Why pro athletes should not compete in the olympics

[Marsh01]

Yea I know we won the gold medal (yipee). Get the college kids back. It would mean a lot more.

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/7801502/nba-olympians-compensated

 

[EastCoast2]

Wow. What an @$$. Playing for your country is an HONOR, not a job. If you don't want to represent the USA, stay home during the summer.

 

[HyattsCuse]

LeBron taking the high road at the end there. Props for that. I do find it hilarious that guys asking for compensation are guys that have or will be making at least $100 million dollars playing basketball, not including endorsements, in their careers. Do you really need some jersey sales revenue to compensate you for representing your country in addition?

 

[Marsh01]

"You're not playing for the dollar. But it would be nice if you would get compensated."

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

Being in Lebron's shadow all the time...people forget just what an absolute douche Dwayne Wade is. I think he is worse than Bron, actually.

 

[Etancuse]

everytime lebron speaks he sounds more and more like arod. A fraud trying to make people like him.

 

[texascpa]

Sorry, but I don't agree. Many other countries don't have leagues and instead have national teams. They are essentially pros paid on the government's dime. US doesn't do this. We should not be penalized because we aren't some socialist/communist despot of a country.

 

[EastCoast2]

When their basketball careers are over, winning a gold medal for your COUNTRY should be either #1 or 1A. Make appearances at Miami clubs if you want extra money.

 

[EastCoast2]

Sorry, but I don't agree. Many other countries don't have leagues and instead have national teams. They are essentially pros paid on the government's dime. US doesn't do this. We should not be penalized because we aren't some socialist/communist despot of a country.

I agree. Let the best represent the USA, but if they expect to get paid for representing their country, they can move to Canada.

 

[Knicks411]

The only thing I'll say is that the IOC is pretty damn corrupt, and the Olympics are the biggest money maker in the world, or close to it.

I somewhat see where he is coming from, because his job is to be the best player for the Miami heat, and that stuff can take a toll, but he should probably just not play.

I also think it's easy for us to say they should play for free when we aren't putting any time and work into the deal. Not saying they should definitely be paid, but it's easier to be patriotic and all that when you don't have to do anything. I could see being a little pissed off seeing guys walking around in an Olmypic jersey with my name on it and knowing I didn't see a dime from it.

 

[jimsonjunction]

D-Wade really fudged up on this one. If you don't want to play for free, don't play. And I hesitate to call it free, because the experience of walking out during the opening ceremony with your nation's flag is a priceless experience. I'm sure he knows more than anyone what an honor and privilege it is to live in the USA, but his comments reek of entitlement. Sacrificing your time and effort when called upon is a small price to pay.

 

[Ward]

everytime lebron speaks he sounds more and more like arod. A fraud trying to make people like him.

FWIW coming from a LeBron apologist, and also just to show these guys aren't all bad.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/sto...urity-makes-sure-military-personnel-are-happy

 

[texascpa]

I agree. Let the best represent the USA, but if they expect to get paid for representing their country, they can move to Canada.

I admit I didn't read the article and was only commenting based on the OP comments. Don't think he should be paid either, he already gets all expenses paid for and endorsements.

 

[orangenirvana]

It's amazing how hateable the Miami Heat are.

 

[Knicks411]

I don't know what the uproar is about. So he wants to get paid, that's not a sin - that is goddamn American.

Haha yeah, he also said he's looking forward to playing this summer for Team USA. He's not holding them hostage or anything. Someone asked a question, he answered honestly, and I think his point had some merit. Not a big deal though.

 

[BlackKnight76]

I was actually a big D-Wade fan until he made the ridiculous "when we lose, people will act like it's 9/11" statement after The Decision. What a tool.

 

[EastCoast2]

It'd be one thing if he wanted the jersey proceeds to go to charity, or to veterans, whatever, but to say he's pissed about missing out on an extra half-million dollars is chickn$h*t bull$h*t and I lost a lot of respect for him

 

[Knicks411]

I was actually a big D-Wade fan until he made the ridiculous "when we lose, people will act like it's 9/11" statement after The Decision. What a tool.

That was really stupid. Like, 500 times stupider than this thing.

It'd be one thing if he wanted the jersey proceeds to go to charity, or to veterans, whatever, but to say he's pissed about missing out on an extra half-million dollars is chickn$h*t bull$h*t and I lost a lot of respect for him

Maybe I am giving him the benefit of the doubt, but I don't read him as being pissed. Someone asked him if he thought the players should be paid, he pointed out they put a lot of time and effort into it and lots of people make a lot of money off the jerseys and all that, so he thinks they should get some of that money. I don't see it as him being pissed. It's not keeping him from playing for team usa. There are a lot of things in my life that I wish were different, but I wouldn't say I'm pissed they are they way they are, if that makes any sense.

 

[Knicks411]

Hahahhaha, he's already backtracked off this.

 

[EastCoast2]

Hahahhaha, he's already backtracked off this.

probably felt the Heat... BOOM

 

[joct]

The college talent pool is so diluted, a team of college BB players would get crushed in today's olympics. Especially since the international talent has improved so much over the years. Even with Coach K, Lebron, Wade, Carmelo and Kobe, they are winning, but not that convincingly.

If I remember back in 84 and 88 guys who were just drafted were still eligible to play, but even with this year's class, I don't think they would do that well.

 

[EastCoast2]

The college talent pool is so diluted, a team of college BB players would get crushed in today's olympics. Especially since the international talent has improved so much over the years. Even with Coach K, Lebron, Wade, Carmelo and Kobe, they are winning, but not that convincingly.

If I remember back in 84 and 88 guys who were just drafted were still eligible to play, but even with this year's class, I don't think they would do that well.

If you had to make a starting lineup of college kids to play in the olympics right now, I'd go with

PG - Marshall
SG - McDermott
SF - MKG
PF- Robinson
C - Davis