Hoops

Bucks stopping Bogut from playing International?

I see you comments aussieboomers4eva and raise you!

The major difference between Bogut and Yao Ming however is that Australia is a small market (as is the case with the Bucks) in comparison to China, i.e. 23 million compared to more than 1.2 billion.

But I do agree in that the solution probably lies with the NBA rather than FIBA.

Which other pro sports stop their players from representing their country when it comes to a World Championship or Olympic Games? None.

Soccer is probably the other most relevant example when contemplating season length and player salaries. Similar issues are always popping up during World Cup qualification, the old club vs country argument. But when it comes to the World Cup itself, every player is available. It is after all the pinnacle for that sport. Well for me, the basketball World Championships is the pinnacle in the world of basketball, alongside the Olympics of course. However in soccer, the Olympics is essentially an U23 competition - that being the only major difference.

NBA teams cannot stop their players from representing their country during the off-season, however I totally understand and appreciate their desire to protect their investments - just as is the case in the soccer.

for me, it will come down to whether Bogut feels he is healthy and is able to cope with the additional 7-10 odd games he will be requird to play. Bogut would be doing off-season training, workouts and scrimmages in any case. Doing so with the Boomers in WC opreparations would IMO be nothing more than he would be doing in any case at some point.

I just hope he remains healthy and thereofre the decision to play for Australia is an easier decision to make for him.

Anon,
Do you think that the players are getting injured because of International basketball or NBA?
Clearly, its because the NBA season is too long and demanding! 82 games + finals and the travelling between cities is ridicolous!!

Kobe played 105 games in 2008 in the NBA; He played 12 games for Team USA in 2008

....I think its pretty obvious that the NBA schedule has probably resulted in Kobe's injury problems this season and NOT the international basketball schedule.

Bogut needs to play unless he is legit injured. FFS this is the worlds we're talkin bout....comes only once every 4 years....the bucks owners have no control over whether any Bucks NBA player plays in the World's. Sadly Bogut has either been injured too many times or not 'turned up to play' or got conveniently injured during a game when the boomers have called. I am a big Bogut fan & supporter but he needs to look at the big picture & realise Aussie BBall needs him more now than ever b4...

Beantown,
Im with you. Agree with all your points. David Stern and the NBA needs to give International ball a fair opportunity. Potentially if the NBA continues to shut out International ball alot of the top European prospects will think twice about going to the NBA (The Europeans are extremely patriotic about their respective countries).

82 is far too many..The last 20 games are only really valuable for those teams trying to break into the 8th seed --The top teams are resting their starters because their seeds are locked up and the horrendous teams (e.g. Minnessota,NJ) are just tanking to get the best lottery picks for the draft.

The NBA has one of the longest seasons in world sport:
It goes for 9 months long (for 16 of the teams), then after that players take a month off. That leaves just 2 months dedicated to International Basketball!

There is a lot of interesting comments on that first article. All saying things like "$60m says he doesn't play". I wonder if they feel the same about Kobe, LeBron, etc.