Kobe Bryant: David Stern's 23-and-under Team USA idea is 'stupid'
Kobe Bryant and Mark Cuban do not agree when it comes to the Olympics. As you probably know, Cuban is the most enthusiastic Olympic hater in sports. He roots for Team USA to fail because he feels that the concept of allowing players who are under contract with NBA teams to risk injury in international competition is incredibly dumb. David Stern obviously agrees with Cuban in some way, as evidenced by the fact that he is hoping to make Olympic rosters 23-and-under in the future. Kobe is strongly opposed to that idea.
“It’s a stupid idea,” Bryant told reporters in Great Britain on Tuesday. “It should be a (player’s) choice. If I’m an owner, I would want my player to play (internationally) because I understand that they’re going to be playing anyway, going to be playing pickup basketball in the summertime, and I’m not going to be able to know where they are.
“They could be playing against a bunch of bums — no, really — guys that feel like they have something to prove and all of a sudden, a (star player) goes to the rim and a guy takes them out and now he’s hurt. Here you’re playing against the best guys, you have treatment around the clock, your (NBA) coaching staff can always come sit in the stands and view practice. To me, playing on an Olympic basketball team is actually better if you’re an owner.”
Cuban’s main beef is that the Olympic Committee profits from NBA team assets, but as far as injuries are concerned Kobe makes a valid point. Guys are going to play basketball over the summer no matter where they are — they have to in order to prepare for the season. They could blow out their knee in a charity game, too.
In fact, Kobe even went as far as to say he believes the Olympics help him to better prepare for the upcoming season. He pointed to the 2008-2009 season, saying it was his “best season in the NBA statistically.” I don’t know what he’s basing that on since his numbers have been better in several other seasons, but we get the point. Kobe likes the Olympics. I’m sure plenty of other players who are over 23 do as well.
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77 Comments:
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Kobe is an arrogant ass. The whole team USA concept is nothing but We bad mentality. It used to be about the best amateurs. Then our humility became pride because others were doing it and we as a nation are falling right into the world toilet. I am ashamed of what we are becoming and I refuse to root for Team Arrogant in the olympics just as I have done in the last 20 years!
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I don't think its fair. The 92 Dreamteam proved to the world that the US has the best players in any given Country. What I would like to see is ALL the nbas best players together Internationall and US born together to form a super team.(Non olympic event) This would represent the nba as a whole. Who would the opponents be? The rest of the worlds players not in the nba getting together to form their super team. That would be fun.
As far as the olympics go? Send our college players! They need the experience. It would help prepare them for the nba. So what if we lose! We all know no player in the world outside the nba's top athletes can defend Lebron, Durant and Kobe 1 on 1. Done deal! -
I agree send the college players players that know how to play team ball not one on one show boat garbage known as the NBA i cant stand the NBA or half the thugs that play in it. Hope they lose every game in the olympics!!!!!!!!!!!
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The Olympics have had professional players since basketball became an olympic sport. Until 1992, every country, except the USA, sent their pros to the games. Why should our amateurs play their pros? Also, who are all of these thugs in the NBA - Grant Hill? LeBron James? Kevin Love? Chris Paul? Tim Duncan? Kirk Hinrich? Jeremy Lin?
How many of the players on the All-NBA teams or the Olympic team have been in any trouble? Yet, there is this constant labeling of NBA players as thugs. -
They do have this. It's called The Harlem Globetrotters vs The Washington Generals. We all know the outcome!
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You are wrong. The only country who sending real amateurs to the Olympics was the USA until 1992. Before they were playing against the best players and national teams other countries could send. Most of those country's player were in their mid to late 20s. We were able to get away with sending under 21 year old college players until the rest of the world figured out that they could beat us with older more experienced players, the best they had in their country.
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agree, agree, agree
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You must be 15. It has never been about the best amateurs. All of the other countries used their professional basketball players except us. The 30 yr old europeans were pushing the 20 yr old US team around hence the 92 Dream Team.
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The most enhusiastic olympic hater must be "steveDel" whomever he might be, who wrote this trashy junk and posted it. Of course it is drawing the ignorant response that it is supposed to draw. Garbage in, garbage out.
If i sign an athlete for megamillions, i do not see any wrong in trying to protect that investment. Mark Cuban has every right to protect his investment. Team USA brings him no glory while he takes all the risk. And i dont want to hear about all the patriotic BS. Business is business.
The USA has lost games to interational competition. Do not get it twisted.
yes, i will like to see you face the rest of the world with the pampered US version of a 23 year old!!
Not a Kobe fan. I am partial to Shaq. But would not call him, Kobe, a total knucke head! Hell , Barkley abused a player from Angola on the court . It has always been a WE BAD mentality.
But we didn' t do it with CLAY in boxing, OWENS in track, when the going was good!!
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I beg to differ. I think you're the arrogant one. I am not a Kobe fan, but for once, I agree with him. Prior to the 1990s, we sent amateur athletes and were getting our butts kicked. There is no higher accolate than representing one's country. Stern and that asshole Cuban are only interested in protecting their investments. We ought to send that Cuban back to Cuba ! And where shall we send YOU/
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Just because a man has incredible athletic talent does not make him smart. Kobe is a knucklehead. He has lots of money and athletic ability but that does not make him smart enough to weigh in on such matters. Sports enthusiasts love to sup on anything Kobe and that makes me sad. My two-cents worth is that the Olympics should renew its original intent to allow only amateurs. Notice the period after that last sentence. AMATEURS ONLY. Once they become professionals, they are bound to their sports teams to take great care of themselves to continue to do great for their team. They forget that their team is who PAYS them. Mark Cuban is right in this case.
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Kobe's comments make a lot of sense. Besides, NBA players are conglomerates...brands. What better way can one improve his brand than by competing in international competition and stating his case as a marketing machine for overseas corporate sponsors?
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I can't believe I am saying this, but I agree with Kobe.
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I agree with Kobe as well. Frankly, the whole concept of amateurism in Olympics is a whimsical misremembrance and has been so for a long time. If an athlete of the talent necessary to play at an international level wants to be able to play for his her home country then make it clear in the contract. Mark Cuban only has to put a clause in the players contract that under the terms of the contract the player is barred from Olympics and other international play. There I just said that and I have no legal background. If you don't want your guy playing on the USA, just don't allow it...for the dime you pay these guys they will have to respect you. On ther other hand...If a guy wants to play for the USA and he's good enough, let him. The Commish is wrong in the mis -half-step.
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For sooooo many reasons it is time for David Stern to leave his position. How can this be made possible? As for Cuban...he's got too much sway in the NBA/Sterns corner anyway.
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Kobe makes a good point. However, I feel that Olympic participation should be limited for a different reason. As a fan, I get tired of looking at the same NBA players every 4 years. I propose that any basketball player's participation be limited to age 28 or until he or she has participated in two Olympic games, whichever comes first. This would open up participation to other players and still allow us to have a good representation in the games.
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My two cents are also for the Olympics to be for AMATEURS ONLY. are not the same
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I so agree about it being for amateurs only. How is anyone supposed to get a start in sports and gain recognition having to compete with professional athletes. They've already got plenty of limelight. Make space for the up and comers!
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Amateurs in the Olympics was and is a retarded idea. The Olympics is about sending the best athletes your country has in each respective sport. In the case of basketball we just happen to have the best payers in the world year in and year out. But to appease all you amateur backers we should just insult the rest of the world by saying you can't beat our best so we'll send the amateurs to go against your best.
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First, arrogance is beliving that you can buy a man's entire life - for any amount of money. It is not knowing you are very good at something. Owners do not own players, it is up to the players. If an owner wants to try to get a player to agree not to play during the summer that is up to the owner and the player. Kobe is many things, stupid is not one of them.
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Winter Olympics have been having professionals play forever. Foreign countries have used their professional players in basketball for quite some time now too.
I find it interesting that people say Kobe is arrogant, you have to be to have that competitive attitude. Do you think that Michael Jordan wasn't? What people don't realize is that Kobe plays hurt most of the year. When asked during the 2010-2011 season why he didn't take some time off to heal his knee, wrist, and finger, Kobe responded "People pay a lot of money to watch me play, so I'm going to play". This gave me a whole new respect for the man. I know players on my favorite team tend to sit out on their injuries (paper cuts and such). Kobe also has charities to fight homeless, Hunger, education, youth after school programs not only in the U.S. but in other countries. Kobe also speaks 4 languages (how many do you speak?). So after reading all this let me ask you this.... What current NBA player that is as good or better then Kobe does all this? yeah a real "knuckle head" kobe is huh
oh and BTW stern is an idiot. do some research -
Would Kobe playing Olympic without a NBA contract. Deron William would not play in the Olympic if he does not have the contract with the Net first. The USOC did not allow Deron to be on the team without the contract. Call it patriotism, but patriotism at someone else expense is not right. Would any of you willing to fork out the big chunk of your money and let somebody else use your asset for free? If you say yes, I would like to borrow your car for a month.
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how many champion ships has Cubin won? Or for that matter Sterns is this age discrimination I am hearing if so they should be tossed from the sport no good sportsman ship.
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How many past Olympic winners were denied their medal later because they were professionals. Keep the NBA and all pro sports out of the Olympics. It is just for commercial gain anyway.... Oh that and once we lost a basket ball game...
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I am a DIEHARD basketball fan. My wife and I co-founded a very successful AAU basketball club.
I have coached many local rec-teams (boys and girls). My daughter plays for former nationally ranked AAU basketball team. I scout basketball talent. I am a huge BOSTON CELTICS fan. I remember the original dream team -(Bird Magic Jordan etc.). My opinion has evolved - I now agree with KOBE - Yes - I hate the lakers. But I agree with his and Mark Cubans observations.
GO USA - -
Kobe is a knucklehead, and I have to agree with Mark Cuban.These team owners pay alot of money, to these,"none the less", knuckleheads, and I think he should have more control over what they do in the off season.Kobe has proved hes is a good player, but you know, all the trash talking and show boating these morons do during the Olympics, is just a good reason to break something, strain something, or permanently injure them for their so called carrer.I, am not a huge NBA fan,havent been since MJ played, hasnt been anyone really to get excited about watching since MJ, and personally, never will.Mark is right, these self absorbed trashing talking idiots should all just shut up, do as the owners say, and play BB and collect thier check.
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Kobe is right. Why does it make sense for OUR amateurs to play THEIR pro's? What does that have to do with ego? Our college stars would get mopped up. They likley would not even medal. Cuban only cares about the money, not the health of his players. If he cared about their health he woudl be lobbying for contracts that stipulate players are not to compete in any physycal activity in the off season. Of course Kobe deserves to weigh in. He is an elite NBA player and has earned this right.
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Yes we should keep sending these high school graduates overseas so they can see what the rest of the world is like. Dollars don't seem to make them any more intelligent. Other countries send their best pros on the other hand in basketball too. Once the NATIONAL basketball association changes to WORLD basketball then we can enjoy it here too. Stern needs to go...
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This is where I must disagree with the both of you. Like my man Steve said, (author of the article) ball players are going to play anyways during the offseason; whether it is summer ball, backyard ball, ghetto ball, or maybe just a pick-up game at the gym. Is there a chance for injury? Sure of course there is, but you also risk falling and breaking your neck on the way to the john in the morning. My point being; if you are going to risk your body, injury wise, what better platform than representing your country on the highest level and most prestigious competition there is as far as nations go. When you play on an Olympic Team you are doing more than just playing a "game" for money. You are representing your country and its values and to most "including every single athlete in the Olympics” I am sure that is very much worth it. As far as the money goes i think that instead of making a 23-and-under rule that they should bring this issue up in their contract. If a certain owner does not want his\her player's participating in the Olympics then make that a factor in the contract, monetarily or whatever. As far as Armatures go when I think of the Olympics I don't think of armatures. I think of the best competing against the best. Not the runner up to every person who is paid for their trade. That is not what "Gold" means to me. Sorry for the book everyone. Just something to chew on during lunch:)
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Think old Kobe forgot about that clause in his contract about getting hurt outside of playing for the "team" without permission. Pick up came, broken foot + no pay for that games you are out. Of coarse he is whining. He is at the end of his career and needs someplace to play when his two years are over at LA
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THE NBA SHOULD PUT IT IN CONTRACT FOR THEIR PLAYERS..... WE ALL KNOW THESE BIG PLAYERS LETS SEE SOME FRESH COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS AT THE OLYPIC ....IT WOULD BE MORE ENTERTAINING
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Would never work, for one the NBA has quite a few international players. What your gonna dictate that they can't play for their country? Hell when Ming was playing it was stipulated in his contract that he would play for the China national team. You wouldn't be able to let the international players represent their country and then tell our own they can't.
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I'm wondering if it is right to believe any man can buy another. The owners, leage officials can opt not to participate. They have now right to tell players who can an can not play in the Summer Games. Kobe has it right.
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I submit the World Cup as an example. Now, here’s a tournament that sends team owners to church every four years to ask the divine for protection of their investments. Mark Cuban do two things: Go to church and take out insurance policies for your Olympic players.
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Yankee and Socal...you two are both way off ..saying the US should go back to amateurs...please...then you'd all be crying foul..that so and so country is using professionals...Same cry baby BS!,,,
And Kobe is right...players are going to be play no matter what..why not for their country while their at it...You're thinking like Mark Cuban..only interested in his investments and F# ck the players if they want to play for their country...Now that is shameful greedy self-interest you should resist agreeing to . -
The Olympics should be an amateur competition. However, an overall rule change would be bad for the business of the Olympics at this point regardless if I think amateur competition is more "pure". In basketball, the best players go pro after one year of college. How do you pick that team?
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it they want to play let them play...stop the whining
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It's not just the US. All countries should only be entering amateurs. Wasn't that an Olympic rule in the past, for everyone?
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I garee..Kobe is an a**hole, and he is a r*pist. Th Olympics are for AMATEURS, not a bunch of whiney overpaid old men. Let's o back to the old days where the 2 were distinguishable from each other....what a crybaby adulterer.
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Everyone else has been playing pro players so we said oh well try this on for size. I love the Olympics and am glad Kobe is taking it on and would seem to be someone who could be involved for years in some way. Also it seems every commisioner sucks in some way to everyone, kind of like the President of the United States. No one is perfect and I don't think Stern is that bad, you have be strong on your role and not back down to anyone.
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Hopefully Kobe forgot a sentence or two---they are playing for THE US--PRIDE--SOLDIERS WITHOUT LEGS ETC--I favor giving game back to college players--we proved our best will swamp yours so turn game over to college dudes who might not play in NBA
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OK! Here's the deal, David Stern WILL always have something to say, may it be about sports or anything of that matter. Mark Cuban, shut-up and stick to what you know....your job, thanks. Keep in mind people, before the first "Dream Team", the USA was sending players under 23! To be honest, straight out of college or before or after the NBA Draft! Why do you think the "Dream Team" was created, think about? Kobe Bryant made some good points, it should be a players choice to participate, who wouldn't want to represent their country? Also keep in mind, no matter who what happens, those guys CHOOSE to play and represent the USA. Here's a question, I don't remember all this going on when Magic, Bird, and Jordan played? Here's the funny part, after each game the international teams were happy to play against! Another point, look at all the international player that play in the NBA now! Look, everybody is going to have an opinion anyway! Here's the real question, would you want Pro's or amateurs representing you on the world stage? Trust me, those other international teams don't care. They're using there pro's and have been doing this for years. When it comes to proceeds & profits (money), what you think they're doing? The same as any other good organization would do! Just for the record, just because the a player is bound to there team, who you think gave that player to go, think about that, HOLLA!
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the reason David Stern and Cuban don't stop the players from playing in the Olympics is because it is ultimately good for Professional Basketball brand, and they know it. They just like to whine and b..tch like the little girls, they are.
Nobody cared about professional basketball like they did after the "Dream Team" and they will see another lift for it after this years olympics.
I really could care less if we send the professionals or the amatuers, I just hate hypocrites.
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They need to go back to college players. The only reason they started using Pro players is because Russia cheated us and we got mad and wanted to show the world who is really the best. It was more fun to watch when it was college players. Hopefully we can find our way back to using college players. I'm glad we don't send pro boxers, imagine Mike Tyson as a Professional beating up some guy from Japan. Olympic Basketball isn't fun to watch anymore.
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Out of all these comments not one mentions the reason we have Olympians.They represent our country. If that is the case we should send our very best, no matter what age, race or NBA contract. Who do we want representing our country, the very best.
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kobe is 100% right! owners like cuban are just greedy!
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i never ever thought I would agree with Mark Cuban but he's right on the money that highly paid NBA players are under contract to their respective teams and thus owe them being in good physical condition and health by the time they are due to report for the ardors of preseason and the grueling 82 game season ahead. But it's the Olympic Committee that is at fault for allowing professionals of any country to complete in what, historically, has been for amateur athletes, going back to the ancient Greeks. Thus, the entire spirit of The Olympics has been destroyed. The U.S. has enough great college players to ably represent our country. Isn't it a bit ironic that a college coach runs our program? I say give it back to our best college & amateur athletes who are more deserving of the opportunity and who would play with even more intensity & passion than pro athletes who are there mostly to enhance their commercial marketing.
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Hey Guys;
I remember when. Sorry Kobe's right. People pay to see the best athlete's. That's what they should get.
For those of you that aren't old enough, the U.S.A. , used to play 21 and under, and would get face planted, by the other, so called National Teams. After the first round your Olympic experience was over. lol -
Hello? the best country in the world sends its best athletes, don't quit your day job haters and see if your boss will let you turn on the Olympics at work to witness the great USA—and then feel privileged you get to witness greatness
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Ok really everyone?? First off, the olympics are a display of the best atletes from all over the world, NOT play time for the up-and-comers! Second, stop with the "team arrogant" crap. Its not arrogance, we all know that team USA is the best basketball team in the world and so to do the players themselves. Instead of demeaning our own players, maybe we could all show a little pride in our country. You don't see fans from Spainish or Brazilian soccer fans complaining that their team is too good and that they should play their amateurs. They are damn proud of their soccer teams, and we should be the same about our basketball teams. Third, Mark Cuban is a BUSINESSMAN, who could never know the feeling of playing basketball as a representative of his country, and he needs to stfu trying to keep the greatest players in the world from playing for their country>
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I agree with Stern and Cuban, to a point. The Olympolitics was ruined once the professional athletes replaced the amateurs. It's now as much a political and commercial spectacle as it is a sports' showcase. I don't watch many of the events anymore because of this.
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Someone once asked Kobe, "Which are you more proud of, your NBA championships or your gold medal?" He said, "Nothing beats playing for your country." Why he would want to play for the assholes on this thread is beyond me. He is one of the greatest players to ever play, and he can play in the Olympics until he gets his AARP card as far as I'm concerned.
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I don't know too many times I've heard david stern and right or intelligent follow.
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Kobe Bryant is one of the most eloquent and articulate athletes we have ever seen. The haters are fans of teams Kobe has DESTROYED. Kobe's comments above are all SPOT ON, and I SURE WOULD LOVE to be in all their homes when the LAKESHOW signs Dwight Howard and gets Kobe rings number 6 & 7.
We INVENTED hoops, and we have to MAKE SURE we win EVERY FOUR YEARS. Yo, KOBE - keep up the good work and get us the GOLD MEDAL, BLACK MAMBA!!!! -
I don't care about Basketball and actually think it's quite boring but I have to agree with Kobe on this. For all those that are so worried about professionals playing in the Olympics and are using their pay as an excuse... That is fine but let's go ahead and have a talk with your boss and make it so you can't play any sports, not even to teach your own kids how to play!!! I mean it's the same thing to your employer if you get hurt while playing a sport outside of work isn't it? Heck, why don't we just supersize everything we eat and drink at the same time. When it comes to the NBA players, they are going to get hurt whether they play in the Olympics or they play a pickup game and yes, don't be stupid enough to believe they aren't doing just that in their off time. The simple fact is that we should be sending our best to the Olympics no matter what their professional status is. We are there to win pride not some medal for our country and no other country is holding back, why should we. Yes I do agree that there should be some sort of limit on how many times anyone can be on the olympic team but that is another subject altogether.
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I agree with kobe, and mark cuban needs to go some ware and sit down, and david stern needs to wake up and smell the coffee, if U.S.A. send 21 and under the other countries may not, and we may not win another gold, and I fill as long as you can play and the fans vote for you, then so be it because we as fans fill the seats, and we pay and vote for who we want to see bottom line
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Last time I checked this was the USA. I was under the impression we had a certain amount of freedom to do what we wanted. As far as I'm concerned if a pro athlete wants to play basketball in the Olympics or at a friends house or where ever he wants to that's his business. Not any of you arm chair coaches. Yeah they sign contracts to show up to practice and games during the NBA season but they are entitled to do what they want in the off. How would you all feel if your boss said you couldn't play softball, water ski, drink beer at a friends BBQ or what ever in the summer or winter months because they have a vested interest in your well being. You would all be pissed. I can't stand Kobe. I really don't care for him or basketball for that matter but he has rights just like you and me.
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Most basketball players Sign contracts restricting their participation in activities that may cause them physical injury. The players willfully agree to these activity limitations in exchange for huge monetary contracts and wonderful benefits. Players are a team’s financial investment and are very muck similar to a market commodity. The owners want to protect their investment from injury. Like it or not, sports is about making money both for the owners and the players. Sure the Olympic Games are an opportunity for country pride. Of course all Americans want the finest team available. We can still root for the USA and have super competitive teams by utilizing the talents of non-pros.Let's go U.S.A.
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TOTALLY AGREE WITH KOBE HERE!!! LOOK, the USA, like any nation, plays its BEST players in every sport. WHY should it be different with basketball?? It's the Olympic Committee's fault if they want to continue having a sport that was created and populated by the USA! Now, look, a LOT of nations are starting to get better and better at basketball. Some of them are even really starting to master old school fundamentals that our pro players are losing somewhat with their street-ball style. Look at the hard time Team USA had with Brasil b/c Brasil had the best pick and roll I've seen this side of Stockton/Malone. And European teams tend to focus on great shooting which can get the better of Team USA. Look at a huge guy like Dirk Nowitzski that can totally stroke it! SEVERAL teams now have NBA players playing for them. Brazil had SIX NBA players! It just happens that a team assembled of American NBA'ers is better than a team assembled of Brazilian (or whoever) NBA'ers. That is just how it is. Just like a team assembled of Chinese or Russians is gonna be better at gymnastics than most anybody else....or a team assembled of Canadian or Eastern European hockey players is gonna be naturally better than anyone else in the winter Olympics. That doesn't mean you don't ALLOW the nation to play its best! COME ON!!!
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I agree with Kobe! Stern is an idiot making a comment like that. Anyone saying that NBA players shouldn't play because they are not ametuers is ridiculous. Most countries would lose most of their athletes. An athlete loses ametuer status once they start accepting money. Michael Phelps and Subway? David Beckham and all his endorsements. I would be willing to bet that Usian Bolt has endorsements. Ohno during the winter Olympics. Shawn Johnson had endorsements.
I was always under the impression the Olympics was for the best athletes in the world. That's why they have to qualify in each country. Why can't we send our best basketball players. Whoever it was that posted the NBA players should only be allowed to play to a certain age or only once to give other players a chance makes no sense. Look how many times Phelps has competed. Are you saying he can't anymore? He is over 28. So wasn't the woman swimmer at the last Olympics, her name slips my mind, but I believe she was close to 40. They are the best in their sport so they should be who represents us.
Cuban can bite the big one. Yes he and other owners give their players millions but who is making these owners all their money. That's why I believe college athletes should be paid but not get scholarships. But that's a different topic. Can't wait for the Olympics. -
Haters,
Like it or not, the rest of the world uses professionals in EVERY sport in the olympics in order to win gold. Our Country has an obligation to put our best up against their best in order to make each competition equal and show an accurate display of competition. This is for the pride of this Country, not just for bragging rights!!! I want the best we have to go out there and represent us for gold-period. David Stern, Mark Cuban and all of the other power brokers out there who are talking out their azz simply for their own selfish reasons can kiss mine. The Olympics trumps ALL other sporting events and I hope it always stays that way. USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA!!!!!!!!!!!!
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it is just sports people, lighten up!!!!
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Okay, if the olympics goes back to allowing only true amateurs, then let's start sending our college kids again. But in basketball, the national teams of the rest of the world aren't college kids; they're grown men who play for a living (professionals) and are used to playing together. Our teams were so talented that we could slap a disparate group of teenagers and twenty-somethings together with just a couple of months to prepare and still kick most of the world's butt. However, the quality of international players continued to increase. Their pros became good enough to crack the NBA and many of them grasped the fundamentals better than NBA ballers. So after the screw-job by the Russians, the US decided to do what everybody else had already been doing; sending professionals. By the way, the original Olympics were contested by professionals as well. This notion of the pure love of sport was a 20th century creation. And as long as the rest of the world sends their pros, so should we.
And loath though I am to admit it, Kobe's right; it would be foolish to send a team of kids to the Olympics now. They'd get eaten alive. And furthermore, he's right when he says that players are going to play regardless; so what does it matter where they get hurt? Doug Williams' career ended with a back injury incurred while working out at home on a treadmill. Let 'em play, or let EVERYBODY send TRUE amateurs. -
Kobe is correct, this time.....he makes a very good point. I understand Cuban's concerns as he's always only concerned about himself. Cuban is the most immature person in basketball - it's not fair, I'll take my ball and go home.
The Dream Team was created to put the world on notice. We all knew each and every Olympcis it was American amateurs against the world's professionals (1980 Hockey) and when we won it created national fervor and passion. Today, not so much..... -
stop the dunking and hanging off the rim - many injuries would go away
no shots within 3 feet of the basket
6 men on a team instead of 5 -
Who is the puppet and who is the puppet master? Stern or Cuban? Doesn't really matter, they're both idiots!
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Wow, does anyone have any pride in the US anymore? Last time I checked many of the players from other sports who earn their living in the US play for their native country during the olympics which I think is a total slap in the face. Gee, maybe Kobe is actually HONORED to be playing for the US did anyone think of that? Sometimes it's not about the money because let's face it they are all making way more money than any of us could even dream of. Mark Cuban and this other guy are making plenty of money, they should be encouraging their guys to play. Didn't Yao Ming play for China? Hmmm, double standard if you ask me. The players from other countries are also professionals in their countries too. The US isnt the only country to have professional athletes.
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Well folks if you don't like the idea of the best players representing the U.S.A., then we shouldn’t have basketball, baseball, or any sport that is an actual pro sport in the Olympics. To cap the max age at 23 is saying will well most likely be using college students again and that is ok, but what about their future? Say they play in the Olympics and injury themselves and it’s a career ender, you just killed the hopes and dreams. Every day basketball players wake up just like the rest of us and things happens. So I say let them do what they like to do; PLAY, because they’re sports life is short compared to a normal job. The only career I know that is just as short is the Military or Law Enforcement and those are a whole lot tougher to deal with if you get injured, because there’s no millions of dollars to fall back on. Everyone in the NBA gets money and it's still not enough.
