Garth Joseph is a 7-foot-3, 320-pound center who played at St. Rose College in up-state New York and had brief stints in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets. The Dominica native also played a large role in the development of Iran's top talent, center Hamed Hadadi.
Memphis Grizzlies Rookie Stars at Olympics
"When playing other big men in Asia and around the world, I know how to defend them because I've had to play against Garth seven or eight times. And that really raised my level. The Americans definitely had a great influence on us in Iran," said the 7-foot-2, 24-year-old Hadadi, who is hoping to become the first Iranian to make the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Hadadi made a big name for himself by averaging a double-double (16.6 points, 11.2 rebounds) as well as 2.6 blocks at the Olympics. He also scored 32 points in the final of the Asian Championships, which sent Iran to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Americans Teaching Iranians Basketball Fundamentals
Among the finer points the inexperienced Iranians soaked up from the Americans were passing out of the double-team and how to beat the 2-3 zone.
Jamaal Davis, who starred for one season in Iran, said Iranian players lack fundamentals and suggested that Iranian coaches should go to coaching clinics in the United States or Europe to improve Iran's chances of producing more top talent.
One Iranian who was highly-touted as a prospect was 7-foot-4 Jaber Rouzbahani. Davis, however, was not impressed when he saw the 22-year-old three seasons ago.
"If Jaber had any fundamentals he'd be an NBA player. He should have gone to college in the States and learned the game because he'd be one of the best mobile big men in the NBA," said Davis.
Difference Huge After Just a Few Years
Another of Iran's biggest stars, shooting guard Mohammad Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, sees a huge difference between his country now and just a few years back.
"American players help us a lot. When we play against them we must improve our game. We learn a lot of new things," said Samad Bahrami, who averaged 17.2 points and 3.2 rebounds at the Olympics.
"I remember four or five years ago, Iranian basketball was nothing. If we played one of those (Iranian national) teams now, we'd beat them by like 100 points. And now we are not afraid when we play against other American players or Europeans or other Asians. We feel more confident and comfortable."
Different Culture For Americans
The Americans going over to Iran, however, are not always comfortable - despite Iranians being friendly to them. Living in an Islamic society requires a certain adjustment - with differences ranging from no bars and clubs to no parties, pork or beer - at least in public. Guards even accompany teams for away games to make sure that players don't drink or carouse.
"There were a lot of restrictions in the lifestyle. They don't really live as freely. There's no freedom of speech there. You can't really socialize as you like," said Marsh, who also described an underground world with bootleggers delivering such contraband as alcohol and bacon.
Taboo Tattoos
Two seasons ago, the Iranian league even decided to crack down on tattoos as more and more Iranian players were getting bodywork done just like their American teammates, who were not forced to cover their tattoos.
"It is ridiculous, we have not copied them (the Americans), the ancient champions in Iran all had tattoos," Iranian player Behnam Afradi was quoted as saying. "It is their excellent style that inspires us".
Anti-American Rallies
There are also the occasional anti-American rallies or paintings or billboards which the American players have to put out of their minds - such as a painting on the side of a Teheran building of the U.S. flag with bullets coming out of it.
"It was a bit strange, but I was okay with it," said Marsh, who also once walked into his club's practice gym and posters with anti-American sayings were hanging on the wall.
"Our managers tore the posters down. And I knew they didn't feel that way towards us."
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