Bird, Oscar to help pick Olympic team

[VF21]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050602/SPORTS04/50602009

Bird, Oscar to help pick Olympic team

Associated Press


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Larry Brown are among the who’s who list of stars who agreed today to help choose the men’s Olympic basketball team for the United States.

USA Basketball, the sport’s national governing body, wants to avoid the trouble that came in selecting the 2004 Olympic team, which finished third at the Athens Games.

Last week, USA Basketball announced Jerry West, Ernie Grunfeld and a handful of NBA team presidents and general managers would be part of the advisory group.

Other former players on the list this week included David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson. Other coaches included Dean Smith, Bob Knight, John Thompson and Chuck Daly.

“I’m so grateful that these Olympians, both players and coaches, have chosen to assist, serve and engage in this process,” said Phoenix Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who last month was appointed managing director of USA Basketball’s senior men’s program.

Members of the advisory panel are expected to meet June 6-7 in Chicago.

 

[K-Town King]

Lets hope that these spoiled rotten players will take time out of there lives to represent their countries instead of being worried about getting paid.

 

[VF21]

Lets hope that these spoiled rotten players will take time out of there lives to represent their countries instead of being worried about getting paid.

You're making it sound as if that was the prevailing opinion, which it isn't.

Instead of making a blanket condemnation of "spoiled rotten players," why not look at those who did go? What did they get? Ridicule and distain by some back here because they didn't win it all.

If an NBA player wants to represent his country in the Olympics, cool. If he doesn't, then that's cool, too. It should be HIS CHOICE.

Personally, I would love to see our team composed of college players instead of NBA but that's just my opinion.

If a couple of players aren't willing to go unless they're paid, who cares? They're not going to get paid...so they won't be on the team.

I salute the NBA players who did go.

 

[LPKingsFan]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050602/SPORTS04/50602009

Bird, Oscar to help pick Olympic team

Associated Press


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Larry Brown are among the who’s who list of stars who agreed today to help choose the men’s Olympic basketball team for the United States.

USA Basketball, the sport’s national governing body, wants to avoid the trouble that came in selecting the 2004 Olympic team, which finished third at the Athens Games.

Last week, USA Basketball announced Jerry West, Ernie Grunfeld and a handful of NBA team presidents and general managers would be part of the advisory group.

Other former players on the list this week included David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson. Other coaches included Dean Smith, Bob Knight, John Thompson and Chuck Daly.

“I’m so grateful that these Olympians, both players and coaches, have chosen to assist, serve and engage in this process,” said Phoenix Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who last month was appointed managing director of USA Basketball’s senior men’s program.

Members of the advisory panel are expected to meet June 6-7 in Chicago.

This is going to help. I like the sound of this.

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

We all know that Michael Jordan knows how to put together a great team

 

[JayBird]

UNC should represent the U.S. I've always thought that sending the best college basketball TEAM, not individual players, would be the best way to go.

 

[thesanityannex]

Lets hope that these spoiled rotten players will take time out of there lives to represent their countries instead of being worried about getting paid.

Would you play for free at the risk of injuring yourself and damaging your own career.<<<<<<<where you get paid. I don't see pro football players going anywhere, pro baseball players.....ummm no. Like many have already said, I would also like to see college players go to the Olympics.

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

Would you play for free at the risk of injuring yourself and damaging your own career.<<<<<<<where you get paid. I don't see pro football players going anywhere, pro baseball players.....ummm no. Like many have already said, I would also like to see college players go to the Olympics.

You miss the point. The Olympics are where you represent your country and that is what K-Town King is saying. They cant be selfish and "worry about injuring themselves and damaging their career's" because they might and probably wont have the opportunity of playing in them again. I dont think pro baseball players are even allowed to join the team. Isnt it a set team that practices every year in anticipation for the Olympics? And football isnt even big in the Olympics (if they have it; im not sure) so there isnt a problem with our pros even wanting to play. Its a time to represent their country and if they are going to worry about a paycheck then that isnt right, IMO. I dont think they should be worried about getting injured. Only the fans do. Basketball is basketball and if he gets hurt in the Olympics then its the same as getting hurt in an NBA game, just a different way of looking at it by the fan. (Similar to us not wanting BJax playing any bball outside of Kings practice, etc in fear of him getting hurt)

 

[thesanityannex]

You miss the point. The Olympics are where you represent your country and that is what K-Town King is saying. They cant be selfish and "worry about injuring themselves and damaging their career's" because they might and probably wont have the opportunity of playing in them again. . Its a time to represent their country and if they are going to worry about a paycheck then that isnt right, IMO. I dont think they should be worried about getting injured. Only the fans do. Basketball is basketball and if he gets hurt in the Olympics then its the same as getting hurt in an NBA game, just a different way of looking at it by the fan.

How is it selfish to worry about your career that pays the bills and puts food on their families tables. And if they aren't going to worry about injuring themselves, who will. We are only FANS, we can not and should not, pressure any of these guys to go to the olympics. The NBA is their life, not the olympics. And think of it from the owners perspective, do they want their superstars, who they have invested millions into, going down in the olympics just for the sake of representing their country? I can see why you don't care because you have no money invested in them.

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

Thank you for reinforcing mine and K-Town Kings point. The owners only care about the money. Their superstar gets hurt, their bank account hurts. But they have plenty of money that it isnt the end of the world. These players have already made ENOUGH money to last them the rest of their lives. Some of us fans who live a good life but surely dont bring in millions a year or even a million can live a very good life with the little we make compared to them. Thats like a saying right out of Spreewells mouth. The NBA isnt their life, Basketball is and what better place to prove yourself and represent your country than the Olympics. Its ok for civillians to volunteer to go and risk their lives every day but these players cant go play basketball for what reason? A fear or terrorism? a fear of injury? please... Its not likely that a player is going to go play in the Olypmpics with the best of the NBA playing (where you could walk over other teams like the dream team years) and have a career ending injury. With the traning and precaustion these players take, etc and the not so physical play as some NBA games then worrying about that is crazy. Its all about the money. Players said it before the previous Olympics. They arent getting paid and they are afraid of terrorism.

If they cant go to the Olympics because of risking an injury then they shouldnt play practice games, or NBA games because who knows... they MIGHT have a career ending injury in an NBA game... so whats the difference between ending you career in the NBA and Olympics? None. Just selfishness.

This is all my opinion by the way. Im respecting your arguments but Im just trying to put up a debate.

 

[thesanityannex]

I can see where you are coming from, and I don't necessarily disagree with you. I'm just debating more from a players point of view instead of the fans point of view. Of course I would like to see the absolute cream of the crop NBA players out there, but, that is not up to us. The moment they signed a contract with an NBA team, the NBA became their life. We don't pay their bills, and unless we start to, it is not up to us to pressure them to go. And if they get injured in an NBA game, who cares, they are PAID TO PLAY IN THE NBA, not the olympics.

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

I can see where you are coming from, and I don't necessarily disagree with you. I'm just debating more from a players point of view instead of the fans point of view. Of course I would like to see the absolute cream of the crop NBA players out there, but, that is not up to us. The moment they signed a contract with an NBA team, the NBA became their life. We don't pay their bills, and unless we start to, it is not up to us to pressure them to go. And if they get injured in an NBA game, who cares, they are PAID TO PLAY IN THE NBA, not the olympics.

Alright I can see where you are coming from at a player/owners view. But I guess us fans only want to see the best of the best on a team to compete for more than one meaningless game (All star) and see how dominant they really can be. I just have more respect for players who went to play in the Olympics despite all the fear because I would play in the Olympics in heartbeat.

 

[thesanityannex]

I have respect for those players too, but I also have to respect the player's who didn't and their reasons for not going.

 

[sloter]

UNC should represent the U.S. I've always thought that sending the best college basketball TEAM, not individual players, would be the best way to go.

Wow, that team could maybe beat Angola, but that's about it...