I'm just waiting for the clarity of how ghoti will relate this to Kidd being selfish...which he already has been implying.</p> </p> STOP IT GHOTI!</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mynetsforlife)</div><div class='quotemain'> Important?</p> You seem to be the only one who knows about this. </p> </p> At least admit to this:</p> You run less of a risk playing basketball than football.</p> </div></p> </p> All international competition is important.</p> It's about the purity of sports and provides everyone with life experiences that are unattainable any other way.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mynetsforlife)</div><div class='quotemain'>I sense a joke on ghoti's part...</div></p> Representing America is not a joke, it's a privelege. </p> One the NFL and its players apparently do not take as seriously as the rest of us.</p>
The NFL, as a league, would never push its own players into playing in an international competition, because the risk of injury in a game is too high. It is a poor buisiness decision for the individual teams, the league and the players to particiapate.</p> Meanwhile, the NBA is actively pushing its own players into international competition. You can make a strong argument that the 1992 Dream Team was the tipping point for the influx of international players into the game today. From a marketing standpoint, the more countries that get hooked on basketball (and it's happening, if slowly) the more money there is for the owners, the league, and thus the players who can cut it in the league. The overall level of talent in the NBA goes up, as does the world profile of teams that feature international stars. The individual coaches and teammates might not be paticularly thrilled with their teammates risking injury by playing high-level basketball games in the offseason, but most owners with a long-term view can see that a strong Team USA to compete with an increasingly difficult level of international play can do a LOT for the strength of the league. Meanwhile, in a league where personal marketing is everything, being a key member of Team USA can do a lot for rasing one's profile in the public conciousness. For the individual players, it can often be a smart buisiness decision.</p> Does it suck for us, as fans, to see our players risk regular season success on what feel like "exhibition games"? Sure, if your sole focus is the team you root for. But if your view is a bit broader (and I'm not saying yours should be ghoti, just that it is for some of us) you can appreciate how watching some of the best players in the world face off against each other playing for national pride is both rewarding for the fans, and an investment for the players, the owners, and the league. </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ly_yng)</div><div class='quotemain'> The NFL, as a league, would never push its own players into playing in an international competition, because the risk of injury in a game is too high. It is a poor buisiness decision for the individual teams, the league and the players to particiapate.</p> Meanwhile, the NBA is actively pushing its own players into international competition. You can make a strong argument that the 1992 Dream Team was the tipping point for the influx of international players into the game today. From a marketing standpoint, the more countries that get hooked on basketball (and it's happening, if slowly) the more money there is for the owners, the league, and thus the players who can cut it in the league. The overall level of talent in the NBA goes up, as does the world profile of teams that feature international stars. The individual coaches and teammates might not be paticularly thrilled with their teammates risking injury by playing high-level basketball games in the offseason, but most owners with a long-term view can see that a strong Team USA to compete with an increasingly difficult level of international play can do a LOT for the strength of the league. Meanwhile, in a league where personal marketing is everything, being a key member of Team USA can do a lot for rasing one's profile in the public conciousness. For the individual players, it can often be a smart buisiness decision.</p> Does it suck for us, as fans, to see our players risk regular season success on what feel like "exhibition games"? Sure, if your sole focus is the team you root for. But if your view is a bit broader (and I'm not saying yours should be ghoti, just that it is for some of us) you can appreciate how watching some of the best players in the world face off against each other playing for national pride is both rewarding for the fans, and an investment for the players, the owners, and the league. </p> </div></p> Sorry, I don't understand the double standard.</p> Isn't the NFL in much more need of international noteriety than the NBA? About a million times more? Yet the league and its franchises still refuse to allow players the important opportunity to represent their country. That should be their unassailable right! </p> As for the risk of injury, isn't it true that the smaller rosters and salary restrictions in the NBA make it all but impossible to replace an injured star player? In the NFL, it's sooooo much easier.</p> Basically, you are just justifying the NFL and their players' lack of national pride when they clearly have no commitment to their country. </p> NBA players understand the meaning of selflessness and duty. For you to say that they participate for business reasons that benefit them personally is an insult to that selflessness. You should be ashamed of yourself for suggesting that they are putting themselves before their employers, fans and teammates when they are clearly great patriots. </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ly_yng)</div><div class='quotemain'> The NFL, as a league, would never push its own players into playing in an international competition, because the risk of injury in a game is too high. It is a poor buisiness decision for the individual teams, the league and the players to particiapate.</p> Meanwhile, the NBA is actively pushing its own players into international competition. You can make a strong argument that the 1992 Dream Team was the tipping point for the influx of international players into the game today. From a marketing standpoint, the more countries that get hooked on basketball (and it's happening, if slowly) the more money there is for the owners, the league, and thus the players who can cut it in the league. The overall level of talent in the NBA goes up, as does the world profile of teams that feature international stars. The individual coaches and teammates might not be paticularly thrilled with their teammates risking injury by playing high-level basketball games in the offseason, but most owners with a long-term view can see that a strong Team USA to compete with an increasingly difficult level of international play can do a LOT for the strength of the league. Meanwhile, in a league where personal marketing is everything, being a key member of Team USA can do a lot for rasing one's profile in the public conciousness. For the individual players, it can often be a smart buisiness decision.</p> Does it suck for us, as fans, to see our players risk regular season success on what feel like "exhibition games"? Sure, if your sole focus is the team you root for. But if your view is a bit broader (and I'm not saying yours should be ghoti, just that it is for some of us) you can appreciate how watching some of the best players in the world face off against each other playing for national pride is both rewarding for the fans, and an investment for the players, the owners, and the league. </p> </div></p> Sorry, I don't understand the double standard.</p> Isn't the NFL in much more need of international noteriety than the NBA? About a million times more? Yet the league and its franchises still refuse to allow players the important opportunity to represent their country. That should be their unassailable right! </p> As for the risk of injury, isn't it true that the smaller rosters and salary restrictions in the NBA make it all but impossible to replace an injured star player? In the NFL, it's sooooo much easier.</p> Basically, you are just justifying the NFL and their players' lack of national pride when they clearly have no commitment to their country. </p> NBA players understand the meaning of selflessness and duty. For you to say that they participate for business reasons that benefit them personally is an insult to that selflessness. You should be ashamed of yourself for suggesting that they are putting themselves before their employers, fans and teammates when they are clearly great patriots. </p> </div></p> ... because NBA players if cut due to injury will still get paid? While high payed NFL players on the last year of the contract can lose millions?</p> -Petey</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Petey)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ly_yng)</div><div class='quotemain'> The NFL, as a league, would never push its own players into playing in an international competition, because the risk of injury in a game is too high. It is a poor buisiness decision for the individual teams, the league and the players to particiapate.</p> Meanwhile, the NBA is actively pushing its own players into international competition. You can make a strong argument that the 1992 Dream Team was the tipping point for the influx of international players into the game today. From a marketing standpoint, the more countries that get hooked on basketball (and it's happening, if slowly) the more money there is for the owners, the league, and thus the players who can cut it in the league. The overall level of talent in the NBA goes up, as does the world profile of teams that feature international stars. The individual coaches and teammates might not be paticularly thrilled with their teammates risking injury by playing high-level basketball games in the offseason, but most owners with a long-term view can see that a strong Team USA to compete with an increasingly difficult level of international play can do a LOT for the strength of the league. Meanwhile, in a league where personal marketing is everything, being a key member of Team USA can do a lot for rasing one's profile in the public conciousness. For the individual players, it can often be a smart buisiness decision.</p> Does it suck for us, as fans, to see our players risk regular season success on what feel like "exhibition games"? Sure, if your sole focus is the team you root for. But if your view is a bit broader (and I'm not saying yours should be ghoti, just that it is for some of us) you can appreciate how watching some of the best players in the world face off against each other playing for national pride is both rewarding for the fans, and an investment for the players, the owners, and the league. </p> </div></p> Sorry, I don't understand the double standard.</p> Isn't the NFL in much more need of international noteriety than the NBA? About a million times more? Yet the league and its franchises still refuse to allow players the important opportunity to represent their country. That should be their unassailable right! </p> As for the risk of injury, isn't it true that the smaller rosters and salary restrictions in the NBA make it all but impossible to replace an injured star player? In the NFL, it's sooooo much easier.</p> Basically, you are just justifying the NFL and their players' lack of national pride when they clearly have no commitment to their country. </p> NBA players understand the meaning of selflessness and duty. For you to say that they participate for business reasons that benefit them personally is an insult to that selflessness. You should be ashamed of yourself for suggesting that they are putting themselves before their employers, fans and teammates when they are clearly great patriots. </p> </div></p> ... because NBA players if cut due to injury will still get paid? While high payed NFL players on the last year of the contract can lose millions?</p> -Petey </p> </div></p> </p> Read above. I already addressed this.</p> NFL players are just greedy. They don't care about the USA.</p> It's not basketball players' fault they have guaranteed contracts. They all say representing their country is worth the risk to their organizations, fans and teammates, so I think it goes without saying it would be worth personal risk to themselves as well. They would still play because they care most about the opportunity to play for their country. It's not about money to them. </p>
This competition is a fucking joke.</p> Canada doesn't even have a team? There's about 10-15 Canadians playing in the NFL and dozens playing in NCAA, plus a league full of "Canadian" football players. I think they could figure it out if they where forced to play by these international rules. I know the running backs would love it.</p> Team Canada wouldn't have a real good QB. Decent D and great kicking and special teams though. </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti)</div><div class='quotemain'>Read above. I already addressed this. NFL players are just greedy. They don't care about the USA.</p> It's not basketball players' fault they have guaranteed contracts. They all say representing their country is worth the risk to their organizations, fans and teammates, so I think it goes without saying it would be worth personal risk to themselves as well. They would still play because they care most about the opportunity to play for their country. It's not about money to them. </p> </div></p> That's a pretty bold assumption you are making considering how many younger players out of the vast majority in the NBA will take smaller contracts to find a fit?</p> -Petey</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Petey)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti)</div><div class='quotemain'>Read above. I already addressed this. NFL players are just greedy. They don't care about the USA.</p> It's not basketball players' fault they have guaranteed contracts. They all say representing their country is worth the risk to their organizations, fans and teammates, so I think it goes without saying it would be worth personal risk to themselves as well. They would still play because they care most about the opportunity to play for their country. It's not about money to them. </p> </div></p> That's a pretty bold assumption you are making considering how many younger players out of the vast majority in the NBA will take smaller contracts to find a fit?</p> -Petey </p> </div></p> I'm just taking them at their word.</p> Why would the risk be worth it for everyone else, but not them?</p> It's insulting for you to say that it wouldn't.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ToddMacCulloch11)</div><div class='quotemain'>I didn't even know this thing existed until right now.</div></p> Exactly!</p> You would have heard of it if Peyton Manning played in it.</p> The Colts and the NFL are restricting his right to play for his country.</p> </p>
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Petey)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti)</div><div class='quotemain'>Read above. I already addressed this. NFL players are just greedy. They don't care about the USA.</p> It's not basketball players' fault they have guaranteed contracts. They all say representing their country is worth the risk to their organizations, fans and teammates, so I think it goes without saying it would be worth personal risk to themselves as well. They would still play because they care most about the opportunity to play for their country. It's not about money to them. </p> </div></p> That's a pretty bold assumption you are making considering how many younger players out of the vast majority in the NBA will take smaller contracts to find a fit?</p> -Petey </p> </div></p> I'm just taking them at their word.</p> Why would the risk be worth it for everyone else, but not them?</p> It's insulting for you to say that it wouldn't. </p> </div></p> NFL players have shorter career, and can lose wages while NBA players can't. They are in different situations. </p> I wish we could live in a world where we could take people at their word, but we don't.</p> -Petey</p>
[quote name='Petey'][quote name='ghoti'][quote name='Petey'][quote name='ghoti']Read above. I already addressed this. NFL players are just greedy. They don't care about the USA.</p> It's not basketball players' fault they have guaranteed contracts. They all say representing their country is worth the risk to their organizations, fans and teammates, so I think it goes without saying it would be worth personal risk to themselves as well. They would still play because they care most about the opportunity to play for their country. It's not about money to them. </p> [/QUOTE]</p> That's a pretty bold assumption you are making considering how many younger players out of the vast majority in the NBA will take smaller contracts to find a fit?</p> -Petey </p> [/QUOTE]</p> I'm just taking them at their word.</p> Why would the risk be worth it for everyone else, but not them?</p> It's insulting for you to say that it wouldn't. </p> [/QUOTE]</p> NFL players have shorter career, and can lose wages while NBA players can't. They are in different situations. </p> I wish we could live in a world where we could take people at their word, but we don't.</p> -Petey </p> [/QUOTE]</p> </p> So you are saying that pro athletes playing in these competitions is OK as long as the player himself isn't the one assuming the greatest risk?</p> I'm thinking maybe you don't love America.</p> I'm glad the players themselves are not like that. </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti)</div><div class='quotemain'>So you are saying that pro athletes playing in these competitions is OK as long as the player himself isn't the one assuming the greatest risk? I'm thinking maybe you don't love America.</p> I'm glad the players themselves are not like that. </p> </div></p> If the players on a whole wanted to, there would be a bigger push for it. Just because a few say they want to, that doesn't make me beleive they all want to, or even those guys want to, and I can understand the reasoning behind it. </p> -Petey</p>
