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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 Lions Jerseys . - First-timer Chris Harris Jr. Wholesale Lions Jerseys . To be fair, the celebrations are already anything but tame. Nerf ball tricks shots are just the tip of the iceberg for a group that has performed in zero gravity, faced pro-skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and an assembled team on the MTV series "Fantasy Factory", and even hit a basketball trick shot from a passing blimp. http://www.cheaplionsjerseyselite.com/. The match, billed as a "next-gen" encounter between two of the sports rising stars, lasted two and a half hours. The loss kept Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., from reaching a third fourth-round spot in Melbourne over the past four years.ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Rams have been very rough on Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks. It hasnt helped the bottom line.Though Drew Stanton was carted off with a right knee injury, just like Carson Palmer was a month ago, the Rams couldnt get enough done on offence.At the end of the game they were down to their third-string guy, defensive end Chris Long said after a 12-6 loss Thursday night. Theyve got enough players that they made more plays than us.Chandler Catanzaro kicked four field goals and the Cardinals overcame the loss of quarterback Drew Stanton with stifling defence, getting a sack and fumble recovery from Larry Foote.When people go down, we dont even ask how bad it is, Foote said. We just keep rolling. We definitely dont want our quarterback getting hurt. We just say on the defensive side, Lets hold them.Coach Bruce Arians said Stanton had a previous knee injury so will need an MRI exam to determine the extent of the damage. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald seemed to believe Stanton would be out a while, and added about Lindley, Were going to rally around him.Were a resilient group, Fitzgerald added. Weve got a great defence, too.The Rams (6-8) were held to Greg Zuerleins two short field goals and had five three-and-out series in the third quarter. Catanzaros 23-yard field goal early in the second quarter ended nine quarters of shutout defence by St. Louis, which beat Washington and Oakland by a combined 76-0 the previous two weeks.Our defence kept us in the game, tight end Jared Cook. We couldnt capitalize on them flipping the field for us.Its the third time this season the Rams were held to single-digit scoring, and first in five games since Shaun Hill recaptured the quarterback job.Just mental errors, which is the bad part, Hill said. Physical errors are going to happen. Were humans. But on a short week, we have to be dialed in that much more and not have the mental errors and the mental breakdowns.Ryan Lindley was ineffective in his first appearance since 2012 in relief of Stanton, who injured his right knee on rookie Aaron Donalds sack in the third quarter, but it didnt matter. Palmer sustained a season-ending knee injury during their 31-14 victory over St. Louis at home last month.The Cardinals (11-3) entered tied for the top overall record in the NFC and will clinch a playoff spot if Sundays Dallas-Philadelphia game doesnt end in a tie, or a Detroit loss combined with a Green Bay victory.I thought our defence played well enough for us to win, coach Jeff Fisher said, but quickly added a turnover would have been nice. In situations like this, when your offence is struggling, your defence has got to make a play. We were close.The Rams were eliminated from playoff contention.Ryan Lindley was iineffective in his first appearance since 2012 in relief of Stanton, who injured his right knee on a sack in the third quarter, but it didnt matter.dddddddddddd The Cardinals lost Carson Palmer to a season-ending knee injury during their 31-14 home victory over St. Louis last month.Kerwynn Williams was the Cardinals offensive standout with 75 yards on 15 carries. Stanton was 12 of 20 for 109 yards and Lindley was 4 of 10 for 30 yards.The Cardinals (11-3) entered tied for the top overall record in the NFC and will clinch a playoff spot if Sundays Dallas-Philadelphia game doesnt end in a tie, or a Detroit loss combined with a Green Bay victory.Rams players had no apparent protests relating to unrest in nearby Ferguson. Two weeks ago, five players did the Hands Up, Dont Shoot pose coming out of the tunnel during pre-game introductions, and last week players wrote I Cant Breathe!!! on wrist bands and cleats.Rams rookie Tre Masons fumble gave the Cardinals a short field that set up Catanzaros first field goal. Frostee Rucker punched the ball free and Foote recovered at the St. Louis 27.It was the first score given up by the Rams since Nov. 23, when San Diego scored the winning touchdown with just over 8 minutes left in a 27-24 victory.Michael Floyd 49-yard reception set up Catanzaros 44-yard field goal that put the Cardinals up 6-3 midway through the second. Catanzaro made kicks of 51 yards and 46 yards in the second halfBoth teams had key defenders active coming off ankle woes. Arizonas Antonio Cromartie and St. Louis Chris Long had been questionable.Arizona committed five penalties on its first two possessions, twice wiping out big gains. Shaun Hill was 4 for 4 with completions of 21 yards to Benny Cunningham on a screen and Cory Harkey for 16 yards to set up Zuerleins 24-yard field goal in the first. Zuerlein missed an extra-point kick and two field goals inside the 40 last week.Last month, Arizona outscored the Rams 21-0 in the fourth quarter, with two defensive touchdowns, to come from four points down to win 31-14. After that game, St. Louis benched Austin Davis in favour of Hill.Notes: Fitzgerald was held in check against a team hes dominated with seven receptions for just 30 yards. Still, at 31 he became the youngest player to 900 career catches. In 22 games against St. Louis, he has 128 receptions and 16TDs, most against any opponent. ... The Rams led at halftime of their previous five home games this season, two of them losses. ... The Cardinals took the lead in the series, 36-35-2. ... Arizona is 7-0 at home and 4-3 on the road. ... The Rams entered with consecutive wins for the first time this season and are 3-4 at home.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '