Dein erstes Forum » up so we kind of relax a little bit, get the guys

DeMarcus Cousins considers the thought, and one of the NBAs most recognizable scowls quickly turns into a bright smile.Without saying a word, its clear he agrees: For the first time under Mike Krzyzewski, the U.S. Olympic basketball team has a genuine offensive weapon in the middle.The Americans might even have the best center in the world.Cousins had 14 points and 15 rebounds in just 16 minutes of the Americans exhibition opener, a 111-74 victory over Argentina. The Sacramento Kings star can score inside and out, and gives the U.S. a dimension it hasnt had while winning the last two gold medals.DeMarcus is going to be a force in Rio, teammate Klay Thompson said.The center spot has almost been an afterthought on recent U.S. teams, who much preferred playing small to pounding the ball inside. Then again, none had a bulldog like Cousins, as Kevin Durant called him.Theres been a lot of great bigs come through this program, so Im blessed to be in this situation, Cousins said. Im honored to be in this situation. Im not really in it to say whos the best at what position, Im just here to help the team win. So weve got one goal in mind, which is the gold, and thats only thing Im focused on right now.Along with that gold, Cousins could bring back something else from the Olympics.His NBA career has been six seasons of bad teams and bad moods, the constant losing in Sacramento and the chaos in the organization often overshadowing his play. He doesnt hide his unhappiness, and many times if hes not shouting, its only because hes sulking.The 6-foot-11 center out of Kentucky averaged a career-high 26.9 points last season, fourth in the NBA, and was fifth in the league with 11.5 rebounds per game. But the Kings missed the playoffs again, as they have every season since taking Cousins with the No. 5 pick in the 2010 draft, and his bickering with coach George Karl generated more headlines than anything he or the Kings did on the court.Now hell spend a month around a team that does nothing but win, and maybe that mentality will rub off on him.It can only help him, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said.I think all the players who play for us are better people for it. They become better players. As a result, they get absorbed in the culture and that culture they bring back to their respective teams, and ultimately they benefit.Colangelo wasnt certain about Cousins as a young player, saying in 2012 that he needed to be more mature as a person, as a player and had a lot of growing up to do.He now believes they have a great relationship thats developed over time.As has Cousins role with the U.S. program. He backed up Anthony Davis in the 2014 Basketball World Cup, but with Davis recovering from injuries, Cousins has a good chance to step into the starting role.The Americans started Dwight Howard at center in 2008 and Tyson Chandler in 2012. Both are former NBA defensive players of the year, but neither possesses Cousins offensive repertoire.DeMarcus is a different player, said U.S. veteran Carmelo Anthony, who then focused not only on what Cousins brings, but what he can bring home.Hes a big who can shoot, hes a big who can post, hes tough, hes a hell of a rebounder, Anthony said. But the most exciting thing I like about having DeMarcus out here now is he gets a chance to see how everybody else is working. Work ethic. To see him jumping into lines, to see him asking can somebody work with him, staying after, coming in before, that work ethic is something that it spills over to everybody else. When you see your peers working that hard, it makes you want to be a part of that.Cousins doesnt like comparing the U.S. experience to his pro one, but praises the way the Americans do little things that get forgotten in the NBA. He came to camp in great shape and seems committed to being a good teammate, whether he starts or backs up the Clippers DeAndre Jordan.Hes totally invested in what were doing, Krzyzewski said.Next up for Cousins and the Americans is their second exhibition game on Sunday against China in Los Angeles.When its over, Durant and Thompson will return to an NBA team with title hopes. Cousins future might be the usual losing and trade rumors, so hell miss being around a winning team.But maybe he can help build one.When you leave winning situations, its always going to be hard. I mean, who doesnt enjoy winning? Cousins said. But Im also always ready to get back. Im ready to share my experience with my teammates ... get the season kicked off on the right foot.---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney Swell Bottle Outlet Ireland . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Swell Marble Bottle Ireland . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.swellwaterbottleireland.com/ . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Swell Water Bottle Ireland .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday. Swell Traveler Ireland . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas right-hander Colby Lewis isnt exactly where he wants to be with his pitching as he tries to get ready for the postseason.Hes getting close though.Lewis (6-2), who missed two months with a strained right lat, makes his second start since coming off the disabled list Sunday when the Rangers close the series against Oakland and left-hander Ross Detwiler.Texas is closing in on the American League West title with a magic number of five despite their 11-2 loss to Oakland on Saturday. Theyll need a solid Lewis if theyre to have any success in the postseason.Lewis, the likely No. 3 starter in the playoffs, went 5 1/3 innings in a 3-2 loss to Los Angeles last week. Lewis allowed three runs on seven hits and threw 86 pitches. Getting built back up as far as his pitch count is Lewis priority now.I feel like theres still a little bit left that I need to tighten up, making sure its really just getting my pitch count back and not really worrying about my innings, Lewis said. I still think theyre going to be leery about me going out there and throwing a bunch of them. They want to make sure I stay nice and healthy and be ready for postseason. I think its that way with all the starters now. Theyre not going to let guys throw 120 pitches before they go out there for the playoffs.Lewis was on track for an All-Star caliber season before he got hurt as he opened the season 6-1 before the injury. Lewis said he cant think about what was lost for hiim because of the injury, and is instead looking forward to helping a club thats aiming for its fifth playoff trip since 2010.ddddddddddddSince nothing has been sewn up yet though, Lewis isnt looking at his starts as tuneups for the postseason.Ive got to go out and make pitches and keep it tight, he said. It is what it is. I cant go out there and view myself as these are rehab starts. Were trying to win ballgames. Were trying to tie this thing up so we kind of relax a little bit, get the guys who need rest the rest needed before the postseason and move forward.For Lewis to be successful Sunday, hes going to have to do something few pitchers have been able to do recently -- stop Oakland third baseman Ryon Healy.The rookie went 1-for-4 on Saturday to extend his hitting streak to eight games. In those eight games, Healy is 16-for-33 with three home runs, four doubles, nine RBI and 10 runs scored.Hes faced tough pitching, Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. Hes been around to where hes had to make adjustments now, and this is a guy going into spring training was probably behind some of the guys youve seen come up in September. Hes a very confident guy, and he wants to be there every day. He will have nothing to do with not starting a game. I can continually talk to him about his workload, and he doesnt even want to hear about it. ' ' '