Safar Madness

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May 07, 2006

Safar Madness

Greyhawk

Hey, they're just like us...:

This year, about 20 Americans -- a record number, even as international tensions mount over Iran's nuclear program -- dribbled, dunked and danced before cheering Iranian fans, attracted by some of the best salaries outside the National Basketball Association.

Former NBA players such as Joseph, who briefly played for the Denver Nuggets and the Toronto Raptors during the 2000-01 season, can command more than $20,000 a month here, local sports officials said.

Sixteen teams make up the Super League, Iran's version of the NBA. Wealthy corporations and government ministries sponsor the teams; two of the most successful belong to the Defense Ministry. Each team is allowed two foreign players, and coaches prefer Americans.

''They're tall and big and can catch all the rebounds and make all the shots. They rescue the teams,'' said Mahin Gorgi, an Iranian journalist who covers basketball for the local sports paper Goal.

Gorgi said the American players delight Iranian fans with their tattoos, victory dances and shouts of ''Yeah, baby!'' whenever they score.

''They're tall and big and can catch all the rebounds and make all the shots. They rescue the teams,'' said Mahin Gorgi, an Iranian journalist who covers basketball for the local sports paper Goal.

Gorgi said the American players delight Iranian fans with their tattoos, victory dances and shouts of ''Yeah, baby!'' whenever they score.

well, okay, almost just like us...

Gorgi, who has become friends with several of the players she covers, said she didn't have the heart to translate for her American pals when the soldier-dominated crowd at one recent game broke into chants warning the United States: ``Nuclear energy is our absolute right!''

Posted by Greyhawk at 08:39 PM | Permalink | |

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May 07, 2006

Safar Madness