Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
"No, no, I'm going home," Kaman said, without hesitationWow, what a crazy dude! So far away from home, Patty Hearst-ed by the Hessians -- let's get this guy back to his snakes and bows comfort zone ASAP. Meanwhile, Team USA, you'd best to not look at anyone the wrong way. That would be an embarrassent to America. But Kaman, he's just so darn cute and eccentric. He says what everyone's thinking! If only all athletes could be so frank and honest. Except for Team USA, of course, who had better keep their (non-slanty) eyes squrely on the prize of good behavior.
The Chinese reporter looked horrified
Kaman realized the reaction was bad and tried to fix things.
"It's not a knock on your country or Beijing, but I'm just not used to this," said Kaman, a former Central Michigan star, who had six points. "I've been gone so long. I actually like China. It's been a great experience, besides the smog. But once the rain came, it was really nice for three or four days. It's different for me. A different culture."
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
7 comments
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
Scoreboard data copyright © 2012 by STATS LLC. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.
OpenCalais - Powered by Thomson Reuters
•
Odds Shark 
Comments
I don’t really see how playing for Germany impugns his American patriotism.
by CBass3 on Aug 20, 2008 9:54 AM EDT reply actions
He was NEVER a German citizen until only weeks before the games. How was he even allowed to play? It will be interesting to see what the reaction of the NBA fans will be.
by DaBIGticket05 on Aug 20, 2008 10:59 AM EDT reply actions
He does have a point in that the Americans cant do anything wrong or else it gets blown up in the media. The Spanish do the slanted eyes thing that we learn as little children is offensive.
I dont however perceive Kaman’s statement as bad at all. He was simply honest about wanting to go back home. Who wouldnt want to leave a third world country?
by drallig9399 on Aug 20, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply actions
Nothing wrong with Kaman wanting to go home and nothing wrong with him playing for Germany. It’s not like he turned down the chance to play for the United States. He just wanted to be an Olympian and could not make Team USA. It happens all the time in the Olympics. Becky Hammon is playing for Russia. Linford Christie and Ben Johnson (yes, THAT Ben Johnson) won gold medals running for countries that they were not from. The list goes on and on.
by ChiAdam on Aug 20, 2008 11:17 AM EDT reply actions
I don’t mind him playing for the German team just like ChiAdam mentioned it’s not like the USA team came calling. He mentioned that he just wanted to go to the olympics. What’s wrong with that? Hakeem played for the USA team and he was not born here, we didn’t complain then. Kaman’s dad was pretty pissed off though I heard he has not spoken to his son since the start of the olympics.
by LexSteele on Aug 20, 2008 11:49 AM EDT reply actions
Actually, Kaman was invited to be a part of the USA Select Team, which is kind of the audition for/stepping-stone to Team USA. And he turned it down. So fine, he wants to play in the Olympics. He had a decent shot at 2012; after all, he is one of the league’s few good true centers, and the team could use a little more size, I guess. That he couldn’t wait his turn is what makes the whole thing reek of opportunism.
by bethlehemshoals.tsn on Aug 20, 2008 2:16 PM EDT reply actions
He wasn’t going to play for USA so who cares. Nobody would be griping if it was Damon Jones playing for China because of his shoe deal over there.
The guy basically said he was ready to go home, and you jingo it into "get the hell outta China" – find something relavent to write about.
by nedleeds on Aug 20, 2008 2:35 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed