Behind the Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


Thursday, September 7, 2006
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Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

Greece stuns U.S.

Quick question. Think fast. Where were the first doughnuts fried? In Greece, of course.

Another one. Where were the U.S. basketball team’s geese fried? Well, actually, who cooked the U.S. team’s geese? Greece, of course!

OK, so much for the quick quiz. If you have been following the U.S. team’s exploits in the current World Basketball Games, you are aware that the Americans practically breezed through the first rounds, leaving opponents by the wayside.

The games, which were played in Japan, saw the U.S. downing Puerto Rico in their first game with a score of 111-100.

They had found the Puerto Ricans to be a much tougher team than earlier imagined. The stars in this game were Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Kirk Hinrich.

Other teams which fell to the U.S. in their group (D) in the first round were Italy, Slovenia, China and Senegal.

All of the players in this World Games melee signed on for a three-year commitment. They will be our reps in the ’08 Olympiad.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski has been charged with leading the team through the trials in the Isle of the Red Sun. Coach “K,” not unlike most of his players , has impeccable credentials.

I don’t purport to remember the names of all the players on this year’s team but in addition to those named above, there are Shane Battier and Dwyane Wade. Coach Mike’s selection of Battier was questioned by some, but one must remember that Battier was with the coach when he won the national championship.

The U.S. men didn’t fare too well at the last Olympiad, having to come away with a bronze medal. And guess what?

After the loss to Greece that is all that they can aspire to in these World Games, If they beat Argentina (who won the last Olympiad).

To paraprhase ’Lil Abner, if I had my druthers, the team would have been picked from the rosters of the two teams which vied for the NBA title.

But, would such a team have been manageable?

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