RIO DE JANEIRO -- Manu Ginobilis emotions were jumbled as he tried to put his Olympic journey into words.Long after his last game inside the rings ended, the balding forward who once again had done all he could in defeat, returned to the floor and was handed the game ball. Ginobili tucked it under his left arm and looked like he would never let it go.The golden trip for Ginobili and Argentina is over.Its been an amazing run, he said, his eyes watery, his voice strained.Argentinas final run at another Olympic medal came to an end on Wednesday night as the U.S. rolled to a 105-78 win, setting up a semifinal matchup with Spain while ending an era for Argentina.There would be no more magic, no improbable victory or stunning upset. Argentinas adored Golden Generation, which after a surprising second-place finish at the 2002 world championships stunned the Americans two years later at the Athens Games. The players captured an Olympic title and the hearts of their countrymen, but their run reached the end.But their legacy will endure as Ginobili, Luis Scola, Carlos Delfino and Andres Nocioni -- the only ones left from that team in Greece 12 years ago and the one which won bronze in 2008- left a lasting impression across the basketball globe.The 39-year-old Ginobili wont play in the Olympics again, and after the final horn sounded, U.S. forward Carmelo Anthony wrapped his arms around a player who beat him in his first Olympics but also a man he has grown to respect.I know what he means not just to basketball in Argentina but to the country as a whole, said Anthony, a four-time Olympian. Hes put in a lot of work and he has represented them in a great fashion. Hes put that country on his back over the years and I just told him, `Thank you, especially for me playing against him over the past four Olympics. I just wanted to say, `Thank you.Ginobili was moved by Anthonys gesture and that of U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski, who offered similar sentiments.They congratulated me and Im very proud of their words, said Ginobili, who scored 14 points. They were very kind, very respectful and when legends of the game showed their respect, it has an extra value. They didnt have to do it, they could have just shaken my hand and do other things and start to think about Spain. They spared some very kind words and I truly appreciate it.For Argentinas passionate fans, Ginobilis farewell hurts.They chanted Ole ... ole ... ole ... Man-ooh ... Man-ooh toward him and Ginobili smiled and waved to acknowledge their cheers. All of Argentinas players are popular, but not like Ginobili.Hes numero uno.A Hall of Fame player. A Hall of Fame competitor. And as fierce a competitor that as a coach Ive had to face in my entire time in international basketball, Krzyzewski said. Really, theres been nobody completely like him. He plays all positions. And with the heart and commitment that hes had for his country, no one could have represented his country at a higher level or better than Manu Ginobili. ... Ultimate respect from all of us.The Argentines jumped to a 19-9 lead on the Americans, who then went on a 27-2 run to take control.Of course the outcome was disappointing to Argentina, but it didnt quiet their fans, who engaged in a back and forth with Brazils backers throughout that game. In the final minutes, the blue-and-white clad fans poured into one end of Carioca Arena, where they shouted and danced side to side.When Ginobili, who plans to play one more season for the San Antonio Spurs, was replaced by coach Sergio Hernandez with 1:52 left, Argentina fans screamed one last time for a player whose impact will be felt for years.Over two decades, Ginobili gave them everything.Im proudest of that, Ginobili said. The longevity, the way we played the game, all the things we accomplished, the friendships and the camaraderie we created. This year is the 20th year since my first game with the national team, so Im very proud and at the same time Im sad and happy because having an opportunity to play this game at 39, its not something that happens often.Im incredibly lucky to have stayed healthy and stayed with some of the same guys for so long. Im very proud of it. Javy Guerra Nationals Jersey . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). Daniel Hudson Jersey . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. https://www.cheapnationals.com/1717r-anthony-rendon-jersey-nationals.html . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Adam Eaton Nationals Jersey . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. Victor Robles Nationals Jersey . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Februarys All-Star Weekend in New Orleans is a long way away. Yet when it comes to Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine, everyone is already thinking about it and what might come. The two players who stole the show -- stole the whole All-Star Weekend in Toronto -- are still making their victory laps it seems.Neither LaVine nor Gordon is ready to commit to the Slam Dunk Contest in February. But the two-time dunk champion and his greatest challenger will meet on the court for the first time since that Saturday in Toronto when the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-5) visit the Orlando Magic (3-4) at Amway Center on Wednesday.The two players have been tied together more since that epic back-and-forth dunk contest. They ended up at promotional stops together in China during the offseason. They were part of a Nike commercial together, where naturally they were throwing each other alley-oops.Were both very casual, relaxed dudes, Gordon said after practice Tuesday. We chop it up, joke about it and laugh about it. We both know we put on a show.Gordon and LaVine indeed put on a show with their back-and-forth display of incredible athleticism that made the dunk contest the talk of the entire weekend. Many people believed Gordon should have won the contest. Even Zach LaVine has said he thought they should split the trophy.The two are still creating highlights on a nightly basis. Gordon busted out a 360 dunk in-game last week at Philadelphia and has some hair-raising dunks and alley-oops already.But the question for these two young players next is how do they turn their dunk contest success into actual production on the court?LaVine so far has looked like he is beginning to find his fit.dddddddddddd Now relieved of Minnesotas point guard experiment, LaVine is averaging 17.7 points per game and is shooting 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.He scored 31 points in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies last week and had 17 points in the Timberwolves 119-110 loss in Brooklyn on Tuesday.I think each year hes gotten better, coach Tom Thibodeau told Derek James of ESPN 1500 in Minneapolis following the win over the Grizzlies last week. Hes comfortable and puts a lot of work into his game. He spends a lot of time shooting. I think he has a much better understanding of the NBA game now and I think theres a lot of room for him to grow, too. I think he can be terrific defensively.Gordon too has had to evolve his game. He has found that process a little more difficult.The Magic are testing him out at the small forward position and playing him on the perimeter more. With the increased playing time and role, he is averaging 11.6 points per game and shooting a career-best 36.4 percent from beyond the arc. There are still plenty of hiccups and inefficiencies in the 21-year-olds game.Both LaVine and Gordon, though, are young. Their insane athleticism is a reminder of that. The two are forever bound in that incredible evening in Toronto.Now the two are looking to expand their games and help their young teams take the next step closer to the playoffs. ' ' '
