Clan Wars » r.They also did not concede a try in either game, sett

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Thats him, the man who changed international basketball. Hes the one who single-handedly beat the United States on its own soil nearly 30 years ago, stoking the ambers that led to the Dream Team.The greatest scorer in the history of the game, by a bunch, hes perhaps the best player to never to slip on an NBA jersey.Except for his size, Oscar Schmidt could walk down a city street in the U.S. unnoticed.Not in Brazil.As Schmidt ambles through the corridors of Carioca Arena, his weakened knees preventing him from moving with the grace he once showed on the floor, his countrymen treat him with respect and reverence. Police officers ask if they can have their picture taken with him, young volunteers squeeze in close for selfies and everyone he encounters shows him love. They all want to touch the man dubbed Mao Santo in Portuguese, The Holy Hand.Schmidt accepts it all and happily obliges every request with a smile, and often with a hearty laugh.These Olympics are personal to the Brazilian basketball icon. These games are on his court.I have had a great life, he said before doing TV commentary for Brazils double-overtime loss to Argentina on Saturday.He was a mystery, something of an urban legend until 1987, when during an unforgettable game in Indiana, the heartland of American hoops, Schmidt scored 46 points in the final of the Pan American Games to stun the Americans. It ended a 34-game winning streak for the U.S., its first loss in international competition at home.Schmidt, a cocky shooters shooter with remarkable range and little interest in playing defense, scored 35 points in the second half as Brazil overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to stun the U.S. team, which included college stars David Robinson, Danny Manning and coached by Denny Crum.When the game ended, Schmidt stood under one basket and wept with joy as his teammates celebrated. They had done the unimaginable.That game was the best part of my life because we proved to the whole world that it was possible to beat them, the 58-year-old Schmidt said. And we were afraid to lose by 50.At that time, there had been discussion inside the U.S. basketball program about possibly using professionals in upcoming Olympics. And when the Americans were beaten by the Soviet Union the following year at the Seoul Games and finished with a bronze, the U.S. decided it was time to bring in the big boys.Four years later, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird and their All-Star teammates pummeled the competition in Barcelona while inspiring the rest of the world to shoot higher.Schmidt, who scored 24 against that squad, takes personal satisfaction for his role in basketballs global growth.Yeah, of course I do, he said, his voice rising with pride. When we beat them, everybody saw it and said, if they can win, we can win. So they put the Dream Team together.The Americans exacted revenge on Schmidt in Spain, pounding Brazil 127-83 and winning by an average of 43.8 points per game on their way to a gold medal.That was the best team Ive ever seen play, said Schmidt, one of the Olympic flag bearers in the opening ceremony. They were something. The only players I think could make that team are Kobe, Shaquille and LeBron.And maybe Schmidt, who rejected overtures by NBA teams to play in Europe and on five Olympic teams for Brazil from 1980-1996. He was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in 1984, but played in Italy, where he routinely scored 50 in a game.When he got into a zone, with his size at 6-8 and his mentality, once he got going, he was one of the toughest guys you would ever want to go up against, said former Australian Olympian Andrew Gaze, who relishes the chance to catch up with his good friend. I think if he came through in a later generation, he would have been very successful in the NBA. But back when he was at his best, there were very few international players. The NBA wasnt really considering international players the way they are now.Schmidt helped open the door for non-U.S. players, and there were 100 on NBA rosters to start last season. And the American stars can thank the Hall of Famer, too, for getting them inside the five Olympic rings.Unofficially credited with scoring over 49,000 career points -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 38,387 -- Schmidt is the Olympic leader with 1,093, nearly 800 more than Carmelo Anthony, who became Team USAs career leader during these games.Schmidt chuckled when reminded of the disparity before turning serious.But hes going to win three times gold medals. I would change everything, every point -- not that Pan American Games -- but the rest for a medal in the Olympics, said Schmidt, who finished fifth three times. We had two good chances, not to get a medal, but a chance to win the Olympics. We came very close, but life is like that. You cant have everything. Nike Shox Clearance . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. Nike React Element 55 For Sale . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. http://www.nikereactsale.com/nike-odyssey-react-running-shoes.html . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Nike React China .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. Nike React Sale . LOUIS -- St. Theyre renowned for their pace and skill but Australias women also showed theyre up for the physical battle to make a powerful statement in rugby sevens Olympic debut.The top-ranked Aussies underlined their gold medal favouritism by dominating their two opening day pool matches, scoring 15 unanswered tries in the Rio heat to seal a quarter-final berth on Sunday.While a third pool game against the USA is to come, the world series champions are almost certain to play Spain in the last eight and avoid arch-rivals New Zealand in Mondays semi-finals.Australia were always expected to easily swat aside regional qualifier Colombia, and did so 53-0 in the biggest victory of the day, but they also outclassed Fiji 36-0 in a six-try shutout.Fiji had shown their power game could unruffle stronger teams with an early 12-7 upset of USA but Tim Walshs side happily took up the challenge and threw it back.Going into the game we expected some shooters, some high tackles, some late hits, coach Walsh said.I thought we nullified Fijis strength and really played to ours.They were ready for a physical battle, and thats the way it is going to be from here on in.Leading challengers New Zealand, Canada and Great Britain all play a more confrontational game and aim to outmuscle the faster, wide-running Australians.The likes of Charlotte Caslick, Emma Tonegato, Nicole Beck and Ellia Green showed they would have a tough time catching them first.Caslick finished the day with four tries, equalling Kiwi stars Portia Woodman and Kayla McAlister, to show her class as a playmaker and finisher.Australia showed no Games jitters and scored with almost every touch of the ball against the Colombians in what resembled a training run.That overall performance was amazing, said co-captain Sharni Williams, who scored their first Olympic try after just 45 seconds. Its a great start.Weve set that benchmark and now well just keep building.Walsh was also pleased to come through day one with no injuries as backline linchpin Emilee Cherry overcame her hamstring strain to play, and fully ttest it out against Fiji with a 60m sprint to score.ddddddddddddNew Zealand, meanwhile, wasted little time announcing their medal credentials as they powered past Kenya despite having their captain Sarah Goss and Ruby Tui both sin-binned during the first half.Even with six players, though, the Kiwis were way too strong as early tries by Portia Woodman, Kayla McAlister and Huriana Manuel set them off and running, and the Kenyans hardly got a look-in as they finished on the receiving end of a 52-0 defeat, with Woodman scoring a hat-trick.New Zealand followed up that win by brushing aside Spain 31-5.Great Britains women launched their Olympic rugby sevens challenge with two pool victories.Emily Scarratts team followed up an opening 29-3 victory over host nation Brazil by crushing Japan 40-0 thanks to touchdowns from Amy Wilson Hardy, Alice Richardson, Joanne Watmore, Katy McLean, Emily Scott and Heather Fisher.They also did not concede a try in either game, setting themselves up for Sundays Pool C decider against Canada.Scarratt said: It was a shaky start, but we know sevens tournaments are not decided on the first day, and weve got two good wins under our belt.The second performance was really pleasing.We really pride ourselves on our defence, if you dont let other teams score tries, it is generally a lot easier to win games.Canada will be a step up tomorrow. They finished third in the World Series this year, and we know we will have to be right on our mettle, but we will recover and prepare properly.While the Japan game was a stroll - they earlier lost 45-0 against Canada - Britain led only 7-3 at the break after Brazil, inspired by their talisman Paula Ishibashi, dominated territory and threatened a possible upset.But Britain settled after half-time and ran out comfortable winners on the back of two Natasha Hunt tries, plus touchdowns from Watmore, Scott and Jasmine Joyce, with McLean kicking two conversions. ' ' '