Silent G: NBA Summer League.. or Olympics ...or Both?

[cto]

What should Michael do? What would you do? It's an interesting dilemna.

Nigeria's Olympic team would rather Michael Gbinije not play Summer League with Pistons

 

[PeteCalvin]

Will he stick to the Detroit roster or is it foregone he'll be relegated to the D-League? Will he have a contract in place? If he has zero guarantees from Detroit and knows he is for sure D-League'ing it, he should play the Olympics. Once in a lifetime.

 

[RF2044]

Will he stick to the Detroit roster or is it foregone he'll be relegated to the D-League? Will he have a contract in place? If he has zero guarantees from Detroit and knows he is for sure D-League'ing it, he should play the Olympics. Once in a lifetime.

Tough to predict the future, but Detroit trading Jodie Meeks bodes will for Gbinije. Plus, SVG's recent comments about experimenting with G at point guard, which in turn would enable them to save a roster spot, suggests that his versatility will allow him to stick.

Finger's crossed--pulling for him to make it.

 

[tee1222]

What should Michael do? What would you do?

Nigeria's Olympic team would rather Michael Gbinije not play Summer League with Pistons

Will he stick to the Detroit roster or is it foregone he'll be relegated to the D-League? Will he have a contract in place? If he has zero guarantees from Detroit and knows he is for sure D-League'ing it, he should play the Olympics. Once in a lifetime.

It seems on the surface that his coach wants him there opening day in Detroit. Still. G was impressive for Nigeria and a key contributor to their qualification. I hope his priorities would be both, Nigeria, NBA in that order. As Pete says, once in a lifetime. But at the end of the day, he's got to do what's best for his future.

 

[MSOrange]

While I realize the Olympics is a huge deal, if he has a legit shot to make the Pistons roster, I'd do what he needed to do to get his career off on the right foot. You only get one chance to start your career and one chance to make a first impression, as they say.

Looking at Nigeria's national roster, they have some solid players, but I'd bet he would have a good chance to still make the roster in four years, hopefully once he has established his pro career.

 

[JLine]

Personally, I think it's a no brainer. Summer league. He has a great shot of making the team. I feel he's almost guaranteed, but you never know. Hard to turn away the Olympics, but this is the start of his professional career that has the potential to be quite long if he can make the team, then work towards that 2nd contract. Once he has that locked up, 2020 sounds good.

 

[sufandu]

It doesn't sound like Nigeria is giving an us or them ultimatum. I'd do both. Since he's not a lock for the team and can't be sure he'll have a long NBA career he needs to do all he can to make a good impression on his employer. The Olympics may be once in a lifetime, but the NBA could be too, and it seems like the former is a need whereas the latter would be a want.

 

[longtimefan]

While I realize the Olympics is a huge deal, if he has a legit shot to make the Pistons roster, I'd do what he needed to do to get his career off on the right foot. You only get one chance to start your career and one chance to make a first impression, as they say.

Looking at Nigeria's national roster, they have some solid players, but I'd bet he would have a good chance to still make the roster in four years, hopefully once he has established his pro career.

Nigeria pulled a big upset to qualify this year. They will still be a long shot in 4 years.

 

[RF2044]

While I realize the Olympics is a huge deal, if he has a legit shot to make the Pistons roster, I'd do what he needed to do to get his career off on the right foot. You only get one chance to start your career and one chance to make a first impression, as they say.

Looking at Nigeria's national roster, they have some solid players, but I'd bet he would have a good chance to still make the roster in four years, hopefully once he has established his pro career.

Personally, I think it's a no brainer. Summer league. He has a great shot of making the team. I feel he's almost guaranteed, but you never know. Hard to turn away the Olympics, but this is the start of his professional career that has the potential to be quite long if he can make the team, then work towards that 2nd contract. Once he has that locked up, 2020 sounds good.

Agree 100% with both of you. The NBA is a business, and Gbinije is competing for a job that is only available to ~450 people in the world. If he had a guaranteed contract, I'd feel more comfortable with him focusing on the Olympics. But as a second round pick rookie, he would be better served living in the Piston's training facility this offseason and doing everything with his power to improve / enhance his chances of making the team.

I don't view this year's Olympics as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity for him. He can represent Nigeria in 2020 and 2024... as an active NBA veteran.

Gbinije is a businessman now--and he's got to take care of business first before worrying about things that don't further his professional objective of latching on in the NBA.

 

[Eric15]

I would go to the place that isn't the epicenter of the Zika virus on the Planet Earth, but that's just me.

 

[cuse2013]

Can I vote Boeheim's Army?

 

[Briancuse]

Considering how unsafe the olympics seem to be, I would steer clear of that, and focus on summer league.

 

[721Comstock]

Considering how unsafe the olympics seem to be, I would steer clear of that, and focus on summer league.

yeah, because DETROIT is a veritable Garden of Eden.

 

[RF2044]

yeah, because DETROIT is a veritable Garden of Eden.

Summer league's in Orlando.

...which is equally unsafe these days...

 

[Briancuse]

Summer league's in Orlando.

...which is equally unsafe these days...

Valid point, you really can't go anywhere in this damn world these days.

 

[Cuse'91]

Valid point, you really can't go anywhere in this damn world these days.

True, if it's not bullets, it's the mosquitos that will get you...

 

[bozophobe]

I would go to the place that isn't the epicenter of the Zika virus on the Planet Earth, but that's just me.

Isn't it winter down there now? I'm told the 'skeeters aren't near the beaches at this time. Human body parts are washing up, yeah.

 

[longtimefan]

Isn't it winter down there now? I'm told the 'skeeters aren't near the beaches at this time. Human body parts are washing up, yeah.

I looked up the Rio climate. Highs of 81 degrees . or more "can occur on a monthly basis". But the ocean breezes do moderate, and the occasional Antarctic front can cool it off during their winter months. However, there has never confirmation of any frost. So, it's not winter as we know it.

 

[AlaskaSU]

Nigeria is not going to win gold. G does not start for them and he is not a Nigerian citizen. Let's turn the question around; why would he rather play for the Nigerian Olympic team?

 

[721Comstock]

Nigeria is not going to win gold. G does not start for them and he is not a Nigerian citizen. Let's turn the question around; why would he rather play for the Nigerian Olympic team?

Because only a dozen guys from each country can play in the Olympics, once every 4 years.
And he's unlikely to ever make the US team, so...

 

[longtimefan]

Nigeria is not going to win gold. G does not start for them and he is not a Nigerian citizen. Let's turn the question around; why would he rather play for the Nigerian Olympic team?

He does have Nigerian heritage.

Put yourself in a similar position. If because of your German/Italian/Swedish heritage and your athletic skills you had the opportunity to represent the country your father was born in in the Olympics, playing volleyball or boxing,etc., would you do it? It's both a great honor and a great experience.

Now, of course, the difference is that going to Rio might set back his career, or abort it. Whereas, in the "Olympic" sports, competitors are encouraged (and even subsidized by) their employers--see Dick's Sporting Goods.

In the end, he will probably have to make a choice--no Sophie's Choice, of course, but not easy either. I expect that will be to pursue his profession.

 

[SU_Fan_in_VA]

According to my inside source Mike Gbinije will join the Nigerian Team in Los Angeles after the Orlando Summer League. And the team will be playing exhibition games in Las Vegas against Argentina and Brazil on July 18 and 20. And then play Team USA in Houston on August 1 before heading to Rio.

 

[Shark58]

 

[cuseincincy]

Seems too easy to say both but duh! SVG only wants 12 days and then it sounds like he supports G going to the Olympics. One of the stupider statements I've ever read is that the Nigerian Olympic team would rather G not play any basketball leading up to the Olympics?!?

 

[Digger]