NBA - Sports Rumors

Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:24 am EDT

Clippers' Kaman joins German Olympic team

By Joe Zedalis

Chris Kaman

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Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman could be headed to Beijing to compete in this summer's Olympics — as a German. The 26-year-old Michigan native obtained German citizenship and will play for Germany's national basketball team alongside Dallas Mavericks forward and German native Dirk Nowitzki in an Olympic qualifying tournament later this month, according to reports.

"We'll be stronger under the baskets with Chris," Nowitzki told the Associated Press.

Kaman, whose great-grandparents were German, first talked about playing for Germany during the winter.

Source: Los Angeles TimesNew Window

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32 Comments

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  1. WST
    1. Posted by WST Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:10 pm EDT

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    Why not? That's the only way he will ever play in the Olympic.
  2. Joseph M
    2. Posted by Joseph M Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:02 pm EDT

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    Good for Kaman. It's a shame he can't play for the US in the olympics, because he really works hard under the basket.. And besides, Dirk isn't a low post player, just a shooter trapped in a center's body.. lol. Germany will have a legit low post threat (obviously they have the inside-outside threat now) and could try to contend for the medal round this time. This can also be the chance for Chris to show his skills in front of the whole world, to make his NBA team (Clips) think hard about giving him at least the full mid-level or even higher, depending on his performance of course.
  3. Nicholas H
    3. Posted by Nicholas H Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:37 pm EDT

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    rest up for the nba season jeez
  4. JS
    4. Posted by JS Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    Caveman work hard for Deutschers. Caveman want gold.
  5. alextongo_2141
    5. Posted by alextongo_2141 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:50 pm EDT

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    inside-outside threat
  6. yehey
    6. Posted by yehey Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    dallas should get this guy. good fit with dirk. dampier in dallas just aint gonna cut it. they should also try to get maggette, even if means letting j ho go. he's good and all but he disappears oftenly come playoff time. maybe maggette is the solution.
  7. allen p
    7. Posted by allen p Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:10 pm EDT

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    hey,I have a great idea for joe dumars lets trade rasheed to la clippers.for Kaham straight up.
  8. onewithoutsleep
    8. Posted by onewithoutsleep Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:45 pm EDT

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    Yeah He is Good. But he doesnt have the Power that Dampier has. Plus Dallas Is getting Diop Back.
  9. Hi There! I'm a Racist!
    9. Posted by Hi There! I'm a Racist! Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:54 pm EDT

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    Traitor!!!
  10. Melissa H
    10. Posted by Melissa H Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    Who dosen't dream about playing in the olympics! Im glad for Kahman a.k.a. caveman, this is a great oppurtunity & experiance for him. I really hope he does well. Good luck Kahman!
  11. LESTER G
    11. Posted by LESTER G Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:43 pm EDT

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    Today 1:00 et 7:00 in Germany face to face Puerto Rico vs German go to fiba.com
  12. smokadeth
    12. Posted by smokadeth Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    Good guy and this is all very cool for all of us. I always thought he looked German. This confirms my suspicions. Go Germany!
  13. Joshua S
    13. Posted by Joshua S Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:48 pm EDT

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    Why would he want to play for the Germans. He is taking a spot away from a true German born player. His Great-Grandparents were from there. WOW. Pretty much every single white player in the NBA could qualify for some European team if they go off of that criteria!
  14. Cotton Piquer
    14. Posted by Cotton Piquer Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    Team Germany, without it's starting center, & it's starting PG came within an Iverson half-court shot of beating Team USA. Team USA had Lebron, Melo, Iverson, Bosh, Wade, etc. etc.
    With the addition of Kaman, & the 2 starters that missed that game, Team Germany should be favored.
    Dirk Nowitzki almost BEAT team USA all by himself. Dirk made a shot with 3.5 seconds left. His teammaters celebrated while Iverson caught the inbounds pass at half-court & had a prayer answered.
    Kaman is worth more, ALOT more, than Arenas, Magette, Gordon or Deng.
  15. Bill D
    15. Posted by Bill D Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    Camon to Germany, just another examle of how our great nation is always helping other nations.
    America the Gold, Germany the Silver I could live with that.
  16. Dave
    16. Posted by Dave Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:05 pm EDT

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    Did we all not want to play in the NBA, dream fullfiled for Chris, and did we not all want to play in the Oylmpics, See dreams do come true.Good luck Chris,
    Uncle Dave
  17. sergeant1217
    17. Posted by sergeant1217 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:14 pm EDT

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    He doesn't have the power of Dampier (post 10) What an idiotic comment. He has the "power" of Dampier and twice the skill and heart. It is so tough with all the "talented" Americans to get on the Olympic teams but he is in the top few true Centers in the NBA right now.
  18. sportsnut888
    18. Posted by sportsnut888 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

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    Like Becky Hammon, it's easy for us to make judgements not knowing what they're thinking. That being said, in my eyes, I've got one word for both: TRAITOR!
  19. Cotton Piquer
    19. Posted by Cotton Piquer Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    Kirk Hinrich is of German extraction, if he played for team Germany, they would be able to beat Team USA,
    Easy!
    For all of you predjudiced pigs, shouldn't all African American players repreasent the country of their ancestors. Where is their pride in country? Are they all traitors? People should think before they type.
  20. onewithoutsleep
    20. Posted by onewithoutsleep Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:45 pm EDT

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    Post 20. He doesnt have the Power of Damp. Go threw and look and see if he has ever Stoped Shaq from scoring more then 10 Points in a Game.
  21. ha ha
    21. Posted by ha ha Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:51 pm EDT

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    post 22. are you out of your mind? germany able to beat team usa, easy? if they beat usa, which i don't think they will, it wouldn't be easy. especially when we have kobe.
  22. scot
    22. Posted by scot Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:08 pm EDT

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    he is a sellout
  23. sergeant1217
    23. Posted by sergeant1217 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:14 pm EDT

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    Why should he sit home when he can play in the Olympics? Also, holding Shaq to ten points (Dampier) is no longer a big accomplishment.
  24. Dan M
    24. Posted by Dan M Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:19 pm EDT

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    Geez, what a bunch of stingy, selfish people in here. Did Kaman get asked to join the U.S. Olympic team? No! So get off the guys' back and let him fulfill his Olympic dream in peace. I bet you people rag on him for a Clipper too. If Germany ends up beating Team U.S.A., it will be the U.S. Olympic Committee's fault for not picking Kaman and not Kamans' for playing for Germany.

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