PYONGYANG, North Korea -- Former NBA star Charles D. Air Jordan 11 Uk Sale . 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." Jordan Retro 11 Uk . The Canadian defensive tackle suffered the injury on Monday and had tests done on Tuesday. He was a potential starter on the defensive line but head coach Mike OShea said he wasnt even thinking about the ratio when he got the news. Authentic Jordan 11 For Sale Cheap . -- Theres been so much talk about Mike Moustakas at the plate that the third baseman ignored the conversation Wednesday -- even after doing something positive. http://www.airjordan11uk.com/ . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.TAMPA, Fla. - Hoping to spark one of the NFLs least productive offences, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are turning back to Josh McCown at quarterback.The 12th-year pro started the first three games of the season, but has missed the past five after injuring the thumb on his throwing hand.McCowns return Sunday against Atlanta comes with the Bucs (1-7) riding a four-game losing streak. He was hurt during the opening half of a 56-14 to the Falcons on Sept. 18.Coach Lovie Smith hinted at a change on Monday, then Glennon confirmed the change on his radio show. The Bucs are ranked 31st in total offence and are 26th in scoring.The 35-year-old McCown has been a backup for most of a career that includes stints with Arizona, Detroit, Oakland, Carolina and Chicago, where he played for Smith, then coach of the Bears. He signed a two-year, $10 million contract with Tampa Bay in free agency and was immediately named the starter.Smith declined Wednesday to answer hypotheticals about whether Glennons play or McCown health was the main reason for the switch. McCown returned to practice last month and was active, but did not play, the past two weeks while Glennon struggled during losses to Minnesota and Cleveland.Josh was the starter before he got hurt. Hes healthy and hes back in, the coach said before later conceding the Bucs need more than theyve been getting from their quarterbacks.I think its the same with every position. You look at the production, and what were getting at the time, Smith said. I think we need better play at the quarterback position. You start with that. ... We need a little boost. Its like that with all positions. If the play isnt what we think it should be, were going to look and see if theres another option we can look at.While hes excited about having a second chance to lead the offence, McCown said he has mixed feelings about replacing Glennon, who played his way back to the bench after beating Pittsburgh and performing well in an overtime loss to New Orleans in his first two starts. Buy Air Jordan 11 Uk. .As a competitor, you want to play, McCown said, adding that he still believes Glennon, who started 13 games as a rookie in 2013, has a promising future.From that regard you have mixed emotions, McCown added. But at the same time, as a captain on the team, and a player whos on a 1-7 team, you want to do everything you can to help the team win.McCown has thrown for two touchdowns and been intercepted four times this year after raising his stock a year ago, when he threw for 13 TDs and was only intercepted once in eight games while filling in for an injured Jay Cutler in Chicago.He said he wishes the team had been able to win more games under Glennon. At the same time, he acknowledged its good to have another shot at proving Smith made a good decision by signing him last winter.That certainly would be a bad taste in my mouth. But I think at this point, its about helping the guys come together and find a way to win a ball game. Thats what matters, McCown said.Glennon, whos thrown for 1,417 yards, 10 TDs and six interceptions, said hes taking the decision in stride.Obviously, it was disappointing, not what I liked. But Im going to keep preparing the same way as I always have. .. Whatever I can do to help the team, Im going to continue to do that, the second-year pro said.You wish you could have some throws back. But every quarterback in the NFL wishes he could have some throws back, Glennon added. Im not going to let it bother my confidence. I know what Im capable of doing.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '