One major injury will not stop NBA players from competing internationally.
Indiana Pacers forward Paul George suffered a terrible leg injury during a U.S. men’s national team scrimmage on Friday night. The devastating injury will cost him the entire 2014-15 season.
Despite George’s gruesome fate, NBA commissioner Adam Silver insists that NBA players will continue to compete in international games.
“Injuries can happen any place at any time,” Silver said in a statement to ESPN on Sunday night. “The experiences our players have enjoyed by participating in their national teams, however, are ones that are unique and special in almost every other way.
“At this point, I don’t anticipate a major shift in the NBA’s participation in international competitions.”
Silver did admit that the NBA will review the benefits of playing internationally later this year.
“It seems clear, however, that this will be a topic at our next NBA competition committee meeting in September and our board of governors meeting in October,” Silver said. “And, of course, we will continue to evaluate the pros and cons of participating in international tournaments.”
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he feels a bit differently than Silver does. Cuban, who has often spoke out against international basketball, continued to do so again Saturday night. He said the NBA should form a separate world championship away from the rules of the International Olympic Committee.
“The greatest trick ever played was the IOC convincing the world that the Olympics were about patriotism and national pride instead of money, Cuban said, via ESPN. “The players and owners should get together and create our own World Cup of Basketball.”
Photo via USA Today Sports Images
