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The opening locale for our NBA Preview tour hosts a championship contender ... unless you believe in Vegas, where two teams have odds of at least 18-to-1 to win the title. Bettors have Utah at 18-to-1 and Portland, ahem Portland at 12-to-1. Clearly, folks expect big things from the newborn Trail Blazers.

That brings us to our first topic: how good will Portland be? The Blazers caught much of the nation off-guard last year, with a long winning streak through the early winter keeping the team alive in the rough Western playoff race. Clearly, Portland overperformed based on common expectation. Is that even possible this year? Win or lose, the Blazers will likely get more attention than any other Northwest team this season. The burgeoning tomorrow promises excitement, and no one wants to miss out the introduction of greatness. No pressure, kids.

Today we have three more offerings to share from Chris Bosh's Beijing collection. First, a look at what it was like to be on the ground in the middle of the opening ceremonies, with a cameo appearance from a Russian-speaking Andrei Kirilenko.



Also, check out a Bosh-eye view from Chris's seat at one of the U.S. women's games, as well as a quick look at a U.S. "shoot-around" that has Kobe, 'Bron, 'Melo and CP3 in it (at least according to CB4).

Russia's had a bit of a rough effort this effort, losing to both Lithuania and Croatia in tight contests. At 1-2 in group play, the Russians needed to beat Australia to guarantee the Group A fourth seed, with its lovely berth into the the medal round to likely face the winner of U.S.-Spain. Australia, who like Russia had only beat Iran this tournament, seems an inferior opponent, based on the fact Russia is the reigning champion of Europe.

No matter. The Aussies walloped Russia, winning 95-80. Andrew Bogut was a beast (for the first time this summer), Andrei Kirilenko's offense was manure on ice. As such, Russia's done ... and Australia will move into the medal round. The team seems assured the fourth seed -- getting #3 would involve a) beating Lithuania, and b) Croatia losing to Iran. I'm not sure which is more unlikely, because they both have no chance of happening (unless Lithuania rests half the roster).

For Russia, the impact isn't much deeper than it is for coach David Blatt, an American in Europe who receives bountiful bundles of praise and gets mentioned for NBA jobs now and then. His reputation -- as it was built in both Euroleague club play and FIBA Europe last summer -- has been that he can get ye old "more than the sum of the parts" from his teams. That may be right (I imagine it is, he beat Spain in Madrid), but this result -- finishing as one of the four worst teams in Olympic competition -- has to undercut the unorthodox career he has built to date.

Blatt's biggest question has to be about whatever's wrong with Kirilenko. AK-47 simply dominated the European tournament last summer, dropping 29/8 with 3 steals and 3 blocks against Lithuania, and played well in the Finals. His mild Olympic performance makes no sense.

Throughout the Olympic men's basketball tournament, FanHouse will prioritize the games of the day for you in Golden Ticket.

Tuesday might have the weakest slate in pool play, but we still have a few interest-piquing matchups.

GOLD: Greece vs Germany, 2:30 a.m. EST The Germans busted out like a disrespected band of unsavory characters on Opening Night, simply destroying the Angolans. But how good are they? The Greeks, who suffered humiliating defeat at the hands of Spain, should be a better litmus test. A loss would murder Greece's slimming medal hopes, considering the U.S. team awaits on Thursday. The Clips own the NBA rights to Greek mammoth Sofo Schortsianitis, so the Sofo-Kaman battle could be fun for LAC fans to absorb.

SILVER: Croatia vs Russia, 11:15 p.m. EST (Note that this game actually kicks off today in the States.) The Russians faced a virtual bye against Iran on Day 1; the Croats made quick work of a decent Australia (who, you know, gave Team USA a scare last week). Russia probably has better talent, starting with Andrei Kirilenko (15/5/3 blocks against Iran) at the top. But Croatia has been strong this summer, beating Germany in Athens without Damir Markota. Markota remains unavailable, but Croatia boasts a credible deep threat (they went 12-for-16 from three against the Aussies) and solid depth. Should be a tight contest.

BRONZE: Spain vs China, 4:45 a.m. EST China's frisky. The Chinese stayed near Team USA for a full half on Sunday (no small feat), and Yao often barked out directions to his young teammates, most notably Yi Jianlian. Mix in what had better be a hostile crowd, and we could have the ingredients for a dazzling upset. Spain is far superior in the backcourt -- Jose Calderon, Rudy Fernandez and Ricky Rubio should run figure-8s around the Chinese guards -- but I think we have settled that Pau Gasol's post defense is a smidge less than glorious. Spain should win, and likely will. But there's a chance for something epic from the Chinese, and I for one will be rooting them on.

In other action: United States vs Angola, Iran vs Lithuania, Argentina vs Australia.

As the "rest of the world" catches up to the United States in the sport of basketball, it seems worth considering how other world events have impacted the global hoops scene. Namely, the end of Communist imperialism has split up a few would-be basketball powers.

Consider the former U.S.S.R., which includes present day nations Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, the Ukraine and more. Lithuania is among the best teams going into the Olympic hoops tournament. Russia is the reigning European champion, having beat Spain in Spain last summer. Here's a sample starting line-up for the mythical Team U.S.S.R.

Sarunas Jasikevicius: The top non-NBA point guard in the world.
Ramunas Siskauskas: The reigning Euroleague MVP.
Linas Kleiza: A top-flight scorer and rebounder from the forward position.
Andrei Kirilenko: The best Russian ever to play in the NBA.
Andris Biedrins: $63 million.

Off the bench: Zaza Pachulia, Darius Songaila, Viktor Khryapa, Martynas Andriuskevicius, Arvydas Macijauskas, maybe Zydrunas Ilgauskas, if he disobeys the Cavaliers. That's not a gold medal team perhaps. But it is sure good enough to make Team USA sweat.

Team Yugoslavia wouldn't be as potent, though a Beno-Sasha-Peja-Nenad-Darko squad actually looks pretty good.

The Utah Jazz didn't advance as far in the playoffs as they did a year ago, but they're still optimistic about their future. Said Deron Williams to Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune as he cleaned out his locker, "If we can keep this team intact, I think we're only going to get better as we play together. I look forward to it."

Even Andrei Kirilenko, a man reduced to tears when talking about his role during the playoffs last year, has seemingly rescinded his desire to be traded: "This is the only team I know in NBA," Kirilenko said. "I know everybody. I love everybody here in the organization."

Maintaining the status quo isn't the recipe for success for most teams ousted in the second round, but the Jazz are so close to a title that I don't want them to change a thing. They could stand to get a few more points out of the two-guard spot, but Ronnie Brewer was extremely efficient this year, shooting a team-high 55.8%. Plus, rookie Morris Almond should be ready to contribute after lighting up the D-League to the tune of 25.6 points per game, including two 50-point performances.

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Lakers-Jazz Western Conference Semifinals Game 6 this evening. Be sure to stop by later tonight for FanHouse's signature LiveBlog of this game. It'll be Vujacissimo!


1. Over The Back, Against The Wall: Regardless of your feelings on the Pau Gasol put back that clinched the game for the Lakers (and I personally think Okur flopped and am glad the refs didn't call it), the onus comes back on Mehmet Okur. It's not so much a one sided, "Okur has played badly" as it is that he hasn't been able to put it all together. If he scores, he struggles on the glass. If he rebounds, he can't put the ball in the hole. In the one game where he did manage to have a complete game, the Jazz won convincingly. If Utah wants to extend this series back to Staples for a shot to steal what they couldn't in Game 5, Mehmet Okur has to step up tonight.

2. Odom Overdose: Lamar Odom had a simply spectacular Game 5. He's been a joy to watch for the last month and even as Lakers fans have to be wondering when the joyride stops and the old Lamar returns, he's been a major contributor to them winning. He's making smart decisions, being aggressive with openings, playing with confidence, and getting the ball to Gasol and Kobe when he needs to. The Jazz have bad matchups for Odom outside of Andrei Kirilenko. They want to maintain their edge on the boards so they're not willing to switch AK to the 4. But their power forwards are too slow to guard him and Ronnie Brewer has his hands full with that Kobe Bryant fellow you've heard so much about. If Odom keeps playing the way he has? This series ends tonight.

Andrei Kirilenko missed practice on Thursday, a day before an elimination game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Utah due to a family trip to France.

Let me explain.

So Kirilenko has had this big trip planned with his family France this summer, right? But in order to make it, he had to secure a travel visa. And as you know, things like travel visas aren't exactly being handed out like annual spouse-allowed infidelities anymore. So Kirilenko scheduled an appointment weeks ago to secure the visa. He informed coaches of it weeks ago, and, presumably, reminded them of it. He was given permission to miss practice today on account of that little trip for what I can only imagine was a lot of standing in line, waiting for paper work to go through, and generally being annoyed at he endless bureaucracies we surround ourselves with on a daily basis.

Jazz fans probably will be initially disheartened and annoyed by this. After all, tomorrow night in Salt Lake City could be the last game in the Jazz's season, they're locked up in a very tough matchup with the tough seed in the West, and Kirilenko kind of, you know, starts for them.

However, this is one of those situations when you need to remember that athletes are still people like the rest of us in a lot of ways.

NBA Essentials ranks our six favorite stories of the day.

1. NorthJersey.com: The Nets are talking trade for Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets are listening. [via SLAM]

2. Dime: "Hornets Shutting Up the Haters"

3. The Sporting Blog: Deron Williams has a Twitter feed. Sure he does.

4. Third Quarter Collapse: Chauncey Billups sat out Game 5, but somehow got an assist anyway.

5. Deseret News: Could Andrei Kirilenko get deported before Game 6?

6. Channing Frye's Blog: Advice on keeping the ladies happy.

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Jazz-Lakers Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 this evening.

1. Is The Back Back?: All eyes will be on Kobe Bryant and his back tonight. Kobe's been near indestructible throughout his career, rarely succumbing to injury (remember the pinkie? Yeah, neither did I.). So to see him so shaken up is kind of surprising. What's worse, this is not exactly the team you want to have a back injury against. Bryant's going to need to take defenders off the dribble for jumpers tonight, because if he posts, he's getting a stiff elbow in the back, and if he drives, well, just don't drive, Kobester. No doubt Bryant will play through the pain and he'll most likely be brilliant. He's kind of legendary like that. But if he suffers like he did in Game 4, he needs to trust his teammates. Of course that requires ...

2. Backups To Provide Backups: I don't know what exactly else the Lakers should have done in Game 4. I mean, Pau Gasol had 23, Lamar Odom had 26, and Fisher had 15. So maybe all that talk about how the other Lakers disappeared isn't fai ... oh yeah, it was overtime, and they gave up 123 points. The Lakers have to be able to create a consistent effort behind Kobe, or they have to manage to stop the Jazz for, oh, I don't know, a possession or two. With Kobe a question mark with the back, now would be a great time for the Pau Gasol statement game.