Cheaters and Quitters never win

[Snoopy the Celtics Beagle <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As I type this, Canada is in the process--late in the third quarter--of 
getting beaten by Puerto Rico at the Olympic Qualifiers.  While some fans 
north of the border may be dismayed by this, I have to say something about 
that.

Canada deserves to lose, because they cheated.

No, there's no flunked drug tests, no side bets, none of that.  I say they 
cheated because Canada's own coach said as much.  Their schedule was not a 
favorable one, not getting a day off until late in the tournament.  So they 
decided that since the USA was such a powerhouse there was no way to win, 
they'd tank the game.

So the game started, and lo and behold, Canada is UP five points after one 
quarter.  Steve Nash is playing as advertised, their best player.  And 
Canada's coach sits him down.  After the game, the coach said, in so many 
words, they figured they couldn't win, so they didn't bother to try.

So why show up at all?  The idea of a competition is to play your best and 
see who wins.  But Canada decided to cheapen the entire event by basically 
saying they let the US win.  They're not the only team to say this, but to 
my knowledge Canada is the only team whose coach is on record as having 
said so.

It's one thing if you're down by 30 with 5 minutes left in the game.  But 
to toss it with a lead after one?

That's cheating.  Canada's fans did not support their national team to see 
them throw a game, however likely--or UNlikely--they were to win it.  OUR 
fans did not send a team just to hear that the opponents gave up.  Before 
it started, all we heard was how hard the US would have to play to ensure 
they didn't end up on the outside looking in at Athens.  We saw the 
accounts of the games, how they were close at the beginning--and often 
throughout--before the US pulled out the win.  Everyone was commenting how 
the other teams were playing better, and thank goodness, the USA turned on 
the gas in time.

And now, thanks a lot, Coach Triano--they tell us the fix was in.

I generally like Canada.  I've met several people from there, and have 
always had a positive experience.  I've visited twice, once to Montreal and 
Quebec, once to the Canadian Rockies.  I had a great trip both times.  I've 
enjoyed their culture, history, people and music--check out Stan and Garnet 
Rogers if you haven't already made their musical acquaintance--and Cecil 
here on line has been a friendly, classy guy every time I've had the 
occasion to exchange e-mail with him.

But after reading what their basketball team seems perfectly comfortable 
acknowledging having done, I don't think much of their national basketball 
team.  I'm disappointed in them, and don't believe they deserve to go to 
the Olympics.  The same for any other team that admits they threw a game 
just because the odds were against them.

But, contrary to the infamous song, I do NOT "Blame Canada".  I blame the 
coach of their team, and the players who let him get away with such a 
cowardly decision.

I feel sorry for the rest of their countrymen, who must endure the 
embarrassment of knowing their national team gave up without a fight.

In the time since I started this post, Puerto Rico has beaten Canada, 
79-66.  Puerto Rico will go to Athens.

Canada will just go.

With sympathy to my Canadian friends on and off list.

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
Please visit the <http://www.celticsbeagle.net/>Celtics Beagle Website