The U.S. National basketball team lost the Indiana Pacers' star on Friday night with one of those Joe Theisman leg injuries. I haven't watched the clip. I don't intend to. If everything goes well, George is scheduled to be back with the Pacers in "about a year."
My rant? Why are guys who make that much money allowed by their teams to compete? The answer? The teams can't stop them. It's some kind of patriotism sort of thing we're told.
But you know what? That's just a lie. Kevin Love, who always participates in these games, isn't this year. Why? Because he's in trade talks and free agency things and he doesn't want to reduce his value if he happens to get hurt. ALL superstars do this. If they have a long-term, guaranteed deal in place, they'll be patriotic because THEIR CURRENT team is taking all the financial risk for them to be "patriotic". When THE PLAYER'S money is at risk, they sit home.
The organizations that promote the international tournaments like this one and the Olympics are playing on the patriotism of the players and fans, but don't be fooled, hundreds of millions, sometimes billions of dollars, are at stake. And the promotors get most of it, having the best known talent available basically for free.
My buddy, Mark Cuban, outspoken owner of the Dallas Mavericks, thinks it's time to end this nonsense. It's okay to get hurt when you are playing for team that pays you. It's not okay when you get hurt in a truly meaningless exhibitions.
I'd like to see these tournaments feature guys who are amateurs. I hate supporting these slimy promotors.
In the mean time...
USA! USA! USA!
Because we are all at fault.
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