Spain settled for second-best to US NBA stars at the past two Olympics, but Pau Gasol and his teammates hope their third upset attempt is charmed.
Outside of the US dozen of NBA standouts, a record 34 NBA players are on other Olympics rivals, five more than in 2012.
Apart from the US, Spain offers the most NBA experience at the Rio Olympics, with seven active players and three former NBA players in the lineup. Australia, France and Brazil each boast five NBA players.
Photo: EPA
Argentina has four and only two teams in Rio, China and Venezuela, lack any active NBA talent — a testimony to the impact of the original 1992 US Olympic “Dream Team.”
“Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, David Robinson — all those guys had so much fun and that’s what you envision when you see the Olympics,” US Olympian Kyle Lowry said. “A lot of people say: ‘The reason I started playing basketball was because of the Dream Team.’ So I hope that in 20 years, some teams will have seen us play in 2016 and that made them play basketball.”
Former NBA player Juan Carlos Navarro makes his fifth Olympic appearance for Spain, while former NBAer Rudy Fernandez and current Laker Jose Calderon and Gasol play in their fourth Olympics.
Other Spanish NBA talent includes Oklahoma City’s Alex Abrines, New York’s Guillermo Hernangomez, Chicago’s Nikola Mirotic, Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio and Philadelphia’s Sergio Rodriguez.
Spain would love nothing more than to dethrone the US squad for Olympic gold, having lost the 2008 Beijing final 118-107 and the 2012 London final 107-100.
“It would mean the world,” said 36-year-old center Gasol, a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers who now plays for the San Antonio Spurs. “But it’s extremely hard. That’s why it would mean so much.”
Spain begins Group B play today against Croatia. Other preliminary-round openers in Spain’s group find Argentina against Nigeria and hosts Brazil facing Lithuania.
“We have to do a lot of things right,” Gasol said. “We have to work to beat a lot of great teams to have a chance to get there, so we’ve got to grow as the tournament advances and deserve to get there.”
However, one key missing big man for Spain is Marc Gasol, Pau’s brother, who has a foot injury.
“He was very important. We have to find out how we’re going to play without him,” Mirotic said. “Defensively we need to step up, especially because Marc is not here.”
Mirotic is confident Spain have what it takes to humble the US.
“They have a superstar team. Everybody can score 20 points,” he said. “But you never know. Anything is possible. It’s too early to think about the final. We need to think about our group.”
US coach Mike Krzyzewski praised Spain’s chemistry and teamwork, bonds built over years, while the US team only assembled on July 18.
“They are experienced together, and that’s something our team doesn’t have,” Krzyzewski said. “There’s a brotherhood, a familiarity they have and a pride to play for their country.”
Argentina are sparked by San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili and Brooklyn big man Luis Scoia, while Brazil’s NBA lineup includes Phoenix’s Leandro Barbosa, Nene of Houston and Utah’s Raul Neto.
The US top Group A favorites with China, France, Australia, Serbia and Venezuela.
The Aussie Boomers feature Dallas Mavericks big man Andew Bogut, San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills and Milwaukee’s Matthew Dellavedova, who helped the Cavaliers beat Golden State in June.
The French offer Charlotte’s Nicolas Batum, Utah’s Boris Diaw and San Antonio star guard Tony Parker, who has helped the Spurs claim four NBA crowns.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely