the Pan American Games to stun the Americans. It ended a 34-game winning streak for the U.S., its first loss in international competition at home.Schmidt, a cocky shooters shooter with r

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The way Kevin Martin describes it, the Oklahoma City Thunder lost the "vision" of a potential championship run the morning they learned All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook would be out for the rest of the post-season. Despite fighting to the end in a series of narrow losses to Memphis, the Thunders season -- which seemed so promising even when the playoffs began -- is over much sooner than expected following a five-game loss in the Western Conference semifinals. After making it to the NBA Finals a year earlier, Oklahoma City claimed the No. 1 seed in the West and was the favourite to make it back and challenge the Miami Heat for the title. And then? "We lost the guy that has the keys to our car," Martin said Thursday. The Thunders offence fizzled without Westbrooks scoring punch and ability to create shots for teammates. To make matters worse, they drew the Grizzlies and their league-best defence in the second round. Three-time scoring champion Kevin Durant tried to pick up the slack, but to no avail. "Lets face it, Russells really good. Hes not only one of the best point guards, hes one of best players in the league," coach Scott Brooks said. "He has earned that with all of the work he has put in. He has a great work ethic and a great attitude to improve every day, and his will to win is at the highest level. "We are a much better team -- theres no ands, ifs, buts about that. But were not an excuse team either." Right up until the end, the club believed it could overcome even Westbrooks injury, suffered in a chance collision with Houstons Patrick Beverley in Game 2 of the first round. But after winning the next game, Oklahoma City went 2-6 without Westbrook. "It ended too soon. Thats what Im going to say about the whole experience," Martin said. "I think the year, we set ourselves up to be Western Conference champions this year. Heading into the playoffs, we was playing such great basketball and then you have a fluke injury. You know thats part of sports but you never want to think its going to happen to you or your team. "I feel like thats how our season will be looked at now. Its more like a what if season." The Thunder won 60 games in the regular season and had the best record in the West for the first time since 1996, when the franchise was in Seattle. But all that was thrown out when Westbrook tore cartilage in his right knee during the collision with Beverley and needed surgery. Durant said hed still look back on the season for the good times spent with teammates and the opportunities for growth, not a simply a wasted year. "Im going to be who Im going to be. Im not Kobe Bryant, Im not Michael Jordan, not LeBron James, not Magic Johnson. Im me," Durant said. "Im not going to ever compromise myself or my integrity or what I believe in to win some basketball games or to win a championship. Thats just how I was brought up. "Im always going to fight for the game I love. Im going to claw until the last buzzer sounds. If thats after the championship, then of course Ill be happy. Im not satisfied just being in this league and losing." Durant ended up second in the NBA scoring race to New Yorks Carmelo Anthony but improved his efficiency, becoming one of a handful of players in league history to make at least 50 per cent of his field-goal attempts, 40 per cent of his 3-pointers and 90 per cent of his foul shots. After Westbrooks injury, Durant averaged 31.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists. It still wasnt enough to lift his team. "You dont win championships ... You dont win playoff series or games with one or two guys. Its always about a team late in the season. Its always about a team in the playoffs," Durant said. "Were going to need everybody to step up, and I like the way we grew up as a unit." Some key decisions loom in the off-season for the franchise that traded eventual All-Star James Harden away at the end of training camp in a bid for financial flexibility under the salary cap. Most notably, Martin will be an unrestricted free agent and may have to take a pay cut to return to the team. "Im at a point in my career where I dont need to get what I can get. ... I have a vision of what I want my career to be, and the main thing is happiness and being a part of something special," Martin said. Cheap Indiana Pacers Jerseys . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. Cheap Detroit Pistons Jerseys . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. http://www.cheapnbaoutletjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-charlotte-hornets-jerseys . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Cheap NBA Jerseys Free Shipping . Bjorn, who had a 36-hole total of 8-under 134, made a testing six-foot putt to save par on the 16th and a birdie on the 17th before bogeying the final hole after a misjudged approach shot. American Kevin Streelman was in second place after shooting a 69. Cheap Los Angeles Lakers Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Thats him, the man who changed international basketball. Hes the one who single-handedly beat the United States on its own soil nearly 30 years ago, stoking the ambers that led to the Dream Team.The greatest scorer in the history of the game, by a bunch, hes perhaps the best player to never to slip on an NBA jersey.Except for his size, Oscar Schmidt could walk down a city street in the U.S. unnoticed.Not in Brazil.As Schmidt ambles through the corridors of Carioca Arena, his weakened knees preventing him from moving with the grace he once showed on the floor, his countrymen treat him with respect and reverence. Police officers ask if they can have their picture taken with him, young volunteers squeeze in close for selfies and everyone he encounters shows him love. They all want to touch the man dubbed Mao Santo in Portuguese, The Holy Hand.Schmidt accepts it all and happily obliges every request with a smile, and often with a hearty laugh.These Olympics are personal to the Brazilian basketball icon. These games are on his court.I have had a great life, he said before doing TV commentary for Brazils double-overtime loss to Argentina on Saturday.He was a mystery, something of an urban legend until 1987, when during an unforgettable game in Indiana, the heartland of American hoops, Schmidt scored 46 points in the final of the Pan American Games to stun the Americans. It ended a 34-game winning streak for the U.S., its first loss in international competition at home.Schmidt, a cocky shooters shooter with remarkable range and little interest in playing defense, scored 35 points in the second half as Brazil overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to stun the U.S. team, which included college stars David Robinson, Danny Manning and coached by Denny Crum.When the game ended, Schmidt stood under one basket and wept with joy as his teammates celebrated. They had done the unimaginable.That game was the best part of my life because we proved to the whole world that it was possible to beat them, the 58-year-old Schmidt said. And we were afraid to lose by 50.At that time, there had been discussion inside the U.S. basketball program about possibly using professionals in upcoming Olympics. And when the Americans were beaten by the Soviet Union the following year at the Seoul Games and finished with a bronze, the U.S. decided it was time to bring in the big boys.Four years later, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird and their All-Star tteammates pummeled the competition in Barcelona while inspiring the rest of the world to shoot higher.ddddddddddddSchmidt, who scored 24 against that squad, takes personal satisfaction for his role in basketballs global growth.Yeah, of course I do, he said, his voice rising with pride. When we beat them, everybody saw it and said, if they can win, we can win. So they put the Dream Team together.The Americans exacted revenge on Schmidt in Spain, pounding Brazil 127-83 and winning by an average of 43.8 points per game on their way to a gold medal.That was the best team Ive ever seen play, said Schmidt, one of the Olympic flag bearers in the opening ceremony. They were something. The only players I think could make that team are Kobe, Shaquille and LeBron.And maybe Schmidt, who rejected overtures by NBA teams to play in Europe and on five Olympic teams for Brazil from 1980-1996. He was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in 1984, but played in Italy, where he routinely scored 50 in a game.When he got into a zone, with his size at 6-8 and his mentality, once he got going, he was one of the toughest guys you would ever want to go up against, said former Australian Olympian Andrew Gaze, who relishes the chance to catch up with his good friend. I think if he came through in a later generation, he would have been very successful in the NBA. But back when he was at his best, there were very few international players. The NBA wasnt really considering international players the way they are now.Schmidt helped open the door for non-U.S. players, and there were 100 on NBA rosters to start last season. And the American stars can thank the Hall of Famer, too, for getting them inside the five Olympic rings.Unofficially credited with scoring over 49,000 career points -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 38,387 -- Schmidt is the Olympic leader with 1,093, nearly 800 more than Carmelo Anthony, who became Team USAs career leader during these games.Schmidt chuckled when reminded of the disparity before turning serious.But hes going to win three times gold medals. I would change everything, every point -- not that Pan American Games -- but the rest for a medal in the Olympics, said Schmidt, who finished fifth three times. We had two good chances, not to get a medal, but a chance to win the Olympics. We came very close, but life is like that. 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