Saturday, August 16, 2008

China outlasts Germany

Dirk Nowitzki's first and possibly only Olympic experience is coming to an end. The Germans are 1-3 in pool play with Team USA the last foe on the docket.

Here's the AP account of China's win over Germany:

BEIJING (AP) - An emotional Yao Ming scored 25 points to lead China to a dramatic 59-55 win against Dirk Nowitzki and Germany as the Olympic hosts earned a berth in the medal round in men's basketball.

The Houston Rockets center posted the game's first four points and was the emotional leader in the he pivotal contest, constantly chest bumping teammates and encouraging teammates with high-fives. Yi Jianlian of the New Jersey Nets added nine points and pulled down 11 rebounds for China (2-2).

The players celebrated the victory at midcourt as if they had won a medal.

"I'm very happy for the players. It was a difficult game psychologically. We played at home and had to win," China's Lithuainian-born coach Jonas Kazlauskas said.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Team USA routs Greece

In its first real test of the 2008 Olympics, the U.S. Men's Olympic Team (3-0) passed with flying colors and soaring dunks to top Greece (1-2) 92-69 Thursday night at Wukesong Arena in Beijing, China.

Having earned three wins in as many outings in preliminary group play, the USA also secured its berth into the Olympic medal round quarterfinals, regardless of the outcome of its preliminary round games against Spain (3-0) on Saturday and Germany (1-2) on Monday.

Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) and Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors) led the way with 18 points each; followed by 17 points, six steals and five assists from Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and 13 points, six rebounds and six assists from LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers).

Jason Kidd started and had three rebounds and one assist in seven minutes. Read more at the USA Basketball site.

Preseason schedule released

The Dallas Mavericks announced their 2008 preseason schedule today which opens against the Washington Wizards on October 7.

Following the Washington game, Dallas plays four straight games on the road and concludes the eight-game schedule with three games at home.

The Mavericks’ road schedule includes games against the Chicago Bulls (Oct. 9), the Milwaukee Bucks in La Crosse, Wis. (Oct. 10), the Indiana Pacers (Oct. 15) and the Detroit Pistons (Oct. 16).

The remaining three homes games are against Sacramento (Oct. 18), Chicago (Oct. 21) and Indiana (Oct. 23). Following preseason action, Dallas tips off the 2008-09 regular season on Oct. 30 vs. Houston.

The preseason schedule is as follows:

DATE, OPPONENT, TIME (CT), ARENA
Oct. 7, Washington, 7:30 p.m., American Airlines Center
Oct. 9, at Chicago, 7:30 p.m., United Center
Oct. 10, at Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m.,La Crosse Center
Oct. 15, at Indiana, 6 p.m., Conseco Fieldhouse
Oct. 16, at Detroit, 6:30 p.m., Palace of Auburn Hills
Oct. 18, Sacramento, 8 p.m., American Airlines Center
Oct. 21, Chicago, 7:30 p.m., American Airlines Center
Oct. 23, Indiana, 7:30 p.m., American Airlines Center

Germany falls to Spain

The German National Team met up with unbeaten Spain on Thursday, but couldn't keep up in a 72-59 loss. Dirk Nowitzki scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds.

Up next for Germany is host China. Both teams are 1-2 in pool play.

"It's a must-win situation for us if we're to make it to the quarterfinals," Nowitzki said. "They all shoot extremely well. [China] should have beaten Spain.

"It will be a tough game with the home crowd but it will be fun."

Jason Kidd will lead the U.S. against Greece at 7 a.m. CDT.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Josh Howard Celebrity Softball Game

The first Josh Howard Foundation Celebrity Softball Showdown will be this Saturday (Aug. 16th) at Grimes Park in DeSoto. The J-HO All-Stars will take on the K-104 Ballers to benefit the Josh Howard Foundation.

Confirmed Celebrities: Tracy McGrady (Houston Rockets), Kenyon Martin (Denver Nuggets), Rocsi (106 & Park), DMC (Run DMC), Michael Blackson (Comedian), Desagana Diop (Mavs), Jason Terry (Mavs), Greg Buckner (Memphis Grizzlies), Pastor Frederick Haynes (Friendship West Baptist Church), Everson Walls (Former Cowboy), Giovonne Samuels (Disney Channel), Reginald Ballard (From “Martin”), Derek Harper (Former Mav), and Marcus Paulk (Roll Bounce).

Admission is only $10. Pay at the stadium. Only accepting cash. Giveaways include Mavs tickets and $1,000 cash.

Who: Josh Howard and Celebrity Friends
What: Celebrity Softball Game
When: Saturday, Aug 16.
Schedule: Autograph Session (3-4 pm), Celebrity Home Run Derby (4-5 pm) and Celebrity Softball Showdown (5-7 pm)
Where: Grimes Park, 501 East Wintergreen, DeSoto, TX

AFTER PARTY INFO:
The Empire Room (48th Floor at 1401 Elm in Downtown Dallas)
At 9pm and featuring celebrities from Softball Showdown

Monday, August 11, 2008

USA outlasts China in historic meeting

BEIJING (Olympics) – Yao Ming and China provided plenty of thrills but they were powerless to stop a US onslaught on Sunday.

Dwyane Wade poured in 19 points and LeBron James 18 as the United States, one of the leading contenders for the gold medal at the Beijing Games, won 101-70.

“It was a difficult game against them,” China coach Jonas Kazlauskas said to FIBA.com. “The conditioning level is not the same. There is a very big difference individually.”

With President George W Bush and his father, former President George Bush, looking on from the stands, an electric Chinese crowd cheered for China but was also very enthusiastic about the USA’s NBA superstars as well.

For more, click here.

Nowitzki powers Germany past Angola

BEIJING (Olympics) - Germany needed three overtimes and 47 points to beat Angola at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, but that was before Dirk Bauermann’s team had Chris Kaman.

The Los Angeles Clippers center, who obtained his Germany passport in July and helped the country win the final spot on offer for Beijing at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, poured in 24 points while superstar Dirk Nowitzki added 23 as the Mannshaft rolled to a 95-66 triumph.

Both players had 17 points in the first half.

“We have a great opportunity here,” Kaman said. “I think we have a great basketball team and I think we’re better than we think we are but we will see when we play against Spain.”

Read the rest here.