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I dont even see the issue here. This is a free country and he is playing a game. I live in Germany, does that make me a traitor? I give my energy and power and brains to organizations that are competing with other Americans but that alone does not make me a traitor. Whoever says that is simple minded and just looking for something to talk about.

rating for this so called reporting....................1/3 of a star........

Calling Americans playing for other countries "Traitors" are being hypocrite. We don't mind if other players from other countries play for us and we applaud and invite that but when one of our own plays for another then we scream so loud. That's not right. U.S.A. is a melting pot. It's a different story if an American strongly denounces U.S.A. then you could probably call that person a traitor.

his grandparents are german, which means that one of his parents is german. I mean please, the USA is a nation of immigrants, so how could he be a traitor. This is not a war where a soldier fights against his country or something. kaman just wanted to play international basketball. you see things like this every day. the russians have an american point guard and he doesn't have any russian ancestors, but who cares. take a look at soccer teams, it's pretty usual. And by the way, demond greene's mother is german.

I'll never understand people who have a problem with Americans playing on other countries' teams. It's ridiculous!!!! There are only so many spots on out own teams...why not allow them to do what they love, regardless of which team it is. I was just watching yesterday and we have plenty of players from other countries playing on our teams. This shouldn't even be in a discussion and anyone who thinks like that is living in the dark ages. This is 2008 and we are all about diversity and equal opportunity...well, at least most if us are.

But he's not German. It's a loophole that needs to be closed. That goes both ways too. How many pieces of mail has he gotten in Germany? Does he know the words to the National anthem?

Would it have felt as great in 1980 if our team was made up of Swedes and canadians just because they lived here to play hockey? No, it felt great because it was US. Not hired mercanaries. Maybe for some sort of international cup, but not the Olyimpics.

Did US Basketball offer him a spot on the team? More than likely, no. I have no problem where he plays. If US Basketball did not offer him a spot, then good luck to you. Calling him a traitor is wrong.

his grandparents are german, which means that one of his parents is german. I mean please, the USA is a nation of immigrants, so how could he be a traitor. This is not a war where a soldier fights against his country or something. kaman just wanted to play international basketball. you see things like this every day. the russians have an american point guard and he doesn't have any russian ancestors, but who cares. take a look at soccer teams, it's pretty usual. And by the way, demond greene's mother is german.
skiptomylou10 | 08/13/08, 09:03 AM
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Agreed, 1 parent is german making him part german so what is the problem here.

Americans: Unless you're American Indian, you're an immigrant (forced or voluntary). Even the indians migrated here across an ancient land bridge that once joined the Asian Continent (China) to North America (Canada).

Sounds like he went on a heritage quest. If he keeps searching his roots he may find out a lot of interesting things about himself.

He is just being selfish. Thats all. It was the only way he was going to make an Olympic team.
And yes it is a silly loophole that should be closed someday. But then, anyone who takes the Olympics seriously has not been paying attention the last 30 years.

It's not like he was going to be the starting center for team USA and he said, "No thanks, I'm playing for the Germans." I understand the Clippers not wanting to see a player going down to injury as well. I think this is an outstanding opportunity for Kaman to play (and learn from Dirk) and expand his game and his horizons. He's no trader. I wonder what people will say if his summer basketball leads to a great year in Los Angeles? I bet he would be praised for it then...

It's not like he was offered the starting center role on team USA and said, "No thanks, I'm playing for Germany." I also understand the Clippers being concerned about him playing international ball because of the franchises' history. However, what an opportunity for Kaman to learn from Dirk and hone his skills and conditioning. I'll bet that if he has a strong season in Los Angeles that there won't be any of this traitor talk. No, then he will be praised for his work ethic. Way to go Kaman!

I dont care one way or another. Im not sure why this was allowed by the Olympic board, I mean him and his parents were born in the states, so does that mean that an athlete with say 6 nationalities can try to get on any team possible? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the Olympics all together? I dont think he is a traitor, I just dont think it adds up... at all... Your there to represent your country, because you stand out as the best athlete of your trade in your country, I just dont really understand it. But I wouldn't call him selfish, that has nothing to do with it, thats as stupid a statement as traitor

"...It was the only way he was going to make an Olympic team. "


50yearfan | 08/13/08, 09:58 AM
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I agree...

So what, the guy wanted to compete in the Olympics and you know he's not going to play for USA.

Still the fact that he's not native German kind of defeats the purpose of the Olympics - teams composed of players that are born and raised in their homelands. Either way, it doesn't matter. It's not like Germany is going to do anything great this year anyway, haha.

who cares?....so what...if I could I would play for angola..although i have no direct genetic line to the place....im sure that some one in my family tree was from there ....what difference would it make?...i would play...we would lose..I would have a great story to tell my grandkids someday...relax

How would this be unpatriotic? He's playing basketball, not wearing their military uniform or selling them U.S. secrets. It's basketball, period!

Had Kaman been given the choice to play for the U.S.A. or Germany, which do you suppose he'd choose? My moneys on the U.S.A!

well it doesnt matter germany wont win gold anyways.

Do like they do on the soccer international arena. If you play a match for "a" national team, you cannot change your colors and play for another. Period. End of story.

If Kaman wants to play for the Germans, more power to him. But he cannot play for the U.S again.

Iowa, do you mean play in the U.S. or for a U.S. team?