<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">By Paul Jolovitz, Sixers.com Let me get something off my back. Some people are upset at some NBA players for snubbing The Olympic Games. I am among them. If I was blessed with the talent that prompted my country to offer me a USA jersey in any sport, I would be out the door in a nanosecond. I went to the Olympic Games in Atlanta not as a media member, but as a fan. I fully understand that because of security issues, doping problems, and other issues that The Olympics are not what they used to be. While this is true, you will not find many people who will tell you that the actual competition is not compelling and fabulous. Playing for one's country brings out the best in athletes, and most have worked their whole life for their Olympic experience. It makes for phenomenal theater, in any sport. Because of the defections, some are actually rooting for the United States Of America to lose in basketball. Why? To shove it in the face of the defectors? Does that help the sport or the country? Nope. To prove that we play the game the wrong way in this country? Is that worth rooting against your flag? Nope. To hope that Larry Brown, Allen Iverson, or some other object of one's scorn does not succeed? Is that worth rooting against your flag? Nope. In fact, any of these reasons are idiotic, in my opinion. If you wear the letters USA on your uniform, whatever sport you play, I am rooting for you in Athens. When Allen Iverson and his teammates take the court for Larry Brown, they take the court for America. Our country is bigger than Larry, Allen, or anyone else. Those letters are all that matter. With that, I leave you with a chant. USA, USA, USA!!!</div> <div align="center">Full Story</div> I completely agree with his views regarding Athens. Being selected as a player to represent your country is something every professional athlete should consider. Think about? You out of all the people are getting considered to represent the USA. Now that's a major deal, and it's something that should be taken much more seriously. That?s why Iverson and the rest of the guys on the Olympic Team deserve more accolades. Also, if you click the link above, he also speaks about Derrick Coleman and how bad of an influence he is, and he personally thinks that: "Derrick Coleman, in my opinion, is a detriment to a basketball team. Despite his talent and intelligence, I feel that Coleman is one of the more negative influences on a basketball team that I have ever seen.?
Ya if i had the kind of talent in basketball(or any other event) to make it to the Olympics I'd do it in a heart beat. I can't believe these players(Shaq,Kg,T-MAc,etc.) could miss theses things. VInce Carter is getting married and thats the most important thing in your life so hes got an excuse. Kobes on rape trail so i guess he's got an excuse even though he should of never had sex with that girl in the first place. Injurys is another thing that takes nottice. Security Concerns my ass, These players are bemoing lazier and greedier these days.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ace2k2:</div><div class="quote_post">Ya if i had the kind of talent in basketball(or any other event) to make it to the Olympics I'd do it in a heart beat. I can't believe these players(Shaq,Kg,T-MAc,etc.) could miss theses things. VInce Carter is getting married and thats the most important thing in your life so hes got an excuse. Kobes on rape trail so i guess he's got an excuse even though he should of never had sex with that girl in the first place. Injurys is another thing that takes nottice. Security Concerns my ass, These players are bemoing lazier and greedier these days.</div> KG is also getting married that is his excus for not going. Shaquille Oneal probably his body couldnt hold up if he plays bball all year around. The only one with no excuse is tmac. Shaq was part of the dream team and won gold he has proved he can perform in the olympics and already has a medal no need for him to go prove anything else. I cant believe Rip and Ben Wallace there coach is leading the olympic team and they decline a invitation to join the team that is sad some what though they are tired because they had a longer nba season/playoffs then anyone excluding the lakers. Though we can say we would jump at the shot to play in the olympics (I would say it right now to) we cant judge what we would do unless we were put in the position its one of those life choices things.
ya they're just lazy i think they also dont wanna take the chance of injurying their body or get too tired in the offseason. but y wudnt u wanna represent ur country in the biggest sport event in teh world?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post">KG is also getting married that is his excus for not going. Shaquille Oneal probably his body couldnt hold up if he plays bball all year around. The only one with no excuse is tmac. Shaq was part of the dream team and won gold he has proved he can perform in the olympics and already has a medal no need for him to go prove anything else. I cant believe Rip and Ben Wallace there coach is leading the olympic team and they decline a invitation to join the team that is sad some what though they are tired because they had a longer nba season/playoffs then anyone excluding the lakers. Though we can say we would jump at the shot to play in the olympics (I would say it right now to) we cant judge what we would do unless we were put in the position its one of those life choices things.</div> My bad I did'nt know KG was getting married. Ya I also forgot that Shaq is doing a lot of training this years offseason, but he still could help them win. Having Shaq in the center would be priceless. None of these Euros could even stop him. T-Mac is just a pu**y. IMO. Rip and Big Ben still should've went to the Olympics. THey were probably felt disrepected that they were only invited when all these other players turned down their invititations. I think that was the deal with them.
