it and also we have to be able to do that.

Q6: Is it easy making the transition to the international game?

JASON KIDD: Easy? No. Because some guys are so used to playing with the ball and being able to do different things, so this is a good experience for everybody, especially the guys who haven't participated in international play.

Q7: What basic things did Coach Larry Brown stress to you guys?

JASON KIDD: I think to share the ball, play without the ball, play the right way, have fun and pretty much everything at once. Pretty much, share the ball, more passing, try to let everybody touch the ball.

Q8: Where were you when the lights went out?

JASON KIDD: "We were away from everybody so we didn't know there was a blackout. We were playing golf and nobody could call us. We got in from the golf course at about 6:30 and the lights were out in the club house. They said that the electricity went out so we thought it was just out in that area. But we were told that it was everywhere, so we thought again just in the (New York) area, but then we found out that it went all the way up to Canada, out to Detroit, New Jersey. So I was praying I had electricity, but I got home and found out I was like everybody else - without electricity.

"We didn't get electricity until about 9:30 last night. We just sat outside, Quinn (Buckner), Ray (Allen) and I, we sat there talking, passing the time. Ray was doing card tricks. Finally the electricity went back on. We were able to cook some hot dogs on the gas grill, so we had hot dogs and lots of water."

Q9: How was the first game action against new faces, against Puerto Rico?

JASON KIDD: First day going against some new faces, I think everybody understands now that the international game is a lot different ball movement, playing without the ball, jump defense, the big guys can step out and shoot the three and you've got to expect that they're going to make every shot. You can't go in thinking that they can't shoot because if you've got to start the game off 9-love ... then we start to settle down and get into our game. The big thing internationally you've got to expect is they're going to give you the best game every time they come out and play the United States. And Puerto Rico's a good team.

Q10:Is it nice playing on such a talented team?

JASON KIDD: It makes the game easy, and that's the way it's supposed to be. We've got so many talented players, the big thing is that we're trying to lose that all-star image and be a team … these teams tend to get off to a slow start and we got off to a slow start in this case, but I think we have to concentrate a little bit more on defense; we can put the ball in the basket, but we have to show the world the total package ... and in a week, I think we've come a long way and we look forward to going down to Puerto Rico and trying to qualify for the Olympics."