and do you not think the odds favor that some of those nagging injuries may occur more often because of the constant all yr round play? He's not getting any younger and he's not resting, my contention would be that those injuries could become more serious
if we had a team built like the Spurs have been (great bench) that have been constant championship contenders I would agree, but at this time that ain't us
I agree we haven't proved anything but I really do believe that if guys like LA, nic and wes get more rest that can only be a positive for us in the long run. Nic is an OLD 27, LA is almost 30, wes may never be the same. Plus, getting CJ, Crabbe and Leonard more minutes isn't gonna kill us either.
Nice Straw man. First of all, before Wesley Matthews' injury, we did have a team built a lot like the Spurs (we match up very well with them). So that argument goes out the window. The question (that you did not answer) was pertaining to whether or not it would be detrimental to us in the long run if our main players took five to ten games off. Do you plan on answering it?
You make an excellent point! I still don't want to see Batum playing this summer again... It's for selfish reasons!
Definitely a contradiction in the people against this as I'm sure many of the same people would love for Dame/LA play for team USA. Granted, Nic will have to play more for France than our guys potentially would for team USA... I just wish he'd get some rest. Learn from TP/Diaw/Noah, hell even guys like Pau/Deng/Dirk/KD/etc Guys who mean more to their respective teams sat out international tournaments. It didn't hurt their standings in the national spotlight any more.
You know he's specifically prohibited by the CBA from even making the suggestion that Nic not play, right?
Yes I certainly do, they rest and work on parts of their game and IMO come bach refreshed and ready for what is an incredible NBA grind, to not rest given that grind IMO is aski One can easily distinguish IMO between respecting a player and his rights to play for his country and how that constant playing year after year after year could be a detriment for the NBA teams he plays on. I am a Blazer fan number one, I want my team to succeed, if I feel a player there is no way we have proven (with Wes) we have a team that can compete for championships like the Spurs have for a decade, heck they were in the finals the past two years. Age and injury may finally be catching up with them this year, but until we get to a championship with this group or most of it do not try to imply we are on a level similar to those Spurs teams that got to the FINALS, we can hope or wish we are but we have proven nothing yet.
I disagree... there were a lot (myself included) that was hoping Dame/LA didn't make team USA so they could rest. And they all have been injured at some point this year. That being said, I don't -want- Nic to play for the French team and rest for the summer. However, I completely understand the loyalty and pride it is to play for your country, and I can't fault him for that. Sprague on 1080 the fan made a good point. Batum said he was burnt out from last year... so maybe he goes about this next offseason the right way by taking a rest (goes on vacation for two weeks, etc) before going to France and limits his practices.... Though, after this year, if he comes out flat next season, I don't think there will be ANY sympathy. It's put up or shut up time for him on this issue next year.
Dame doesn't rest. He tried to make (and was almost on) the US team. He would have been playing a lot (and still did without making it but just practice instead of game minutes). Honestly the whole thing is way overblown imo. These guys play full court games during the off-season whether they are official games or not.
As usual, I will go right to the heart of the matter: Nic just wants to get his hands on more Spanish junk.
I'm just playing devil's advocate here. I actively root against USA and Mexico in World Cups, and I'm half and half. I dont have a patriotic bone in my body
More than his body. I think the mental stamina of playing an NBA season must be immense. Plus playoffs, even moreso. Then add other truly competitive tournaments in the off season, I just think it's too much.
