Becky Hammon Articles

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s...th_Russia.html

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...g1mlwD92AKPE81

"I think a lot of it has been the media in the States making it a lot bigger than it is," U.S. guard Kara Lawson said. "You know we're not really worried about her. We're worried about Russia as a whole. If anything, it's one less player we have to study a lot because we know her game so well playing against her. We respect her and her game."

For now the U.S. players also just see this as game against their rivals. That definitely could change if the two teams were to meet again with a medal at stake in the Olympics.

"This is just another game," U.S. co-captain Katie Smith said. "I don't think the Becky thing is going to be an issue unless it comes down to the medal round. During this tournament it doesn't have any kind of hutzpah. When it comes down to crunch time, if it comes down to winning a gold or silver, that's when there will be a little more to it."

Soooo is Katie Smith saying if it comes down to the gold medal then she has an issue with Becky?

[Rowdy]

Originally Posted by Jess

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s...th_Russia.html

Now how did I miss this one!

Uh one of us could write them and tell them "exactly" when "Hammonites" started.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/sports...BrandChannel=0

[Rowdy]

Why Russia?


RUSSIA'S SCHEDULE
Beijing Olympics coverage probably will give South Dakotans the opportunity to watch Rapid City native Becky Hammon play for Russia. NBCOlympics.com will carry 2,200 hours of live video streaming, including extended coverage of women's basketball. Here are the scheduled starts - in local time - for Russia's five pool-play games:


MONDAY: U.S., (exhibition)

SATURDAY: Latvia, 9:15 a.m.

Aug. 10: Korea, 1:30 a.m.

Aug. 12: Belarus, 8 p.m.

Aug. 14: Brazil, 10:15 p.m.

Aug. 16: Australia, 10:15 p.m.

One Olympic experience that Hammon may not get to enjoy is marching in the opening ceremony. With Russia set to begin its pool play the next day against Latvia, the team might not be allowed to participate.

"I know it's still up for discussion," she said. "I'd love to go watch even if we're not taking part in it. I hear its pretty tremendous."

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/200.../1099/SPORTS16

[li'lmosquito]

Changing Of The Guard

Snubbed by Team USA, WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon is putting her all-American reputation at risk for a shot at a medal in Beijing?playing for Russia, a country she once dreaded

[Rowdy]

Since about Becky's home state, I thought I would post this article here as well.

I love the Black Hills. I grew up in eastern South Dakota (?East River,? we call it) and like all South Dakotans, my family vacationed in the Hills. We went to Deadwood?s Mt. Moriah Cemetery, where Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane are buried. I?ve hiked in Spearfish Canyon, spotted mountain goats and bison in Custer State Park, climbed Bear Butte.

I?ve even been to Sturgis.

But I haven?t gone to Sturgis.

That is, I?ve been through the town of about 6,500 souls, but not to the motorcycle mecca it becomes when about half a million riders roll into town during the week of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (this year, August 4?10), and swell the population of the entire state by 50 percent or more.

This year I?m going. And you?re coming with me.

http://www.aarp.org/leisure/activiti...L&DET=F3-80808


I loved Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane movies growing up.

This could be a fun trip.





Becky screenshots:

[bhmyfave]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/o...ugh_night.html

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer...ory?id=3527392

[baker10]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...SPLO128CD4.DTL

Hammon was on the bench for most of the final quarter, but she still was happy with making her debut at the Games.

"Just to play basketball and be in this venue is amazing," she said. "The people who were here were cheering for both teams, which was great. They were happy when anybody was scoring."

[li'lmosquito]

Originally Posted by Jess

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer...ory?id=3527392

Anyway, while she's doing that, she figures her Silver Stars teammates are back home lounging by the pool at her new house in San Antonio. And she couldn't be happier.

So Becky did buy a house in San Antonio.

[STL]

** sorry if this has been posted **

JR Holden Discusses Hammon Playing For Russia

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/..._inteArti.html

[Rowdy]

Hammon Grateful to play for Russia

By Alastair Himmer, August 11, 2008

BEIJING (Reuters) - A self-proclaimed All-American girl, Becky Hammon, said on Monday she was grateful to Russia for giving her the opportunity to play at the Beijing Olympics.

Hammon's recent defection to Russia triggered dismay in her home country, one coach even going as far as to call the 10-year WNBA veteran a traitor.

"If I played for a small country there wouldn't be a problem," Hammon told reporters after Russia's 77-72 Group A win over South Korea.

"It's because it's Russia and in the 1960s and 70s there was some tension (with the U.S.), I would say.

"The other scandal was people saying I turned the U.S. team down. It was them who didn't want me and I'm fine with that. The door opened and I'm very grateful to Russia."

Hammon is still feeling her way with her new team mates but she has been a big hit with flag-waving Russian fans in Beijing.

"The Russian people accepted me with open arms," the 31-year-old said. "When I first got to Moscow about seven or eight days ago they were like 'We've been waiting for you!'

"My whole career has been about seizing opportunities. I'm used to people telling me 'No!' This was a great opportunity for me.

"The more time I spend with the team the quicker we develop a little chemistry. But you can't rush chemistry or put a timetable on it."

American women's coach Anne Donovan initially blasted Hammon's switch of citizenship as "unpatriotic" but the player has no regrets.

"I guess the image of me in the U.S. is an All-American girl," said the gum-chewing blonde. "I grew up in South Dakota, but people are just people. Russian parents love their kids as much as American parents love their kids."

Hammon added: "This whole thing is bigger than me. I could either have stayed home and sat on my couch or come here and played. I still love my country -- that hasn't changed."

(Editing by Steve Ginsburg)

[Rowdy]

Hammon helps Russia hold off Korea

August 11, 2008

BEIJING ? Given the chance to perform Monday afternoon, Becky Hammon did what she?s done her entire basketball life.

She took charge and she performed.

Hammon gave her team a spark off the bench, helping Russia rally to beat Korea 77-72 in a preliminary-round game at Wukesong Olympic Basketball Gymnasium.

?I just want to give the team a lift, give them some energy, and just get people organized out there,? she said. ?I?ll bring whatever I can (to the team). It may be different every day.?

For the second game at the Olympics, Hammon did not start for Team Russia. But she was in the game for the final 2:09, when Russia caught and then held off a well-coached, good-shooting Korean team.

Her first shot in that span rimmed out, but teammate Tatiana Shchegoleva rebounded and followed with a basket to put Russia up 73-72. Moments later, Hammon drove the lane, drew a foul and hit two free throws to make it 75-72. And she broke Korea?s full-court press twice down the stretch, one time setting up Ilona

Korstin under the basket, where she was fouled. Her two free throws were the final margin.

Hammon?s totals weren?t all that impressive: 10 points on 3-for-9 shooting and five turnovers. But Russia seemed to play with more energy when she was in the game, and her leadership on the floor was unquestioned.

And while she and Russian coach Igor Grudin are still working on their communication skills, she got the message at halftime.

?We had some things we needed to fix defensively,? said Hammon, who can guide her teammates because they all speak English. ?(Mainly) just communication, because we were switching a lot on defense out there.?

Korea?s press and its spead-out offense gave the tall and talented Russians problems most of the afternoon. The Koreans, who shot 54 percent from the field, led by as many as five points in the third quarter and still were ahead when Hammon came into the game in the final period.

?Their speed created trouble and a headache for us,? Grudin said through a translator.

But Hammon created even more trouble for them. Which is why she?s on the team.

[Rowdy]

Family Cheers WNBA Star's Quest as Russian Olympian


U.S.-born Becky Hammon plays for country where she's a naturalized citizen.
Monday, August 11, 2008
By Catie O'Toole
Staff writer

The Stanzione family, of Clay, is rooting for the Russian Olympic women's basketball team. So are other Central New Yorkers, Bernie Stanzione said.

Stanzione's niece, WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon, is playing for Russia with the hope that she will bring home a medal.

"There are a lot of people who follow her from here," Stanzione said. "I constantly get e-mails from people, asking how Becky's doing and when she's coming into town."

Hammon visited for Christmas eight months ago. She also came for a Halloween party last year and dressed up as a clown, her uncle said.

Over the winter, she came to watch her 14-year-old cousin Jenna Stanzione play on Liverpool's modified basketball team.

In May, Hammon came to watch Jenna play for the Liverpool modified softball team.

She also joined her family at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse for Liverpool High School's football opener against Baldwinsville last year. And she went to the Liverpool-Corcoran football game, as well. Her cousin Paul, now 18, was a linebacker for Liverpool at the time.

Bernie Stanzione said his niece usually visits at least twice a year.

A couple of years ago, Hammon surprised her cousin Jenna when she came to watch her play in a Liverpool Optimist basketball game and then put on a free clinic for all the girls, Stanzione said.

"She's got a big heart, very kind," he said. "Everybody from all over loves her."

Hammon, 31, grew up in South Dakota and went to Colorado State. She played for WNBA's New York Liberty for eight years and was traded to the San Antonio Silver Stars last year.

Anytime Hammon plays games in New York City or Connecticut, the Stanziones try to go watch her play, Bernie Stanzione said.

Hammon was the runner-up in the WNBA's MVP vote in 2007, yet wasn't selected for the 29-player pool that would eventually form the U.S. Olympic team.

"It's crazy the U.S. didn't consider her. She was second in the WNBA as MVP, and she's considered the No. 1 guard in the WNBA," her uncle said. "She's made the WNBA All-Star team the last four years. She's very good."

Hammon didn't give up her dream to compete in the Olympics, her uncle said.

Instead, she became a naturalized citizen in Russia, where she plays point guard for a club team in the winter. Because she hadn't played for the U.S. in any major international events, she was allowed to compete for Russia in the Olympics.

"She's true-blue, red, white and blue," Bernie Stanzione said. "She would have given anything to play on the U.S. team, but was not given the opportunity."

Hammon's parents, Bev and Mary Hammon, spent part of last week visiting the Stanziones in Central New York. This week, they're heading to Beijing to see their daughter play in the Olympics.

Bernie Stanzione said his family is staying home, but they will be rooting for his niece.

"She was pretty broken-hearted when she found out she was not on the American roster, but her family and everyone who knows her are still rooting for her," Stanzione said. "In her heart, basketball is just a game and she's just fulfilling a dream."

Catie O'Toole can be reached at cotoole@syracuse.com or 470-2134.

These are the local interviews from yesterday. They made the rounds at the Silver Stars Practice.
The Fox Sports video has nice little interview with Coach as well.

Thanks to STL for once again converting these so everyone can see them

http://files.filefront.com/BackFromC.../fileinfo.html



** Hammon Interview Fox Sports - San Antonio **

http://files.filefront.com/HammonFox.../fileinfo.html

** Hammon KENS 5 Interview Auguest 28th **

(Thanks to H again )

http://files.filefront.com/Hammon+KE.../fileinfo.html

Here is the local game article in today's paper. It's the same AP story but it helps the Stars if you click so please click!

Hammon leads Silver Stars over Sun

Hammon scored 10 of her 24 points in the fourth period. Sophia Young added 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Silver Stars, who shot 51 percent from the field.

"They were giving me so much attention and I have no problem passing to my teammates," said Hammon, who added five assists. "If people want to pay me attention, we have a lot of people who can score."

There is a HUGE picture of Becky in todays sports section on the front page...the Silver Stars actually had the headline

Hammon's 30 top Liberty

NEW YORK ? Former Liberty star Becky Hammon scored 23 of her season-high 30 points in the second half to lead the Silver Stars to an 82-76 victory at New York on Tuesday night.

This is just the AP story but remember the clicks tell them you like and want more coverage so please click.

Becky Hammon's return is unhappy for Liberty in loss to San Antonio

Discussing the recent controversy surrounding her, Hammon insisted that her critics have only served as motivation. "It doesn't bother me," she said. "I actually prefer people talking a little trash. It gets me fired up out there."