Clippers center Kaman to play for Germany?
Imagine this sight: Chris Kaman in lederhosen.
OK, maybe that image will never come to fruition, but the Los Angeles Clippers center could be wearing basketball shorts for the German national team.
Kaman is waiting to be approved for a German passport to become eligible for that country's national team. He hopes to join Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki on the team and compete in this summer's Olympic trials and, hopefully, in the Beijing Olympics.
"The USA never approached me about anything, so I just want to be able to play in the summer," Kaman said. "And this is a way to do it, and it's not some cheesy summer league."
Kaman has had conversations with Nowitzki about playing on the team, and the 7-footer is following a long procedure to prove he is eligible for the squad. He says he is German because of his father's bloodline.
"Dirk put me in contact with a couple of people with the German federation, and they're trying to help me out," Chris Kaman said. "They're trying to dig into my history and find out where I'm from. ... I don't know what the percentages is, the rules and everything. You have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get there. And it kind of stinks, but you have go through it."
Los Angeles Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy gave Kaman his blessing to play for the German national team.
Elton Brand had a rough start to his season after playing for Team USA two summers ago, but Kaman getting tired playing with the German squad doesn't seem to be a concern for the coach.
"I think it potentially would be good for him to play against that competition," Dunleavy said. "I guess his great-grandparents are from Germany, and I think if you can speak a few words of it, they'll take you on."
Tim Thomas missed a second consecutive game with a strained left groin. Thomas strained the groin in Denver on Friday, when he slipped on piece of paper only a few feet from the court.
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