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After the Laker game in Minnesota, Pau Gasol was catching up with countryman Ricky Rubio when Kobe Bryant strolled over. The friendly conversation, as transcribed by Complex: More »
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In sports, everyone is a winner-some people just win better than others. Like the revival of Soviet-American tensions, exacerbated by a little trash talking from Coach K at the FIBA World Championships. Duck and cover, kids More »
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The United States' And 1 Mix Tape Tour quest for their first gold medal in basketball in eight years claimed another victim this morning. America shot 12-of-25 from behind the freaking arc as Spain was blown out, 119-82. Eight Americans scored in double-digits as Spain was held to just 39 percent shooting from the field. More »
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The US Men's basketball team is off to an excellent start on their bid for international redemption following a breezy 101-70 win over Yao Ming and the host nation. Dwyane Wade, looking every bit as unstoppable as he did before being beset by injuries, set the tone with 19 points on a perfect 7-7 from the field and 5-5 from the free throw line. Yao, as expected, was the dominant force for China, but he finished with just 13 points and 10 rebounds. Despite being in some obvious pain Yao remained on the floor for a team-leading 30 minutes (of the 40 minute game), leading the fine citizens of Houston to consider military action against the People's Republic. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5035230&view=rss&microfeed=true Does anybody care about USA Basketball right now? Seriously? [SI.com] More »
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Looks like The Mighty MJD won his bet. We glumly welcome you this morning with the news that Team USA lost to Greece 101-95 in the semifinals of the World Basketball Championships. More »
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We don't mean to ruin it for those of you who had your Brazilian Tivos all set up, but USA Basketball just had its first serious scare in preparation for the World Championships, edging Brazil 90-86. The Americans led by 14 at halftime, but Brazil — led by the immortal Tiago Splitter — closed it late. A controversial technical foul with the Brazilians — who were buttressed by their fake girlfriends — down by 2 late was the difference, but they still had a chance at a 3-pointer to tie with five seconds left before turning it over. More »
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Generally speaking, we think it's silly for online writers — who are the only ones free from the PR/press pass/everybody-play-nice circle jerk of commercialized athletics — to salivate over press passes as if they had, at last, been invited to the ball. But we will make an exception when the folks from Free Darko sit courtside for the United States-Puerto Rico international game. More »
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I'm a little disappointed in myself that I didn't notice this. What you are looking at is the court on which Team USA drubbed Puerto Rico last night in an exhibition basketball game. And, as was noted at sethgunderson.com, the lane looks a little... well, penile. More »
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The preliminary/final/tentative/whatever they're calling it roster for USA Basketball has been set, and the talk continues to be about how "cohesive" and "team-oriented" the new roster is. (It helps when you have a leader who just happens to coach basketball.) More »
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