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View Full Version : Americans' hoop dreams in Iran


Scarecrow
05 May 2006, 06:53 PM
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/05/05/raman.btsc.hoopdreams/index.html

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- At 7 feet 2 inches tall, it's hard for Garth Joseph not to stand out on the streets of Tehran -- even harder as an American.

He and teammate, Andre Smith, are among the few Americans in Iran these days, having globe-trotted here to play basketball.

Since arriving in Iran, he's had to get used to the restrictions of this Islamic republic. There are no bars to go to or clubs to hang out at. But he's developed strong relationships with his Iranian teammates, who he claims are the best he's ever played with.
As for the nuclear dispute, he says he hasn't heard it discussed in the streets, yet. His family calls constantly, asking if Americans are cursed or heckled. He tells them he hasn't experienced anything like that.

And there's the more pressing question: Will he have to leave if tensions continue to rise? He's not concerned about that, at least not yet
As much as they can, both stay away from politics and keep to basketball.

Thought this was an interesting article.

Mani
06 May 2006, 01:50 AM
Watch the CNN video here (http://www.iranian.com/Clips/2006/May/Images/Basketball.wmv).

BenReilly
06 May 2006, 01:55 AM
I would like to take this time to congratulate the creative people of Iran for inventing basketball.

christopher d
06 May 2006, 04:34 AM
I would like to take this time to congratulate the creative people of Iran for inventing basketball.
How long until the "invented in Iran" jokes jump the shark officially?

Caliguy
06 May 2006, 06:14 AM
I would like to take this time to congratulate the creative people of Iran for inventing basketball.

Clown.

BenReilly
06 May 2006, 07:34 AM
How long until the "invented in Iran" jokes jump the shark officially?

Since Iran invented the phrase "jump the shark," I would guess that it will never get old.

ForeverRed
06 May 2006, 03:33 PM
Hmmm so they're not all despotic nuclear weapon hungry extremists? :rolleyes:

Scarecrow
06 May 2006, 05:39 PM
Hmmm so they're not all despotic nuclear weapon hungry extremists? :rolleyes:

No just their leadership is.