Retired General Martin E. Dempsey, the new chairman of USA Basketball, said Thursday that whether Team USA players ever embrace President-elect Donald Trump is not that important.They are not representing President-elect Trump, Dempsey said on the ESPN/ABC News podcast Capital Games. They are representing the country where we have a system that stood the test of time with three separate and equal branches of government, representing 350 million people.Dempsey is the new chairman of USA Basketball, but he wont have a primary role with the senior mens national team for the next four years.Outgoing chairman Jerry Colangelo will remain as the managing director of the national team for the next four years and thus work most closely with new Team USA coach Gregg Popovich. Colangelo will essentially serve as the teams general manager.Popovich, who coaches the San Antonio Spurs, has been outspoken in his criticism of Trump since the Nov. 8 election.Dempsey said the Team USA coach is the one who has to take a team that is representative of the country by ethnicity and race and has to pull it together, and that Popovich is expressing concern about how easy its going to be to do that in the next four years.But thats something weve been asked to do.Dempsey said the national anthem is appropriate to be played at sporting events.Its absolutely the appropriate place to celebrate our country, Dempsey said, adding there are other venues to express disagreement and that he doesnt disparage others for making those choices.Dempsey said he spoke to the mens and womens national teams at the past two Olympic Games and the World Cup of Basketball about what it means to wear the U.S. uniform in that setting.I tell them this is different since you are representing the United States, Dempsey said. ?Celebrate the freedoms we enjoy that arent available around the world. It is different representing the USA national team.Dempsey said the connection that outgoing President Barack Obama had with basketball and USA Basketball was unique because of his love of the game. He added that wont be the case with President-elect Trump. Austin Bryant Lions Jersey . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. Marvin Jones Jr Youth Jersey . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. http://www.shopdetroitlionsnfl.com/lions-jarrad-davis-black-jersey/ . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. 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But as soon as the offensive line got better, the quarterback got better. And as soon as the running game improved, the quarterback got better. When those things happen, you can throw when you want to and not when you have to.Tannehill leads the Dolphins (5-4) against the Rams (4-5) on Sunday in Los Angeles. Miami remained in southern California to practice this week after beating the Chargers last weekend.The play of Tannehill is a big reason Miami is rolling. During the winning run, Tannehill hasnt turned over the ball.I think thats the biggest thing for us right now is taking care of the football (and) not giving the other team opportunities with good field position, and keeping ourselves in the right spot, said Tannehill, whos thrown for 2,117 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. If we can continue doing that, I think well continue to win games.The Dolphins struggled at the seasons onset. But they rebounded and that speaks volumes to Tannehill.Im proud of the way that guys have battled and the way we faced adversity throughout our season, the way we stuck together and kept battling, kept staying on track, working to get better week in and week out, Tannehill said. That hunger to succeed -- that hunger to win -- has been huge for us on our team.dddddddddddd. Im excited about where were at right now.Tannehill is in the right spot more often thanks to his work with Gase. The two consistently worked on various aspects of Tannehills game.Were constantly trying to improve, Tannehill said. Theres always something, whether its feet, moving in the pocket -- whatever it is. Were constantly trying to improve and get better.Tannehill was nearly at his best Sunday when beating the Chargers 31-24. He completed 17 of 24 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns, posting a 130.6 quarterback rating. It was the second-highest quarterback rating of Tannehills career behind only his perfect mark of 158.3 vs. Houston on Oct. 25, 2015.I think hes done a good job of decision making, Gase said. Receivers and him are on the same page, along with the tight ends. I think the protection, you know the line has done a really good job as far as keeping him fairly protected. I know he takes some shots, but there are a couple of times where he knows hes going to get hit because hes holding onto it. Hes trying to take a shot down the field.Tannehill has been sacked just three times in four games as the unit absorbs Gases offensive system.Its not just me, Tannehill said. Its the O-line giving me time to make good throws, and receivers being in the right spot and making plays on the football. It takes everyone.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '