Kidd and Dirk Olympic updates

Jason Kidd and the rest of Team USA will face host China in the last game on Day 1 of the Olympic men’s basketball tournament. The complete schedule was released this week by FIBA.

Kidd could be joined in Beijing by Dirk Nowitzki, who’s leading Germany into the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens (July 14-20). The top three finishers (out of 12) will qualify for the Olympics.

“It is our big dream to be at the Olympics, and this goal requires our entire focus,” Nowitzki said in his first press conference since returning to Germany from Dallas.

Nowitzki also told the assembled media: “I want to still play six years at the highest level. I want to win, unconditionally, the championship in the NBA. And I want to be with the national team at the Olympics in Beijing.

“It didn’t happen for Sydney and Athens. I unconditionally want to fulfill my dream and reach Beijing.”