FIBA Asia 2011: Jordan behind the Scenes - Nov 9, 2011 (by Omar Shafaamri)
Jordan is the toast of the season in FIBA Asia, and deservedly so! Few can doubt this after the manner in which the West Asia team overcame adversity and silenced many a wagging tongue by reaching the Final of the 26th FIBA Asia Championship and almost winning it at that!
Rasheim Wright must have spent the most agonising moments of his four-year stint as a naturalised player for Jordan, having stumbled [read more]
Jordan is the toast of the season in FIBA Asia, and deservedly so! Few can doubt this after the manner in which the West Asia team overcame adversity and silenced many a wagging tongue by reaching the Final of the 26th FIBA Asia Championship and almost winning it at that!
Rasheim Wright must have spent the most agonising moments of his four-year stint as a naturalised player for Jordan, having stumbled at the opportunity to celebrate the most glorious moments, when his shot from the right corner bounced off the rim only to see China scrape away a 70-69 win in the Gold Medal game.
That was the business end of the sport and competition itself, but our point of discussion here is about the very fact that Jordan came on to play that game.
For a team that began the competition not even as the dark horse the historic bronze medal finish at the 25th FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin in 2009 notwithstanding the team had shown how a group of talented ball players can turn things around when push comes to shove, by sheer inspiration.
It may be argued in hindsight that Jordan were playing below their potential prior to the play-offs especially when they lost to Japan in the Preliminary Round and to the Philippines in the Second Round but the fact of the matter remains that Jordan certainly did not look the team that could have gone the distance.
The problems for our team are within. We seem to freeze when pushed against the wall, coach Thomas Baldwin had bemoaned after the defeat to Philippines.
The shrewd tactician, who is arguably the only coach in the fray who had the experience of coaching in most of the FIBA zones, seemed to run out of ideas tactically and temperamentally to spur a team that looked far from impressive.
Even when I spoke to Jordan spearhead Zaid Abbas undoubtedly the most gifted player to don the Jordanian colours on the eve of the Quarter-Finals, the feelings bordered more on ambitious optimism rather than confident expectations.
We need to find a final push of inspiration, Abbas said then.
We are suffering from lack of proper preparation. Most of the players didnt play regularly as there was no proper Jordanian league. We havent had enough time with the coach. And overall, we are not as prepared as we were two years ago, he had said.
My heart wrenched listening to Abbas, but I couldnt help agree with his predicament.
After all, Abbas along with point guard Sam Daghles had been only two of the players who had some serious game experience in the months prior to the competition albeit having scorched the highly competitive CBA League.
Little had Abbas himself, as well as the rest of the team including Baldwin and the entire FIBA Asia basketball community, expected his compatriot Daghles to don a new role in the locker room.
Daghles, for long known as a player of flamboyant skills on the court, took the opportunity to deliver what would go down in FIBA Asia history as one of the most influential performances off the court.
I just wanted to remind the team how good they are, Daghles said, recalling that momentous occasion.
Somebody had to step up and speak out. I guess everybody had gone into a shell bothered by all those things we had suffered before the competition. I realised this was not the moment to mull on those things. I just gave words to what was in my mind, he went on.
As a result of that speech, Jordan looked a completely transformed outfit when they took to the court against Iran.
And as a resultant effect of that speech, Jordan gave Iran a taste of their own medicine when they (Iran) had come up with an inspired performance to beat a much more fancied Lebanon in the Gold Medal game of the 24th FIBA Asia Championship in Tokushima four years earlier.
It was like they (Jordan) had come here only to win this game, only to beat us, said Iranian spearhead Samad Bahrami after the defeat.
Of course, the inspiration percolated down every member and in a rush of impulse Baldwin fielded veteran Zaid Al Khas who himself had rued the lack of time on court in the games till then.
Al Khas, was like a tiger unleashed and dished out a performance that defied his aging bones and aching limbs, firing in three-pointer after three-pointer four of them in all as the Al Nashama song blared the Wuhan Sport Center PA system with gay abundance and not optimism.
And of course the team went on to beat Philippines in the Semi-Finals again against expectations and almost accounted for China in the Final.
Thus, a team that was written off before the competition refused to be blown off all thanks to one spark of inspiration provided by an individual.
After that speech by Sam, everybody was repeating the words to himself, Al-Khas said.
It was like each of those words was our very own. In one moment we had turned the corner around.
As a result, Jordan had won a completely unexpected medal although completely deserving in both instances for the second time in a row.
Inspired passion took Jordan to a position never expected. This is a position too precious to be squandered with uninspired planning.
This was about inspiration in a positive connotation. Next week we talk about how enthusiasm when shown to unwarranted and unnecessary measure can backfire!
Sam Daghlas: I take pride of being a leader. Very excited for the upcoming Season in China! - Oct 9, 2011 (by Omar Shafaamri)
Asia-Basket is happy to meet Asia's Best Point Guard and the Silver medalist at the 26th FIBA Asia Championship Daghles Osama (198-G-79, college: Midwestern St.)
- Tell us about your feelings getting the 2nd place in Wuhan2011 ?
Sam: Well, It feels great to come in 2nd. But still hurts to come one shot away from wining the Asian championship and to qualify to the 2012 Olympics. I think we showed the world that we did deserve to be there and to win it too [read more]
Asia-Basket is happy to meet Asia's Best Point Guard and the Silver medalist at the 26th FIBA Asia Championship Daghles Osama (198-G-79, college: Midwestern St.)
- Tell us about your feelings getting the 2nd place in Wuhan2011 ? Sam: Well, It feels great to come in 2nd. But still hurts to come one shot away from wining the Asian championship and to qualify to the 2012 Olympics. I think we showed the world that we did deserve to be there and to win it too. Im very proud of the guys and how they performed.
- Critical Moments Loss, With Iran in FIBA Asia 2009- Semi Final, with Australia in FIBA World 2010 and now with China in FIBA Asia 2011-Final, What's the Secret behind it?! is it a Habit , lack of Experience or Bad Coaching? Sam: Its none of the above. Its bad luck and you need luck at the end of the games most of the times. If you look back at all of the last shots weve taken in the past games you can see we did take good shots but they didnt fall. I hope this will change soon for the better.
- Jordan NT Coach Thomas Baldwin talked about an inspirational Speech you made minutes before the Quarter Finals Game with Iran, Tell us about it? Sam: I still cant believe coach put me on the spot about that. LOL As you guys know I take pride of being a leader, thats why I thought it was needed at the time for what we were going through. I felt that we need some kind of inspiration going into Iran game and im very thankful it helped. What really matters most is the guys went out and gave everything they had to win the game and thats what its all about the team.
- What do you think of our Chances in the Olympics Qualifying Tournament next year in New Zealand ? Sam: Very tough but doable by no means. We will always have a chance. But it will require us to get the basketball game on track in Jordan. We need to have a league with imports, teams that want to found and support basketball and improve the game, improve the marketing of the game and more.
- Veterans Zaid Alkhas and Ayman Idais declared their Retirement from the NT, Enver Soobzokov is 33, you are 32. Who's going to close the gap this great Generation will leave ? Sam: I think they decided to retire due to personal reasons nothing more. I think they both can still play and help. Yes im 32 but I learned to take care of my body by eating properly and training smart. I easily can play for years to come if I chose to. I still love the game and enjoy every second of competing. I do get tired of the traveling but you have to sacrifice in life to become. Im doing something I love and im thankful god gave me the opportunity to do this for living.
- Our Basketball reached the World Best Level, but in comparison to Soccer (Despite the Huge Differnce in Achievements) it's still ignored from the Government, Sponsors. What's the Reason behind that?! Sam: I have no idea to be honest. Its sad though. Maybe we are just not a sport country. Soccer and basketball are doing lots of great things for the country and with more support and push we can even do more. I hope one day I can see sports in Jordan being supported like other countries.
- How can we maintain this achievement aiming for the title in FIBA Asia 2013 ? Sam: Prepare smart, hard and well. Have a plan and stick to it. I think we have a shot to qualify to the world cup once again but it will require some real hard work.
- What do you think of Coach Tab Baldwin ? What's the difference between him and NT EX-Coach Mario Palma ? Who's System you believe suits our NT the most? Sam: I love coach Baldwin, hes a great coach and his resume speaks for it self. Hes basketball junkie like my self. Him and I had great conversations about basketball and life this past summer. He has a great system if its executed right by the players it will do wonders. You will never see 2 coaches with the same system. They are both deferent and they both succeeded with their system at a high level. I enjoyed playing for every coach I played for in the past.
- What do you think will improve basketball in the middle east? Sam:Having a west Asia league, allowing teams to have an Arab player as a local on teams to help improve the level of the clubs. Televise the league. Market it well. I think thats how we can start going into the right direction and get people interested to be a part of basketball again. Basketball has grown in west Asia as you see. We are competing with higher-level countries so its that time to advance our game and basketball in West Asia. Hope to see that in the up coming years.
- What do you expect from your Second year in CBA, taking into consideration that (due to NBA Lockout) many NBA Stars will play in China this Season? Sam: Im very excited for the upcoming season in the CBA. I think its going to be one of their best seasons in the past years due to big names signing in the CBA this year. We are seeing NBA players getting signed by many Chinese teams. Im looking forward to continuing the success I had last season as I lead the league in assist. My goal this year to help my team make the playoffs.
- Who's your Idol Basketball Player (Old & New) ? Sam: Old was magic Johnson and Michel Jordan. Now its Steve Nash and Kobe.
- Untill when will Sam Daghlas impress his big Fan Base ? Sam: I think thats up to how hard I keep working for the up coming years and god willing I stay healthy. The fans shouldnt have any worries when it comes down to Sam doing his job on the court.
- What's the Dream you still did not reach ? Sam: I almost did it this summer and qualified to the Olympics but god had another plan and im fine with it. I dont look at dreams I set goals and work my behind off to reach them.
- What do you think of Asia-Basket Website ?! Sam: Best website out there. It keeps everyone around the world updated to whats going on in this part of the world.
- Your Last Words to the Fans ? Sam: Thank you all for all of the support you have given me in the past years and lets not stop now. Keep following me through out the season along with facebook and twitter account. Thank you and god bless.
Jordans national basketball team on Sunday won second place in the Asian Basketball Championships after losing to hosts China 70-69 in a thrilling match that kept millions of people in Jordan and around the continent captivated in front of their TV screens until the final whistle.
The title was within reach for the Nashama - the bold or chivalrous ones, as Jordans national teams are being dubbed by their fans and sports commentators around the Arab world [read more]
Jordans national basketball team on Sunday won second place in the Asian Basketball Championships after losing to hosts China 70-69 in a thrilling match that kept millions of people in Jordan and around the continent captivated in front of their TV screens until the final whistle. The title was within reach for the Nashama - the bold or chivalrous ones, as Jordans national teams are being dubbed by their fans and sports commentators around the Arab world. They lost in the final by just one point, a result that some blamed on poor refereeing. In the eyes of many Jordanians, however, they were winners and will be considered champions.
To be the number two team in Asia is a feat, after all, quite an achievement for a small country like Jordan.
Most important was the fighting spirit our team showed following a below-the-expectation performance in the first two rounds of the championship - where it lost to Japan, the Philippines and China. In the quarter-finals, the team rose up to the level of competition, eliminating titleholders Iran, then settling the score with the Philippines in the semis, only failing to get the better of the continents powerhouse, China, in the final.
Another squad that has captured the attention of Jordanians recently is the national football team, also carriers of the Nashama title. The team has performed outstandingly over the past several months, mainly at the Asian Cup hosted by Doha earlier this year and during the ongoing World Cup Asia qualifiers.
It won its first two matches this month, one away against former champion Iraq, and another at home against China.
This performance propelled the team to the 85th spot in FIFAs world rankings, seven positions up. In Asia, the team ranks seventh and at the top of Arab teams in Asia, outshining top squads like those of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
The team still has some way to go, four matches awaiting it during the current level of competition, but it has shown that with due care, much be achieved even with limited resources.
There is more to be learned from the Jordanian football and basketball Nashama, mainly determination and perseverance pay off, and that their success is due to the fact that their members were chosen on the basis of merit, not any other consideration. The message? To achieve success in any other sector, meritocracy should be the criterion for hiring.
At the same time, there should be awareness that more needs to be invested in sports, not only at the level of national teams, but also at the grassroots level, in schools and neighbourhoods, which can be a good nurturing ground for professional and national teams. The two teams won through sheer determination, but even that is not always enough.
National teams play an important role in bringing together players and the public, motivating the latter and uplifting the morale of the people, much needed particularly in these difficult times.
The Nashama spirit should be instilled at every level of society. It is a recipe for success.
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