The blackout that thrust a section of the country into darkness Thursday night left some people in Manhattan temporarily homeless and everyone inconvenienced.

But when you're an NBA star, the inconveniences have a way of diminishing.

Members of the USA Basketball national team spent most of the night in their hotel, the Ritz Carlton on the south edge of Central Park. Although without food, water or electricity, most were at least able to sit in a luxurious lobby and swap stories or play cards.

The disruption to the city was great enough, however, that Friday's exhibition game against Puerto Rico at Madison Square Garden was postponed until noon Sunday. The U.S. team conducted a brisk hour-long workout Friday instead, and will practice again today.

Jason Kidd was the least troubled by the blackout, although he was unable to get to his wife and children, who were waiting for him at the team hotel.

Kidd was playing golf at Manhattan Woods in New Jersey with USA teammate Ray Allen and Quinn Buckner, a special assistant for the Indiana Pacers and a member of USA Basketball's executive committee. After shooting an 83 from the back tees, one stroke off Allen's winning pace, Kidd noticed the clubhouse was dark.

"We thought it was just in the area," Kidd recalled Friday, safely ensconced back at the Ritz. "They said no, it was everywhere. We still didn't understand when they said 'everywhere.' Once I got home, I understood what 'everywhere' meant. It was an eye-opener."

Kidd, who was unable to drive across the bridge to Manhattan, took Allen and Buckner to his house in New Jersey, where they dined on grilled hot dogs, potato chips and water and then waited for the power to be restored.