Disrespecting the Olympics
Ray Allen and Dwyane Wade both
spoke out recently about their belief that guys should be paid to play
in the Olympics, at least specifically for basketball. This is what
money, egos, and today's society looks like. Guys want money to
represent their country? As a proud American I would rather see guys who
appreciate and understand the honor than guys who clearly have no other
motivation to play ball other than money.
The Olympics are a very prestigious event. Men and women from all over the world compete in different events. The basketball tournament often features the best in the world from each country - except the US. We have issues getting our top stars to commit to this summer event.
With so many great American-born NBA stars, I would rather take guys who aren't money-hungry. Guys like Kevin Durant and Kevin Love, you know will appreciate and be thankful to be apart of team USA. If Wade and Ray Allen want money, USA basketball President Jerry Colangelo should just move on from those guys.
A team built around three point guards - Chris Paul, Derron Williams, and Derrick Rose -plus Durant, and Love should still go undefeated and win the gold. Also, there's that pretty good Lebron James fella. Team USA is too good and too deep to cater to these "stars". This team might be better without Wade and Allen. I wonder if they want money to do charity stuff too? Playing in the Olympics, representing your country is a privilege and an honor and these two guys feel they are above the honor.
Lebron James, one of the most heavily scrutizined NBA players the last couple years said in a quote on ESPN.com - "I love representing my country, man," James said. "I've done it since 2004 and I'm looking forward to doing it in London. As far as [pay], I don't know, man. It doesn't matter. I'm happy to be a part of the team, to be selected again." So heres a guy, James, who people say doesn't get "it" but maybe he does. He just wants to play basketball. Right attitude. These guys make 8-digit salaries. Do they really need MORE money to support their country?? Come on...
So let's move on with the guys who are up for the task of wearing red, white, and blue because they want to! If players are afraid of injury or unwilling to put in the time and commitment than don't. Than simply shut up and stay away. But don't force your ego into the greatest global event, the Olympics.
The Olympics are a very prestigious event. Men and women from all over the world compete in different events. The basketball tournament often features the best in the world from each country - except the US. We have issues getting our top stars to commit to this summer event.
With so many great American-born NBA stars, I would rather take guys who aren't money-hungry. Guys like Kevin Durant and Kevin Love, you know will appreciate and be thankful to be apart of team USA. If Wade and Ray Allen want money, USA basketball President Jerry Colangelo should just move on from those guys.
A team built around three point guards - Chris Paul, Derron Williams, and Derrick Rose -plus Durant, and Love should still go undefeated and win the gold. Also, there's that pretty good Lebron James fella. Team USA is too good and too deep to cater to these "stars". This team might be better without Wade and Allen. I wonder if they want money to do charity stuff too? Playing in the Olympics, representing your country is a privilege and an honor and these two guys feel they are above the honor.
Lebron James, one of the most heavily scrutizined NBA players the last couple years said in a quote on ESPN.com - "I love representing my country, man," James said. "I've done it since 2004 and I'm looking forward to doing it in London. As far as [pay], I don't know, man. It doesn't matter. I'm happy to be a part of the team, to be selected again." So heres a guy, James, who people say doesn't get "it" but maybe he does. He just wants to play basketball. Right attitude. These guys make 8-digit salaries. Do they really need MORE money to support their country?? Come on...
So let's move on with the guys who are up for the task of wearing red, white, and blue because they want to! If players are afraid of injury or unwilling to put in the time and commitment than don't. Than simply shut up and stay away. But don't force your ego into the greatest global event, the Olympics.
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