[McDunkin]

NBA Commissioner David Stern isn’t satisfied with just having an age limit in his League, he wants one in international competition as well (but with a twist.) Per EOB: “Speaking on ESPN Radio, Stern said he would be in favor of making a new age restriction on who can participate in the basketball tournament.

 ‘My own view is that post-London, we should be thinking about even what soccer does and make it 23 and under,’ Stern said. Stern said the league doesn’t try and encourage players to play though. ‘No, we stay out of it,’ he said. ‘The problem is that it’s so [ingrained] into the international players that they just always play. And so we were contemplating, even back in the day when we thought we maybe wouldn’t allow NBA players to go, that would have deprived us of Yao Ming because the Chinese government never would have let him come to play (in the NBA). And the international players were going anyway. So then it would apply only to American players? So we found ourselves in a bit of an interesting dilemma with the whole thing.’
 

Stern made sure to say that the United States’ international dominance isn’t what makes him feel that way saying he doesn’t have ‘a problem with Americans losing in the Olympics. … We don’t have to win everything for it to be great.’”

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2012/05/david-stern-wants-a-23-and-under-age-limit-in-the-olympics/

 

[Da1potParticipant]

 I think he should stay out of it…. I don’t understand why this is an issue in the first place.

[Critically ThinkingParticipant]

 sorry didnt click on the link. does this mean only for the United States olympic team? or is this for all the international players too? For example: Pau Gasol cant play for Spain?

[river09Participant]

 I’m sorry usually I’m more patient with people’s ideas… But this is a stupid idea… Why does there have to be a rule about that? Why should there be a rule about that? This is for the Olympics. Not some hum drum tournament… If you think about it this type of rule would keep Phelps from swimming in the Olympics again?.. Stupid Stupid Stupid… Who honestly thinks this makes sense… Want to keep Usain Bolt from running again?… I thought he and Phelps managed quite well… It’s a personal decision to go to the Olympics. If you are a Adult (which anyone who is 18 and older incidentally) you can make your own decision. You don’t need some 50-60 year old telling you "no I won’t let you"… Absolutely ridiculous… This really winds me up. 

It’s an honor to play for your country. No one has the right to tell you "No you can’t". Do me a favor David Stern and Keep this kinda s@#% to yourself… 

[tjmartin23Participant]

 I don’t understand why David Stern even commented on this. It’s not an NBA event. It’s international competition. The athletes are not paid to do it, they do it for the country they represent. That’s the thing that makes everyone love the olympics. No one cares how old the athletes are, as long as they go out and represent their country in a good light. 

[Kinguy11Participant]

 David Stern, you’re the commissioner of the NBA, not FIBA.

[benz0Participant]

Does Stern realize that no one cares about Olympic soccer nearly as much as the World Cup, which as far as I know has no age rule, granted, I didn’t know that the Olympics did. With basketball, it’s the opposite (substituting World Championships with World Cup), at least here. Is he just so selfish to the point that he doesn’t want any NBA stars getting hurt representing their country? Whatever, just a terrible idea, it’s annoying that Stern even gave his opinion on this publicly.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Stern needs a good ol’ ass whooping.  He’ll learn to shut his mouth and not sticking his nose into other people’s business.

[frogmanParticipant]

 river09 you are an idiot, the olympics is the epitome of their sport for a swimmer or track star, they work their whole lives with the little endorsements they make to go for Olympic gold.  These NBA stars don’t give two shiits about the olympics and have even been complaining about not getting paid enough to compete!  The epitome for basketball players is the world championships, just like soccer players strive to win the world cup and don’t really care about the olympics.  Soccer started out as an event where everyone could play but just like these basketball superstars so many were pulling out as they wanted to rest after a hectic season, then they introduced an under 23 olympic competition and it means so much to these young players to play in such an amazing event.  I actually agree with Stern, and why the hell can he not voice his opinion?  He is the most important person in world basketball so I think he is allowed to voice what he thinks, it’s not like he has gone up to the FIBA or the IOC and demanded this happen.  Man I could go on and on but I’m sick of typing.  Just open your minds a bit.   

[Krypt14Participant]

 As far as I know soccer is the only sport with an age limit, I dont think Stern wants an Olympic wide 23 and under rule, just one for basketball. The soccer rule is weird because it is under 23 but you can pick 3 ‘wild card’ players who are over 23 as well. It’s a terrible idea, so many people worldwide start loving basketball from watching Olympic ball. The Olympics showcase the NBA to audiences that would otherwise never see NBA games on tv in their own countries. My 1st ever time seeing NBA players was on tv in the Sydney games, it’s possible that I never would have loved basketball if team USA was not so exciting to watch.

[TheBigEasyParticipant]

I love watching football (I refuse to call it soccer, sorry), but just not the Olympics, solely because of just that rule! If I don´t want to see the big stars play, than I rather see our Dutch football league than a watered down Olympics. If the big stars would play on the Olympic, you bet I would follow the Football tourney. I now rather watch Cycling, Judo, Athletics, Swimming and Basketball (which I rather watch than football as a whole by the way).

If I read the things that Stern says, I really don´t see the reason why he wants such an age limit. Is it because of the extra stress put on the American athletes after a long season (on a total different notion, why does a NBA season consist out of 88 games? This is asking for injuries with so little room to rest. Why not a classic home and away?)? Is it because not every NBA player wants to play in the Olympics? This piece of text doesn´t say anything why he wants this rule.

 

[orangeshadow83Participant]

@Dave14

I really like your point when you say "The Olympics showcase the NBA to audiences that would otherwise never see NBA games on tv in their own countries." I think you hit the nail on the head it really does get international people involved and informed about the NBA game and the players.

The only time I pay any attention to soccer or its players is during the Olympics or Would Cup. I feel like this is a similiar line of thinking by international people of the NBA. If the NBA didn’t showcase its best players possible, many people across the world never really get into basketball would be missing out on seeing the best players in the world today.

Worldwide the Olympics are one of the largest sporting events ever and watching the best players in the world are what its all about, the best playing the best for bragging rights. I also feel that other international teams want to play the best the US has to offer and if they played and beat 23 and under players only it would not mean the same as beating the best the US has to offer.

[river09Participant]

 @frogman. No one forces anyone to compete at the Olympics, if you don’t "give two shits" you don’t go in the first place. If you don’t want to play for your country, that’s your perogative. But to take away that choice from someone who has earned the right to compete by being some of the best in his/her respective country by imposing an age limit is just flat out wrong. I think you should open your mind a bit.

 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I know that this is all under representing your country, but lets face it, these guys are professional basketball players. They play a long, strenuous, season and are paid millions of dollars. When these guys play in the Olympics, it clearly is a risk to their health and a really large investment from the owners paying them. David Stern works in the best interest of these owners, many of whom are against having these guys play in the Olympics.

Mark Cuban is a love him or hate him type owner who has adamantly been against having guys play in the Olympics or International competition. He hates the fact that these guys are going to be in heated situations putting stress on their bodies. What if someone gets hurt? Will it effect their play during the season? These are serious questions one asks themself.

Pau Gasol broke his ankle in 2006. Jose Calderon got hurt in 2008. These things happen when you are playing in heated, competitive matches. Ones that they are doing outside of their job. I understand that it is representing your country, but if you depended on these players and put a lot of money into them being ready for the NBA season, would you not be concerned for their well being?

Representing your country is indeed an honor and we all want to see the best our countries have to offer. I know that players tend to love International competitions and many want to be a part of them. Indeed, if a player does not participate, many people on this board tend to find them "unpatriotic". The bottom line is, this is all a business.

The Olympics make more money with NBA players than without them. It used to be only amateur players being involved, but once they let everybody in and even more so, once the USA started being seriously challenged, things got real. My guess is, Mark Cuban is not the only owner stewing over players going to the Olympics.

If there was no pressure on players over 23 to play in the Olympics, Stern’s life is much easier. Let’s face it, the players have a lot of pressure to play in this as well and they are putting themselves at a bit of risk doing so. I am not saying I agree with the view point of the owners or David Stern, I love seeing the best go up against the best. Not to mention, most every other country seems to love this type of competition and has little issue attracting there best players to volunteer. Still, I at the very least understand why David Stern is saying something like this and it being an issue with NBA owners.

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