NBA.com's John Schuhmann is in Beijing with USA Basketball. On Thursday, he blogs about Kobe Bryant's game of PIG, Carmelo Anthony's elevator trick and a visit to the Olympic Park, while also answering some of your mail. read more

Chinese basketball player Yao Ming will carry the host nation's flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on Friday, the deputy head of China's team said on Thursday. "The Chinese delegation has already decided that the flag-bearer will be Yao Ming," Cui Dalin told reporters. Yao, of the Houston Rockets, joins a growing list of NBA stars who will bear their nation's standard during the opening ceremony. FIBA.com reported Thursday that Dirk Nowitzki of Germany will carry the German flag into the Bird's Nest stadium. read more

With some issues to address before their first game on Sunday, the U.S. Men's Senior National Team practiced for the first time in eight days on Thursday. read more

In the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, Julian Garcia writes "Vince Carter's NBA career had barely begun when he learned how much of a business the sport is. Within minutes of being drafted by Golden State in 1998, he was traded to Toronto. So nothing the Nets have done this offseason has surprised Carter. Not the addition of eight new teammates or the loss of old ones, including Richard Jefferson, who was traded to the Bucks on the afternoon of the draft in June. Carter was asked whether he has had any second thoughts about his desire to stay with the Nets, who are in a rebuilding mode. 'I've never questioned what they're doing and I definitely want to be here,' Carter said.” read more

In the SEATTLE TIMES, Steve Kelley writes "even in the middle of another thick, hot, smoggy day in Beijing, scores of teenagers emerge from the subways, just like the kids in New York do, and pour onto basketball courts on one of the busiest street corners in the city. They will pay about $2 for the opportunity to spend the afternoon dribbling basketballs and baking in the intense summer heat. Sports are exploding in China. There is evidence of it all over Beijing. As China becomes one of the world's great athletic nations, the trickle-down effect is palpable. It isn't so much that everybody wants to be NBA star Yao Ming or diver Guo Jingjing. They just want a little of that same rush of competition, a little bit of that feeling of accomplishment. 'In the capital city there are more people playing basketball, so we came here to play against better players,' Said 15-year old Wang Xiao Gieng. 'We love the game. We watch the NBA. The NBA has been very welcoming to China.” read more

In the MUSTANG DAILY, Lauren Rabaino writes “John Donovan is no longer the jealous child who once sat on the bench while his sister dominated the basketball court. Now, the Templeton resident and brother of Anne Donovan - Team USA's women's basketball head coach - has a deeper understanding of what it means to have a champion in the family. "It was hard at that point in my life because I didn't recognize or appreciate what she was going through," John says. "But as we got older, when she and I would go down to the playground, I learned a lot from her because she had the best coaching in the world." John will witness Anne's coaching firsthand this week at the Olympics. Anne, a member of the Basketball of Hall Fame, is a three-time Olympian who earned gold medals in women's basketball during the 1980s.” read more

From the ASSOCIATED PRESS, Andrew Bagnato writes “sooner or later, people will stop measuring every U.S. Olympic basketball squad against the Dream Team. U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski is hoping it's sooner. 'There's only one Dream Team,' said Krzyzewski, an assistant coach on that fabled squad. 'That was '92. The mistake that our American people make is calling every team after a 'dream team.' This isn't Rocky I, II, III and IV.' A lot has happened in 16 years. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and friends have moved on. More important, the world has caught up to the United States in the game it invented. "It is redemption," said guard Dwyane Wade, one of four holdovers from the 2004 Olympic squad. 'That's what it is: a road to redemption.'” read more

On SI.COM, Chris Mannix writes "USA Basketball has gone to great lengths to address those problems. It added a sharpshooter/zone buster in Michael Redd. It put together arguably its most athletic team ever and spent extra time in practices working on pick-and-roll defense. Coach Mike Krzyzewski went as far as to solicit advice from his players (particularly point guards Jason Kidd, Deron Williams and Chris Paul) on how they prefer to defend it. But there is a new threat looming, one that will likely be pointed to should this group come up short in its quest to reclaim Olympic gold. Tempo. The United States likes to push it, and the rest of the world is doing everything within its power to slow it down.” read more

In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Fran Blinebury reports “As China prepares to stand tall by hosting its first Olympic Games, it is only fitting that 7-6 Yao Ming will carry his nation’s flag into the Bird’s Nest stadium at Friday’s Opening Ceremonies. A person with knowledge of the decision, who is not permitted to speak officially, confirmed the Rockets’ center, after carrying the Olympic torch through the main gate of the Forbidden City on Wednesday, will be the Chinese flag bearer for his second straight Olympics. Yao would not say that he has been chosen for the honor. The Chinese delegation is expected to make its announcement on Thursday morning, Houston time. 'Of course, I want to be the flag bearer again,” Yao said. “I have experience. It feels good.'" read more