NBA players should be paid to play in Olympics?!?
05-02-2005, 07:55 PM
#1
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NBA players should be paid to play in Olympics?!?
Well, according to Ray Allen... 
I guess patriotism means squat to him...?
===============
Allen: Paying players could help Team USA
FOXSports.com
Apparently just playing for the honor of your country might not be enough for some NBA players.
Sonics guard Ray Allen says USA Basketball should consider paying NBA players to play in the Olympics, according to a report in The Seattle Times.
Allen said that Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who was picked to oversee USA Basketball through the 2008 Games in Beijing, should effectively abandon the idea of having tryouts and pay players instead.
"You're dealing with a different animal than the other sports," Allen said. "You've got people who are selling out buildings (venues) and if you want these particular (NBA) players there, how do you get them there?"
With the overload of information (read: videotape) available on most players, asking a star such as Shaquille O'Neal to try out for the Olympic team might simply be a waste of time.
"When we did that when we were in college, you don't really know who can play. You're playing in a system," said Allen, who scored a career playoff-high 45 points Sunday in the Sonics' 115-103 victory over Sacramento in Game 4. "A lot of guys have proven what they can do. You mean to tell me you're going to make Shaq try out? I don't think so."
But Allen insists he isn't suggesting players deserve to be paid for representing their country, it's just that paying them might entice the most talented ones to participate in the '08 Games.
"I'm by no means saying I need to get paid," he said, "but you're talking about some of these young players who are some of the best players in the world and why would they want to play in the summer?"
Allen won a gold medal while playing for the U.S. at the Sydney Games in 2000. Two years ago, he played on the team that qualified, and later won a bronze medal at last summer's Athens Olympics. But he feels most NBA veterans simply need the summer to rest and prepare for the next season.
"Most athletes, they hunger for the Olympics every four years. They spend their lives wanting to get there and that's what they want to do.
"But we're different. We just finished an 82-game season and we want to chill out. People put so much pressure on NBA players, that you should be playing for your country, but you don't realize that many of us just want to do nothing in the summer."
Allen said he didn't know how much players should be paid for participating, but that the money could be generated from merchandise that is sold featuring NBA stars.
I guess patriotism means squat to him...?
===============
Allen: Paying players could help Team USA
FOXSports.com
Apparently just playing for the honor of your country might not be enough for some NBA players.
Sonics guard Ray Allen says USA Basketball should consider paying NBA players to play in the Olympics, according to a report in The Seattle Times.
Allen said that Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who was picked to oversee USA Basketball through the 2008 Games in Beijing, should effectively abandon the idea of having tryouts and pay players instead.
"You're dealing with a different animal than the other sports," Allen said. "You've got people who are selling out buildings (venues) and if you want these particular (NBA) players there, how do you get them there?"
With the overload of information (read: videotape) available on most players, asking a star such as Shaquille O'Neal to try out for the Olympic team might simply be a waste of time.
"When we did that when we were in college, you don't really know who can play. You're playing in a system," said Allen, who scored a career playoff-high 45 points Sunday in the Sonics' 115-103 victory over Sacramento in Game 4. "A lot of guys have proven what they can do. You mean to tell me you're going to make Shaq try out? I don't think so."
But Allen insists he isn't suggesting players deserve to be paid for representing their country, it's just that paying them might entice the most talented ones to participate in the '08 Games.
"I'm by no means saying I need to get paid," he said, "but you're talking about some of these young players who are some of the best players in the world and why would they want to play in the summer?"
Allen won a gold medal while playing for the U.S. at the Sydney Games in 2000. Two years ago, he played on the team that qualified, and later won a bronze medal at last summer's Athens Olympics. But he feels most NBA veterans simply need the summer to rest and prepare for the next season.
"Most athletes, they hunger for the Olympics every four years. They spend their lives wanting to get there and that's what they want to do.
"But we're different. We just finished an 82-game season and we want to chill out. People put so much pressure on NBA players, that you should be playing for your country, but you don't realize that many of us just want to do nothing in the summer."
Allen said he didn't know how much players should be paid for participating, but that the money could be generated from merchandise that is sold featuring NBA stars.
05-02-2005, 08:00 PM
#2
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Ray Allen made 14.6 million this year. If I remember correctly the whole Olympic trip is paid for but I guess he needs money to properly represent his country.
Ray Allen = Go fuck himself
Ray Allen = Go fuck himself
05-02-2005, 08:06 PM
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"you don't realize that many of us just want to do nothing in the summer."
Yea I want to do nothing all summer too, but that ended around sixth grade Ray..... :shakehead
Yea I want to do nothing all summer too, but that ended around sixth grade Ray..... :shakehead
05-02-2005, 08:08 PM
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Yes, because they don't get paid enough in their normal salaries.
Smartass remarks aside, I can see how it could be a small insurance premium for them incase they got injured and could not fulfill their contract with their team.
Smartass remarks aside, I can see how it could be a small insurance premium for them incase they got injured and could not fulfill their contract with their team.
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05-02-2005, 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Yumchah
Well, according to Ray Allen...
I guess patriotism means squat to him...?
===============
Allen: Paying players could help Team USA
FOXSports.com
Apparently just playing for the honor of your country might not be enough for some NBA players.
Sonics guard Ray Allen says USA Basketball should consider paying NBA players to play in the Olympics, according to a report in The Seattle Times.
Allen said that Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who was picked to oversee USA Basketball through the 2008 Games in Beijing, should effectively abandon the idea of having tryouts and pay players instead.
"You're dealing with a different animal than the other sports," Allen said. "You've got people who are selling out buildings (venues) and if you want these particular (NBA) players there, how do you get them there?"
With the overload of information (read: videotape) available on most players, asking a star such as Shaquille O'Neal to try out for the Olympic team might simply be a waste of time.
"When we did that when we were in college, you don't really know who can play. You're playing in a system," said Allen, who scored a career playoff-high 45 points Sunday in the Sonics' 115-103 victory over Sacramento in Game 4. "A lot of guys have proven what they can do. You mean to tell me you're going to make Shaq try out? I don't think so."
But Allen insists he isn't suggesting players deserve to be paid for representing their country, it's just that paying them might entice the most talented ones to participate in the '08 Games.
"I'm by no means saying I need to get paid," he said, "but you're talking about some of these young players who are some of the best players in the world and why would they want to play in the summer?"
Allen won a gold medal while playing for the U.S. at the Sydney Games in 2000. Two years ago, he played on the team that qualified, and later won a bronze medal at last summer's Athens Olympics. But he feels most NBA veterans simply need the summer to rest and prepare for the next season.
"Most athletes, they hunger for the Olympics every four years. They spend their lives wanting to get there and that's what they want to do.
"But we're different. We just finished an 82-game season and we want to chill out. People put so much pressure on NBA players, that you should be playing for your country, but you don't realize that many of us just want to do nothing in the summer."
Allen said he didn't know how much players should be paid for participating, but that the money could be generated from merchandise that is sold featuring NBA stars.
I guess patriotism means squat to him...?
===============
Allen: Paying players could help Team USA
FOXSports.com
Apparently just playing for the honor of your country might not be enough for some NBA players.
Sonics guard Ray Allen says USA Basketball should consider paying NBA players to play in the Olympics, according to a report in The Seattle Times.
Allen said that Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who was picked to oversee USA Basketball through the 2008 Games in Beijing, should effectively abandon the idea of having tryouts and pay players instead.
"You're dealing with a different animal than the other sports," Allen said. "You've got people who are selling out buildings (venues) and if you want these particular (NBA) players there, how do you get them there?"
With the overload of information (read: videotape) available on most players, asking a star such as Shaquille O'Neal to try out for the Olympic team might simply be a waste of time.
"When we did that when we were in college, you don't really know who can play. You're playing in a system," said Allen, who scored a career playoff-high 45 points Sunday in the Sonics' 115-103 victory over Sacramento in Game 4. "A lot of guys have proven what they can do. You mean to tell me you're going to make Shaq try out? I don't think so."
But Allen insists he isn't suggesting players deserve to be paid for representing their country, it's just that paying them might entice the most talented ones to participate in the '08 Games.
"I'm by no means saying I need to get paid," he said, "but you're talking about some of these young players who are some of the best players in the world and why would they want to play in the summer?"
Allen won a gold medal while playing for the U.S. at the Sydney Games in 2000. Two years ago, he played on the team that qualified, and later won a bronze medal at last summer's Athens Olympics. But he feels most NBA veterans simply need the summer to rest and prepare for the next season.
"Most athletes, they hunger for the Olympics every four years. They spend their lives wanting to get there and that's what they want to do.
"But we're different. We just finished an 82-game season and we want to chill out. People put so much pressure on NBA players, that you should be playing for your country, but you don't realize that many of us just want to do nothing in the summer."
Allen said he didn't know how much players should be paid for participating, but that the money could be generated from merchandise that is sold featuring NBA stars.
You dipshits, it says right there that he isn't saying he wants to be paid.
Read the article next time you clowns.
05-02-2005, 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by LLWesMan
You dipshits, it says right there that he isn't saying he wants to be paid.
Read the article next time you clowns.
Read the article next time you clowns.
05-02-2005, 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by TLover
Um, i think YOU need to read the article. He said he doesn't NEED to get paid, in other words, he doesn't NEED the money. There's a difference between WANT and NEED, you CLOWN.
Originally Posted by cob3683
Ray Allen made 14.6 million this year. If I remember correctly the whole Olympic trip is paid for but I guess he needs money to properly represent his country.
Ray Allen = Go fuck himself
Ray Allen = Go fuck himself
05-02-2005, 09:04 PM
#11
Burn some dust here
Allen said he didn't know how much players should be paid for participating, but that the money could be generated from merchandise that is sold featuring NBA stars.
05-02-2005, 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by cob3683
05-02-2005, 09:16 PM
#13
Burn some dust here
I'm talking about the segment that was ESPN earlier where it sounded like he wanted money. In this article it seems he thinks they should but sounds like he doesnt want any.
05-02-2005, 09:40 PM
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I would rather for them to get paid and actually play in the olympics than all the best players in the NBA NOT going AT ALL and the USA losing to other countries.Thats pathetic that the best players could have killed any other country by at least 30, and a bunch of our bums got whooped up on(no disrespect to A.I) 
05-03-2005, 12:14 AM
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Wait wait...did LLWesMan just call me a clown? 
05-03-2005, 01:22 AM
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Originally Posted by LLWesMan
I think you need to shut the fuck up CLOWN, this guy right here said that:
While it clearly says above that he doesn't NEED the money. So get the fuck off my back.
While it clearly says above that he doesn't NEED the money. So get the fuck off my back.
05-03-2005, 02:54 AM
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Originally Posted by TLover
Well, you didn't quote him, assclown. So why don't you learn to properly argue your point, dipshit.
05-03-2005, 08:56 AM
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I actually don't know why NBA players are ALLOWED to play in the Olympics. I thought the Olympics was for amateurs. Haven't contestants in other sports been disqualified for getting paid at one time or another? I could be wrong...
05-03-2005, 08:57 AM
#27
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"But Allen insists he isn't suggesting players deserve to be paid for representing their country, it's just that paying them might entice the most talented ones to participate in the '08 Games."
Thats exactly what the problem is. Why would players who get paid here play for free when there is a chance or getting injured. If they do get paid, then they will want to play harder.
Thats exactly what the problem is. Why would players who get paid here play for free when there is a chance or getting injured. If they do get paid, then they will want to play harder.
05-03-2005, 08:59 AM
#28
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Originally Posted by badboy
"But Allen insists he isn't suggesting players deserve to be paid for representing their country, it's just that paying them might entice the most talented ones to participate in the '08 Games."
Thats exactly what the problem is. Why would players who get paid here play for free when there is a chance or getting injured. If they do get paid, then they will want to play harder.
Thats exactly what the problem is. Why would players who get paid here play for free when there is a chance or getting injured. If they do get paid, then they will want to play harder.
People in every other sport train their whole lives for the chance to go and represent their country as the best around but these spoiled ghetto fabulous assholes need more?
05-03-2005, 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by badboy
"But Allen insists he isn't suggesting players deserve to be paid for representing their country, it's just that paying them might entice the most talented ones to participate in the '08 Games."
Thats exactly what the problem is. Why would players who get paid here play for free when there is a chance or getting injured. If they do get paid, then they will want to play harder.
Thats exactly what the problem is. Why would players who get paid here play for free when there is a chance or getting injured. If they do get paid, then they will want to play harder.
Just another American showing their true colors.
05-03-2005, 09:02 AM
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Allen makes it sound like he's doing us a favor. Thanks fucknut, but go home to your mansion and 37 cars and sit on your fatass during the offseason.
05-03-2005, 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
Just another American showing their true colors.
Having said that, nba players don't think like I do, they are spoiled, and to get them to play money is an incentive.
Another factor is also the team they are playing for, they have a contract signed with them and the team might not let them play because of potential to get injured. Why do you think all the good players don't play anywhere but the NBA??
Check the roster for the last olympics....
05-03-2005, 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Caliadria
I actually don't know why NBA players are ALLOWED to play in the Olympics. I thought the Olympics was for amateurs. Haven't contestants in other sports been disqualified for getting paid at one time or another? I could be wrong...
05-03-2005, 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by JimmyCarter
Because its the FUCKING OLYMPICS!
People in every other sport train their whole lives for the chance to go and represent their country as the best around but these spoiled ghetto fabulous assholes need more?
People in every other sport train their whole lives for the chance to go and represent their country as the best around but these spoiled ghetto fabulous assholes need more?
In every other sport in the olympics the US fields a team that wants to go to play for their country. They field people who spend all their time training for their event in the olympics.
With Basketball, it's different. The US hand-picks the team out of the best players in the world, tells them that they are going to the olympics, then has them "tryout". It tells NBA players that they are obligated to go, simply because they are the best players we can find. They don't tell NBA players, "hey, if you want to go to the olympics, come try out." They tell them, "Congrats, you've been selected to play in the olympics" as if the NBA season was their qualifying round. Why? Because we can't stand losing.
That being said, I don't think paying anybody would help much. I think they should just stop with the whole dream team thing, and truly let players tryout, whether they come from college, the NBA, or Rucker park..... make them all try out, and select the best of the bunch that decided they wanted to go bad enough to try out in the first place.
05-03-2005, 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by badboy
Having said that, nba players don't think like I do, they are spoiled, and to get them to play money is an incentive.
Originally Posted by badboy
Another factor is also the team they are playing for, they have a contract signed with them and the team might not let them play because of potential to get injured. Why do you think all the good players don't play anywhere but the NBA??
Check the roster for the last olympics....
Check the roster for the last olympics....
05-03-2005, 09:15 AM
#35
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I'd say 75% of Basketball players these days are overpaid, uneducated, spoiled kids. If they didnt have basketball, they wouldnt have a pot to piss in.
05-03-2005, 09:15 AM
#36
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Originally Posted by ccannizz11
In every other sport in the olympics the US fields a team that wants to go to play for their country. They field people who spend all their time training for their event in the olympics.
With Basketball, it's different. The US hand-picks the team out of the best players in the world, tells them that they are going to the olympics, then has them "tryout". It tells NBA players that they are obligated to go, simply because they are the best players we can find. They don't tell NBA players, "hey, if you want to go to the olympics, come try out." They tell them, "Congrats, you've been selected to play in the olympics" as if the NBA season was their qualifying round. Why? Because we can't stand losing.
That being said, I don't think paying anybody would help much. I think they should just stop with the whole dream team thing, and truly let players tryout, whether they come from college, the NBA, or Rucker park..... make them all try out, and select the best of the bunch that decided they wanted to go bad enough to try out in the first place.
With Basketball, it's different. The US hand-picks the team out of the best players in the world, tells them that they are going to the olympics, then has them "tryout". It tells NBA players that they are obligated to go, simply because they are the best players we can find. They don't tell NBA players, "hey, if you want to go to the olympics, come try out." They tell them, "Congrats, you've been selected to play in the olympics" as if the NBA season was their qualifying round. Why? Because we can't stand losing.
That being said, I don't think paying anybody would help much. I think they should just stop with the whole dream team thing, and truly let players tryout, whether they come from college, the NBA, or Rucker park..... make them all try out, and select the best of the bunch that decided they wanted to go bad enough to try out in the first place.
Heaven forbid we put the guilt and burden of representing the country on an NBA star. Like we really want to promote any of them as representatives of our country in the first place.
05-03-2005, 09:26 AM
#37
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Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
I refer to my previous post. Do you think they are doing us a favor playing in the Olympics? Fuck em, let some talented HS or college kids play. Who cares what the outcome is, at least we know they aren't a bunch of whiney bitches complaining that they have to take time out of their busy schedule to grace us with their presence.
What does paying them have to do with their existing contracts? Their owner doesn't want them to play? Fine, don't play, but don't tell me that paying them will appease their owner.
What does paying them have to do with their existing contracts? Their owner doesn't want them to play? Fine, don't play, but don't tell me that paying them will appease their owner.
I am agreeing with you.
It is messed up that they need money to play for the country. I am not saying we should pay them. I have respect for the team we had last year, and all the previous years who played in the Olympics representing the USA. They have the love for the game as well as love for the country to accept suck a privileged opportunity. I would also rather see someone who wants to play rather than someone who will only play if they were offered money. Fuck em.
The point Allen is making is that if they were offered money, they would play in the Olympics. He is correct, we would see many players playing if that happens.
I sure as hell hope that doesn't happen cause thats just fucked up.
05-03-2005, 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by JimmyCarter
If they don't want to play they don't have to go to the tryout.
Heaven forbid we put the guilt and burden of representing the country on an NBA star. Like we really want to promote any of them as representatives of our country in the first place.
Heaven forbid we put the guilt and burden of representing the country on an NBA star. Like we really want to promote any of them as representatives of our country in the first place.
It's has nothing to do with Ray Allen being spoiled or anything, he's simply talking about extra incentive, because for people who don't make the olympics the focus of all their training, they need extra incentive to get them to go.
It's sad that certain people would need that extra incentive, because the ones without the talent (we) would jump at the chance to represent our country. But people aren't bad people just because they wouldn't do the same.
05-03-2005, 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by badboy
I am agreeing with you.
It is messed up that they need money to play for the country. I am not saying we should pay them. I have respect for the team we had last year, and all the previous years who played in the Olympics representing the USA. They have the love for the game as well as love for the country to accept suck a privileged opportunity. I would also rather see someone who wants to play rather than someone who will only play if they were offered money. Fuck em.
The point Allen is making is that if they were offered money, they would play in the Olympics. He is correct, we would see many players playing if that happens.
I sure as hell hope that doesn't happen cause thats just fucked up.
It is messed up that they need money to play for the country. I am not saying we should pay them. I have respect for the team we had last year, and all the previous years who played in the Olympics representing the USA. They have the love for the game as well as love for the country to accept suck a privileged opportunity. I would also rather see someone who wants to play rather than someone who will only play if they were offered money. Fuck em.
The point Allen is making is that if they were offered money, they would play in the Olympics. He is correct, we would see many players playing if that happens.
I sure as hell hope that doesn't happen cause thats just fucked up.
Don't you remember the stories. I give a ton of credit to Larry Brown for what he did with what he had.
05-03-2005, 09:31 AM
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I like the idea of tryouts for the Olympic basketball team.
Have the NBA players who want to compete show up to tryout. I bet there's plenty of NBA guys who've gotten glossed over in the past who'd love a shot to compete for a gold medal. You'd be able to put a real team on the court, not just a big set of individuals who don't want to be there.
Have the NBA players who want to compete show up to tryout. I bet there's plenty of NBA guys who've gotten glossed over in the past who'd love a shot to compete for a gold medal. You'd be able to put a real team on the court, not just a big set of individuals who don't want to be there.