George's Injury Shouldn't Deter NBA Players From Int'l Play
Posted
Jerad Shaw-
On Friday evening in Las Vegas, Indiana Pacers star Paul George suffered a gruesome leg injury during Team USA’s scrimmage in preparation for the FIBA World Championships later this summer. Of course, the argument has been brought forward of not allowing NBA superstars to participate in games outside those that their respective teams are a part of. Don’t be shocked if these people complaining were those that blasted an array of NBA players in 2004 for skipping the Olympics. The landscape of USA Basketball changed after an uninspired and embarrassing performance during those 2004 games. A team led by Allen Iverson and Stephan Marbury only came away with a Bronze Medal, and rarely showed any sort of cohesiveness. That didn’t shock many, as NBA big guns stayed home with various excuses. The game of international basketball had caught up with the U.S., unless we were prepared to send our best. Enter Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who was chosen to lead the next group into the 2008 games. He put a focus on team play, along with a 2-year summer commitment to USA Basketball. Players were challenged to join as invites were sent out. Fans and media alike wouldn’t allow superstars to say no to playing for their country and representing the U.S. After Friday, it seems those opinions have changed. It took very little time for the media and fans to attack the thought of NBA superstars participating in an activity where there is a chance they could be injured. This injury could have been suffered on a diving board, or even in an open gym segment at a local high school. Today, it’s the norm to overreact to one freak accident, and change the entire landscape of a sport. I’m looking directly at you MLB. Buster Posey breaks his ankle, and now a catcher doesn’t have the right to protect his plate? A collision at home ruined Ray Fosse’s career, but nobody batted an eye back then. It’s the way the game was meant to be played. I digress. It would be a travesty taking the best of the NBA away from international competition. Some people call these games meaningless, and to some that may be true, but not for fans like me. There is something special seeing our best wear the USA crest across their chest. An entire country takes pride in what they are working to accomplish, and in this day and age, it’s hard to get the entire country behind something positive. Larry Bird, president of the Pacers, had the same sentiment. George’s injury will directly affect the former Dream Team member, and looks to make his life a bit more difficult. Bird will be in charge of figuring out a way to replace George and keep the Pacers afloat in the Eastern Conference. Even after all that, he stands behind USA Basketball and what it stands for. Bird understands there are bigger things than money and greed. Playing and representing your country is just that. It’s bigger than a $30 million contract, or an endorsement deal. You are representing a proud basketball nation on the biggest of stages. Hopefully in 2016, when the USA men’s team takes the court in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, we see the best we have to offer. With the improvement of international basketball, they will need to play in order to bring home a Gold Medal. And we all know if they don’t bring home the gold, those crying foul now will be at the front of the line to bash the NBA and their decision making.
