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skierdude44
What do you guys think about most of our stars sitting out the games? This obviously wont be the rebirth of the Dream Team and our top stars wont be there. I would like to see them play and show patriotism, but under the circumstances I dont blame them. I mean our athlete's cant even wave American flags because we dont wanna cause any anti American feelings over there which is bullshit to me because some Kenyan or whatever can run around with his flag or whatever and it is a display of patriotism, if we do it it is politically incorrect.
Anyway what do u guys think about it? I dont think we will win. We wont even come close IMO.
USA Olympic Basketball team
June 03, 2004 at 08:22PM View BBCode
I know this is old news but no one has brought it up so I thought I'd mention it.What do you guys think about most of our stars sitting out the games? This obviously wont be the rebirth of the Dream Team and our top stars wont be there. I would like to see them play and show patriotism, but under the circumstances I dont blame them. I mean our athlete's cant even wave American flags because we dont wanna cause any anti American feelings over there which is bullshit to me because some Kenyan or whatever can run around with his flag or whatever and it is a display of patriotism, if we do it it is politically incorrect.
Anyway what do u guys think about it? I dont think we will win. We wont even come close IMO.
FuriousGiorge
Quite frankly, I think the whole Dream Team idea is a bit played out anyway. I say we go back to sending amateurs. What the hell are we proving by crushing foreign countries at basketball every 4 years? Not a goddamn thing. Turn it back into a contest, that's what I think. Does anyone care if Dream Team wins? No, because we expect them to win. But if they were a bunch of college kids, then if they won it'd be an interesting story again.
June 03, 2004 at 08:30PM View BBCode
Quite frankly, I'm unwilling to get up on my high horse and ream some guy for not going to Greece considering the fact that I'll be sitting on my ass right here in America during the Olympics. It pisses me off when commentators start attacking these players for not going, saying they need to go to show their patriotism, and to show the world we're not afraid. Well then fatty, why don't you go to Athens and put your own life on the line. Oh, you're not going to? Then shut the hell up.Quite frankly, I think the whole Dream Team idea is a bit played out anyway. I say we go back to sending amateurs. What the hell are we proving by crushing foreign countries at basketball every 4 years? Not a goddamn thing. Turn it back into a contest, that's what I think. Does anyone care if Dream Team wins? No, because we expect them to win. But if they were a bunch of college kids, then if they won it'd be an interesting story again.
skierdude44
Pros or amateurs are both fine by me. As long as they are top tier talent. Under regular circumstances I would expect the athlete's to go over there, but when any sign of red white and blue brings and uproar and threatens your life by all means, sit it out. I dont blame them one bit for that. People say that these track and field athletes are willing to go over there and put their lives on the line, but my response to that is that that is different. That is like the finals for those Olympic athletes but it is just an extra curricular activity for NBA players whose first priority should be their lives.
June 03, 2004 at 08:40PM View BBCode
I agree with you. I wouldnt go over there and put my life on the line especially if I didnt have to.Pros or amateurs are both fine by me. As long as they are top tier talent. Under regular circumstances I would expect the athlete's to go over there, but when any sign of red white and blue brings and uproar and threatens your life by all means, sit it out. I dont blame them one bit for that. People say that these track and field athletes are willing to go over there and put their lives on the line, but my response to that is that that is different. That is like the finals for those Olympic athletes but it is just an extra curricular activity for NBA players whose first priority should be their lives.
arodtoo
June 03, 2004 at 10:05PM View BBCode
I think the players should go, i mean they earn millions of dollars for having fun, i feel they could at least spend a month inspiring others(the nba players always inspired me when watching the dream team, nad i have heard that other people in other countries like seeing them also). I don't have bad feelings bout people who are injured, but it is the wimpy exscuses like a wedding that bother me, a wedding takes what 2-3 days? I just think that our players have the chance to do something great, and show some american pride, yet they decide they much rather sit in their fancy mansions, and if they were really concerned about security they could hire their own freaking force for what they earn in half a game. I think people like Shaq and garnett and mcgrady should be going. I amn willing ot bet that baseball players would jump at the oppurtunity would jump at the oppurtunity to play at the olympics(which is another bummer about the olympics, the Cuban professional team can play there, but our major leaguers can't) The Olypics have lost the nostalgia for the NBA players. It shoudl be THE MOST IMPROTANT thing, it is bigger than the finals, and bigger than anything else. I think the main problem is that they don't get paid much(if at all) for it, and they realize they can make more money by staying home. Really Really sad to see stars whimp out of the Olympics(doesn't apply to injuries, births, rape cases). I have more appreciation for the stars who are sticking with it, like Duncan, he seems to have his priorities straight.
FuriousGiorge
June 03, 2004 at 10:25PM View BBCode
Well I'll ask you the same question I want the commentators to answer: are you putting your own ass on the line? Are you going to Greece as an American citizen? It's easy to say that these guys should do this for their country when you're not in the position to do the same thing. But unless you plan to go into what could very well turn out to be a very ugly situation, then I think quite frankly that it's best not to pass judgment on other people's priorities. If an NBA player thinks his own life, and therefore by extension his family, is more important than a medal and patriotism, then I can't say I blame him.
skierdude44
June 03, 2004 at 11:00PM View BBCode
Also it isnt that easy playing basketball. You take a pounding playing day in and day out. I play every friday for atleast a few hours and afterwards my legs are killing me. Now imagine doing that everyday. Sure they dont play games everyday but they have practice every day. I think that the excuses like weddings are just used because some just dont wanna let people know that they are scared. You said yourself that they make millions to play a game. Well, now you want them to risk their lives to play a game. I dont think you should risk your life for that. To defend your country or protect family and friends. But to play basketball? I usually agree, I would like players to go over and show patriotism, but not if they lose their lives. Our athletes have already been warned to to wave American flags at awards ceremonies for fear of an attack. I mean come on. We cant even wave our own flag? Thats crazy but there are people out there that hate everything American and on foreign soil that can be very dangerous. Im not about to go risk my life to play basketball so why should they?
arodtoo
June 03, 2004 at 11:01PM View BBCode
most the players aren't worried about security, security will be very stron, i might be wrong, but i think the fbi and secret service is helping out on security nad will be protecting the americans. They out the selves at risk by playing in the finals, becasue that is a big even and lot os fpeople are there which make it a good target, same with the superbowl. I am willing to bet most of the players aren't worried about security, they just don't want to play, which is a sad sad thing.
andrew
June 03, 2004 at 11:03PM View BBCode
I would rather watch college kids go and enjoy playing then see NBA players sleepwalk through the Games (whether they win or not).
skierdude44
So no, we dont need to play basketball to show patriotism or that we arent afraid. That's crazy. These reporters who are criticizing them should shut their mouths. I have heard some of them say that the players should go and they would go but they werent assigned to cover that. That is BS. They can say that they would go but werent assigned but if they had the chance would they really take it? I doubt it. The 1980 Olympic hockey team was great. I wish I got to see them play. But really what is a gold medal? Is it worth dying for? I dont think so.
June 03, 2004 at 11:06PM View BBCode
Oh and also, I think that we have proven that we arent afraid by the thousands of brave soldiers over in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world for that matter. Whether you support the war or not you have to admit that those are some brave people over there and very patriotic too. I am proud to have two members of my family who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9-11. My cousin Mark is over in Iraq right now and my cousin Tommy was in Afghanistan with the army, got out and took a year off and is in the national guard I believe and will be deployed in the fall.So no, we dont need to play basketball to show patriotism or that we arent afraid. That's crazy. These reporters who are criticizing them should shut their mouths. I have heard some of them say that the players should go and they would go but they werent assigned to cover that. That is BS. They can say that they would go but werent assigned but if they had the chance would they really take it? I doubt it. The 1980 Olympic hockey team was great. I wish I got to see them play. But really what is a gold medal? Is it worth dying for? I dont think so.
macvibes
June 03, 2004 at 11:08PM View BBCode
Its security for most players. Others like Garnett(wedding) its personal. Even if you had the fbi and secret service, would that make you feel safe?? I dont think so. I dont blame them for not going.
macvibes
Mike Bibby
Stephon Marbury
Allen Iverson
LeBron James
Richard Jefferson
Shawn Marion
Amare Stoudamire
Tim Duncan
just fyi
June 03, 2004 at 11:14PM View BBCode
Players goingMike Bibby
Stephon Marbury
Allen Iverson
LeBron James
Richard Jefferson
Shawn Marion
Amare Stoudamire
Tim Duncan
just fyi
arodtoo
Garnett
Shaq
T-Mac
Kidd*
O'neal(probably)*
Bibby(probably)
Kidd
Carter
brand
Allen*
Kobe*
*=injury is reason, and carter and/or brand might be injured
i just think it is a shame that these players can't go, i eman there has been danger all around the world during all olympics, it just wans't publicized, i mean there were embassy bombings, the USS Cole bombing,etc. Americans haev't been the best of friends to everyone in the world for a while, so danger was always out there. And players aren't just concerned about security, they want the money, why would they skip a freaking tournament in Indianapolis if they were scared of security? many of the key players skipped that, and it was basically an Olypick Qualifier.
June 03, 2004 at 11:22PM View BBCode
players supposed to go but backed out:Garnett
Shaq
T-Mac
Kidd*
O'neal(probably)*
Bibby(probably)
Kidd
Carter
brand
Allen*
Kobe*
*=injury is reason, and carter and/or brand might be injured
i just think it is a shame that these players can't go, i eman there has been danger all around the world during all olympics, it just wans't publicized, i mean there were embassy bombings, the USS Cole bombing,etc. Americans haev't been the best of friends to everyone in the world for a while, so danger was always out there. And players aren't just concerned about security, they want the money, why would they skip a freaking tournament in Indianapolis if they were scared of security? many of the key players skipped that, and it was basically an Olypick Qualifier.
skierdude44
June 03, 2004 at 11:23PM View BBCode
There was a bombing there just a couple months ago. I dont care if you have FBI and secret service or whatever. They attacked us on our own country and we have all that stuff here, what makes you think they wont/cant over in Greece.
arodtoo
June 03, 2004 at 11:26PM View BBCode
then we better not play baskettball and gather in large places either, i mean players playing big areansa make very nice targets also, they were willing to play in the all-star game, and that was only protected by the fbi and Secret service, so they shouldn't have played their either, i mean that would make a great spot for terrorists, with many celebs, and gov't officals at the all-star game it made a great target.
macvibes
June 03, 2004 at 11:26PM View BBCode
Wasnt there a bombing or somtin like that at the last Atlanta Olympics?
skierdude44
We are in danger no matter where we are and what we are doing. Thats just the sad truth. But on foreign soil that danger is magnified millions of times. Im not saying dont go play in the Olympics, but if you fear for your life then definitely dont go. Its easy for us to sit here and say go to Greece, because we dont have to. We dont have to go there and fear for our lives. We dont have to deal with the hatred foreign nations feel towards us. They do if they go, which is a great reason not to go.
June 03, 2004 at 11:35PM View BBCode
Yea in 96 or something. Arod, the difference is, on foreign soil Americans are the most hated things around. Even our allies citizens hate us, even though their leaders might not, like Britain for example. On foreign soil it is much easier for them to attack us. The question basically comes down to what is more important to you, a gold medal or your life? I would take my life over a gold medal in a heart beat.We are in danger no matter where we are and what we are doing. Thats just the sad truth. But on foreign soil that danger is magnified millions of times. Im not saying dont go play in the Olympics, but if you fear for your life then definitely dont go. Its easy for us to sit here and say go to Greece, because we dont have to. We dont have to go there and fear for our lives. We dont have to deal with the hatred foreign nations feel towards us. They do if they go, which is a great reason not to go.
FuriousGiorge
June 03, 2004 at 11:44PM View BBCode
It's not as if this is coming out of nowhere. For the past two years stories about Athens have focused on their unpreparedness in terms of security. This is not just paranoia; there are legitimate concerns about the ability of the Greek authorities to protect people. It's not just bombings people are worried about. These basketball players are the most visible American athletes. Now imagine if some terrorist group decided to re-enact Munich 1972 (God forbid), except this time instead of Israel being the enemy it is the United States. You think there aren't people who would love to take some high-profile American hostages to promote their agenda? The Greeks clearly are unprepared for the Olympics, with stories still coming out about things they haven't finished. If they can't finish a roof in time, why would they be able to protect athletes? I think it's great that some basketball players are willing to go to Athens; if I were in their shoes, I would have to think long and hard about putting my life in danger for something as relatively meaningless as a gold medal. Sorry, but it's still just a game, and it wouldn't be worth my life.
arodtoo
June 03, 2004 at 11:44PM View BBCode
you know what you are right, we should put up a big wall around us, and stop trade and flights with other people, and withdrawl the league from canada, and don't have contact with thye outside world. I'm sorry but if you don't go you let the terrorists win, and they will just dictate our lives which is what they want to do. But you still can't explain to me why many of the players didn't go to the World Championships during 2002 on American soil also a lot of the players don't play in the 2000 Olympics, why is that? why the $%$%^ do we have to send someone like Vin Bake to the Olympics when Shaq sits on teh couch, we also sen steve freaking smith. I just think players are happy with their money, and don't want to take eth chance to lose money or get injured, and the luster has worn off. Yeah there a bit of security concerns, but they would be the most protected team in the history of sports, probably more protected than the freaking president in the middle of Baghdad.
arodtoo
June 03, 2004 at 11:46PM View BBCode
The security is being put as first priority with secret service, the guy the president trusts his live to, and the fbi, helping train and monitor the games, as well as helping on security, i think it will be nearly as secure as a freaking nuclear silo.
FuriousGiorge
Terrorist #2: "I would agree with you, but I don't think it does any good."
Terrorist #1: "Why do you say that?"
Terrorist #2: "Well, the Americans have clearly shown they aren't bothered by our terrorism by the fact that their basketball players went to Athens."
Terrorist #1: "Hmmm, you're right. Let's go write that pilot we've always talked about, 100 virgins and me."
It's just so damn easy to pass judgment on everyone else's patriotism, especially when they make more money than you.
June 03, 2004 at 11:53PM View formatted
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Terrorist #1: "You know, we haven't attacked the US in a while. I think it's time to put something together again."
Terrorist #2: "I would agree with you, but I don't think it does any good."
Terrorist #1: "Why do you say that?"
Terrorist #2: "Well, the Americans have clearly shown they aren't bothered by our terrorism by the fact that their basketball players went to Athens."
Terrorist #1: "Hmmm, you're right. Let's go write that pilot we've always talked about, 100 virgins and me."
It's just so damn easy to pass judgment on everyone else's patriotism, especially when they make more money than you.
arodtoo
June 03, 2004 at 11:56PM View BBCode
i am not debating patriotism, i am debating values and lying.
skierdude44
June 03, 2004 at 11:59PM View BBCode
Arod, as furious said the terrorists would love to get their hands on some American superstars as hostages. Kevin Garnett, Shaq, Duncan, Kidd, AI, etc. would all be great targets for them. Capture and torture the most famous people in the USA who are a symbol of the United States. What terrorist wouldnt pass that option up? Furious is right, Greece is unprepared to protect our athletes along with other athletes for around the world. If I was in that position I would have to think long and hard if I wanted to go. If I had been to the Olympics before I would definitely not go. If it was my first time it would be a very hard decision for me.
arodtoo
June 04, 2004 at 12:08AM View BBCode
I don't think they are un-prepared, as also the players will have US security with them, so they won't have to rely on greece security. But the players coul dbe taken hostage just as easily in the USA. I highly doubt these players have as good security at their houes as the security that wil be at the games. I mean the security cna protect arguably te most important man in the world(president) but they can't protect a few b-ball players, come on. Also the terrorists wouldn't accomplish anything by hijacking nba players, they aren't that important, they seem to think tehy are, but they aren't. The president wouldn't give up anything to get them back, tehy hold no power or influence, they are more likely to go after people of importance and who hold importance, they aren't going to go after guys that can barely spell their names.
FuriousGiorge
June 04, 2004 at 12:18AM View BBCode
So I guess the Israeli athletes in Munich in 1972 held no importance either.
arodtoo
June 04, 2004 at 12:22AM View BBCode
actually they didn't, they wer of no improtance, none of the people held any influence, they were athletes, if you were president and terrorists took say Kevin Garnett hostage, and the terrrorists demanded one of the worst terrorists release from prison in exchange for KG, would you do it? No, but if it was somebody like a secretary of state, you probably wouldPages: 1 2