Homework #1, Due Thursday, September 4th!

Your assignment for Thursday is to read the article below and list 3 to 5 facts that you can pull from the reading. Remember, your assignment is due on a page of loose leaf with the correct heading (Name, Date, HSSM, HW #1).

See you in class!

-Mr. Donohue

After Glimmer of Glory for China, U.S. Pulls Away

By PETE THAMEL

BEIJING — China’s basketball game with the United States on Sunday was billed as one of the seminal moments of these Olympics and one of the most important sporting events in this country’s history.

President Bush and his father watched from the stands, hundreds of millions tuned in on television and tickets were so hard to come by that even the former United States Olympic wrestling star Rulon Gardner struggled to get a seat.

But after all the camera flashes and breathless “ooooohs,” a simple reality set in: Sometimes a game can be more of an event than a contest. Both Bushes left early, Yao Ming looked winded and the United States basketball team showed the gulf that still exists between the teams in a 101-70 blowout.

The Chinese made it interesting early, using a flurry of 3-point shots and a tidal wave of emotion to play to a 29-29 tie late in the second quarter. The United States looked vulnerable for a stretch, opening the game 1 for 15 from 3-point range and playing passively against China’s zone defense. But in a decisive span of the second quarter, the United States had dunks on eight of nine field goals to turn the game into a rout.

“It’s a good win,” said Deron Williams, a reserve guard for the United States. “We won by 30 and struggled in the first half.”

Dwyane Wade led the United States with 19 points off the bench, making all seven of his field goals and all five of his free throws, and LeBron James had 18 points.

The eyes of China were fixed on Yao, and fans gasped when he dunked in warm-ups, but he struggled in his first game since February, when a stress fracture in his foot caused him to miss the end of the N.B.A. season. Yao finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and he shot 3 for 10 from the field.

The Chinese showed enough pluck to emerge as a contender to reach the medal round, which would be a significant milestone for a program with designs to become one of the top teams in the world within a decade.

“We’ll be more confident after tonight,” forward Zhu Fangyu said. “After all, they are the American team and we acted very tough.”

While frontcourt players like Yao and Yi Jianlian have become solid N.B.A. players, the Chinese national team must improve its backcourt to contend for a medal. China’s guards were overmatched and struggled to dribble with their left hands. No play better epitomized that than when James pinned a shot from Liu Wei against the backboard with two hands, leading to an easy breakaway dunk for Wade.

Williams says an opportunistic defense that leads to easy baskets is America’s game plan for this Olympics. “That’s our main goal,” he said. “Our defense needs to be there every night.”

Just moments after President Bush arrived amid the popping camera flashes, China was introduced to a roaring crowd. Yao led the squad out of the tunnel, and the crowd roared at his first dunk during warm-ups. Yao appreciated the intensity of the atmosphere.

“This is a personal Olympics for me,” he said. “Everyone is proud. It felt great, all the flags and people cheering. It was a great game, great atmosphere.”

As vigorously as the crowd cheered for Yao, they also gave consistent rousing ovations to the Americans.

This was a significant departure for the United States team. At the Athens Games, the players were consistently booed and branded as spoiled prima donnas as they sputtered to a bronze medal.

In China, there is a passion for the N.B.A. The Americans will not face any hostile crowds here as they attempt to win their first gold medal in international competition since 2000.

“I think we’re more known here than we are in the States, as far as fans go,” Williams said. “The fans have been wonderful here. Everywhere we go they know all our names.”

N.B.A. stars — especially Kobe Bryant — are treated with awe and reverence. Even thought Bryant struggled against China, shooting 6 of 14 from the floor and 1 of 7 from 3-point range, he was showered with cheers. James said China’s love of Bryant was indicative of the nation’s passion for basketball.

“People try to run and go through security to get to Kobe,” he said. “You better be ready.”

After a slow start that could foreshadow problems shooting over the zone defenses of more formidable teams like Spain and Greece, the United States finally looked ready. And with the United States leading, 84-50, with 6 minutes 54 seconds remaining, both Bushes headed for the exit.

They had seen and experienced enough. Midnight was rapidly approaching, and this most anticipated event had long ceased being a contest.