Much has been made of the withdrawals from Team USA by prominent players as it prepares for the FIBA World Cup in China this summer. Team Canada has experienced similar issues.
Canada Basketball unveiled its training camp roster in a press release and many notable names are missing. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke, Luguentz Dort, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mfiondu Kabengele, Naz Mitrou-Long, Trey Lyles, Dwight Powell, Marial Shayok, Nik Stauskas, and Tristan Thompson were among the invitees who opted not to participate.
Knicks lottery pick RJ Barrett and Nuggets guard Jamal Murray are on the roster but will only participate in training camp. Barrett is dealing with a mild calf strain, while Murray is nursing an ankle injury, Blake Murphy of The Athletic tweets.
Among the NBA players who are on the roster and intend to participate in the tournament are Kings guard Cory Joseph, Heat forward Kelly Olynyk, Magic center Khem Birch and Raptors big man Chris Boucher. Toronto’s Nick Nurse is the head coach of the team, which will play seven exhibition games before its FIBA opener against Australia on September 1.
The World Cup just seems like more trouble than it is worth as it is currently set up. Why don’t they just make every country use amateurs? Those guys would appreciate playing and it would still be fun to watch. NBA scouts could actually get to see foreign players in action rather than having to rely on highlight films. Plus, you could get some publicity for guys from countries that might not be on the radar as well. I have no interest in the World Cup right now, but I think I might pay attention to that set up.
Completely with you there.
Because it makes more money and has the most international influence this way.
I wonder if it’s because in Europe guys can turn professional at 16. If some of those countries had to use non-professionals who would they use? Rec league guys? Maybe it’s because it would be tough for some of those countries to put together a team to play in these tournaments. Every good player has already been signed by somebody ?
I did a little search and saw a list of 20 guys who play professional in Europe at 15 and 16 years old.
But I’m just guessing on this. So if those countries are allowed professionals then so must Canada and United States.
See where I’m going with this? It would just be too tough to be competitive for some of these other countries if their young guys are turning pro at 17, 18 and our 17 and 18 year olds are in college. Maybe the United States would win every time using amateurs only, and they want to avoid that?
The US wins every time now. How would that be any different?
Yeah you’re right.. it really wouldn’t be.
It is not up to Americans. “Amateur” and “pro” are not binding international concepts (despite the french spelling of amateur!).
Hiflew’s wide vatiety of WC objections would not be solved with an artificial age restriction. The whole thing with only allowing kids is strange. It’s like at a certain age, maybe 20?–boom!– some fans completely lose interest in a player.
US/Canada aside, other countries get good participation. I would guess this tourney makes a lot of sense in Europe.
If America had a tourney divided by the 52 or so states, that would get great player attention and arena sellouts. America as a whole lacks rival awareness.
Because America as a whole lacks any real rivals…
And it’s 100% up to America. The NBA decided what it would allow, and the world cup was based off those rules. Sorry but America is the world’s leader in all things.
Actually no, FIBA doesn’t cater to NBA…example would be how they moved WC qualifying during the NBA season
Once again, you fail to understand my point. It’s not that you lose interest in a player at age 20. It’s that there is another venue that I would prefer to see that older player in. I don’t want to see a star like Paul George get hurt and miss a season playing where he is supposed to be playing.
Another reason. Seeing Lebron destroy the world every 4 years, or twice every 4 years if you count Olympics, is not something I am interested in. We know with Lebron’s generation that the US is WAY ahead. We don’t necessarily know that with the next generation. It’s likely the US is still way ahead, but I’d like to see it play out.
BTW, there are 50 US states not 52. DC is not a state. Puerto Rico is not a state. I just figured someone like you would like to be aware of that.
Puerto Rico is the hottest state dude!
Always hilarious that Puerto Rico pays taxes but doesn’t get representation in Congress lol the US is broken
They only pay a fraction of what US citizens of the 50 states do.
I’m aware what is or is not a state, but if America had a state-based tournament, there would be at least 52 teams in it, 50 plus PR and DC and maybe more. I decided not to use the term “political subunits” to avoid confusion and I think you’re being argumentative.
Fans would love it and players would refer to it in the lockerrooms. This sentiment applied internationally to even greater effect is why the FIBA WC will only grow, US participation or not.
Also the US does not destroy the world every 4 years. You could look it up.
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FIBA makes their own rules to suit their constituency and sometimes fixes flaws in the American game. Since NBA teams do not take advantage of the low blocks anymore, they may as well follow FIBA and go with the trapezoidal lane.
If Marshall Islands defeated Utah in the first round the islands would be jumping! Other Pacific Island groups would be jealous.
I think there were would be less interest nationally and globally if it was amateur athletes…plus what would define amateur status across the globe? These guys start playing for $$ at 15.
because that’s what the Olympics are. this was meant to be a money maker
All sports are meant to be money makers. Nothing more, nothing less. Pro sports. College sports. High school sports. All of them are designed to make money for their institutions. Even if it just concession stand money.
These USA and Canadian players are so damn privileged.
Was Andrew Wiggins not even invited?
I’m sure he was, but his name wasn’t part of the initial group of invitees that Team Canada announced last month, so presumably he declined before then. The players mentioned in this post WERE named in last month’s list.