VORSTELLUNGEN » guard Goran Dragic (sprained ankle) and now is without

NEW YORK -- Disillusionment. Fear. Rage.In a divided America, the political conventions are sure to arouse those sensations among the millions of viewers tuned in. Then in a commercial break, an electric guitar will blare the final lines of the The Star-Spangled Banner over images of a diverse group of U.S. athletes tearing up as they heard their national anthem during 2012 Olympic medal ceremonies.The words flash by on the screen, white on a black background, between the shots of sobbing and beaming champions: FOR 17 DAYS ... WE ARE ALL ... UNITED. The 30-second spot closes with a rising American flag, the graphic for NBCs Rio Games coverage and the date of the opening ceremony.NBC is buying ad time on other networks during both conventions the next two weeks, seeking a receptive audience for a not-so-subtle message.The country is more partisan, seemingly, than its ever been, said John Miller, the chief marketing officer for NBC Olympics. And for 17 days, we say were all united. For 17 days, we all root for Team USA. Weve got to put everything aside for a minute.The ad debuted March 15, the day of crucial primaries in Ohio and Florida, and aired on CNN and Fox News along with NBC networks. It appeared frequently during NBCs coverage of the Olympic trials, but it will again accompany non-sports fare at the conventions.Any place theyre talking about politics, thats the spot were going to run, Miller told The Associated Press last week.With so much bleak news over the past few weeks -- terrorist attacks, shootings and political division -- another NBC ad promotes the message of global unity, with athletes narrating scenes of competitors from different countries embracing.I dont know of anything else in the world, the voiceover goes, that brings people together and empowers people so purely as the Olympics does.The motivation for NBC in these spots isnt just to lure in viewers hoping for a break from the news of the day. Its also to seek to frame the Olympics as a pure, inspiring event amid the troubles swirling around the Rio Games -- from the Zika virus to Brazilian political turmoil, from polluted waters to doping scandals.Miller, once the executive behind NBCs classic must-see TV campaign, was looking to counteract those sorts of concerns before the 2008 Games when he first produced an ad with these themes. Beijing brought its own set of worries, from human rights issues to air pollution.This is the part of the story where Miller mentions Yoko Ono. He went to John Lennons widow to buy the rights to Imagine for a 60-second spot with a message of global unity.NBC tested the commercial with potential viewers, and Miller expected it to do well with an older audience. The way the network sells advertising for the Olympics, what matters is the number of households tuned in more than the demographics. So Miller wouldnt have been too alarmed if the spot captivated older viewers but flopped with younger ones.I specifically made it a little schmaltzy to capture that older audience, he recalled.To his shock, the ad, while popular with all ages, tested best with the 18-to-34-year-old range. As he summed up the explanation those younger viewers would relate: The country had been at war at least half of their memorable lives.That notion of American unity, as well as global unity, is extraordinarily strong and resonates with the young as well as the old, Miller said. But it even resonates more strongly with the young.So the theme became a valuable one for NBC to promote both Summer and Winter Games, a way to connect with younger viewers who will one day make up the main audience under the networks lengthy contract to broadcast the Olympics. Miller acknowledged NBC is probably pushing that refrain even harder this time around.It seems to be more appropriate now than ever, he said.NBC dives deep into its research of Olympic viewership, though its never looked specifically into whether depressing news in the real world makes viewers more likely to tune in. As it happens, the Beijing Games marked the start of an upswing for Olympic ratings in the United States.Jim Bell, the executive producer for NBC Olympics, doesnt have any numbers to prove why exactly viewers tune in, but he does know what he keeps hearing from acquaintances who tell him theyre looking forward to the Rio Games: How they need a break -- whether its from their job, or the news cycle, or their kids. Wilbert Montgomery Eagles Jersey .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. Chuck Bednarik Womens Jersey . It might not have mattered. While the Dodgers are preparing for the playoffs, the Padres showed their future has promise behind two rookies. https://www.eaglessportsgoods.com/Womens-Fletcher-Cox-Inverted-Jersey/ . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Brian Westbrook Youth Jersey . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Reggie White Youth Jersey . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. MIAMI -- The Atlanta Hawks won in a different manner than usual.The Miami Heat, their story stayed the same.Dennis Schroder scored 18 points, Paul Millsap and Tim Hardaway Jr. each had 15 and the Hawks pushed their winning streak to five games by beating the reeling Heat 93-90 on Tuesday night.The Hawks were held nearly 17 points below their season scoring average, and prevailed despite shooting just 35 percent in the fourth quarter.To find a way to win on the road against a team that competes every night in Miami, I think its a positive, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said.Mike Muscala scored 14 and Kent Bazemore added 12 for the Hawks. Dwight Howard had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks, before leaving with 3:06 left in the third quarter with a bruised left thigh.Were obviously not playing our best basketball yet, Millsap said.Hassan Whiteside scored 19 points and grabbed an NBA season-high 25 rebounds for Miami, which has now dropped six straight. The eight Heat losses so far this season have come by an average of 6.9 points -- with three of the last four coming by four points or less.All of the teams that have beaten Miami so far are currently over .500.Were not losing to bad teams, Whiteside said. Were right there. It makes no sense to get down on ourselves. Its not like were getting blown out. Were still a top-five defensive team. Were just trying to get the offense there. Were going to get it right.Josh Richardson also scored 19 for Miami, which got 14 points from Tyler Johnson, 13 from James Johnson and 11 from Dion Waiters.Miami got within one twice in the final 13.6 seconds, but the Hawks held on with free throws. Schroder swished a pair with 5.9 seconds left to put Atlanta up by three, and the Heat -- with no timeouts -- lost when Waiters 3-pointer hit thhe rim and bounced away as time expired.ddddddddddddThis is where you just have to have great mental resolve to stay the course, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Eventually, you get your breakthrough.TIP-INSHawks: Despite his night ending early, Howard got his eighth double-double in 10 games this season. ... The Hawks have been the NBAs best team so far this season in forcing turnovers, and were at it again Tuesday. They turned 23 Heat turnovers into 25 pointsHeat: Miami was again without point guard Goran Dragic (sprained ankle) and now is without forward Justise Winslow (sprained wrist). Rodney McGruder started for Winslow. ... Plenty of seats were empty, but the game was declared Miamis 300th consecutive home sellout based on tickets distributed.HI, MOMThe Heat honor a soldier before every home game, and choose a player to present him or her with an award in a center-court ceremony. Richardson got picked to do the honors Tuesday night -- since the Heat were honoring his mother, retiring U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alice Richardson.HI, DADHardaway Jr. finally had a good game in the building where his fathers number is retired.Tim Hardaways No. 10 sways from the Heat rafters next to Alonzo Mournings No. 33 (and soon, Shaquille ONeals No. 32). But his son had struggled in his first four games as a visitor to Miami, shooting a combined 7 for 36 -- including 1 for 20 from 3-point range.But he made 6 of 10 shots on Tuesday.UP NEXTHawks: Host Milwaukee on Wednesday. Atlanta is off to a 5-1 start at home this season.Heat: Host Milwaukee on Thursday. The Heat will spend part of Wednesday handing out Thanksgiving dinners to 600 underprivileged families. ' ' '