Questions of the day: On the Olympics, gold and priorities
There were mini-waves kicked up yesterday when it was reported Kobe Bryant said that, on the Importance-O-Meter, an Olympic gold medal trumps an NBA title. Why?
"You're playing for your country. You're not playing for a region, a state … you're playing for the United States of America and that has more importance."
Seems fair enough, but on the other hand, as a Laker sfan, does this bother you? Listening to the sports talk on the radio last night, I heard AM 570's Joe McDonnell railing not on Kobe personally, but on this idea that a gold is a bigger deal. I was given the impression he believes players have a larger obligation to the fans of the city for which they play, to the organization that pays them, and so on, and that an NBA title is a bigger deal. I didn't listen long, nor particularly closely, but there were probably a few callers who agreed. Of course, in some ways, your thoughts on this issue are linked to the Olympic question generally. So with that, I ask today's Questions of the Day:
1) Do you care that Kobe said an Olympic gold was more important than an NBA title?
2) Generally speaking, do you like to see the stars of your favorite teams play in the Olympics? Especially a player like Kobe, who is risking injury, exhaustion (yes, even Kobe gets tired), and putting off surgery on his finger? Don't forget, Pau Gasol is playing too.
For me?
1) No, it doesn't bother me. As important as an NBA title is to him, the city, the organization, fans, and beyond, it doesn't have to be literally the top priority of his life. Family, friends, and yes, even other basketball competitions can come first. I do wonder what Kobe would say if he didn't already have three rings, and if his thoughts would be any different. But even if they weren't, it doesn't matter. He has, by force of his play, shown how much he wants an NBA title. Nobody is more competitive. That should be enough.
Had he said that an MVP was more important, we could talk. But chastising him for believing that winning for one's country is larger than winning for one's city and employer? I don't see it.
2) If I'm Phil Jackson, Jerry Buss, Mitch Kupchak, and the rest of the Lakers organization, I'd just as soon see Kobe and Pau rest. I'm sure most GMs and coaches feel the same about their players who are part of Team USA. The NBA is a brutal place, especially for players who go deep into the postseason. There is little time to rest and recoup before things crank right back up for training camp. Players need downtime, and can suffer if they don't get it. The Lakers are in a position now where they could play an extra 20+ games a year for the foreseeable future. That takes a toll.
That said, I also understand- and totally agree with- the idea that as a team, you can't stop a player from playing in something as special as the Olympics. I know some of the mystique of the games has gone as more pros in every sport get involved, more money is pumped into and sucked out of, and more politics play into the Games, but they're still the Olympics, and the opportunity to represent one's country in international competition is huge. It's a different kind of pride, one that Kobe alludes to and that clearly Gasol feels as well.
Is it a nerve wracking time for fans and teams alike? In a lot of ways, absolutely. But big picture, you can never fault a player for wanting to play for his country.
BK
Fact: I know American "progressives" who contend that rooting for our home team is jingoistic; they actually become ill at ease around others who do. They secretly hope that the red, white, and blue will get their butts handed to them by the opposition (not that they recognize the opposition as the opposition) and most lack the integrity (or guts) to own up to their true sentiments. (Of course, If they did own up, these nut breads would immediately lose sway over one of our major political parties). After all, big fat immoral imperialist America needs to be taken down a few notches and taught a lesson, right? Perhaps, (in this context of Olympic basketball competition) if scores were not kept and all teams were declared the winner, they wouldn't be so embarrassed to be American. Frankly, I'm embarrassed that so many of them are. Even Kobe is smart enough to know which side the bread is buttered on. Good on the Saint.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: Sonnybelfast | July 23, 2008 at 04:06 PM
RUMORS: CHICAGO STALEMATE
by Eric Pincus for HoopsWorld
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9575
Here is Lakers news in article
>>>>>
The Chicago Bulls have some difficult decisions over the coming week. Given the slow moving progress of negotiations, restricted free agent forward Luol Deng reportedly gave the team a two-week time limit to come up with a deal. His threat is to accept the qualifying offer and leave next year as unrestricted free agent without giving the Bulls the opportunity to negotiate.
A number of teams would have interest in Deng via sign-and-trade. The Los Angeles Lakers, when negotiating with the Bulls last summer for a potential Kobe Bryant trade, desired both Hinrich and Deng. That interest has probably not waned despite the team's climb back to the NBA Finals.
A source close to the Lakers noted there are some long-term concerns at point guard with Derek Fisher in his thirties and Jordan Farmar yet to prove he's more than a change of pace guard off the bench. Hinrich would be an excellent fit. Deng is a versatile true small forward and capable defender.
To date the Lakers have said they intend to see how well the front court of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom operate together. That remains the case but if the Bulls were interested in wholesale change, LA would certainly be willing to at least discuss the possibilities - even if that meant giving up on the super-sized front court before giving seeing it practice.
Credit the Lakers for thinking big. They got Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown (and pieces). If they could fill two positions for the next four to five years in one motion, Dr. Buss may be willing to pay the luxury taxes; otherwise they're unlikely to make a lateral move.
>>>>>
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 23, 2008 at 04:08 PM
You can't question Kobe's heart. When he's playing, he wants to win. If you've ever watched him in an All-Star game (and, yeah, most of you have), you know that he's the guy on the court that actually wants to WIN. Kobe is the most driven, most competitive athlete in sports today. I love that he's driven to bring the gold medal home to the USA. And he'll be just as driven to bring home that trophy next year. That's what I love about him.
By the way, did anyone catch that '72 Finals game on ESPN2 the other night? Classic.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | July 23, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Sonnybelfast,
Any American who is "embarassed" to be an American is a tool.
While I am VERY critical of many of our country's policies and I think the curent administration is a bunch of self-righteous, sadistic, retards...
I still am very proud to be an American.
If an American is so self-righteous and pretencious to not be able to root for America in the Olympics... well, that's just a lousy human being, not just a lousy American.
GO USA!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 23, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Too bad Starlet Kobe don't know how to play with other superstar.
haahahahahahaah
That's why you Fakers are losers.
hahahhahhahahhh
Miss me?
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 23, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Sonny
"Fact: I know American "progressives" who contend that rooting for our home team is jingoistic; they actually become ill at ease around others who do. They secretly hope that the red, white, and blue will get their butts handed to them by the opposition (not that they recognize the opposition as the opposition) and most lack the integrity (or guts) to own up to their true sentiments. (Of course, If they did own up, these nut breads would immediately lose sway over one of our major political parties). After all, big fat immoral imperialist America needs to be taken down a few notches and taught a lesson, right? Perhaps, (in this context of Olympic basketball competition) if scores were not kept and all teams were declared the winner, they wouldn't be so embarrassed to be American. Frankly, I'm embarrassed that so many of them are. Even Kobe is smart enough to know which side the bread is buttered on. Good on the Saint"
I think you may not know the meaning of the word fact, which wouldn't surprise me. Personally, I root for the Lakers and Angels because I was born in LA (well Orange really but my parents were living in LA at the time, wish my mom hadn't done that to me), I root for the Red Wings and Lions because the rest of my family is from the Detroit area (I was a Rams fan once upon a time). I root for UCLA because that's where I attended school. And I root for the U.S. because I'm an American. Most people vote their origins and roots whether they're liberal or conservative.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 23, 2008 at 04:24 PM
If yoos want Olympic Golds, take out Starlet Bryant and put in the "three headed monster", the "mean green machine" Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnet and Ray Allen.
Then you'll win Gold.
Starlet Bryant?
ahahahhhahahah
Fools gold.
hahahahahahahah
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 23, 2008 at 04:25 PM
LO, Luke & Vlad for Hinrich & Deng. The curse of the Triangle of Mediocrity lifted off our shoulders in one fel swoop!
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | July 23, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Maybe Sasha Vu-ya-Chick should tryout to be a Lakergirl?
He's pretty enough.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 23, 2008 at 04:28 PM
I'm bored with the tiny bit of news we get about the Olympics team. I guess I'll create some of my own.
Between Amare backing out and injuries to Dwight Howard,
Tyson Chandler, and LeBron James, the US Team is in danger
of not having enough healthy big men to really dominate.
How about if the U.S. team trades Carmelo Anthony to the
Chinese team for Yao Ming and a future draft pick?
thoughts?
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 23, 2008 at 04:30 PM
What bothers me is that the Lakers take all of the financial risk AND someone else gains financially (Olympic merchandisers, sponsors, etc.). If it is truly an amateur endeavor, fine. But someone is making money off of these players, while the teams that employ them get nothing for their risk. Either donate all the Olympic-made money to charity, or compensate the teams for allowing their players to participate. This applies not just to the NBA teams, but the Euro League and other international league teams that pay these players. Whether or not making money is the primary goal of the Olympics (I don't claim it is), there are entities making money off of the pro athletes' participation in the games. The ball clubs are essentially leasing out their players for free for someone else to make money off of them. This should be rectified.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | July 23, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Really good point. I also feel the whole profiteering aspect of the Olympics is ruining the true spirit of the games. It's a shame because the games themselves are such a cool idea.
Anyone else read some players didn't want to play in 2004 because they were worried about a terrorist attack? I thought that was interesting.
As for Kaman, while I think it's lame that he signed a contract and was bad that year, and lame that he's playing for Germany (it's in the rules so he should be able to though), I do think he had an amazing year last year, truly breakout. He got injured a lot near the end, but otherwise he was just outstanding, a strong candidate for most improved with nearly double his previous years points AND rebounds. Obviously it helped that Elton Brand was hurt all season.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 23, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Squid,
Who said anything about liberal or conservative?
It is a "fact" that I know these self described "progressives". It is they who should rediscover the meaning of a word.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: Sonnybelfast | July 23, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Wow. Sounds like "Let's Go C's" has a crush on Sasha. You might consider turning your crush toward your candidate for "Best Actress of the Year," Mrs. Paul Pierce.
Damn, how many Celtics are on the Olympic squad? Oh, right, none. I love it.
That's my last time responding to the troll.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | July 23, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Jon K,
"While I am VERY critical of many of our country's policies and I think the curent administration is a bunch of self-righteous, sadistic, retards..."
Someone clueless is using your name again.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 23, 2008 at 04:43 PM
Jon K,
Good point. Heretofore, I will refer to at least a few of the self described "progressives" that I know as "tools".
Most of them are soft.
In fact, I should also refer them to Squid, who can clarify the literal error in their own self descriptions.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: Sonnybelfast | July 23, 2008 at 04:46 PM
LakerTom,
Tantilizing article on the Chicago Stalemate. Thanks for sharing it!
sonnybelfast,
Rooting for your country isn't jingoistic, it's just nationalistic. It makes no sense to lives somewhere and have no regard for the place. If it's so bad, go somewhere else! I'm as lefty as anyone and I get super annoyed when people are rooting for Brazil in the world cup that are from America. Just... lame.
USA basketball should clearly be the best. It's obvious.
Assuming everything about the USA is better than everything in every other country is, on the other hand, silly and jingoistic.
We simply do not make better wheat beer than Kaman's country, Germany.
Other people are proud of their countries. We have a lot to proud of with ours. We even have our own art form, jazz.
Given the richness of our ethnic and cultural diversity, the world as a whole should celebrate our victories as representative of their own because in a strong sense, they are.
BTW, I went to Berkeley for college.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 23, 2008 at 04:46 PM
utzworld,
>>>LO, Luke & Vlad for Hinrich & Deng.
Nice try, but the only reason Chicago would be trading with
the Lakers would be to dump Hinrich's salary, so why would
they take back Luke's & Vlad's?
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 23, 2008 at 04:50 PM
It is a "fact" that I know these self described "progressives". It is they who should rediscover the meaning of a word.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: Sonnybelfast | July 23, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Yep, you're right. Or really, these people should realize being a progressive has nothing to do with confusing jingoism and nationalism.
Plenty of stupid people in the world that go for style rather than substance with their words. Look at the National Socialist Party in WW II Germany. About as socialist as Iran is now. Or the Deutsche Demokratik Republik (DDR). That was East Germany! Oh, the irony.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 23, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Sonny
I'm certain that I know more progressives than you do Sonny. Many aren't sports fans, but those who are will all be rooting for their prospective country of origin in the Olympics. I suggest that you are meeting some very strange progressives.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 23, 2008 at 04:53 PM
What's up with all of the esoteric political ideology BS. I thought this was a sports blog. Didn't we all agree to leave that off? Representing the USA is awesome. Let's not get into the progressives v. conservatives garbage.
Sonny's post answered neither of the questions posed above. Why respond? He just wants to make you do his bidding and stir the Laker pot. Kinda like Mike t. Only smarter and not psycho.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 23, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Ex,
Not to turn this into a political debate, but I don't see how a person of either party can say that this current administration has been anything but disgraceful. C'mon I know you're a republican but you've got to admit that. I'm a 22-year-old democrat AND a black male and I'll readily admit that I'm so wary of Obama's flip-flopping and rhetoric over substance that I'm still not sure if I'll vote Obama, McCain or not at all!
Posted by: Xodus | July 23, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Sorry Dave M
Birdman back to Denver.
Posted by: Fatty | July 23, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Sonny
I apologize for misreading your post. However, anecdotal evidence is evidence of nothing. As I said, you know some strange progressives.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 23, 2008 at 05:01 PM
i here what your saying but i do not understand how you think hes rebounds did not help in the finals. the efort was there an may be when he challenge perkins he was out dueled. just because his disadvantage in games 1 and 2 it was not becas of effort. i still like him and his attitude but you cant blame the guy becas the efort was there. if he would have not tried than ok i give it to you and agree. may be next time we see the practise help him but hopefully he prsactise this of season. we see ok
ding how in prattville
Posted by: ding how in prattville | July 23, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Well, I guess we get to see Pau Gasoft, I mean, Pau Girlsol...uh, Paula Gaso-, well, I guess we get to see our so called "number 2" player wimp out again, this time for the Spanish team.
Posted by: troy | July 23, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Jon K
I thought you're Canadian.
Kidding!
Posted by: giantsquid | July 23, 2008 at 05:06 PM
I'm glad Kobe feels that way. I mean, when a dooch from Boston, Salt Lake or the alamo shuts down their hate to root and cheer for their number one enemy on the hardwood to do well, it's easy to feel the high level of importance in said situations...
and I hope Pau well too, but only to get the silver.
peas,
Posted by: eevee | July 23, 2008 at 05:08 PM
troy,
You do know that Spain WON the 2006 World Championships, right? And that they're one of the 3 best teams in the world, led by Gasol, right?
Stop the haterade, we wouldn't have made the playoffs if we didn't pull that Gasol trade. But I suppose to you and Mike T. it's better to miss the playoffs with Kwame then make them with "Gasoft" as you call him.
Posted by: Xodus | July 23, 2008 at 05:09 PM
Benjamin,
Take er' easy dude. Closely read the post you responded to. Fundamentally, I have no problem with your positions. Furthermore, I have never met a person more left wing than I was (before I grew up). You know what they say: Anyone under 25 who isn't a hard core liberal doesn't have a heart. Anyone over 25 who is a hard core liberal doesn't have a brain.
But I must take strong exception to your beer analysis. Apparently, you haven't sampled Chico, California's Sierra Nevada beer.
Enjoy.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: Sonnybelfast | July 23, 2008 at 05:11 PM
tory, uh, I mean troy,
>>>Well, I guess we get to see Pau Gasoft, I mean, Pau
>>>Girlsol...uh, Paula Gaso-, well, I guess we get to see our
>>>so called "number 2" player wimp out again, this time for
>>> the Spanish team.
Oh, you must mean Pau "MVP of the last World Championships" Gasol? You remember, the World Championships
where the U.S. team led by LeBronze finished 3rd.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 23, 2008 at 05:22 PM
It's one thing to root for the U.S.A; it's another entirely to cast aspersions on other teams. Spain will be tough, Argentina will be tough, Greece will be tough and China will be tough (home team advantage). I don't expect any of these teams will seriously challenge this US team, but I could be wrong.
Besides rooting for the U.S to win out, I will also root for players associated with the Lakers: Gasol, Turiaf, and Yue.
And sorry Jon K, but if Coby Karl were playing for Germany, I'd be rooting for him too. Kaman isn't one of my favorite players so I'll pass there.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 23, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Hoho, it's kind of funny how, over the course of a thread, topics can begin to morph. Before you know it we'll be debating freedom fries vs. french fries!
All I know is that ever since I was a kid (many moons ago), I have loved and looked forward to the Olympics, whether winter or summer. It's a special time and of course there's a nationalistic pride, no matter where you live. Remember the Jamaican bobsled team? How cool was that? There's always some great story in the Olympics. Regardless, the great story this time around is gonna be Kobe and Team USA.
As far as Kaman goes, yeah it's kind of weird but I doubt the guy had any ill intent.... he just wanted to play in the Olympics. Still, I hope he gets dunked on... over and over and over.
Posted by: dave m | July 23, 2008 at 05:47 PM
30 years ago that radio announcer would have had a lot more chance of losing his career than in generating excitement with a question like that. It is a little sad to reflect on how much love of country has been replaced by cynicism and apathy during that time. People feel the way they feel, however, and they can't just feel something else simply because they are supposed to.
Maybe people have just been exposed to too much political heartbreak over the years so that they are a bit numb. Maybe some people are relatively new here and don't fully understand what this country should be about. A lot of people have been treated a little less "equally" than others here and it might be tougher for them to get all tingly with patriotism.
But having said that, it is not the way things should be.
Whether we just got here or if our ancestors came here generations ago, we should feel a deep sense of pride and appreciation for our place as U.S. citizens, as well as our country's relationship to the rest of the world. It should be the kind of pride and appreciation where we are willing to sacrifice our lives to defend the country's sovereignty, and the kind of pride and appreciation that makes a question like McDonnell's completely irrelevant and illegitimate.
Posted by: guity | July 23, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Hey folks. I know with this topic, politics can play in, but at the very least, let's try to keep the tone civil. Politics, religion, and Kwame Brown- three subjects that can turn a debate ugly in a hurry (haha).
Thanks!
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 23, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I can't talk Kwame? Ok.
Posted by: Kudzu Fire | July 23, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Yes, Kudzu, you can. I was making a joke.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 23, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Sorry Dave M
Birdman back to Denver.
Posted by: Fatty
What??!! Okay, NOW I'm angry.
Posted by: dave m | July 23, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Politics and basketball are like oatmeal and refried beans:
They don't go well together.
Kobe should do what he can for his country.
We all should.
Don't talk politics like you're bending the king's ear.
Volunteer once a year. More if possible.
Then you can talk all you want.
Kobe's playing for our team with a torn ligament in his hand.
I can think of people giving a whole lot more than that right now and none of them will sit in the Oval Office in January.
I just want to see our boy hoist the Larry O'...
Peace.
GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | July 23, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Sorry, BK. I just couldn't resist.
Posted by: Xodus | July 23, 2008 at 07:07 PM
I'd love Kwame as a Clipper.
He'd be back in LA and Dunleavey IS pretty good at getting alot out of bad players but not really knowing what to do with a talented head case (see Corey Maggette).
I think he'll end up in Atlanta, he's probably playing the field, making sure he ends up somewhere humid, make the ball a bit stickier.
Are there rules that definitively say no gloves in the NBA?
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | July 23, 2008 at 07:17 PM
BK,
Question for you. Since Childress signed a 3-year deal with the Greek team, do the Hawks still retain his NBA rights if he wants to return and play in the USA in the future? You would think they wouldn’t since his contract had expired.
If he will be a free agent when he returns, what is to keep any player from signing a 1-year contract with an overseas team rather than accept a qualifying offer from his NBA team? Theoretically, he could make more money, teach the team a lesson, and then return to be an unrestricted free agent next year. Is that right? Thanks.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 23, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Sonny,
While the quote attributed to Churchill is pithy, history suggests it's well off the mark. Einstein, Gandhi, Tolstoy, Bertrand Russell, H.G. Wells, George Bernard Shaw, Charlie Chaplin, George Orwell etc. were all socialists when they "grew up".
People's political views are probably largely shaped by their personalities and experiences not their IQ.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 23, 2008 at 07:26 PM
>>>Damn, how many Celtics are on the Olympic squad?
>>>Oh, right, none. I love it.
Uhhh, trust me. You don't want to take the argument there.
The last time the U.S. won Olympic gold, two of the players on
the team were Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.
Feel free to mock Paul Pierce, however. He was on the first
team of NBA pro players to lose an international competition,
at the 2002 World Championships. They finished 6th.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 23, 2008 at 07:33 PM
I think I want to revise my trade proposal.
The U.S. Team should trade Carmelo Anthony and Tyson
Chandler (our alternate) for Yao Ming and Sun Yue.
That way Sun Yue could get used to sitting on the bench and
watching his team dominate other teams.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 23, 2008 at 07:35 PM
>>>Question for you. Since Childress signed a 3-year deal
>>>with the Greek team, do the Hawks still retain his NBA
>>>rights if he wants to return and play in the USA in the
>>>future?
Yep. They will.
If I read right, his contract with the Greek Team has an opt
out after each year. So he wants to come back, he can check
back with Atlanta each year and see if they are willing to
sign and trade him.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 23, 2008 at 07:47 PM
giantsquid,
>>>>>People's political views are probably largely shaped by their personalities
>>>>>and experiences not their IQ.
But not people’s sports views, right? We ALL know Lakers fans are smarter. LOL.
Actually, Bravo! For your statement was genuinely profound and insightful. I could not agree with you more. The implications in politics once one realizes this are frustrating.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 23, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Wait...so does everyone feel less pride in the USA since 2004 when we lost the gold medal? Do you think this country is less great because we couldn't win a basketball game four years ago? Are the Olympics more or less important than the World Basketball Championships in 2006? Every country tries to win those too, but we lost again....so America isn't so great anymore?
For me, pride in my country has nothing to do with whether a bunch of athletes can best those from another country. It's the spirit of competition, the fun of watching the different styles of play, and of even cheering on people from OTHER countries and taking pride in everyone's effort that makes the Olympics special.
The disappointment comes from knowing that these games are taking place in a country where human rights are horribly trampled every day. The disappointment comes from knowing that we are gutting our own Constitution and spying on our own citizens, holding hundreds of prisoners hostage without hope for a trial, torturing innocent people and assuring the same treatment for our fine soldiers in the future. The disappointment comes from knowing that we are failing to lead the world on alternative energy, on education, on health care, on caring for the poor and the sick. We can do much better in this country, we have in the past, and no amount of gold medals will get the job done.
I am proud of my country, and of the great majority of her citizens, and of the bright light of freedom we have shown the rest of the world for such a long time. And I will be no less proud of my country if Team USA loses every single game this summer, nor will I be prouder if they win every game. I am simply proud that they will participate and give the best effort they can.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | July 23, 2008 at 08:00 PM
LTLF/Laker Tom,
To expand upon what LTLF said, I think the way Childress' situation works is the Hawks retain his rights as long as they make a qualifying offer every season. I imagine that's what they'll do. If nothing else, it gives Atlanta the ability to screw up negotiations with Childress when he's a free agent again in 2011.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 23, 2008 at 08:08 PM
LT-
To my knowledge, since Childress was a restricted FA, the Hawks still own his NBA rights once/if he decides to return. Had another NBA team bid on him, the Hawks could have matched. Obviously that right doesn't extend to Europe, but once he's back under the NBA umbrella, I believe he goes back to the same status with the Hawks.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 23, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Long Time,
>>>>>That way Sun Yue could get used to sitting on the bench and
>>>>>watching his team dominate other teams.
LMAO. I hope Mitch works out some deal so Sun can play this year. I’m half-Chinese and would love the Lakers to have Sun on the roster – as long as he can play, of course. The Lakers seem genuinely intrigued by Sun and I thought he look tantalizing in his videos. The comparison to a smaller and quicker Lamar may have merit. Not to mention that 6-9 point guards have a special place in Lakers history. Another thing is left-handers always seem to have an edge defensively, especially blocking shots by right-handers as we saw Sun do twice in the YouTubes. Truthfully, we desperately need a new player to blog about. That’s the one down side about team and roster stability. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 23, 2008 at 08:10 PM