Players that skip worlds won't be able to play in Olympics
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2quik4u
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Lovejoy1984
Yeah.
If Kobe, Lebron, D12, Melo, and a few others players didn't plays worlds, they'd let them play in the Olympics.
They're just trying to scare the Joe Johnsons of the world into playing Worlds. -
sleeper
LOL @ CLOWNANGELGO thinking of preventing Lebron from playing in the Olympics. He'd lose his job quicker than...well he'd lose his job pretty damn fast LOL -
Azubuike24
^^^I don't agree.
All this does is cheapen the Olympics. Today, many professional athletes in other major sports don't see the Olympics like many of the past athletes do. All this rule does is push the allure of the Olympics further down on the priority list.
Instead of backlash on people like Colangelo, you will just have major sports with less participation. -
darbypitcher22
that's not what the article said.
It didn't say they wouldn't be allowed to play....
It just said that if they don't play worlds, don't think they'll be able to just walk onto the Olympic team without some scrutiny -
Azubuike24
Yes, and many athletes are already don't value the Olympics like they used to.
Why would Colangelo try to intimidate or threaten them in any way?
Like others said, if LeBron James wants on the team, he can show up on the last day and he's got a spot. -
SQ_Crazies
No, what he really said was that if you don't play just because you don't want to play then don't expect to automatically have a spot on the Olympic team. Also in the article he said that he was already aware that guys like LeBron, Wade and Melo would be busy with free agency.
So basically, free agency is fine, but he doesn't want other guys to follow suit and if they do without a good reason then they don't have a guaranteed spot at the Olympics.
Sometimes you have to read through the media BS and twist in their attempt to make a story out of it and realize what is really being said. They tried to make it seem like these guys might not get a chance and that would obviously be a big story, but he basically said they were excused. Colangelo is not a big enough idiot to hold any of them off the team anyways--EVERYONE would be calling for his resignation the day he announced someone like LeBron or Wade wouldn't be on the team. They're such a tight group, I also wouldn't be surprised if the other players would step up and say something about it. But the article says those guys will be safe, despite trying to hint otherwise. -
KnightXC1
I agree with him that if someone gives a BS reason to skip this, they shouldn't be given an automatic spot. He is trying to get these guys to understand how important the Olympics are to other countries and how many athletes would kill for a chance to represent their country. I don't buy into being a free agent as an excuse to skip events like this. You are getting phone calls and meet a couple people about where to play, so what! That is nothing compared to being in an actual season where they are busy all the time. Shouldn't be that hard for these guys to take 2 weeks, go play in a tournament and then come home. You never heard guys on the first 2 Dream Teams saying "Nah, I don't want to go".
Having a good excuse is fine with me, such as getting married, family emergency type deal, being hurt, and things like that. The US has enough talented players that they could do without guys from the last team. Obviously he probably won't leave Lebron off the team but he wants all the players to understand that if they give a BS excuse, then they might have to fight a little harder to get on the team, which is how it should be. -
Glory Days
this is actually a good thing. the reason the US team stumbled in the middle of this decade was from players who couldnt make up their mind on playing or would drop out after the fact causing the coaches to put together a team that hadnt been together very long. -
Sage
Yea. I mean, guys like Kobe, 31, coming off finals, finals+olympics,prly nother deep playoff run, + his injuries...
Well see. Dumb rule. Let the younger bucks get a crack. -
jordo212000
I don't see the issue here. If you want to be a part of the Olympic team, participate and play in the Worlds. If you don't want to and would rather hit the clubs, that's fine too, just don't expect to have a spot gift wrapped for you. Especially with all the young talent in the league right now -
hoops23
Who is hitting the clubs?
A lot of these players are going to be very busy this year, I mean, it is one of the biggest FA off seasons in the history of the NBA.
Another thing, if a player wants to explore business options, like filming movies, during the summer, then so be it. It's not under contract to perform in the Worlds.
I mean seriously? it's the WORLDS! -
jordo212000
I can understand why Colangelo is doing this. His job is to run the Olympic team and his team is try and get a gold. Therefore he is going to try and do things that are best for him and Team USA. How much sense would it make to have a Worlds team and then an Olympics team? What do you say to those guys who played all those games at the Worlds? Thanks alot, now get out of the way.
He wants the guys who signed up for USA basketball to be there and I have no problem with that. -
SQ_Crazies
His job is to run the Olympic team. Not be a dictator. His main job is to not fuck up and make sure he picks the best players to represent us. I bet there isn't a fan out there that would rather see Stephan Jackson replace LeBron because he didn't play in the Worlds...that's how you DON'T win gold medals.
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Glory Days
they have agents, they can be away for 2 weeks or so and not miss any FA action. and business options, really? what is this, the NBE? National Basketball Entertainment.LTrain23 wrote: Who is hitting the clubs?
A lot of these players are going to be very busy this year, I mean, it is one of the biggest FA off seasons in the history of the NBA.
Another thing, if a player wants to explore business options, like filming movies, during the summer, then so be it. It's not under contract to perform in the Worlds.
I mean seriously? it's the WORLDS! -
SQ_Crazies
No, it's called capitalizing on your fame because you can't play when you're 50 and enjoy the standard of living that 20 million dollars a year brings...
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Glory Days
so it's no longer about the basketball, but the $$$? gotcha.SQ_Crazies wrote: No, it's called capitalizing on your fame because you can't play when you're 50 and enjoy the standard of living that 20 million dollars a year brings... -
SQ_Crazies
What is happening to everyone? LMAO!
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hoops23
If Kobe, Lebron, Melo, Wade or anybody ekse don't want to play in the worlds and actually enjoy a summer off, I have no problem with it.
Playing basketball all year around can probably become dull.
These guys' jobs are to play in the NBA.
Send the college kids or rookies over for the worlds.. It'd be good experience for them. -
KnightXC1
Colangelo is making sure that what happened years ago in 2004 and 2006 doesn't happen ever again and we get embarassed by Puerto Rico, get a bronze in the Olympics and 6th in the Worlds. He knows that it isn't about picking all the best players, but about picking the right ones who will play together. It's also why he told guys when they signed up that he wants a three year committment from everyone so they can't come and go as they please. If someone blows off the Worlds, they should in no way be guaranteed a spot in the Olympics. It's sad that our players don't value these events to represent their country the way players of other countries do. Let's not forget that even with our best players in 2008, Spain nearly beat us in the finals and it took some big, big plays to make sure we hung on.
Being a free agent is not a good enough excuse to skip out on this. Free agency begins July 1st and most of those big names will be signed in 2 weeks or less. The tournament doesn't start until August 28th so that excuse doesn't fly, at least for me. They will probably head to Turkey around the 2nd week of August so even for players who go to the Finals this year, they have almost all of June, all of July, and part of August until this. Unless they are getting married, are hurt, or have some family type thing, they should be there. -
jordo212000
well said. My thoughts exactlyKnightXC1 wrote: Colangelo is making sure that what happened years ago in 2004 and 2006 doesn't happen ever again and we get embarassed by Puerto Rico, get a bronze in the Olympics and 6th in the Worlds. He knows that it isn't about picking all the best players, but about picking the right ones who will play together. It's also why he told guys when they signed up that he wants a three year committment from everyone so they can't come and go as they please. If someone blows off the Worlds, they should in no way be guaranteed a spot in the Olympics. It's sad that our players don't value these events to represent their country the way players of other countries do. Let's not forget that even with our best players in 2008, Spain nearly beat us in the finals and it took some big, big plays to make sure we hung on.
Being a free agent is not a good enough excuse to skip out on this. Free agency begins July 1st and most of those big names will be signed in 2 weeks or less. The tournament doesn't start until August 28th so that excuse doesn't fly, at least for me. They will probably head to Turkey around the 2nd week of August so even for players who go to the Finals this year, they have almost all of June, all of July, and part of August until this. Unless they are getting married, are hurt, or have some family type thing, they should be there. -
2quik4u
dont forget about great leadershipKnightXC1 wrote: Colangelo is making sure that what happened years ago in 2004 and 2006 doesn't happen ever again and we get embarassed by Puerto Rico, get a bronze in the Olympics and 6th in the Worlds. He knows that it isn't about picking all the best players, but about picking the right ones who will play together. It's also why he told guys when they signed up that he wants a three year committment from everyone so they can't come and go as they please. If someone blows off the Worlds, they should in no way be guaranteed a spot in the Olympics. It's sad that our players don't value these events to represent their country the way players of other countries do. Let's not forget that even with our best players in 2008, Spain nearly beat us in the finals and it took some big, big plays to make sure we hung on.
Being a free agent is not a good enough excuse to skip out on this. Free agency begins July 1st and most of those big names will be signed in 2 weeks or less. The tournament doesn't start until August 28th so that excuse doesn't fly, at least for me. They will probably head to Turkey around the 2nd week of August so even for players who go to the Finals this year, they have almost all of June, all of July, and part of August until this. Unless they are getting married, are hurt, or have some family type thing, they should be there. -
Lovejoy1984
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sleeper
If Lebron isn't on the Olympic team, they will not medal. Not just win gold, they will NOT medal, and you can take that to the bank.
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2quik4u
well we already saw what happens without kobesleeper wrote: If Lebron isn't on the Olympic team, they will not medal. Not just win gold, they will NOT medal, and you can take that to the bank.