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Horford, who is from the Dominican Republic, prefers to read books in Spanish and said that Garcia Marquez is much better in Spanish. (John Jenkins, Georgia's 358-pound nose tackle, just sacked McCarron for a 15-yard loss!) He listed Garcia Marquez books I hadn't heard of, and warned me not to bother with Memories of My Melancholy Whores. I wrote that down and then lowered the discourse: What did he think of Houston Rockets guard James Harden's 1970s beard? (Crazy catch by Amari Cooper ... then Lacy runs it up the middle. 'Bama closing in on its first score.) He told me that he didn't approve. Nor did his wife, which was why he keeps his facial hair close to his face. Creative Loafing Atlanta

Houston Rockets, James Harden, John Jenkins, Dominican Republic 

Francisco Garcia spent his offseason with fellow countrymen of the Dominican Republic, competing for a spot in the 2012 London Olympics. The Sacramento Kings swingman and his team fell just short of qualifying, losing to Nigeria 88-73 in the final game of the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Though they didn’t reach their goal, Garcia still attended the festivities in London and appreciates the experience spent with his Dominican teammates this summer. “We grew together as a team, as a country,” said Garcia. “Next year we’re gonna do it again, try to qualify for the world games. That was a great experience for me myself, individually. (It was) a different type of game, a little more physical. And it was great representing my country. It was a great experience.” Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, Francisco Garcia, Dominican Republic 

In the midst of those workouts, his year went from bad to worse upon hearing he was cut from the Dominican Republic National Team. Upon hearing the name of Kentucky and national team coach John Calipari, Villanueva grunted. "The DR thing definitely stung," he said. "That's your country you're representing. They never gave me an opportunity to work out in the first place. I never worked out for these guys, it caught me off guard. I'm reading up on this and I'm like, 'Wow.'" Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

New role, same old result for Kevin Durant. And even with another loss from its roster, the U.S. Olympic basketball team just keeps on rolling along. Durant picked up where he left off in international competition, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead the Americans to a 113-59 victory over the Dominican Republic on Thursday night in an exhibition game. The MVP of the world basketball championship two years ago, Durant came off the bench to shoot 9 of 11 from the field, making 5 of 6 3-pointers in 22 minutes. He said coach Mike Krzyzewski told him shortly before the game that Carmelo Anthony would start alongside LeBron James at forward, and he adjusted just fine. "It felt good to me," Durant said. "It was cool to come off the bench for the first time. Wherever they need that spark, I'm going to try to come out and give them that spark. So I was looking forward to having different roles playing with USA, so it was kind of fun for me, actually." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, USA Basketball, Dominican Republic 

“I always said I’d retire by the age of 55,” Calipari said. “Well, I’m officially retiring after this game … from the Dominican Republic. I’m going to help them, consult and do those things, but I don’t think I’m going to be coaching them.” Official Site of John Calipari

John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

The Dominican Republic should have had the best player on the floor with the Hawks Al Horford, but he had just 12 points as foul trouble kept him in check. So the field for London is set. The 12-team tournament starts July 29 with play in the two six-team groups (four from each advance to the knockout tournament). The groups are: Group A: United States, France, Argentina, Tunisia, Lithuania, Nigeria. Group B: Great Britain, Spain, Brazil, Australia, China, Russia. NBCSports.com

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Great Britain, Olympics, Dominican Republic 

Ike Diogu scored 25 points, and Nigeria earned the final men's basketball spot in the London Olympics with an 88-73 victory over the Dominican Republic on Sunday night. ESPN.com

Ike Diogu, Olympics, Dominican Republic, Nigeria 

Villanueva has no idea what was behind John Calipari’s comments last month saying that he, in his role as coach of the Dominican Republic national team, had “cut” Villanueva because he appeared out of shape in a workout he’d overseen and feared Villanueva’s presence would slow down the rest of the team. NBA.com

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

Charlie Villanueva: “I’m at home relaxing and people are hitting me up like, ‘You got cut from the Dominican Republic team?’ I didn’t know anything about it. The crazy thing is I spoke to coach Cal like two weeks before I supposedly got cut. Everything was fine. Everything was cool, then this article came out that I got cut. I had never worked out for them. Besides one conversation I had with coach Cal, they never saw me. NBA.com

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

Charlie Villanueva: “I still don’t know what was the reason. I read I was overweight? I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ That’s not the case at all. I’m feeling great. I don’t know, but whatever. It is what it is.” NBA.com

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

According to FIBA.com, Villanueva was cut from the Dominican Republic national team that is coached by Kentucky's John Calipari. Villanueva reportedly had a private workout for the team in New York, and Calipari told Deportes en la Z, "Charlie ... was overweight, and unfortunately, we could not slow down the entire team and it was a decision taken collectively." Rob Villanueva, Charlie's older brother, said the New York private workout never took place. Rob added that Charlie has taken to a boxing routine for fitness and is enjoying it tremendously. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

Charlie Villanueva helped bring unprecedented attention to the Dominican Republic the past few summers as a player with their national team. He is not in the squad for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), however. FIBA.com

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Dominican Republic 

Calipari, who guided the team to a bronze medal last summer at the FIBA Americas Championship and then led the Kentucky Wildcats to the NCAA title, is working out with the Dominicans in Lexington. Villanueva had a private workout for the Dominican Republic in New York and didn't leave a good impression. "Charlie was not in good form when we saw him," Calipari said to Deportes en la Z. "He was overweight, and unfortunately, we could not slow down the entire team and it was a decision taken collectively. FIBA.com

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

Stars like Al Horford, Jack Michael Martínez, Francisco García, Charlie Villanueva, Eulis Báez, Josh Asselin, Luis Flores and Edgar Sosa have been selected for the preliminary 23-player squad of the (Dominican Republic) national team. dominicanosenbasket.com

Charlie Villanueva, FIBA, Al Horford, Francisco Garcia, Dominican Republic 

The players have been called to participate in the practices scheduled between June 1st and 15th, at the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, under the management of famous coach John Calipari. dominicanosenbasket.com

John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

Marc J. Spears: For my friends in the Dominican Republic, Hawks Al Horford says he plans on playing for his native country in Olympic qualifying tourney. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, FIBA, Al Horford, Injuries, Dominican Republic 

Allen Iverson's manager Gary Moore denies his client has an agreement in place with Club de Pueblo Nuevo of the Dominican Republic. Noticias SIN

Free Agency, Allen Iverson, Dominican Republic 

Allen Iverson's agent, Greg Moore, denied the report about Iverson signing in Dominican Republic. 'I don't know anything abou that' said Moore. The deal was announced, officially, by the owner of the Dominican Republic club. Sportando

Free Agency, Allen Iverson, Dominican Republic 

“We have again scheduled an extremely challenging lineup of exhibition opponents for our USA Men’s National Team. In addition to playing world powers Spain and Argentina, the team will also face FIBA Americas powers Brazil and the Dominican Republic. Add in what I’m sure will be a very competitive game in Manchester versus Great Britain, and we have an exciting tour schedule we believe will help get our team as best prepared as possible for the summer,” Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball chairman and national team managing director, said in a statement. Washington Post

USA Basketball, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic 

During a brief phone conversation Friday with Barea, who is in the Dominican Republic before he returns to Dallas next week, he reiterated that he hopes to again be playing for Dallas and that the ball is in the Mavs' court. "I always said that's my first option," Barea said. "I did my job last year." He said he is not necessarily chasing the highest offer or a starting job, saying, "I just want what I deserve." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, Jose Juan Barea, Dominican Republic