On Friday, 2x NBA All Star Paul George suffered a horrific knee injury that will likely sideline the Pacers star for the entire 2014-'15 NBA season. While injuries can happen to anyone at any time (as NBA commissioner Adam Silver pointed out in an official statement over the weekend), the incident involving George occurred as USA Basektball prepared for an international competition that has nothing to do with the Indiana Pacers. Consequently, some of the NBA's top brass—including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban—are once again debating whether or not NBA stars should be participating in this kind of high risk ambassadorship.
As he is wont to do, Cuban voiced his opinion over the weekend. In addition to linking to an article he penned in 2009 about making Team USA an Under 21 team, the Dallas Mavericks owner ragged FIBA for profiting off of the NBA's product. USA Basketball travels to Spain later this month to compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, with an opening round game against Finland on September 30.
When considering FIBA/Olympic events ask who gets paid. Players=No. NBA=No FIBA/IOC=YES. Ask the people making money of us what they think
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) August 4, 2014
Dear nba media. Don't ask me about the Olympics. Ask the IOC what they think. Why aren't they talking?
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) August 4, 2014
For more on this story, check out the video above. And, if you so desire, the video of George's injury is embedded below.
[via @mcuban]
