NBA mulls not sending top stars to Olympics
The NBA is proposing to withdraw its top players from Olympic
basketball after the London Games and instead model the competition on
the under-23 tournament used for football. NBA deputy commissioner Adam
Silver said Wednesday the plan would be discussed with world basketball
authorities, due to fears from players and teams about potential
burn-out from too many games.
"We are taking a very close look at whether it makes sense from an
NBA standpoint and the global standpoint for the top players to be
playing at that level on a year-round basis, summer after summer," he
told a news conference in New York.
Silver stressed they were "all in" for the London Olympics, which
start on July 27, but he added: "Post-London Olympics, we want to step
back... we want to take a long-term view of whether it makes sense for
the NBA and for the game."
The involvement of top NBA players has been a major draw at Olympic
basketball tournaments ever since the USA's so-called 'Dream Team'
participated in the Barcelona Games in 1992.
The side, which won gold, included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and
Larry Bird and is credited with increasing the popularity of the game
and the NBA across the world.
NBA commissioner David Stern said he was of the view that Olympic
basketball should be about developing a new generation of players.
Sixteen men's and 12 women's teams will compete at football at the
London Games.
The men's tournament is for under-23s, although each team is allowed
to include three older players.
AFP |