Athens, Greece (My Sportsbook) - Allen Iverson, a star guard for the USA men's basketball team, suffered a non-displaced fracture of his right thumb. Word of Iverson's injury comes two days after the United States was shocked by Puerto Rico, 92-73, in its first preliminary round game. Iverson, on his first Olympic team and playing for his former NBA coach, Larry Brown, was 1-of-10 from beyond the arc and had 15 points in nearly 31 minutes of action. Iverson suffered the injury during the game, but has indicated he will try to play tonight. The fracture was confirmed after x-rays were taken Tuesday morning. Team USA had won 24 straight games at the Olympics since NBA players came onboard, but Sunday night's display left a lot to be desired. It was only the third loss ever for the U.S. in 112 Olympic contests. Team USA shot 35 percent and since then has been buried by criticism. The U.S. women's team, off to a pair of strong victories at these Games, had strong words for the U.S. men's squad. "I suggest that they have to come and see how we play," U.S. player Lisa Leslie said. "Maybe they will learn from our game. They have to understand that all teams will give their best efforts to win against them. Adjustment to the international style of play has to come real quick, because there's no time for jokes." An injury to Iverson's right knee limited him to just 48 games this past season for the Philadelphia 76ers. |
