RIO DE JANEIRO -- The U. Bryce Callahan Jersey Retro .S. womens basketball teams dominating performances at the Olympics over the past two decades isnt the result of simply having the best players in the world.Of course that helps, and continuity plays a major part. But dont discount the players being well versed in the rules and nuances of international basketball. Diana Taurasi and most of her U.S. teammates spend their offseason playing overseas because of the financial incentives.Most of the Olympic players are either teammates of the American players or opponents in leagues around the world -- including Russia, Turkey, France or China.The U.S. mens basketball team, which has won 50 straight international tournament games, is still adjusting to the different style of play in Rio. There are 10 first-time Olympians on that squad, which has been challenged in the tournament.We talk about it all the time. Last night I was talking to Kyrie (Irving) and Kyle (Lowry), talked to Draymond (Green). Its a different type of basketball, Taurasi said. Until you play it, or experience it, you dont understand it. The more games the guys have played, I thought theyve felt more comfortable in each scenario. Everythings way different. Ive been lucky to play overseas for 12 years so I understand it a little bit better.Taurasi wasnt surprised at Serbia point guard Milos Teodosics success against the U.S. mens team in pool play, when he had 18 points and six assists in a 94-91 loss.Ive been watching him play for 10 years and hes one of my favorite players and no ones ever heard of him, Taurasi said. Hes an unbelievable basketball player. Im sure they didnt hear of him. We have the luxury to play against all the Serbians, the French, the Aussies, the Spanish, the Chinese. We played against them for 10 years now. We have that comfort level.The U.S. women certainly have looked comfortable over the past 20 years in the Olympics. The Americans have won 46 Olympic contests in a row with only one game being decided by single digits. The men are also 5-0, but won each of their last two games by three points.Its slower. Teams try to slow the game down, Kevin Durant said of one of the many differences between the NBA and international play. They have a lot of continuity in their sets. Defensively they can sit in the paint, so its different. The floor is a little tighter, but we got a lot of shooters, and we just try to find our rhythm on the offensive end. But, defensively, we got to do a better job of talking to each other.Ten of the 12 U.S. women players have spent a few seasons playing abroad, with only Breanna Stewart and Elena Delle Donne lacking the international experience. Stewart will play in China this offseason.I do feel like its a different game overseas, said Tamika Catchings, who has spent time playing in Russia, Turkey and South Korea. You play USA Basketball and you go over there maybe, but its a different animal when youre in that country and playing.A lot of the guys may not have played with the USA junior level. When you play on this elite level, definitely every country wants to beat us. Theyre training every single day knowing their goal is to beat the U.S. team to win the gold.The U.S. men will learn Monday night who they will play in quarterfinals on Wednesday.The women begin quarterfinal play on Tuesday against Japan, the team in Rio the Americans know the least about. Japans top player, Ramu Tokashiki, plays on WNBA Seattle Storm along with Stewart and Sue Bird.Geno Auriemma has been impressed with how Japan has competed.I dont think theres another team in the world that plays the way they do, the U.S. coach said. Play as quickly as they do, as crisp together as they play and do as many things as Japan does, I think they are unique in the world in that respect.---Online:AP Summer Games website: http://summergames.ap.org/---Follow Doug on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinberg Bud Cooper Jersey Retro . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste. Walt Merrill Jersey Retro . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. https://www.cheapjerseyslines.com/jordan...s-jersey-retro/ . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Fremantle goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne has dismissed reports hes fallen out with Nat Fyfe, but says it might be time for him to make a fresh start at a new AFL club.Ballantyne could be traded to arch rivals West Coast after his request for a two-year contract extension wasnt granted by the Dockers earlier this year.The 29-year-old is still contracted with Fremantle for next season, but it appears highly unlikely hell see out that deal.Rumours of player unrest are growing at the Dockers, and coach Ross Lyon is determined to weed out the loud minority.Some reports have suggested that a number of players are unhappy with the leadership style of Brownlow medallist Fyfe.Ballantyne was reportedly one of those players, but he has denied thats the case.However, with the Dockers set to embark on a rebuild, Ballantyne says he will seriously consider a move away from the club.I think Ive got a lot of football in front of me, Ballantyne told Channel 9.Ive played some pretty good football along the way, and I think I can get better again.I look at blokes like Eddie Betts who had a fresh start at a new club (moving from Carlton to Adelaide). Myron Pryor Jersey Retro. He won his first All-Australian last year, and hes probably going to win it this year. So a fresh start is something that could be on the table.Ballantyne says he has left his manager Colin Young to do the sniffing around.When theres talk of a rebuild, he gets a bit antsy and starts feeling around for whats out there, Ballantyne said.(He) gives us all the options, and then we make a decision from there.I havent asked for a trade, and I havent been asked to be traded to any club.But if I could see myself playing good football somewhere else, then its a possibility.Skipper David Mundy said the rumours of player unrest were off the mark.But he admits the demanding leadership style that he, Fyfe, and Lyon implement could put some players offside at times.The Dockers (3-17) sit in 16th spot on the table heading into Saturdays clash with GWS at Spotless Stadium. ' ' '