hen it was, time flies, it could have been a few years ago. Well, they had most of us in a circle talking about [the Olympics]. Thats the first time I think I ever really talked about it with anoth

Larry Bird still believes in the power of basketball diplomacy. The Hall of Famer sat down with ESPN.com recently and opened up about the impact playing for Team USA had on his life and his feelings on Paul Georges resurgence.For you personally, what does it mean to see Paul George not only back but also representing Team USA after his gruesome leg injury in 2014?Bird: Its a pretty good situation for him because he came back [and] had a pretty good year last year. No pain. Got through all that. And I think that his goal was always to go back and play for his country and be around the guys [who] are the best in the league, or some of them are. Just get back involved in USA Basketball because it has been a long couple years for him.Was there ever a doubt in your mind that he would be back at this level on that stage?Bird: Well, you never know. But we had every indication from the doctors that he was going to be just fine. Just let the bones heal and get him back out there. When you go through something like that, I think its more mental than it is physical. ... But it was a horrific injury. It took him time, but he worked hard and did the things necessary to get back.You always stood behind USA Basketball after the injury. Why were you strong in your support of the program?Bird: I had an opportunity in high school to play against the Russians, and I thought that was the neatest thing in the world. I got in college, I played overseas, and it was over a month, and [I] got to see the world and play the game I love. And had an opportunity there at the end of my career to get into the Olympics and play for my country. Even though it was the end of my career, its still an honor. And I just wish everybody had that feeling. If you love your country and you get to represent them and you can win, its one of the greatest feelings, and I wanted Paul to have the same feeling. And I know he cares, he wants to play and he wants to win, and I think its awesome.Youve had that experience at every level of the USA program. If down the line, they came to you and said, Larry, we want you to have more of an active role within USA Basketball, is that something youd be interested in?Bird: I dont know. Im getting at an age now where everythings starting to slow down for me. But its like I said: Going back to high school, I got to play against the Russians. And that was when the Cold War was really going on, you know? And I said, Man, Im playing against the Russians. I couldnt believe it. They were very talented, very good, and I was always mesmerized by how they did things over there. My high school coach sort of gave us ... Even though it wasnt my high school team, it was an All-Star team, he was telling us about it and how they train, and they take the best [players] and put them together. It caught my eye, so I was always interested in international basketball because I liked their style. I liked how they played. I like the up-tempo, I like the 40-minute game, and theres really no interruptions. If you go over and watch a team over in Italy, wherever its at, international rules, theyve got a flow to it. Theres no stoppage all the time, and I really like that. So I always enjoy playing it.As far as the Dream Team goes, as you look back all these years later, what do you think of that team and its impact on the game?Bird: It changed everything. From coaching to training, its really interesting. Dave Gavitt ... told me the importance for Magic and Michael and I to go over there with this team because its going to change the game forever throughout the world. And what he meant by that was once we kicked their butts so bad, a lot of their coaches are going to come over and see our training and how we do things. If you think about international training, you think about two workouts every day and a lot of shooting, and their bigs come out and take a lot of shots from the outside. And he was right. If you look at the NBA from then to now, we have probably more than 100 international players in our league, so theyre getting better. Its pretty awesome to me to see the change over that period of time.When you see Magic and Michael over time, how often does your Barcelona Olympic experience come up? Bird: We dont bring it up. I dont see Michael. I see Magic a little bit more. We had a sit-down -- I dont know when it was, time flies, it could have been a few years ago. Well, they had most of us in a circle talking about [the Olympics]. Thats the first time I think I ever really talked about it with another one of my teammates. Great memories, great time, we had a lot of fun. Our families were with us. And youre playing for your country, how can you beat that?So much was always made out of the Dream Team practices. Out of all three of you guys, who do you think was the most competitive out of that group?Bird:?Oh, I dont know. Everybodys competitive in their own way. Its hard to say one guys more competitive than another. I always said its easier to be competitive when Michael Jordan can run and jump as high as he does, as quick as he is. So I think me and Magic had to be more competitive because we didnt have that speed and we couldnt jump that high.Michael Raffl Flyers Jersey .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Scott Laughton Flyers Jersey . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. http://www.nhlflyersproauthentic.com/jaromir-jagr-hockey-jersey/ . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. Custom Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys . PAUL, Minn. Robert Hagg Jersey . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well.DURHAM, N.C. -- As the weather got worse, Corbin McCarthys smile got bigger. It was going to be a good day for defense, especially Dukes defense.It was backyard football, said McCarthy, Dukes senior safety. Before I even put pads on today, I was a giddy 12-year-old kid. There was barely anyone in the stands, but it didnt matter. It was one of the purest forms of football Ive played in a long time, and it felt absolutely great.Daniel Jones and Parker Boehme each threw a touchdown pass as Duke beat Army 13-6 on Saturday.The Blue Devils (3-3) jumped out to a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter, and their defense stifled Armys rushing attack to hold on for the victory in pouring rain. Duke caused three turnovers, including a forced fumble by McCarthy to set up his teams first touchdown.Both teams struggled on offense as Hurricane Matthew made its way through North Carolina. The storm produced stiff wind and driving rain for hours leading up to the game and throughout the contest, making every punt, pass and kick difficult.The teams combined for 93 passing yards, averaged 3.4 yards per play and had as many punts (17) as first downs.Probably the MVP of the day was Matthew, meaning the storm, Duke coach David Cutcliffe said. He was the baddest dude on the field for both teams. But we got a win when it was not as perfect as you would like.Andy Davidson rushed for 120 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown run late in the first half, for the Black Knights (3-2).Army entered the game averaging an FBS-leading 374 rushing yards per game but ran for a season-low 165 yards on 43 attempts against Duke.Boehme threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Erich Schneider after Davidson lost a fumble at the Army 9 on the Black Knights second possession. Jones tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Young for Dukes other score.THE TAKEAWAYArmy: The Black Knights outplayed Duke after falling behind 13-0, but they could not sustain drives. Army converted two of 13