NBA stars worry about playing global

WASHINGTON – US National Basketball Association stars are concerned that playing in international events is hurting their ability to play their best in quest of a league crown, ESPN reported on Tuesday.

ESPN’s Ric Bucher said that many players and coaches have expressed private reservations about US stars playing in events such as the World Championship in Japan last year and August’s Americas qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Elton Brand, a power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, told ESPN that he would need to see where his body condition was after the season before knowing if he could complete his three-year commitment to the US team.Many top US players agreed to be available for three years to play in the world championships, Olympic qualifying and next year’s Beijing Games, where ESPN reported that Dwyane Wade and LeBron James could make 500,000 dollars each simply from shoe endorsement contract provisions simply for playing.That agreement came in the wake of a disappointing third-place US finish at the 2004 Athens Olympics and has given USA Basketball a pool of talent to field top teams as needed without an excessive load on those unwilling to bear it.But the ESPNEWS report noted that James, suffering a big toe injury, and Wade, who has missed time for reigning NBA champion Miami, are among more than half the players from the US world team who have been hurt or struggled in this NBA season.While having US talent in international events is a huge marketing boost for the NBA, the compromise of mental and physical wear and tear could contribute to similar woes as football club teams have with World Cup and Uefa campaigns.* Meanwhile, Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas considered taking part in the National Basketball Association Slam Dunk Contest “free money” but saying so has already cost the rookie 10,000 dollars.The Bulls fined Thomas that amount on Tuesday for his comments after being invited to take part in the annual jam session on February 17, the eve of the NBA All-Star Game, in Las Vegas.Asked by the Chicago Tribune if he was excited to be competing in the slam dunk contest with such legends as Michael Jordan and Julius Erving as judges, 20-year-old Thomas made it clear he was more concerned with income than honor.”Not really.I’m just going to go out there, get my check and call it a day,” Thomas said.”I’m just into the free money.That’s it.I’ll just do whatever when I get out there.”Nampa-AFPElton Brand, a power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, told ESPN that he would need to see where his body condition was after the season before knowing if he could complete his three-year commitment to the US team.Many top US players agreed to be available for three years to play in the world championships, Olympic qualifying and next year’s Beijing Games, where ESPN reported that Dwyane Wade and LeBron James could make 500,000 dollars each simply from shoe endorsement contract provisions simply for playing.That agreement came in the wake of a disappointing third-place US finish at the 2004 Athens Olympics and has given USA Basketball a pool of talent to field top teams as needed without an excessive load on those unwilling to bear it.But the ESPNEWS report noted that James, suffering a big toe injury, and Wade, who has missed time for reigning NBA champion Miami, are among more than half the players from the US world team who have been hurt or struggled in this NBA season.While having US talent in international events is a huge marketing boost for the NBA, the compromise of mental and physical wear and tear could contribute to similar woes as football club teams have with World Cup and Uefa campaigns.* Meanwhile, Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas considered taking part in the National Basketball Association Slam Dunk Contest “free money” but saying so has already cost the rookie 10,000 dollars.The Bulls fined Thomas that amount on Tuesday for his comments after being invited to take part in the annual jam session on February 17, the eve of the NBA All-Star Game, in Las Vegas.Asked by the Chicago Tribune if he was excited to be competing in the slam dunk contest with such legends as Michael Jordan and Julius Erving as judges, 20-year-old Thomas made it clear he was more concerned with income than honor.”Not really.I’m just going to go out there, get my check and call it a day,” Thomas said.”I’m just into the free money.That’s it.I’ll just do whatever when I get out there.”Nampa-AFP