Yao Ming is in North America now. August 16, 2002, the Canadian men's national team will against China at General Motors Place in Vancouver. The world championship tournament will be held in Indianapolis, IN beginning on August 29, 2002. Canada opens up the 16-team tournament against Spain. "This game is a great competitive opportunity for our team," said head coach Jay Triano. "The world championships open the following week and this game against China will give us an assessment. "It's always appreciated when we are able to play games on our home soil," continued Triano. "The fans in Vancouver are very supportive of our national team programs so we're excited to put on a good game for them." From http://www.basketball.bc.ca/ Look at that poster. It seems that Yao Ming can help on the tickets sales.
yeah i hope he has skills to go with the hype. If he is the **** we will most likeley get more nationlly televised games.
Yao Ming hits the rookie wall before Christmas. I hope our boy has some stamina. Can't wait to see him play.
http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0815/1418538.html Nash, MacCulloch, and Magliore aren't playing Doesn't look like this game will be that interesting (if it ever was)
Thursday, August 15 Nash 'not able to give 100 percent' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Steve Nash withdrew from the Canadian national team Thursday, saying he was not mentally or physically ready to compete in the upcoming World Championships. Nash "I have decided not to play this summer,'' Nash said in a statement released by Canada Basketball. "It's a hard decision to leave my team and not represent my country. However, in the best interests of my career and playing in the Olympics, playing this summer could seriously jeopardize my availability.'' Nash's departure leaves the Canadian team without any of the three NBA players it had expected to have on its roster for the World Championships, which will be held in Indianapolis Aug. 29-Sept. 8. Centers Todd MacCulloch and Jamaal Magloire did not join the team, in part because of insurance issues related to pre-existing injuries. MacCulloch, traded last week from New Jersey to Philadelphia, is recovering from a foot ailment. Magloire was not released by the New Orleans Hornets because of a shoulder and back injury. Nash, Canada's captain and starting point guard, plays for the Dallas Mavericks, whose owner, Mark Cuban, complained recently that the NBA-sanctioned insurance coverage currently in place is not adequate. Cuban also said he might withhold his blessing for Nash to play for Canada, as well as for Michael Finley and Raef LaFrentz to play for the U.S. team. Finley's agent, however, said Finley would report to U.S. team training camp on Friday. "I don't think Mark expected his guys not to play because of this particular issue,'' agent Henry Thomas said. "He can't stop the guys from playing. His deal was that this is a valid issue that needs to be addressed by the league.'' Nash made no mention of Cuban or the insurance issue in his statement. "I fully support Steve's decision,'' Canada coach Jay Triano said. "Watching him in practice this week, I could see he wasn't able to give 100 percent mentally or physically. We value what he's done for the program over the last 10 years and what he hopes to do in the future, but for him the best decision is to take time and be ready for the NBA season.'' Nash said he still planned to play for Canada in an exhibition game Friday night against China. He is a native of nearby Victoria, British Columbia. Earlier in the day, at a Salvation Army mission where the Canadian team served lunch to the homeless, Nash said he would not make a decision on his status until Friday. But evidently he changed his mind quickly. He informed his teammates of his decision during an afternoon practice. "We respect Steve's final decision, and the thought process that led to it. We know it was a difficult decision given his patriotism and commitment to playing for his country,'' said Leslie Dal Cin, executive director of Canada Basketball. Nash led Canada to a surprising seventh-place finish at the 2000 Sydney Olympics -- with an upset over Yugoslavia en route -- and led Canada last summer in qualifying for the Worlds. Nash is four seasons into a six-year, $36 contract that ends after the 2003-2004 season, although he can opt out of his contract next summer.
he is playin the exibition game, just not the rest of the tournament. i'm gonna be there for the 1st half of the game (can't be there the whole game) and i'll try and get some clips of yao for you all.
