Becky Hammon: Traitor or Opportunist?

**Bacchus** · #1 06-16-2008

I was just watching CNN and caught a piece on American WNBA basketball star Becky Hammon. She has decided to forsake her country and play basketball in the Olympics for Russia (for cold hard cash.)

I personally think this is a travesty, but I guess the American dream is to strike it rich and if that means throwing your country under the bus, so be it...

Hammon playing for Russia in Olympics? Correct! -- Newsday.com

Rebecca Lynn "Becky" Hammon (born March 11, 1977) is a WNBA player who plays for the San Antonio Silver Stars. Hammon grew up as the youngest of three children and played high school basketball at Stevens High School in her hometown of Rapid City, South Dakota.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HjnTgbVQrA

There are people making the argument for her that the US National Team did not want her so she was free to do what she had to do to play in the Olympics. This flawed thinking amazes me! If you are not good enough to make the US Team, you stay home and watch it on TV, or go to China and cheer on your country women! You don't sell your services to another country! Unbelievable!

I now want to go to Beijing just to watch the woman's basketball games so I can scream "TRAITOR! JUDAS! BENEDICT ARNOLD!" from the stands every time she touches the ball.

I personally wish the United States could strip her citizenship. If she wants to be Russian, so be it. Take her passport, give her a pat on the back and send her on her way - for good.

**OtherPplsDrama** · #2 06-16-2008

Man, I agree Bacchus....If it were me, I'd rather not be in the Olypmics at all than turn around and play for another team.....Sheesh!

**Bacchus** · #3 06-16-2008

Originally Posted by OtherPplsDrama

Man, I agree Bacchus....If it were me, I'd rather not be in the Olypmics at all than turn around and play for another team.....Sheesh!

...and it is not like she is playing for Trinidad and Tobago. She is playing for freaking Russia! Sure the cold war is over, but have you no sense of nationalistic pride Becky Hammon? Very, very sad.

**OtherPplsDrama** · #4 06-16-2008

Agreed completely, can't say it better than you though. I will definately be BOO'ing for her!!! How long has this been going on? Your post is the first I've heard of this....or our her 'people' trying to keep it under wraps??

GoldenWarrior · #5 06-16-2008

Hmmm I think I'd call her an opportunistic traitor who probably was waiting for the right time to join Russia and take out our Women's team! Actually she probably just wanted some money and she figured why not. Ah well it'd be interesting to see USA and Russia meet now.

**Bacchus** · #6 06-16-2008

Originally Posted by OtherPplsDrama

Agreed completely, can't say it better than you though. I will definately be BOO'ing for her!!! How long has this been going on? Your post is the first I've heard of this....or our her 'people' trying to keep it under wraps??

There is quite a buzz about it. I think the debate is split down the middle with half saying the US Team didn't want her so she should go for the cash/medal and the other half saying it is a hanging offense.

Becky Hammon Traitor - Google Search

I made sure to update her wikipedia article, which brushed right past the part where US Olympic Coach Anne Donavan said, "If you play in this country, live in this country and you grow up in the heartland - and you put on a Russian uniform - you are not a patriotic person."

**V1man** · #7 06-16-2008

***annoyed***

"When a whole nation is roaring Patriotism at the top of its voice, I am fain to explore the cleanness of its hands and purity of its heart." Ralph Waldo Emerson

**Stacee_Danielle** · #8 06-16-2008

Originally Posted by V1man

***annoyed***

V1man, could you explain that quote, I don't get what is being said in it at all...maybe I am just too full to understand it (I ate soooo much at lunch)...or just to dumb, LOL