The timing on this couldn’t be any better. Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday the Redeem Team put the clamps on the world, and brought back the Gold Medal in a classic final game against Spain? Well with the turn of the calendar to 2012, the Olympics feel like they’re right around the corner. Crazy, right? Reports have told us all along that the preliminary roster this summer would be 18 deep. From there, they would take 12 players – most of whom are already locks – to this summer’s Olympics to defend the gold medal. But now Chris Sheridan is reporting that they’re planning to make room for one more player during tryouts: Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge. Read More »
It’s hard to believe, but the 2012 Olympic Games are right around the corner. With the lockout possibly preventing us from seeing our favorite stars this winter, we are more excited than usual about international competition. Later this month, we will get a taste of six of the best the world has to offer at the London International Basketball Competition at the new Basketball Arena in east London. This will be the first action at London’s Olympic Park. Read More »
Born and raised in America, I don’t really have an outsider’s perspective on leaving my home country for another place, another culture, another world. I only know patriotism in reference to the good ol’ USA, not an adoptive pot I’ve melted into or otherwise. Developing a patriotism for a new place in my adulthood is a concept out of my grasp.
But basketball players do it all the time. Sometimes they’re born on one continent and move at a very young age where they develop their hoops skills. Sometimes they come to America to play for the NBA, eventually gaining U.S. citizenship. Other times, guys flee their home country to play for a national team despite them ever having learned the country’s official language. Read More »
In case you forgot, the 2012 Olympic Games head to London next summer. But where will they play basketball? Construction on the Basketball Arena began in October 2009 and completed within budget this June. So what does it take to erect a 1,000-ton, 115-foot high steel frame that houses 12,000 black and orange seats, one of the largest temporary venues ever built for any Games? Watch this. After the jump, check out some photos of the arena as well.
Thanks to the U.S. women’s soccer team (see Morgan, Alex), my level of national pride has crept its way into unchartered territories. We half-heartedly watched the USA vs. France game in the Dime office the other day, most of us only paying attention when the U.S. had the ball. Of course, I was guilty of this too being that I’ve never been much of soccer fan. Read More »
In November, I wrote an article titled, “The Coach K Effect,” which talked about how the NBA was being dominated by members of this summer’s Team USA. It appears we weren’t the only ones to notice. Tonight, NBA Back Stage presents “Return To Glory” at 6:30pm EST on NBA TV. And from what we’ve seen in the trailer below, you might want to tune in.
With the NBA’s premiere week over, there’s a lot to take away. And for those of you that have been watching all the action before your free League Pass runs out, perhaps you’ve noticed the same thing: The NBA is being dominated by Team USA. After running through the competition in this summer’s World Championship under Coach Mike Krzyzewski, the 12 members of the squad are doin’ work in the League. Check it out: Read More »
After Kevin Durant took home MVP honors yesterday, a lot of people started talking about the 2012 Olympics in London and who of this current bunch was going to make the cut. Specifically the biggest discussion in the Instant Analysis after the game was what would be done about the three and four positions given that you’ll have Durant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in the mix. Also, with a glut young point guards, who’s going to be playing for Team USA in two years. With all that said, here’s my prediction for the 2012 Team USA Olympic roster. Read More »
As we said in Smack, Spain vs. Team USA might be the most entertaining basketball rivalry on the planet right now. If you missed the game, watch through the highlights from yesterday’s game, and make sure you catch Kevin Durant‘s buzzer-beating (and game-saving) block on Rudy Fernandez. If Rudy sticks around in the NBA this season, their first matchup could be interesting.
You’ve already seen the action from Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3. And now that the World Basketball Festival is over, take a look at all the action from Day 4. Can’t wait for next year!
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