Archive for August, 2008

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Olympics: 101-81 Win Over Argentina Sends USA to Gold Medal Game

August 22, 2008

Posted by Dave Bradley under Center of the Universe

THE GOLD MEDAL GAME
Sunday, August 24th
USA v. Spain
2:30 AM EST (NBC)
 
Frantic First Half
Team USA raced out to a 30-11 over Argentina in the first quarter.  Argentina then rallied to close within six in the second quarter, becoming just the second team to outscore Team USA in a quarter during the Olympics (Angola was the other).  The Americans took control in the second half and won by 20, advancing to the Gold Medal Game.
 
In the News
 
Quote Board
“It would mean everything.  It would mean everything to me because you are representing your country and you’re representing so many hopes and dreams of future athletes.  I had a chance to see our U.S. women’s soccer team win the gold medal yesterday and just stayed for the reception and saw how special that was.  Just waiting for the moment that we can have the same experience.”
Kobe Bryant
 
“It’s been a great experience for all 12 of us.  Not all 12 of us are going to be together again 2012, but I think we can tell other guys this is one of the best experiences I ever had in my life.  This is great.  You’re playing basketball and you’re representing your country.  It doesn’t get any better than this.  Being a part of the game on Sunday is the biggest thing for me, ever.  When I got to the Finals and I thought that was big, but winning an NBA championship would never compare to winning a gold medal for my country.”
LeBron James
 
“Coach has been great.  He’s been a great motivator for us.  I think the thing that’s helped us out so much with Coach K is that we understand that he wants to win just as much as we do.  It’s not about just coaching or him sitting on the bench saying ‘I coach Team USA.’  He has a lot invested in this.  Just like this defines us, it defines him.  Even though he has a lot of accomplishments as a collegiate coach, he feels that he has to win just like us.  It’s great that we have a coach who feels he has as much invested in this as we do.”
Chris Paul
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A Duke Blue Planet

August 22, 2008

Posted by Dave Bradley under Center of the Universe

We asked Duke fans to share photos from all over the world for our upcoming special edition of Blue Planet celebrating Duke in the Olympics and worldwide.  Fan photos from every continent were emailed to us, with Blue Devil supporters sporting Duke gear in places such as the Arctic Circle, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kzyzewskiville, West Virginia, Montana, Hawaii, Nicaraqua, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Wrightsville Beach, China, Cambodia, Japan, Italy, Greece, Argentina, Nigara Falls, Key West, Disney World, the Dominican Republic, Mt. Kilimanjaro, South Korea, and many other locations.  Thanks to all of the Duke fans who shared their amazing photos and Blue Devil spirit!
 
Contest Winners
 
 
 
 
 
Contest Results
All Duke fans who submitted a photo will receive a year-long subscription to Blue Planet magazine. The five winners listed above will receive Duke Basketball tee-shirts as well.  The finalists pictured in the gallery linked below were selected based on location, photo quality, and the Duke gear worn in the photo. 
 
 
 
Finalists to be Featured
Thanks to the great quality of the entries, we decided to make “Duke Worldwide” a regular feature in Blue Planet magazine this year.  Over the course of next season, we will feature each of our finalists at some point on a two-page world map with a Blue Devil logo and their picture noting their location.  If any of our entrants decide they do not want to featured for any reason, please email me.  Thanks again for all of the great emails and photos!
 
Dave Bradley
Recruiting & Communications Coordinator
Duke Basketball
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Olympics: 116-85 Win over Aussies Propels USA to Semifinals

August 20, 2008

Posted by Dave Bradley under Center of the Universe

In the News
 
Crashing the Boards
Entering the Olympics, various media wondered whether the U.S. was taking a big enough team to Beijing.  Team USA has responded to that question with a resounding yes, and there is no better example than the Australia game.  The Americans outrebounded the Aussies 57-28 and gobbled up 19 boards on the offensive end.  Team USA’s strong, athletic, and mobile frontcourt players have given every opponent headaches and forced numerous turnovers.
 
LeBron Sets the Tone
LeBron James has done it all throughout the Olympics, dishing out assists, playing great defense, forcing steals, hitting the boards, driving to the basket and leading the U.S. team.  James has even played center at times and is capable of guarding every position on the floor thanks to his size, strength and quickness.  One of the signature plays of the Olympics for Team USA came against the Aussies when LeBron forced a steal, hustled after the loose ball, finally securing it with a pass to a teammate as he dove out of bounds.
 
Quote Board
“We want to play the best.  We want to play the defending champs.   It’s all about challenges and obviously we welcome all comers.  Argentina is the defending champs.  You want to be able to play the guys who won it the last time.  I would love for us to have the opportunity.”
Kobe Bryant
 
“In the last three years as being the US National Coach, I’ve learned from every coach that I’ve coached against.   There are outstanding coaches in the international game and outstanding players.  I’ve learned a lot from being the national coach and Greece and Argentina play the game as well as anybody.   I can learn from both of them as I’ve learned tonight.   You learn from everybody.”
Coach K
 
“If we don’t approach every game like it’s our last, we can be beat.  If we don’t come into it and offensively make the extra pass or defensively we don’t help each other and we start converting back to individuals, we can lose.  I’m not going to let that happen.  Coach K is one of the greatest coaches that we have.”
LeBron James
 
“We’re not settling for anything less than a gold medal.  We understand that it takes 12 guys to win every game.  It’s so much fun playing with this team because we play with so much emotion and we don’t want to lose.”
Chris Paul
 
“We have an unbelievable team.  Guys all believe in one another and all want to see each other succeed.  I’ve never been on a team like this before.  It’s just great.”
Dwyane Wade
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On the Campaign Trail with Reggie Love

August 20, 2008

Posted by Dave Bradley under Courtside Q&A

eggie Love played on the Duke Basketball team for three seasons and also starred on the Blue Devil football squad.  After short stints with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, the Charlotte native became Barack Obama’s personal assistant.  In addition to spending almost every waking hour helping Senator Obama, Love was named one of “America’s Hottest Bachelors” by People Magazine in June.
 
Talk about your role with Senator Obama?  Has that changed since you guys won the Democratic nomination?
I am his personal assistant so like a lot of personal assistants you make sure he has everything he needs to perform his job at a high level, whether it is being on time, his attire, or making sure that he knows that he is going to be working a consecutive number of hours.  Since we secured the nomination, basically my role has stayed the same but it puts a little more pressure on you.  Basically my job is to make sure he has everything he needs to potentially be the next President of the United States.  The small things that don’t seem to matter a whole lot can become big things in such a high-pressure situation.  Attention to detail is much more important, not that it wasn’t important before, but you are under a bigger microscope.

Is there anything from your Duke Basketball playing days that you bring to work now?
One of the things that Coach always used to say – Doing the right thing and working hard is easy to do when everyone is watching but you also have to do it when people aren’t watching.  It seems like people are always watching, but that is not always the case.  It is tough when you are traveling all the time and the schedule is so constant and having to say to yourself I have to get X,Y, and Z even though I am really tired, I haven’t eaten dinner yet, I don’t know exactly where I am, and I haven’t been home in 25 days. 

What are you personal long-term goals?  What happens to you if you guys win the presidency?
Well, I think at some point in time I want to go back to school — Maybe 2012 or so.  I haven’t necessarily thought about or know what the administration would be like or where I would fit in.  Don’t get me wrong, being the personal assistant to the President of the United States would be a great job, but I haven’t really thought about it or know enough about it to say where I would fit in.

I read that Senator Obama is a big basketball fan.  Do you guys ever watch any Duke games together?
We try to watch as many games as we can.  We actually missed the two NCAA games this year because we were flying, but the Carolina-Duke game or Duke-Maryland, if Duke’s on, we watch if we can.  Usually the Sunday night games we can make, but the Saturday afternoon games are tough, Tuesday nights at 7 are kind of tough.

Who does he root for?  Does he have a favorite team?
He doesn’t have a team.  I was a little disappointed he picked Carolina to win it all this year, so it made me feel that much better when he lost the pool.

What is a typical day like for you guys?
We go to the gym every day, we don’t necessarily play basketball every day.  Usually we go to the gym at 6:30 or 7, do like an hour at the gym if we have time or at least 35-45 minutes.  Typically, then we get in the car, make some phone calls, do some interviews, show up at a school or hotel, he gives a speech, shakes some hands, does some more press.  I make sure he has some food, we get in the car, drive to the airport, fly, land, get in the car, do more interviews, more phone calls, it is pretty constant.

Not a lot of days off?
Not a lot of off days, this is a blessing I am actually here.  I haven’t had a weekend off since last September, last Labor Day.

What is Senator Obama like behind the scenes?
He is very intelligent, very articulate.  He knows his stuff.  He is by far one of the most qualified candidates for the position, but he is also a real person.  Though it seems like he’s in this surreal bubble, the guy just finished paying off his student loans 3-4 years ago.  So, he knows what it’s like to be a real guy.  That is one of the things that makes him so likeable.  He seems like he is one of us, he is a normal person.  

 
In the News
 
Senator Obama on Reggie Love
“There’s no doubt that Reggie is cooler than I am.  I am living vicariously through Reggie…  He’s the kid brother I never had.  But maybe I’m saying that just because he technically could be my son.  I don’t want to admit my age.”

“One cardinal rule of the road is, we don’t watch CNN, the news or MSNBC.  We don’t watch any talking heads or any politics.  We watch ‘SportsCenter’ and argue about that.” 

I’ve gotten pretty fond of Jay-Z.  He’s broadened my horizons in the hip-hop world.  I think he’s got the most eclectic music of any 26-year-old.”

“People want me here or want me there, or are making requests, or are wanting some phone call out of me.  Having somebody who is a good people person is really important.  Reggie is there, day in, day out, never complains, has always got a cheerful attitude.  He is going places.”

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Olympics: USA Routs Germans 106-57, Heads to Medal Round

August 18, 2008

Posted by Dave Bradley under Center of the Universe

The Elite Eight — Olympic Style
Team USA defeated Germany by 49 points, advancing to the medal round with a perfect 5-0 record.  The Americans face Australia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday with the winner to play the winner of the Argentina-Greece matchup. 
 
Medal Round TV Schedule (All times EST)
Wednesday: USA v. Australia (8 AM, USA)
Friday: USA/Australia v. Argentina/Greece (10:15 AM, NBC)
Saturday: Gold Medal Game (2:30 AM, NBC)
 
In the News
 
Quote Board
“We’re excited about finishing pool play undefeated and getting on to the medal round.  We’re healthy.  I think our team has played well.  We’re very excited about getting in the medal round.  It’s time to try to win a gold medal.”
Coach K
 
“I think every time we play from here on out, like Coach says, it’s going to like a Game 7 in the playoffs.  We really got to stay focused, stay humble.  You know we came here on a mission and that was to win a gold medal.  So every game is very important.”
Dwight Howard
 
“Unbelievable, words can’t explain it. This is the largest stage of basketball that myself and many of the guys have ever played on, and we are playing for the best team in the entire world.  It’s not about the best the team in the NBA, that’s a small scale compared to this.”
Chris Paul
 
“We just play one way.  No matter what we’ve accomplished or clinched, we got to fine tune the machine.  We wanted to come out and continue to play as if we are playing Spain or Greece or Argentina.  No matter who our opponent is, we got to play at a high level.  We don’t want to have a game like this where we just go through the motions and think we can just turn it on.  It’s easier to play hard and just keep it going.”
Jason Kidd
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