Funkerstation » hance we get were going to have

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Like so many kids, Kyrie Irving dreamed about putting on the uniform of his home country and playing in the Olympics.For Australia, mate.Born in Melbourne, where his father played professionally, the starting point guard for the heavily favored U.S. mens team was still considering the possibility of playing for the Aussies just a few years ago.I was very serious, man, he said.But as fate would have it, Irving followed the advice of his college coach, the one who mentors him to this day and the one who once told him he could be the guard of your era and chose to play for the Americans.Im glad that he decided to do that, said Mike Krzyzewski, the U.S. coach who had Irving for a short time at Duke.Irvings surface roots Down Under will be just one of the subplots Wednesday when the U.S. team, which has barely broken a sweat during its first two games in Brazil, faces unbeaten Australia. The Aussies are the surprise squad of the Rio Games and are a group loaded with NBA talent, championship rings and big game-experience.They have great camaraderie and theyre talented, Krzyzewski said. Theyre all NBA players so they understand what it is to play against our guys.Along with his unique connection to the Aussies, Irving will be going head-to-head with Matthew Dellavedova, his former teammate in Cleveland with whom he now shares a lifelong bond after they won a title together earlier this summer.Cavaliers teammates for three seasons, theyre friends turned foes for one day.Irving expects the hard-nosed Dellavedova, a tenacious defender with a knack for getting under an opponents skin, to come at him from the outset. Hes ready.Just like I should be worried about him, he should be worried about me, Irving said Tuesday before practice. It goes both ways. Hes a great defender as well, but my job is to win the basketball game for the U.S. and Im going to do everything possible to do that. So when we step on the floor, theres no friendships. That goes out the window automatically.After he turned pro following an injury-shortened freshman year, Irving could have played for Australia, which has been competitive in the Olympics but has yet to win a medal in the games or FIBA championships. He understood it would be a long climb for him to be recognized as one of the top point guards in the U.S. with Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry and Deron Williams among those ahead of him in the deep American pool.At Krzyzewskis urging, Irving had declined an invitation to play for Australia as a 17-year-old but was now giving it more consideration.And thats when Krzyzewski swayed him to join Team USA.He had a choice, the coach said. I just wanted him to always think of the very best that could happen for him and obviously playing for the United States and maybe being the starting guard on the Olympic team, thats the highest. And he had the capability of doing that. I knew that at a young age.But it wasnt like you had to put any pressure on him. I think he just needed to know that once you make the decision, then thats the country youre going to play for.Irving has felt at home from the moment he first slipped on a USA jersey. He impressed coaches and players with his quickness and ball-handling during scrimmages for the U.S. Select Team against the team that went to London in 2012, and two years later was named tournament MVP while leading the Americans to gold at the Basketball World Cup.If not for Krzyzewski, Irving could be wearing green and gold, not red, white and blue.He was a huge part of the decision, Irving said. I mean, hes Coach K. As a young fella, he definitely did tell me I had a chance to be a part of something bigger than myself and ultimately being the starting point guard on the U.S. Olympic team. I never thought it would happen as soon as it has.Its crazy to see how it has worked out.Its worked out to this point in these games for Australia, which has beaten medal contenders France and Serbia to open the tourney. The Aussies, who have five NBA starters and received a huge lift from center Andrew Boguts quick recovery from a knee injury, have a chance to show they can stand with the worlds basketball powers.As for Irving, Dellavedova, who signed with Milwaukee earlier this summer, said he didnt have anything special planned for their reunion.Ill say, gday, he said, But well probably catch up more when everything is finished.Air Max Wholesale Uk . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Cheap Nike Tn Trainers Uk . JOHNS, N. http://www.fakeairmaxukoutlet.com/ . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Cheap Air Max 97 Wholesale . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Nike Air Max 270 Cheap Uk . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year.The Atlanta Falcons are feeling pretty good about the start to their season, but defensive shortcomings are a concern.That could be just the tonic for a strangely sluggish offense for the Carolina Panthers.The teams meet Sunday afternoon at the Georgia Dome, with the Falcons anticipating an agitated opponent.Plenty of us to shine a light on to improve on, Falcons coach Dan Quinn said despite back-to-back victories. Were building toward that. We have a lot of work to do.The Falcons rank first in the NFL in offense by scoring 34.7 points and gaining 448 yards per game. It has been a good blend of rushing and passing, with quarterback Matt Ryan completing more than 70 percent of his passes to go along with seven touchdowns with only one interception.Every time we go against them, theyre physical, Ryan said of the matchup with the Panthers. Were going to have to play our best football.Carolina is coming off a 22-10 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings. They enter the game in Atlanta having not scored for more than 50 minutes.It just cant happen, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said of the inconsistencies. We have to hone in and be more thorough.Carolina receiver Kelvin Benjamin went without a reception and had only one ball throw his way against the Vikings after a two-touchdown outing the previous game, and quarterback Cam Newton vowed to have Benjamin more involved.Theres one thing Ive learned, if Cam says hes going to do something hes sure going to try to do it, Rivera said after learning of his quarterbacks midweek comments.Games in his hometown of Atlanta naturally take on more significance to him, Newton said, and his teams early struggles are bringing on added frustration.They dont care about Carolina, he said of the Falcons. Were 1-2. We just cant get into the rhythm of winning. It is frustrating. ... We have to take that personal challenge that we have to be better.The Panthers were so out of sync on the offensive line that Newton was sacked eight times by the Vikings.Its tough seeing him go down anytime, Panthers offensive guard Trai Turner said. You never want to see your quarterback go down.Newton wasnt going to blame his offensive line and brushed off the problem while turning the focus ahead.Just pressure recognition and get the ball out of my hand, Newton said. Ready to take on the challenge from Atlanta.But if the Falcons have shown shortcomings the past couple of weeks it has come in their pass defense. Plus, Atlantas defense has notched only three sacks all season and that might account for why the Falcons have given up a fair share of big plays through the air.dddddddddddd.The explosive passes, that has to come down, Quinn said. A couple of cases they were mental (mistakes).The Panthers, though, have various ways to move the ball on the ground and thats why they rank third in the NFL with an average of 146 rushing yards.This is a tough outfit, Quinn said of the Panthers. It really (starts) off their run game. They have a number of packages they feature, and their quarterback is involved.The Falcons had so many contributors in defeating New Orleans 45-32 on Monday night that Quinn is calling for a carryover of that type of team work.As a coach, thats what pumps you up, Quinn said. You play as a whole group, a whole unit. Youre pulling for one another. When you play team ball like that, thats what fires me up.Adding to the efficiency, Atlanta wasnt called for an offensive penalty.The Panthers brought back defensive tackle Kyle Love, who had started two games last year, this week to add to the interior pressure. While that gives Carolina another pass rusher, its also something for the Falcons to consider.Theyre a very aggressive front, so every chance we get were going to have to attack, Quinn said.It will be the third matchup against a NFC South foe this season for the Falcons, who lost their only previous home game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Quinn said the early schedule of divisional opponents heightened the importance of these games.Another chance for us (now) at home with our crowd here, he said.It suddenly looks like a crucial game for the Panthers, whove lost three of their last five regular-season games dating to last season. Carolina had its perfect season halted last December in Atlanta after winning its first 14 games on the way to winning the NFC championship.Im trying to get to 2-2, Newton said. Last year is over with.The Falcons also arent putting much emphasis on what happened almost nine months ago.Each week and each season to me is new, Quinn said. The important part of us is that we recognize this as a division game.For Carolina, the Falcons are its most-played opponent, with Atlanta leading the series 25-17. This seasons rematch wont come until Christmas Eve. ' ' '