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Selective patriotism Representing U.S. should be an honor for NBA playersPosted: Monday August 19, 2002 5:56 PM
Apparently NBA superstars are just like the rest of us in at least one respect -- they don't like to get called into work during their vacations. Once the offseason arrives, it seems the only calls they answer are from their sneaker company or their publicist. For the most part, that's understandable. Pro athletes deserve their share of downtime like everyone else. But there is one summertime request that is reasonable to make of NBA stars: When Uncle Sam comes calling, don't let the answering machine pick up. That's essentially what many of the league's luminaries did when USA Basketball was putting together the team that will compete in the World Basketball Championships beginning later this month in Indianapolis. Kobe Bryant turned down an invitation, reportedly through his agent, but he's not the only marquee player who chose not to represent his country this summer. Tracy McGrady won't be in Indianapolis either, nor will Kevin Garnett or Vince Carter. (Some stars, including Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Kidd and Ray Allen, begged off, citing injuries.) The only way most of the league's truly elite players will be wearing "USA" on their chests this summer is if they shop at Old Navy. Here's the U.S. roster for the World Championships: Elton Brand, Andre Miller, Reggie Miller, Antonio Davis, Baron Davis, Jermaine O'Neal, Michael Finley, Paul Pierce, Raef LaFrentz, Ben Wallace, Shawn Marion and Jay Williams. Good, but not nearly as good as it could be. Garnett, Tim Duncan and Carter all played in the 2000 Olympics, which some would say entitles them to skip the World Championships. But the question is, why would they want to skip the World Championships? Representing the U.S. in international competition should be considered an honor, not a request to be dodged. If players want to know how they get tagged with reputations as greedy prima donnas who won't walk across the street unless they're getting paid to do so, here's their answer. Granted, NBA players go through a grueling season plus playoffs, and they need time to let their bodies recuperate. But a couple of weeks out of their summer every couple of years isn't too much to ask, especially since it's not exactly heavy lifting. If Bryant, Carter, McGrady, Garnett, Duncan, Chris Webber and Co. all accepted the invitation, none of them would have to play more than half the game. It would essentially be a good offseason workout for them. The members of the 2000 Olympic team, including Garnett and Carter, talked about how much it meant to represent their country. Does it only mean something when they're doing it in the Olympics, when playing for the U.S. can translate into endorsement opportunities? Post 9/11, giving up a few weeks of free time -- no matter how precious -- to represent their country seems like a small sacrifice. If Ted Williams could give up years of his career to fly fighter planes in battle, why can't a few NBA stars give up some vacation time to do what they supposedly love to do? The next time the U.S. loses in international competition, it probably won't be because the world has caught up, but because the best players we have to offer just couldn't be bothered to play. If this U.S. team loses, it won't be the players on the team who should feel embarrassed, it will be the stars who are sitting at home. It has been suggested that a clause be included in the standard NBA contract requiring players to participate in international competition if asked, unless they are injured or have another valid reason not to play. But there's no reason for that. If the only obligation NBA stars feel to play for their country is a contractual one, let 'em stay home. Sports Illustrated senior writer Phil Taylor writes about a Hot Button issue every Monday on CNNSI.com.
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