The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 23

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v. M. r-f Charlie Nye The Star 099 ROAD TO ATHENS WITH JERMAINE O'NEAL Pacer focuses on the future 2004 Olympic Games Friday -Aug. 29 U.S. team almost stuffed by Turkey Duncan, Iverson steady for Americans as they withstand 3-point barrage.

By Mark Montieth mark.montiethiridystar.com LAS VEGAS Jermaine O'Neal is recovering from an injury. He will miss the Olympics despite earning a spot on the U.S. basketball team after three dutiful summers of international play. One of his best friends, Al Harrington, has been traded to Atlanta. By Chris Sheridan Associated Press ISTANBUL, Turkey One week before its opener at the Athens Games, the U.S.

men's Olympic basketball team took a step backward even though the Americans didn't quite see it that way. The American team blew most of a 14-point fourth-quarter lead against a Turkish team missing He-do Turkoglu, one of its two NBA players, before corning away with a 79-67 victory Sunday night It was not an encouraging performance for the Americans, who again struggled against a team that didn't qualify for the Olympics just as happened earlier on their European trip against Germany. A 19-8 run including several of Turkey's ll 3-pointers narrowed the home team's deficit to 68-65 with 32 minutes left before the U.S. team turned up its defensive pressure to close out the game. "It was a good experience for us because we're going to have See U.S., Page 06 i i a I w' "I don't have any concerns that I won't be ready by training camp." But O'Neal is happy.

He'd be even happier if the Indiana Pacers would find a way to add another big body to lessen some of his physical burden, but he's in good spirits as he begins serious summer workouts and is looking forward to next season with optimism. O'Neal strained his left knee in Game 4 of the Pacers' loss to Detroit in the Eastern Conference finals in May. That, combined with Jamaal Tinsley's leg injuries, had a major impact on the Pistons' six-game victory, which they parlayed into an NBA championship by beating the Los Angeles Lakers. O'Neal, who is spending most of the summer at his home in Portland, while his Indianapolis residence undergoes an ex- Saa Pacer, Page D8 8am Mete The Star Changes: Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal strained his left knee in the Eastern Conference finals but says his recovery is on schedule. He'll play next season without friend Al Harrington, who was traded.

Murad Sezer Associated Press Drive: Mehmet Okur of Turkey (right) tries to shoot over Shawn Marion of the United States. Tagliani finally finds victory lane Colts are clear on hazing policy Get to work, rookie: Colts rookie tight end Bryan Fletcher carries veteran Marcus Pollard's shoulder pads after practice. The veterans make rookies and newcomers carry pads and MMmwMiuwii mum ammv-'mj' ywnwwiwinw y- COLTS GAMP 2004 Mplaybooks, cinn rr nr nn 1 i if" 1 "This race is for all the guys right here," Tagliani said, pointing to his crew celebrating two-year-old Rocketsports Racing's first trip to the winner's circle. "I made them work very hard." Tagliani started in the 13th spot at Elkhart Lake, an unfamiliar position but one which allowed him to chance an early green flag pit stop with four other drivers, including Justin Wilson. The strategy was rewarded when a yellow flag on the 14th lap bunched up the field and the other 13 drivers needed to pit three more times on green instead of two.

"Maybe today I was lucky the way the yellow turned out in the race," Tagliani said. "But many races this year we were unlucky. See Tagliani, Page D7 Canadian wins 1st Champ Car race in 85 tries, coming from 13th on Road America grid. By Arnie Stapleton Associated Press ELKHART LAKE, Wis. -Lucky at last, Alex Tagliani finally finished first Tagliani turned a bad weekend into the best day of his career with a gamble that paid off with the checkered flag at the Grand Prix of Road America on Sunday.

Tagliani, who crashed in practice Friday and didn't get to race in the first round of qualifying, passed Rodolfo Lavin four laps from the finish to secure his first career victory in 85 races. iy vi if vi 1 food runs. MattKrygv The Star Team allows rookie initiations such as singing and pranks but bans humiliation. By Mike Chapped mike.chappellindystar.com TERRE HAUTE, Ind. It didn't take long for Ben Hartsock to realize he had been "got." The Indianapolis Colts' rookie tight end pulled on his helmet and headed to the practice field during offseason workouts.

The aroma of Icy Hot, a warming ointment used on sore muscles, followed him. "I thought, 'Man, somebody put it on pretty heavy Hartsock said. No, somebody had lined the in- Today's practice schedule: 8:30 a.m. (full team) and 3:30 p.m. (special teams only) side of his helmet with it.

"You'd get lathered up and start sweating and that stuff starts getting down in your eyes," he said. "I pulled off my helmet and it was all in my hair and eyebrows. "I knew, 'Somebody's got Hartsock's Icy Hot treatment wasn't a trendsetter. Hazing in the NFL, or the initiation of See Colts, Page D3.