Chris Kaman Olympic Watch

Post #1 » by **mkwest** » Sun Aug 3, 2008 7:41 am

"I look at this as a great opportunity to live a dream," he said. "I play basketball, and I'm getting this chance to be part of the Olympics. It's about the basketball for me, not politics, not anything else. I was going to play basketball this summer, and this seems like a great way to do it.

"People calling me traitor on the radio and stuff, I don't understand that. It's basketball. I love my country."

As for the Clippers, Kaman is aware the team has changed dramatically in a free-agent whirlwind that includes the loss of Elton Brand and the addition of six new players, including Baron Davis and Marcus Camby. Kaman is entering the third year of a five-year contract extension worth $52 million.

"I'm not worrying about it now because I can't control it," he said. "It sounds like we will have different guys. I know I just want to win. I hope we have guys who want to win. That's what basketball should be about."

MLive

YiOF · Post #2 » by **YiOF** » Sun Aug 3, 2008 7:20 pm

yes, every American athlete who couldn't make the US team should go get citizenship of another country and play for them, in turn deny a spot from someone who is actually from that country. lets all live the Olympic dream.

JJ LoDuca · Post #3 » by **JJ LoDuca** » Sun Aug 3, 2008 11:22 pm

^ Haterade.

GuyverX · Post #4 » by **GuyverX** » Sun Aug 3, 2008 11:52 pm

YiOF wrote:yes, every American athlete who couldn't make the US team should go get citizenship of another country and play for them, in turn deny a spot from someone who is actually from that country. lets all live the Olympic dream.

Well, you go ask any German basketball fan if they would rather see Kaman or some German-born dude with less skills and talent and see what they think. I don't think they're complaining.

Post #5 » by **mkwest** » Mon Aug 4, 2008 12:24 am

YiOF wrote:yes, every American athlete who couldn't make the US team should go get citizenship of another country and play for them, in turn deny a spot from someone who is actually from that country. lets all live the Olympic dream.

It complied with all the rules. The German coach as well as Dirk both encouraged him to go over and help the team. The team has now qualified for the Olympics for the first time in 16 years. I know I certainly wasn't complaining when either Olajuwon or Ewing were on the US team.

cinnamon · Post #6 » by **cinnamon** » Mon Aug 4, 2008 2:34 am

.
Actually, I haven't heard of anyone anywhere complaining about this except for YiOF who is, of course, entitled to his or her opinion, and who may just have been having a bad day --- who knows?
I'm happy for Kaman, and happy for the German team which is so improved by his presence and will be playing in the Olympic games.
I only hope very much that Kaman doesn't get injured or exhausted or overly stressed while he's living out his dream.
Other than that --- enjoy, enjoy.

,

Roscoe_Clipps · Post #7 » by **Roscoe_Clipps** » Mon Aug 4, 2008 3:03 am

This is a non-issue.
What is with making a big deal out of someone taking up an offer doing something they love?!
It would only be an issue if he was asked to play on the US team and then went and chose Germany. The thing is, he didn't get an opportunity to play for Team USA, so why not let him go play? It's kind of like Becky Hammond's situation- but she then got the offer to play for the US. Neither of these players are traitors.

I personally, love the fact that Chris is playing. I think he's one of those players who can't stop playing otherwise he will regress. So, despite the potential injury, I think of this purely as a way he has chosen to stay in shape.

At least we have somebody to cheer for from the Clippers in the Olympics!

Post #8 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Mon Aug 4, 2008 3:37 am

I don't mind if Chris plays, as long as he doesn't get hurt.

Jase · Post #9 » by **Jase** » Tue Aug 5, 2008 6:18 pm

Hey Clips fans.
I live in Grand Rapids, in the area where Kaman grew up, and the papers here (Namely the Grand Rapids Press) have been brutal in their criticism of Kaman. I, for one, don't see a problem with it. If this is the only way the guy will ever participate in the Olympics, why shouldn't he take it? He didn't reject USA. USA basketball didn't want him. Kaman said he would have played for them had they invited him to play. Regardless, I hope, for your sake, he doesn't get hurt, but I think it's great that he is doing something thousands of other athletes can only dream of.

BubbaTee · Post #10 » by **BubbaTee** » Tue Aug 5, 2008 8:32 pm

mkwest wrote:
YiOF wrote:yes, every American athlete who couldn't make the US team should go get citizenship of another country and play for them, in turn deny a spot from someone who is actually from that country. lets all live the Olympic dream.

It complied with all the rules. The German coach as well as Dirk both encouraged him to go over and help the team. The team has now qualified for the Olympics for the first time in 16 years. I know I certainly wasn't complaining when either Olajuwon or Ewing were on the US team.

Yup. Instead of taking the Olympic experience away from 1 German, Kaman's helped give it to 11 others who otherwise wouldn't be in Beijing at all.

Versubio · Post #11 » by **Versubio** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 1:51 am

mkwest wrote:
YiOF wrote:yes, every American athlete who couldn't make the US team should go get citizenship of another country and play for them, in turn deny a spot from someone who is actually from that country. lets all live the Olympic dream.

It complied with all the rules. The German coach as well as Dirk both encouraged him to go over and help the team. The team has now qualified for the Olympics for the first time in 16 years. I know I certainly wasn't complaining when either Olajuwon or Ewing were on the US team.

Or Duncan?

Post #12 » by **mkwest** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:19 am

Any athlete not originally born in the continental US that has suited up for us. :wink:

Chris Kaman is the Olympic Barber

One on One with Chris Kaman. A video interview with Chris responding to international competition as well as the negative feedback from some media outlets regarding his playing with Germany.

Both videos are best viewed in IE

Germany is playing Angola live right now. You can catch the game online @ NBColympics.com

Basketballfan423514 · Post #13 » by **Basketballfan423514** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:55 am

You can watch the game free online at NBColympics.com.
He's killin it vs Angola. He's got 17 at the half. Im gonna stay up late and watch Sofo play too on USA

Post #14 » by **mkwest** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:02 am

54-34 Germany at the half.

Kaman has been a beast offensively. He put up 6 of Germany's first 8 points and 10 total in the first quarter. He has 17 on 8 of 10 shooting at the halfway mark. He's looking really confident out there, making good passes and being assertive. He had a clean all ball block but was called for the foul which I believe was his 2nd. He was sent to the bench after that. I'm looking forward to his matchup against Greece.

Post #15 » by **mkwest** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:48 am

I'm proud of him. He's playing very well and he's not letting the haters get to him.

Post #16 » by **mkwest** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:56 am

95-66 is the final. Kaman finished with 24 points (10-12 FG, 4-5 FT) through 3 quarters of action. He and Dirk both sat out the 4th quarter.

Boxscore

SaintofKillers · Post #17 » by **SaintofKillers** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:11 pm

I don't know why a lot of people are belittling Kaman's German roots. If it doesn't matter because it's his great grand parents then I suppose you'd have no problem having sexual relations with your distant cousin.

SaintofKillers · Post #18 » by **SaintofKillers** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:13 pm

Like I said in the qualifiers: nobody can stop Kaman in FIBA. Dude is a monster.

I suppose Josh Howard and Brandon Bass would be enough, yeah?

Basketballfan423514 · Post #19 » by **Basketballfan423514** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:30 pm

Sofo looked terrible last night. He's a fat slob. All he can do is back someone down. No vertical at all. No defense. Cant play more than 5 minutes at a time. Greece should be no problem for USA and Sofo no problem for Kaman. BTW, Kaman finished with 24.

GuyverX · Post #20 » by **GuyverX** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 6:53 pm

Basketballfan423514 wrote:Sofo looked terrible last night. He's a fat slob. All he can do is back someone down. No vertical at all. No defense. Cant play more than 5 minutes at a time. Greece should be no problem for USA and Sofo no problem for Kaman. BTW, Kaman finished with 24.

I seriously don't understand why Clipper fans hype ths guy up so much. Because he's big? He can barely play 10 minutes without having a heart attack.