NBA Helps The World

The primary problem with the NBA has been one of image. The NBA has many basketball players who are talented yet they are misjudged by a few people who have tainted it secondary to their misbehaviour. There is the image of NBA Players being overpaid yet giving little to the community at large. While the NBA has many problems that are in need of correction, I will be concentrating in the image section. While the US Mainstream Media has reported on the negative aspects of the NBA, there is some good that is occurring within the NBA.

According to a News Article published by Xinhua and CRI English, Danny Granger [who is a Guard Forward for the Indiana Pacers] participated in a joint USA and Indonesian event with the Indonesian Basketball Team Satria Muda Britama in the grounds of the US Embassy in Indonesia. The purpose of the event was to teach basketball to Indonesian Orphans. This event is also part of the NBA Charity Organization called NBA Cares.

In Indonesia, the NBA has donated more than Eighty One Billion Dollars, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand of Community Service, and participated in the creation of more than 300 places of recreation for children and their families. In China, Deron Williams, Tayshaun Prince, and Michael Redd visited the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center to visit victims of the recent earthquake in China. The NBA and Toyota donated 438,142 US Dollars to the Shanghai Charity Foundation to help Earthquake Victims.

The NBA has not forgotten the United States of America. According to the NBA Care Webpage, the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever made a generous donation of 70,000 US Dollars to the American Red Cross in the form of clothing around the end of July 2008. In June 2008, the Indiana Pacers donated 50,000 US Dollars in relief for victims of flooding in Southern Indiana. It appears that the US Mainstream Media has overlooked that Alonso Mourning [a center for the Miami Heat Basketball Team] has received the NBA Community Assist Award for July 2008 secondary to his work in supporting the various educational programmes in the Miami Area. In fact, Alonso Mourning has his own charitable foundation which he established in 1997 which donates to youth enrichment centers including one that exists in the area of Miami, Florida called Overtown.

While the NBA has problems, all organizations have problems and will be judged based on the behaviour of the few. Regardless, the NBA is not just about basketball. The NBA is also an organization that has helped people in the world and inside the United States of America. The NBA is also a symbol of how sports [instead of politics] have helped people. If people were to report on this image, maybe other changes could occur within the NBA.

REFERENCE:
Xinhua; CRI English: “NBA Cares for Indonesian Orphans”
http://english.cri.cn/2886/2008/08/26/53s399022.htm

Xinhua: “NBA Players Visit Hospital, Donate to Earthquake Victims”
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/04/content_8955406.htm

NBA: “Pacers make an “assist” to the American Red Cross”
http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/american_red_cross080731.html

NBA: “Mourning Receives Community Assist Award for July
http://www.nba.com/news/july_assist_080814.html

Becky Hammon: A Personal Reflection

The BBC Programme “World Have Your Say” dedicated a segment to athletes who renounced their allegiance to their home countries in order to play their favourite sports in the Beijing Summer Olympics. One of the athletes who did that was the South Dakota Native who played basketball for the WNBA [Women’s National Basketball Association] and was named the All American. Her name is Becky Hammon. Becky Hammon has paid a price in being criticized by the WNBA Elite including a certain Anne Donovan [with her antiquated Cold War accusations of treason even though she is Coach of the US Women’s Basketball Team].  

 

Becky Hammon was born on the Eleventh of March in the year 1977 and started her basketball career playing in the Rapid City Stevens High School Raiders. During her years with the Rapid City Stevens High School Raiders, Becky Hammon was named South Dakota Ms. Basketball in 1994 as well as Gatorade South Dakota Player of the Year in 1995.

 

After graduating from Rapid City Stevens High School Raiders, Becky Hammon went to Colorado State University. During her time at Colorado State University, Becky Hammon was one of the people instrumental in its first NCAA Tournament Appearance in 1997 followed by the Sweet Sixteen Appearance in 1999.  Her list of accomplishments at Colorado State University includes the following within the category of offence: two thousand seven hundred and forty points, 21.9 points per game, nine hundred and eighteen field goals, and five hundred and thirty eight assists.

 

Becky Hammon finished her studies and basketball career at Colorado State University and became a member of the New York Liberty. Becky Hammon was able to participate in every playoff and two WNBA Championships [1999, 2002] during her association with the New York Liberty before switching to the San Antonio Spurs. Becky Hammon has been involved in Cervical Cancer Awareness with the WNBA, and raised funds for Katrina Victims [American Red Cross] in the Television Game Show programme called Wheel of Fortune.

 

Becky Hammon wanted to compete in the Beijing Olympics 2008 playing basketball. Becky Hammon went through the motions by consulting and practicing in all of the tryouts for the US Basketball Team. Becky Hammon was not good enough in the eyes of one of the elite of the US Women Basketball Team called Ann Donovan. After receiving all of the rejection slips from the US Basketball Team, Becky Hammon decided to practice globalization and play for the Russian Basketball Team. Becky Hammon also signed a contract in which she could play for a Russian Basketball Team. Ann Donovan and many so called people who use patriotism to hide their Cold War fantasies called her a traitor.

 

I consider Becky Hammon an American Hero who wants to live the American Dream of playing basketball. I would like to defend the decision of Becky Hammon to play in the Olympics for Russia. The Olympics is about participating in sports without the politics and ideologies ruining the game. It is unfortunate that a group of people have to ruin what should be the historical sporting event for the year 2008. It is also fashionable in this ever globalizing world that players can cross frontiers and play for other teams without sacrificing their loyalty to their country.

It is not the fault of Becky Hammon that she wants to play basketball for the Olympics. It is her right and if a team has signed her to a contract to play then it would be good for her and for the United States of America as a whole. Maybe the Anne Donovan’s of the day may get away with their comments because of the envy they carry within them but in the end, Becky Hammon will carry the day.

I would like to predict that in five decades when the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics is in the history book, Becky Hammon will be remembered in a stamp in the United States Postal Service for her services to basketball and to her nation regardless of whether she played in the United States of America or the Russian Federation.

I would also like to take advantage and criticize some of the members of sports associations in America who actually sign talent from other countries and resolve their paperwork while the local talent in America remains on the sidelines. The United States of America accepts sports personalities from other countries yet Anne Donovan appears to practice what is sheer hypocrisy. The United States Women Basketball Team should take a look at their way of recruiting their athletes for the Olympics. After all, it is not fair that the best in the majority of cases are not accepted or are sidelined.

My advice to the Anne Donovan’s in the United States Women Basketball Society and in America is the following: the Cold War is over, the Olympics are a Sporting Event, and Becky Hammon is a jewel that the United States did not appreciate. If you do not like the idea, just state your opinion and reason or forever hold your piece. I wish Becky Hammon the best in her endeavors. She remains in my heart and soul the top 2008 WNBA Basketball Player as well as the All American and South Dakotan girl who has managed to conquer the world. I also give her a Gold Medal for being the True All American.

 

http://www.beckyhammon.com/

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2008/08/04/crossing_a_border/?page=2

 

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/stevekelley/2004455887_kelley04.html

 

 http://engforum.pravda.ru/showthread.php?t=221215

USA Defeats Angola in Basketball

According to Xinhua and CRI English, the USA defeated Angola by 97-76 in Men’s Basketball. I am not surprised taking into account that most of the US Olympic Basketball Team is from the NBA [National Basketball Association] which is a Professional Organization. While the USA deserves to be congratulated, I often wander if it is fair to pair professionals with amateurs [unless Angola had a Professional Basketball Team which played against the USA in this game]. Regardless, Congratulations to the USA Olympic Basketball Team. For the IOC [International Olympic Committee], please take into account the rules about amateurs and professionals. Thank You.

REFERENCE:

Xinhua; CRI English: “US Thrashes Angola 97-76 in Men’s Basketball”

http://english.cri.cn/6066/2008/08/12/1221s393077.htm

How the USA Can Win Gold in Basketball [Beijing 2008]

I have decided to write about basketball since I once played basketball in high school and occasionally play a game or two. I finished reading the BBC Olympic Blog article written by Philip Studd concerning the US Olympic Basketball Team. According to Philip Studd, the US Olympic Basketball Team has just arrived in the former Portuguese Colony of Macau [now a Special Administrative Region under the control of the People's Republic of China] and their presence has eclipsed the British Olympic Basketball Team. Kobe Bryant and Le Bron James are one of the members of the US Olympic Basketball Team who have been interviewed by the International Press. Le Bron James has made the promise that the United States of America will “walk off with the gold”.

Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Jason Kidd have also been added to the roster of what has been dubbed the redemption team after their bronze medal performance in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Since members of the NBA who participated in the 2004 Athens Olympics did less than expected, it is hoped that the performance of the newly reorganized US Olympic Basketball Team will help the United States recover ground in a sport that was invented in America. What is needed is a reality test.

While the majority of the NBA Stars live ina world that is distinct from the world that is that of the average American with a salary that eclipses the salaries of a Physician, Nurse, Social Worker, and Pharmacist combined; the US Olympic Basketball Team members should exercise responsibility and play in an organized and consistent way. The US Olympic Basketball Team should practice like they mean to win. The practice must be tough and brutal to the point that the team gets the feel of what is a true basketball game. The saying no pain means no gain applies in this case. Only then will the US Olympic Basketball Team win a Gold Medal.

It is also advisable not to think of past glories but to concentrate on the games that will be played in the Beijing Olympics 2008. Many times, the past glories [while a reflection of what the team was like and can do] can lead to complacency. The defeats of the past have lessons to be learned but the US Olympic Basketball Team must not harp on these defeats. It is hoped that someone in the United States Olympic Basketball Team will read this article and start playing games to win and enjoyment instead of thinking in NBA Mode.

 

Becky Hammon

Becky Hammon who is a native of South Dakota and an All American Girl who plays for the WNBA [Women's National Basketball Association] has been called a traitor. The reason is that she is playing for the Russian Women’s Basketball Team during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The accuser is Anne Donovan who is the coach of the USA Women’s Basketball Team.

 

I would like to defend the decision of Becky Hammon to play in the Olympics for Russia. The Olympics is about participating in sports without the politics and ideologies ruining the game. It is unfortunate that a group of people have to ruin what should be the historical sporting event for the year 2008. It is also fashionable in this ever globalizing world that players can cross frontiers and play for other teams without sacrificing their loyalty to their country.

 

I would also like to take advantage and criticize some of the members of sports associations in America who actually sign talent from other countries and resolve their paperwork while the local talent in America remains on the sidelines. The United States of America accepts sports personalities from other countries yet Anne Donovan appears to practice what is sheer hypocrisy. The United States Women Basketball Team should take a look at their way of recruiting their athletes for the Olympics. After all, it is not fair that the best in the majority of cases are not accepted or are sidelined.

 

It is not the fault of Becky Hammon that she wants to play basketball for the Olympics. It is her right and if a team has signed her to a contract to play then it would be good for her and for the United States of America as a whole. Maybe the Anne Donovan’s of the day may get away with their comments because of the envy they carry within them but in the end, Becky Hammon will carry the day.

 

I would like to predict that in five decades when the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics is in the history book, Becky Hammon will be remembered in a stamp in the United States Postal Service for her services to basketball regardless of whether she played in the United States of America or the Russian Federation.

 

It is with this article and comments that I would like to tell the Anne Donovan’s in the United States Women Basketball Society that the Cold War is over, the Olympics is a Sporting Event, and Becky Hammon is a jewel that the United States did not appreciate. I also wish Becky Hammon the best in her endeavors.

Harlem Globetrotters

I would like to talk about my experience with the Harlem Globetrotters. It was like it happened yesterday. It was in January of 1977 when I went to see the Harlem Globetrotters play basketball in a stadium in Richfield, Ohio. The way was difficult due to the ice and heavy snow but I was able to make it by going west on Ohio State Route 18 from Akron to Bath and then make a right turn up north on Ohio State Route 21 before arriving at the Stadium in Richfield, Ohio.

 

The stadium was filled to capacity as people wanted to forget the harsh winter and enjoy the game. I wanted to forget the harsh winter and the fact that Ohio was depressing after Christmas. I sat down with my father and a cup of hot cocoa with warm milk and a coffee with warm milk to see the Harlem Globetrotters in action. The Harlem Globetrotters did not disappoint this fan.

 

The announcer belted from the loudspeaker: “Here are the Harlem Globetrotters!!!!” and the signature tune of “Sweet Georgia Brown” resonated throughout the stadium as the Harlem Globetrotters roster was announced to the people who cheered and then the opposing team was announced to cheers and some silence. Of course, it was all part of the entertainment as the Harlem Globetrotters and the opposing team took things in stride.

 

I was able to appreciate how Meadowlark Lemon and Curley played and dribbled the ball while giving their opponents one big headache. The referee was also present and received a bucketful of confetti. It was one game to remember and was a moment of showmanship. For one day, I had forgotten all of my troubles. I attempted to take photos but the Harlem Globetrotters were far away. At the end, it was the Harlem Globetrotters that won the game and the hearts of the fans. I myself left with “my frown turned upside down”. I was using the phrase from the now defunct store Lionel’s Play World to describe my inner and outer emotions.

 

After the game, I remembered the fact that Hanna Barbera had a cartoon series of the Harlem Globetrotters and that an episode of the Harlem Globetrotters with Scooby Doo existed. My daughter Veronica once gave me a DVD of the episodes of Scooby Doo with the Harlem Globetrotters that I still cherish. Even now, I remembered that there was another show by the Harlem Globetrotters live which was on the same channel as the popular programme of the 1970’s American Bandstand with the Harlem Globetrotters showing their basketball skills to the people of the world.

 

In closing, during the 1950’s, The United States of America and Argentina under President Juan Peron had big differences that threatened to undermine relations between the two countries. The Harlem Globetrotters went to play in Argentina during this tense period with President Peron as a spectator. Peron loved the Harlem Globetrotters that relations between Argentina and the United States of America improved. Our world needs more of the diplomacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and less of the diplomats.

Aidin Nikkhah Bahrami

Aidin Nikkhah Bahrami died in a car crash in Northern Iran hours after playing for his team Saba Batri against the Pardis Club of Qazvin. He was 25 years old and had played a major role in obtaining the Gold Medal for Iran during the 2007 Asian Championship in Japan. Our condolences to his family and Iran.

Aidin Nikkhah Bahrami murio [a los 25 a~nos de edad] en un accidente automovilistico en el Norte de Iran despues de jugar contra el Club Pardis de Qazvin. Aidin Nikkhah Bahrami fue uno de los jug adores de baloncesto instrumental en ganar la Medalla de Oro para Iran durante los Campeonatos de 2007 en Japon. Nuestro pesame para su familia y la nacion irani.

REFERENCE/REFERENCIA

Press TV: “Iranian Basketball Player Dies”

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=36662&sectionid=3510211