Paid to Play, or Play to Pay?

Posted by Jared Conger on June 23, 2008

‘It’s Official: Dream Team Adds Deron’ (Ned Dishman – NBAE/Getty Images)

Should NBA players be happy that they are paid to play, or should they have the right to play to pay their dues in their country’s team uniform?

Recently Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, had this to say about the Olympics and the involvement of NBA players: “It’s not that I don’t like the idea of them representing their countries,” Cuban said by e-mail. “If the Olympics were truly a nationalistic endeavor built on sport and part of the public domain, I would be willing to take risk and support their playing. What I don’t like is that we lie to ourselves and pretend that the Olympians represent our country. “They don’t. They have taken relatively low paying jobs working for the Olympics, who in turn sell the broadcast and marketing rights for billions of dollars in profits, all the while creating enormous risk for those of us who pay them for their day jobs that support their families. It’s amazing how players who are free agents won’t participate, but those with guaranteed contracts will. “I hate the fact that we lie to ourselves and pretend this is about representing country,” Cuban said. “It’s not. It’s about money.”

This was promptly followed with a retort from Golden State’s Don Nelson: “I couldn’t disagree more,” Nelson said. “It’s not about the money. There is pride in these athletes. He ought to have more respect for his country. Everybody in the NBA makes plenty of money. It’s not too much to ask that every four years you give something back to your country.” (source Dallas Morning News)

Which came first the chicken or the egg? Does opinionated-owner Mark Cuban have it right, or does “cool-hand” Don Nelson have the correct approach? Or is this reply from Nelson simply a way of defying the man that he is in court with over millions of dollars? (google: don nelson non-compete clause suit)

Utah Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan has said this about the Olympics:
“I’ve never asked a guy not to play in the Olympics,” said Sloan. “That was my lifetime dream. And I got to try out for it, but I wasn’t good enough — reality sank it.” (source Deseret News)

I’m sure other owners, coaches and training staff alike would share similar sentiments on both sides of the fence, but where is the line drawn? The classic argument that has been raging every couple of years since the inception of the Dream Team will continue to carry on it seems.

At the very least the Utah Jazz Players however will go with Sloan’s blessing.
“You try to tell anybody ‘I don’t want you playing in the Olympics’ — you’ve got to be crazy. I would never do that to anybody. That’s a lifetime dream.” (source Deseret News)

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5 Comments

Les on June 24, 2008 said:

I believe the players want to have pride and this is an honor for them but Mark Cuban is right on the money. These players are under contract and what happens if they get hurt? The job they are paid to do is left with them sitting on the bench or too tired to work for their money . Their regular team suffers when they are tired and injured but yet the owners are still expected to pay them the millions they are under contract for. Is that fair?

I am also excited for Williams and Boozer and want them to be healthy and happy but also be ready at game time for the start of the Jazz season!

CC on June 24, 2008 said:

Les, do you not have benefits at your place of employment ? What happens if you get hurt off the job ?? NBA ( place of employment ), if we all thought that at a job rules your life due to collecting a pay check there would be no need for outside entertainment. For most of us we watch game after game and sport after sport viewing the players as PAID entertainers—NOT !! The job they do is just like any other they have a place to be and a time to be there if they screw up they are held accountable. The Olympic team should be one that every player is proud to represent the country they are from… Be a Proud American — Support our Olympic Teams.
Let’s not put all our thoughts into the money made or spent …. if more of us would react to the gas prices we may even change the price at the pump….

Lisa on June 24, 2008 said:

Amen CC!! They may be under contract but they still have the right to chose if they play for the Olympic team or not. I don’t see people making a fuss over soccer players or any other team sport. Money isn’t everything so let them play and support them. You can’t have it both ways – either support them and don’t worry about it or don’t support them and complain about the money.

JayD on June 29, 2008 said:

I say let them all live out their dreams . I think that for most it would be an honor to play for our country . I also think that it is their chose as to wether they want to support our country or otherwise we should not have freedom .
I am also glad to see that Boozer and D-Will made it on the team , we are the only team that had two players picked , so they must be impressed by them .
Go guys , Go Jazz , Go USA !!!!!!

Linda McFarland on July 01, 2008 said:

I congratulate our two players and am happy that they go with their coach’s blessing. It must be a wonderful feeling to play for your country. I may also have a very different feeling if Williams has a freak collision and is in a cast the entire Jazz season. It gives food for thought??

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