LAS VEGAS –Team USA embarked on a quest for a second consecutive Olympic gold medal Thursday night with a 113-59 victory over a Dominican Republican team that in another era could have been confused with Cuba. The game concluded a day of concern and comedy that actually began on Wednesday when Kobe Bryant said the 2012 Olympic team could beat the 1992 Dream Team, thereby leading some to suggest the current team will now be called the We-Want-Esteem-Team. Bryant’s musings sent outlets
(function() { var csprtjs = document.createElement('script'); csprtjs.type = 'text/javascript'; csprtjs.async = true; csprtjs.src = 'http://sheridanhoops.cinesport.comhttp://edgecdn.cinesport.com/container.js'; var first_s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; first_s.parentNode.insertBefore(csprtjs, first_s); })(); LAS VEGAS — Blake Griffin experienced “discomfort” and “swelling” in his left knee after going through Team USA practice, and he will miss the national team’s first exhibition game tonight against the Dominican Republic. No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Davis will be rejoining the team tonight, and
Word is that Clippers power forward Blake Griffin, who signed a massive contract with the team early on Wednesday, is supposed to spend some time with Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon over the summer to improve on his much-needed post game. Another part of his game that needs heavy work is his outside touch. Too often last season, Griffin hesitated when the ball found him away from the basket due to an inconsistent jump shot and became a liability from 15 feet and out. In
After beginning training camp with a couple of five-minute scrimmages that were open to the media, U.S. Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski has pulled the curtain shut. The last four days have featured games divided into four 10-minute quarters between Team USA and the select team, which consists of younger NBA players. Media has not been allowed to watch. Although statistics have not been made available, the message from those who are Coach K-approved is that there has been one player who has
LAS VEGAS — As the years go by, reminders of advancing age increase, and no one who has reached adulthood is spared. When asked about one of those events Monday, U.S. Olympic basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski – who is at the retirement age of 65 – said, “I try not to think about it.” If the person who conceived the term “time flies” wanted to make different age groups feel older, he or she could point out: 1. How painful it has been
Nigeria is going to the Olympics for the first time, and an NBA castoff led them there. Ike Diogu took over the game after it was tied with 5 1/2 minutes remaining, making four consecutive shots — two of which were 3-pointers — to lead the African nation to an 88-73 victory over the John Calipari-coached Dominican Republic. Nigeria will be grouped with Lithuania in Team USA’s bracket at the London Games, while Russia — the third team to qualify at the
LAS VEGAS — In their continual quest to keep up with American talent, the serious basketball countries in the world have relied on fundamentals, intelligence and, well, Yankee stupidity. The U.S. has always had better basketball players and more of them than any other country. Sometimes, however, talent doesn’t translate to gold. International teams have proven that experienced teams playing with skilled unselfish players can cause problems for the U.S. The 2012 U.S. Olympic team is aware of history – losses in
4 of July in Anguilla.. Couldn’t resist this hottie on the dance floor.. “girl you good why don’t u back tha instagr.am/p/Mzvvw3FCHm/ — Dwyane Wade (@DwyaneWade) July 8, 2012 July 4 in Anguilla, eh? It is good tobe young, single, and an NBA champion. And it is good to have a healthy sense of humor, too, as D.Wade shows is within his repertoire with this Tweet. Click here to see the photo of the “hottie.” He was one of 12 players named to Team