The Star’s Doug Smith and the Globe’s Michael Grange both have pretty nice little previews of the last chance Olympic men’s basketball tournament up today. Smith’s even asked Jose Calderon what he thinks!
(Too bad there isn’t a dateline on either, but I suppose the Star's sports travel budget is a little tight right now —- we wouldn’t want Dave Perkins to miss the British Open after all. The Globe’s rollin’ in it, so I’m not sure what its excuse is).
Despite typical Canuck pessimism, the boys in red have a decent chance to succeed in Greece. It won’t be easy, but Canada is the fifth ranked team in the draw. If it can win a quarterfinal match-up against either (likely) Puerto Rico or Croatia they will have two shots at making the Games.
Regardless, it’s an accomplishment that Canada is at this tournament. Increasingly, basketball is becoming the second world’s game. Qualifying for an Olympic Games as nearly as difficult as qualifying for a World Cup. This certainly a more important sporting story than, say, more speculation about Mats Sundin.
Of course the baby boomer run, Bobby Orr lovin' Canadian sports media isn’t all that keen on this bouncy ball thing yet. It’s likely a fad.
Update: Korea made them sweat a bit, but Slovenia did what it was supposed to do in the opening match-up in Canada's group today.
Canada big man Joel Anthony of the NBA's Miami Heat also got interviewed by FIBA.com:
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5 comments:
Don't piss on we Boomers Duane. Grey Power is a beautiful thing.
I will be watching the bouncy ball thing on the Score early tommorrow morning.
Leading Edge Boomer
OttawaFan
GeeGeesFan
(we are a trinity)
I apologize. But, could you please all retire already?
Michael Grange did post to his blog that most travel budgets are consumed by the Olympics this year (and yes, goff), that's why Canwest, Torstar and Bell GlobeMedia haven't sent anyone.
The Globe also had two guys at Euro 2008...
But, what about hiring a stringer boys...someone to do more than tag on a phoner quote to the wire stuff.
Being on the leading edge of Boomers, I already am retired. I did so early.
That is why I can watch basketball games at six in the morning,go to movies in the afternoon, read, and even comment on blogs like this.
I recommend it. But most of the later Boomers will have to work for a few more years before they can afford to retire, and leave the work place entirely to my younger friends here.
LEB
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