I would like to say that the Chinese played a great game, if they are capable to play like this, they are going to go far. They were very aggressive on defense and on offense they were able to break us on 1 x 1 and they were assertive on their outside shots. They have high level players, not only Yao. I have to recognize that they surprised me. I did not think that they could pay at this level and if they do not go downhill after loosing two games (USA and Spain), they can aspire to go to the next round.
To play at home always gives you a special advantage and with the building packed with their fans, I am sure that that they are going to win many more games apart from today’s game; for sure, when the stadium is full and an exceptional environment in favor of China.
I would like to share a story with you about something that happened with the Spanish National Team that someone interpreted incorrectly. It happened in the photo session where the Spanish National Team was introduced; one of our sponsors asked us to pose with a “wink” to our participation in Beijing, we made an oriental expression with our eyes. We thought it was something appropriate and that it would always be interpreted as somewhat loving. Never the less some of the European media did not see it this way.
From here I would like to declare that we have a huge respect for the East and their people, some of my best friends in Toronto are from China and one of our Spanish National Team sponsors is the Chinese brand Li Ning. Anyone who would like to interpret this differently is absolutely confused.
You can see that this is just about a matter of “misinterpretation.” Unfortunately, that’s the problem with people of color. They just aren’t able to interpret things correctly. Because making a gesture that pokes fun of people is always appropriate and obviously loving. Besides, I love the Far East and some of my best friends are Chinese!
Well, dude, it wasn’t just “someone” singular, and it wasn’t just the European media. You all fucked up, and you just made the depth of your ignorance and racism even more evident.
This is going to be a very important season on the basketball court for Jose. He is currently trying to bring home a gold medal for his country of Spain. He also faces the new challenge of being the starting point guard here with the Raptors. If this is the worst thing that happens to Jose Calderon this year it will not be the end of the world. The pressure of what he will face in those two things is going to be far greater for Jose.
One day I was hanging around the court, and I was trying to talk with Mike James. He had to run back to the locker room, so I decided to head back up the elevator to the main floor. As the doors are closing, I hear someone go “Hey, hold the door!”, so I do. Lo and behold, Jalen Rose walks into the elevator. I start talking to him about Toronto, and living here, and generally joking around. He was really friendly. We start talking about the game that night (it was against the Cavs).
“We’re surprised by the remarks of racism,” said Juan Antonio Villanueva, the communications director for Madrid’s 2016 Olympic bid. “Spain is not a racist country — quite the opposite.”
The Spanish basketball federation and Seur declined to comment Wednesday.
“The players explained what happened,” Villanueva said. “We think that’s enough.”
It’s not the first time Spanish sports has encountered questions over racist attitudes, and the photo comes at a time when Madrid is vying to host the Olympics.
Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton was subjected to abuse at a Barcelona circuit in February, while former Spain coach Luis Aragones also used a racist remark about France striker Thierry Henry to motivate one of his players. Monkey chants rained down on England’s black players during an international friendly against Spain in a match played in Madrid in 2004, soon after Aragones’ outburst.
The Raptors needed another proven veteran F to help out Chris Bosh in the paint and they got a former All-Star in Jermaine O’Neal. If O’Neal is healthy, they should be the best front-court duo in the East. Jose Calderon is a very good point guard that can pass and shoot the ball. They also have a deep bench, and it may be enough to get them out of the first round of the playoffs.
This game was notable also for Spain yanking point guard Jose Calderon of the Toronto Raptors, who struggled, and inserting 17-year-old phenom Ricky Rubio to lead the comeback. He had four steals in 17 minutes and forced a turnover when China looked like it would have the final shot of regulation.
On the morning of August 10, the first day Olympic basketball, Team USA beat China 101-70. Here’s what forward Chris Bosh said after the game:
It sort of appalls me because that’s not the Jose or Garbo I know. I’m sure it bothers a lot of right-thinking people and I’m sure someone in the Raptor brass will have word with Jose sometime.
It’s caused a bit of stir over here but the Spanish team hasn’t been around to do much explaining. They will be Thursday and I’m sure there’ll be more to report.
Croatia’s good and Roko plays a pretty big role. He didn’t get much time in their game on Tuesday against Russia because Zoran Planicic was playing so well. They go to Ukic for a steady hand and I’m told he’s having a pretty good tournament through a couple of games.
Spain? Well, there are a lot of questions about coach Aito Garcia, who’s jerking around the starting lineup. He didn’t start Pau Gasol in the first game but started him in the second; he didn’t start Jose in the second game (for Juan Carlos Navarro) after starting him in the first. Neither of moves makes much sense so the thought is Spain’s 2-0 in spite of the coach, not because of him.
Of course they are here to have some fun too. And on Monday, an off-day after the team had beaten China, coach Mike Krzyewski and his assistant Jim Boeheim led Chris Bosh and Tayshaun Prince to a humbling experience against the Great Wall.
The Wall, termed by Neil Armstrong as the “only structure on Earth visible from the Moon” did have an awe-inspiring effect on the NBA superstars.
“It was an excellent experience,” Bosh told Associated Press.
The team had got back to its hotel after the win against China, only at 2 am the previous night and the tourists had to awake at 9am for the trip.
“I knew it would be an enlightening event, so I just had to go,” Bosh said.
“It was tough,” the Toronto Raptors power forward said about the early-morning wake-up call. “I’m not going to lie.”
Calderon spoke to FIBA.com where he and Los Chicos de Oro are attempting to follow up their world title triumph with Olympic gold.
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