I Loathe the Participation of NBA Players in International Competition – Part I
Jul 26th, 2007 by Answerman
This is my first post in a still to be numbered series on my loathe of FIBA – or more specifically, why I hate the NBA’s participation in FIBA.
FIBA puts an extra and unnecessary strain on player’s bodies causing their NBA performances the following year to suffer.
Take, for example:
- Joe Johnson , who had played 4 consecutive 82 game seasons. A model of health and consistency. Post-FIBA this year, 57 games;
- Antawn Jamison, another healthy player with a full 82 games in 5 of his prior 6 seasons. Post-FIBA this year, 70;
- Chris Paul entered the league and in his rookie season he played 79 games. Post-FIBA, 64. Does N.O. want their young guys breaking down this early?;
- The most compelling tale is Paul Gasol. In 03-04, without a FIBA summer, he played 75+. The following year, post FIBA, he only played 56 games. 05-06 (no FIBA) he played 80 games. This past season, post-FIBA he played 59 games.
Do you see where this is going? The NBA season is long and exhausting. Include post-season and pre-season and the all-star “break” and we’re talking about over 100 games.
It wears down on the body. To extend it with another few weeks of training and another few weeks of full-on competition, just to go back to the 82 game grind, again is too much. I want them resting, rehabbing, getting ready for the NBA – for the team paying their salaries.
Instead, the NBA suffers with tired superstars. We don’t have playoff Memphis, we have 30 win Memphis. We don’t have up-and-coming Atlanta, we have Tyrone Lue trying to run the point. We don’t have our rookie of the year on for an encore.
All thanks to the very intelligent involvement of NBA players in FIBA.
I’d rather they ride motorcycles. At least with cycles there is a chance they’ll get to training camp safely. FIBA guarantees at least a lethargic and likely injury riddled season. If I were an NBA Owner, I’d put a clause in any contract — and pay my players 10% extra to sign – banning them from any kind of participation in organized competitive basketball outside of the NBA.
Part II to come soon.
A really good point, this is the time when this guys suppose to be resting , we don’t want tired o injured players, and certainky we don’t a Lebron James/ Shaquille O’neal ‘s “switch it on in the playoffs ” approach to be the norm. But every player has the right to play for their country, nobody is forcing this guys, is their choise. (This do not apply to Chinese players)
So what you’re really saying is the NBA season is too long.
The NBA is littered with international players now, and the game is better for it. The NBA is internationally relevant now, and it’s popularity cannot be attributed to anything else but the influx of talent from foreign shores. The fact is the FIBA tournaments only started getting stick from US commentators when the US team stopped winning them, because their all star casts can no longer take out the international teams that better understand the concept of teamwork and role playing, and keep their eye on the prize.
It would make a lot more sense to reduce the number of games by ten to 72. Each team would play their division rivals four teams a season, the other teams in their conference three times, and the other conference’s teams twice. The problem isn’t the handful of games players play for their national teams every offseason, it’s the gruelling 82 game NBA schedule and potentially another two months of playoffs (not to mention the preseason tourney), where the blame lies.
J
“So what you’re really saying is the NBA season is too long.”
No, I’m saying that after such a long season, they shouldn’t participate in more competition. I think I made that clear.
I want them fresh for the NBA, not less tired for FIBA.
Well, you’re entitled to your opinion, as I am mine, and I think you’re barking up the wrong tree. It’s up to the NBA to adapt to the situation it finds itself in, with more international players than ever, including the last two MVP’s, with professional athletes eligible for international competitions like FIBA and the Olympics that 15 years ago they weren’t, and with a massive and expanding fan base located offshores that is rivalling the US fanbase even though it can’t make it to the games. Encouraging athletes, whether American or foreign, to sign clauses agreeing not to represent their country, aside being unrealistic, would totally be a step in the wrong direction. Adjusting an NBA schedule where even players who aren’t involved in FIBA often fail to bring it night-in, night-out would make far more sense.
Having said that I don’t see the NBA willingly giving up 10 games a $ea$on, even if it made the product better, and facilitated the game further expanding its popularity internationally. But this is why the FIBA tournament is so heralded, the players are there not for the money, but for the love of the game, and their compatriates.
J
You forgot to add DWade in there, he gets hurt because of his playing style, but he’s never missed as many games as he missed last season after his FIBA participation!
I actually like to watch our guys play in FIBA, even if they lose. The NBA has twisted the rules of the game into a gnarled version of what basketball should be. The lust to sell jerseys has superceded the promotion of the team approach to the sport. We have the proclaimed “greatest players in the world”, so why is it that they are confounded by a simple zone defense, and a foreign team’s motion offense? The FIBA rules aren’t perfect, but international ball still resembles a team sport. The NBA is one step away from becoming the WWE (or whatever wrestling calls itself these days).
it is the nba who should adapt to FIBA rules, in the first place, it was the nba who distorted the game to suite their idea of what a game should be. well, what they did caught up to them. it ain’t right for the rest of the world to adapt to what the nba demands the style of game ought to be. if the nba says they have “the greatest players in the world”, then why do these guys fail to adapt to the international game. shouldn’t “great players” have the ability to take their game wherever, whatever rules are present?
lastly, what makes FIBA more beautiful is that the essence and love of the game supercedes money. it boils down to a player’s or team’s love of the game and their dedication in representing their country. sometimes, it ain’t always about the x’s and o’s, but what lies underneath it.
another point in case, if you think that these guys are too tired already, then nobody’s obliging them to play this summer. it’s purely a personal choice for them. perhaps some of them still have a sense of national pride, unlike some of the so called “stars” who are so preoccuppied with their contracts, which in a sense is also a good act of proffessionalism.
“The NBA has twisted the rules of the game into a gnarled version of what basketball should be. ”
We have a very basic difference of opinion. I love the NBA. You love FIBA. That’s very nice for you. Go enjoy your trapezoidal lane and zone defenses, just leave my NBA out of it.
“lastly, what makes FIBA more beautiful is that the essence and love of the game supercedes money”
Oh yeah – there’s no money for hero athletes in their home country. They play entirely for the love. Just like we all work for the love.
<p>”We have a very basic difference of opinion. I love the NBA. You love FIBA. That’s very nice for you. Go enjoy your trapezoidal lane and zone defenses, just leave my NBA out of it.”</p>
<p>Apparently, you feel very threatened by everyone having an opinion that differs to you. Very typically American of you. What confuses me about you is that American’s are supposed to be a patriotic bunch, instead all I hear from you is, NBA blah, blah, blah. Isn’t playing for your country something special and really for the select athletes? Maybe I’m wrong, but wearing my countries colors is definitely an honour greater than playing 82 games a year in league dominated by gambling refs, Stu Jackson(how does this man have a job?) and system that is based on $ instead of Basketball.</p>
“Apparently, you feel very threatened by everyone having an opinion that differs to you.”
I said: I love the NBA. You love FIBA. That’s very nice for you. Go enjoy your trapezoidal lane and zone defenses, just leave my NBA out of it.
That seems to be welcoming the differing point of view, as in, if you like FIBA, go watch it. I like my NBA and don’t want the NBA pariticpating in it for reasons I am setting forth.
People cannot read.
Actually, it is quite obvious we can read.
I think most people are confused to why you would like such a watered down version of basketball, that is so far removed from the original way the game was played.
Maybe some of us are just prodding you to understand your obvious lack of real basketball knowledge. Or is it the lack of star treatment your favorite player gets on the international scene? Maybe the fact that American players have been exposed for their weaknesses.
Have you even acknowledged thought that most NBA players would love to play for their country at least once in a major international competition? Players realish the chance to play for a sense of pride that means more than just $, it means a chance to become a national hero and not earn another paycheque.
Anyway, enjoy your scandal plagued league and it’s RMD’s (refs of mass destruction) because they have given the sport an ugly scar. Thanks NBA!
“I think most people are confused to why you would like such a watered down version of basketball, that is so far removed from the original way the game was played.
Maybe some of us are just prodding you to understand your obvious lack of real basketball knowledge”
Apparently, you feel very threatened by everyone having an opinion that differs to you.
Well, first I’m going to point out that I love both the NBA and FIBA.
If the NBA went back to being an American dominated league without the Europenas like Gasol, Dirk etc. it would be to the detriment of the game.
For the same reason, if NBA players were withheld from the FIBA tournaments it would be to the detriment of the game.
Bottom line is if the league and its players want to participate in the World Championships, and they most certainly do, and if this is compromising their health, which is arguable, the league, and the teams that comprise it, should make adjustments to their schedules accordingly. I’ve proposed a reduction of the already stupidly long 82 game season to a mildly stupid 72, but aside teams losing ticket and TV revenue, a lot of NBA fans would prefer to wallow in their own loathing of FIBA tournaments their teams can no longer conquer.
J
““The NBA has twisted the rules of the game into a gnarled version of what basketball should be. ”
We have a very basic difference of opinion. I love the NBA. You love FIBA. That’s very nice for you. Go enjoy your trapezoidal lane and zone defenses, just leave my NBA out of it.”
actually, if you compare the money they get from playing for their mother clubs versus the money they get for playing for their flag, it pales in comparison. for our players, it is a rsik for them to play for the national squad, risking injury and only getting a minimal salary compared to the millions they get from their club. so who are you to say that it ain’t got nothin’ to do with love of the game? they risk loosing millions from their mother clubs just by suiting up for thier country.
Isn’t it as much a risk for the Europeans? It’s not like they aren’t risking injury either, or are cashing in on the FIBA tournaments. First, many players have chosen to stay in or go to Europe because they can actually make more money over there than they would have in the NBA. And it is as much a risk for most Europeans, NBA or otherwise, to suit up as it is for the US players, they risk losing millions by cutting short their careers from an injury just as the US players do. I guess they just choose to put their country first.
J
The NBA is scared about losing and losing and losing.
about the ammount of games, international players also play them…
Stojakovic, Petrovic, Kukoc, Divac, Ginobili, Parker,Ming
Are the USA players the ones who get tired more often?