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PYONGYANG, North Korea -- Former NBA star Charles D. Smith says he feels remorse for coming to Pyongyang with Dennis Rodman for a game on the North Korean leaders birthday because the event has been dwarfed by politics and tainted by Rodmans own comments. Smith and other former NBA players are scheduled to play with Rodman against a team of North Koreans on Wednesday that organizers say leader Kim Jong Un is expected to attend. Many of the players on Tuesday privately expressed second thoughts about going ahead because of an outpouring of criticism back home in the United States. Smith, who played for the New York Knicks, said the North Korea trip has been dwarfed by politics and Rodmans frequent boasts about his close friendship with Kim. "What we are doing is positive, but it is getting dwarfed by the other circumstances around it," Smith told The Associated Press. "Apparently our message is not being conveyed properly due to the circumstances that are much bigger than us, and I think that has to do with politics and government." Rodman arrived in Pyongyang on Monday with seven former NBA players and four streetballers for the game on Kims birthday, believed to be his 31st. Along with Smith, the squad features ex-All Stars Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson and Vin Baker. The game would be another milestone in Rodmans surprising relationship with basketball fan Kim, who rarely meets with outsiders and is possibly the worlds most mysterious leader. Rodman has called the game a "birthday present" for Kim but says he has received death threats for his repeated visits to this country and for calling Kim a "friend for life." "The way some of the statements and things that Dennis has said has tainted our efforts," Smith said. "Dennis is a great guy, but how he articulates what goes on -- he gets emotional and he says things that hell apologize for later." NBA Commissioner David Stern has distanced his organization from Rodmans squad. "The NBA is not involved with Mr. Rodmans North Korea trip and would not participate or support such a venture without the approval of the U.S. State Department," he said in a statement. "Although sports in many instances can be helpful in bridging cultural divides, this is not one of them." Rodman is the highest-profile American to meet Kim since the leader inherited power after his father, Kim Jong Il, died in late 2011. He travelled to the North for the first time last February and came back just before Christmas to hold tryouts for the North Korean basketball team, though he did not meet with Kim then. The plan to hold the game has been criticized because of the Norths human rights record, its development of nuclear weapons and its threats to use them if a conflict breaks out with Washington or Seoul. Rodman, in particular, has been slammed for not trying to use his influence with Kim to secure the release of Kenneth Bae, an American missionary with health problems who is being held in North Korea on charges of "anti-state" crimes. Asked in a CNN satellite interview Tuesday whether he would raise the issue of Bae, Rodman yelled in response, "I dont give a rats ass what the hell you think. ... One day this door is going to open because these 10 guys here." Smith placed his arm around Rodmans shoulder and a hand on his arm in an attempt to calm Rodman down. "I feel bad for Dennis, I feel bad for the players," Smith said afterward, adding that when he played for the United States in the 1988 Olympics he felt elation. "I felt huge, I felt on top of the world. But I feel the reverse now," he said. "I feel a lot of remorse for the guys because we are doing something positive, but its a lot bigger than us. We are not naive, we understand why things are being portrayed the way they are. We cant do anything about that, if we could we would. "Were not skilled in those particular areas," he added. "Dennis is definitely not skilled in those particular areas." Cheap Falcons Jerseys . Villar connected off Joe Saunders (11-14), sending a drive well over the left-field fence for his first career homer. The Astros scored six times in the first three innings to chase Saunders. Cheap Falcons Jerseys Authentic . In an interview with La Presse this week, the five-time Stanley Cup champion and three-time NHL scoring leader specifically took aim at wingers Thomas Vanek and Max Pacioretty, saying they cant show up in a 7-4 win over the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final and come up empty in Game 6. http://www.cheapfalconsjerseyselite.com/. A quick first step to get to the hoop for a layup. A rousing dunk on the break off a high outlet pass saved by teammate Ramon Sessions. Cheap Falcons Jerseys China . - The infectious smile was missing from Nam Nguyen last week. Wholesale Falcons Jerseys . New York Red Bulls. TSN primes Vancouver fans for the start of the 2014 season with MLS on TSN: Season Preview Special airing tonight at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt on TSN2 (encore Friday at 3:30pm et/12:30pm pt on TSN2).PENTICTON, B.C. - Darnell Nurse and Mitchell Moroz want to give the Edmonton Oilers a headache — in a good way. The pair are thought to be on the outside looking in for spots on the clubs NHL roster heading into training camp, but that isnt stopping either from dreaming big. "I just have to go out there every day and play hard. Thats all you can do," said Nurse, a slick defenceman with offensive flair. "Ill get every opportunity that I deserve, so Ive just got to go out and earn it." The Oilers appear to have as many eight men pencilled in ahead of Nurse on the blue-line depth chart with camp set to open Thursday, while its also difficult to see where Moroz might fit on the wing. Still, the pair remain undeterred as they take part in a four-team rookie tournament hosted by the Vancouver Canucks that also includes prospects from the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets. "Expectations might not be for me to make the squad, but if I can surprise some people and make it a hard choice, thats what I want to do," said Moroz, an Edmonton native. "Just push. This is your dream to put on this jersey ... my childhood team. Its an honour to put that logo on every night." Todd Nelson coaches the Oklahoma City Barons, the Oilers AHL affiliate, and is in charge of Edmontons rookie team in Penticton. He said part of the rebuild process for an organization that hasnt made the NHL playoffs since 2006 is a push for jobs from its prospects. "If those young guys can make (Oilers general manager) Craig MacTavish scratch his head about what he wants to do, then thats perfect," said Nelson. "Thats what we want. We want competition. These young guys are knocking on the door. They just have to keep on going and put pressure on from below and hopefully those guys up top feel it and they excel at their game and they improve and get better." The Oilers have drafted a number of forwards with high picks in recent years, including Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov and Leon Draisaitl, but Nurses skillset from the back end is something most successful NHL teams rely on to push the play. But his coach said that ability also hurts the seventh overall pick in 2013 at times. "He always wants to go (on the offensive). You have to pull the reins on him a bit," said Nelson. "Thats not a bad thing. Usually you have to give a guy a kick in the butt to get going. Thats something that hes going to havve to manage as he matures, and he will.dddddddddddd "Hes still a young kid and he wants to make an impact. Through experience hes going to settle down and find his game where its more controlled." Nurse, who still needs to fill out some of his six-foot-four 205-pound frame, agreed that keeping things simple will help him in the long run. "You have to consistently remind yourself youre here for a reason," said the 19-year-old Hamilton, Ont. native, who had 13 goals and 37 assists in 64 games for the OHLs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2013-14. "It makes your life a lot easier when youre not trying to do everyone elses job." The six-foot-two 214-pound Moroz, meanwhile, is coming off a Memorial Cup-winning season with the WHLs Edmonton Oil Kings where he put up 35 goals and 28 assists in 63 games, mostly by going hard to the net and playing with an edge. "You want to represent well," said the 20-year-old, who was the 32nd pick in 2012. "Coming off the summer youve got to find that line and flirt with it a little and not cross it. "Youve just got to get back to your game." While both Nurse and Moroz are hopeful of making the Oilers, it would appear the 18-year-old Draisaitl might have the best shot, based purely on need. Edmonton lacks depth at centre, and the third overall pick at Junes draft provides something club desperately needs down the middle — size. "I know people are watching and theyre always looking at me (and) what Im doing," said the six-foot-one 210-pound native of Cologne, Germany. "I think Im doing a pretty good job of blocking it out. I know what Im good at. I know what I have to work on. Thats what Im trying to do." Draisaitl had 38 goals and 67 assists in 64 games for the WHLs Prince Albert Raiders last season and, like Nurse, could remain with the Oilers for a nine-game audition at the start of his season before Edmonton would have to make a decision on whether to keep him or send him back to junior. While there has been lots of chatter about whether or not Draisaitl should break camp with the Oilers, like Nurse and Moroz, all hes focused on are the details that could help fulfil his dream as early as October. "Its a different level. Thats why its the best league in the world, because every player is a really good hockey player," he said. "I think once I get used to everything and I get back into game mode I have a pretty good chance." 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