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Fourth-Place Medal

Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:01 am EDT

U.S.A.-China basketball game: Most watched sporting event ever?

By Nick Friedell

As you get ready to watch this morning's basketball game between the U.S. and China just know that you won't be alone. According to this report from the AP, over a billion (yes, that was a b) are expected to tune in to the game.

"That is going to be one of the most-watched games in sports history," U.S. forward Carmelo Anthony said. "It's going to be exciting."

I really can't imagine what the atmosphere is going to be like in that gym. President Bush is expected to be in attendance as well as thousands of screaming Chinese fans. I seriously doubt that Yao and company will be able to hang with the Americans, but with the rush of adrenaline that will be going through the Chinese players' bodies, you can't count them out.

For Coach K, the sheer magnitude of how many people will be watching this game seems to be overwhelming.

"How cool is it that we're going to play in a game that might be the most-viewed game in the history of sport? Come on," Krzyzewski said. "I remember growing up, inner city of Chicago, shooting at a basket in a schoolyard hoping that one person would watch me. And now I'm going to have a chance to coach my country's team in front of a billion people? Are you kidding?"
 

No pressure here Coach ... go get 'em!

Photo via Getty Images

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86 Comments

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  1. Roger W
    1. Posted by Roger W Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:49 pm EDT

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    cool
  2. Fred
    2. Posted by Fred Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

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    still won't be worth watching...
  3. Sam D
    3. Posted by Sam D Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

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    How did we ever lose at basketball to begin with?
  4. Ali H
    4. Posted by Ali H Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:28 pm EDT

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    go iran and the usa!
  5. mrjordanz44
    5. Posted by mrjordanz44 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 pm EDT

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    Listen to what Kobe says when he thinks the cameras are off
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cygktmI23M0
  6. Dave L
    6. Posted by Dave L Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    is anyone know what time the games starts on NBC?
  7. Butt Pirate
    7. Posted by Butt Pirate Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:03 pm EDT

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    That depends, Dave - what time zone are you in?
  8. yospike
    8. Posted by yospike Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:58 pm EDT

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    pissoff ali h
  9. supermoose
    9. Posted by supermoose Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:16 pm EDT

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    cool I get to watch it 2 hours after it happened
  10. Tony M
    10. Posted by Tony M Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:16 pm EDT

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    This time Lebron James and Carmello Anthony have serious scores to settle. Kobe will bring A game to the frey because a bronze from Athens is akin to the Silver medal debacle of Munich in 1972...
  11. ROB
    11. Posted by ROB Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:44 pm EDT

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    will this be on the 2:30am Run time on Us Olymipc Basket ball HD station . Or will i have to wait for the NBC rerun
  12. baseballkid30
    12. Posted by baseballkid30 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    when does the game start on eastern time?
  13. AJ Q
    13. Posted by AJ Q Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    go USA 4get all the otha countries.....dey would b dead if it wont for us givin all of them aid wen they need it......
  14. Devastator
    14. Posted by Devastator Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    Lol, the most watched at the games...behind swimming and the other, more hyped sports.
  15. TacomaNance
    15. Posted by TacomaNance Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    With Bush in attendance, won't it put some really bad hex on the team? he leaves a path of destruction everywhere he goes - - from his early days right up to today. Maybe they should bar him from the premises.
  16. bobmarleyttr
    16. Posted by bobmarleyttr Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    10am, live 8/10/08
    some nbc channel
  17. SNOWDOG
    17. Posted by SNOWDOG Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    #9 - Exactly! Go Israel!
  18. Hayfron B
    18. Posted by Hayfron B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    hahaah i always laugh at this american ignorance(apologies to the smartt ones), the most watched event in the world? huh have you heard of the World Cup Final? and ignorant people believe that crap. I live here in china and to assume over 90% of this population will watch the game is just a bunch of baloney. Pleaaaase we love basketball but don't stretch the truth
  19. Tyree521
    19. Posted by Tyree521 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:26 pm EDT

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    Usa is the best bar none lol!!!! but basketball being most watched in the olympics, not too sure about that, i like basketball and will be watching some of the games but olympic basketball not really worth watching, the other main olympic sports are better of watching like swimming volleyball and lets not forget track & field, but who cares how many watch, as long as their watching the usa dominate all the other countries lol, usa baby all the way, america for life woot woot, support our team regardless!!!!!
  20. jp
    20. Posted by jp Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:13 pm EDT

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    10:15 am eastern time china vs usa ......that is live air
  21. SD
    21. Posted by SD Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:38 pm EDT

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    Go USA, China sucks at everything, including Basketball.
  22. herald_gwapo_ka_a_u
    22. Posted by herald_gwapo_ka_a_u Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

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    go philippine
  23. Adam
    23. Posted by Adam Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 pm EDT

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    None of these athletes are ever happy no matter how much money they make. Should pay them an hourly wage for an hours works. To include if they do or do not play in a game.
  24. Brandon
    24. Posted by Brandon Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    man i really hope the usa wins that would be so awesome. we need some more gold medals
  25. M. C. L.
    25. Posted by M. C. L. Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:24 pm EDT

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    How is this even a challenge? The USA team is top ranked. The Chinese team is tiered near the middle. The US will win by a long shot.

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