Kyle Korver was trailing the play, a few strides behind Paul George, when his USA Basketball teammate went into the air to defend a fast break and landed awkwardly behind the basket. At first, he Korver had no idea about the gruesome injury he had just witnessed.
“I was one of the first people to see him,” the Hawks’ guard said Tuesday. “But he didn’t yell or anything. He just kind of laid there with his hand over his face. I went up to him and just said, ‘Hey, take your time’ and walked away. But he kept laying there so I walked back and that’s when I saw the bone sticking up.”
George’s injury, multiple fractures of his tibia and fibula, will force him to miss the entire 2014-15 NBA season. Some compared the moment to when quarterback Joe Theismann suffered a broken leg in 1985.
The difference: Theismann’s injury came in an NFL game for Washington, the team that pays his salary. George’s injury came in a practice — not an NBA practice for Indiana, which pays his salary, but rather for USA Basketball in preparations for the FIBA World Cup on another continent.
What’s wrong with this picture?
USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo waved the American flag Tuesday when he alluded to those criticizing NBA players participating in international competitions. “Naysayers, second-guessers,” he called them.
“It’s about being patriotic. It’s about selfless service. Players feel a warming within their soul to represent a country.”
Well, God Bless America, Jerry. Now can you find the Pacers another All-Star who plays 36 minutes a game and averages 22 and 7? Because I have a feeling basketball fans in Indianapolis aren’t feeling a warming within their soul right now.
I’ve never been comfortable with sending pro athletes to international competitions, including the Olympics. I’ve always felt the Olympics should be comprised of amateur or college athletes who hadn’t yet started their career (or may not have one). As for between-Olympic events like the World Cup, I’ve never understood why a team’s owner, general manager, coach or fan base would be happy with the idea of a star player’s participation, given the risk.
Korver is a valuable Hawk. He may make the U.S. roster, which has been cut to 16, four over the limit. (Atlanta teammate Paul Millsap was cut.) Korver is a three-point specialist and can provide veteran leadership. He’s thrilled because he has never played in international competition.
“I’m probably the oldest guy in the gym but I have the least international experience,” he joked.
Has George’s injury caused him to think twice?
“Not at all. This is what we do. We play basketball.
“My perspective is that it’s an absolute honor to play for your country … and if you get asked, you should do it. But I understand where Mark Cuban stands on the other side of the argument. Regardless of what happens, our contracts are guaranteed. The owners have to pay the players. I understand. It’s a risk.”
Cuban, the Dallas owner, criticized the NBA’s participation in the World Cup in an interview with ESPN and ripped international bodies like FIBA and the IOC, recounting the 2002 Salt Lake City bid scandal. Cuban’s punctuation: “They make a (financial) killing and make Tony Soprano look like a saint.”
Cuban seems more concerned, however, about the NBA monetizing the World Cup or running its own tournament in exchange for taking the risk. Under the current CBA, players can’t be stopped from participating unless there is a “reasonable medical concern.”
Globalization obviously has helped the NBA. There is increased revenue because of broadcast packages and T-shirt sales. Shoe deals obviously can be worth more. Players can improve by playing against international competition.
It’s all great. Until somebody breaks a leg.
Hawks general manager Danny Ferry competed on the 1987 national team. He supports Korver being on the U.S. team and the NBA’s participation. “What happened to Paul was obviously an ugly, freak injury, but USA Basketball has been a positive in growing the game,” he said.
As for the injury factor, Ferry referenced Olympic injuries to Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol and said, “I appreciate that there’s risk involved. You can insure a player’s (contract) but you can’t insure a season.”
Indiana’s hopes in the Eastern Conference? Dead.
George’s injury could’ve happened “any time, anywhere,” Pacers general manager Larry Bird said. True. George could’ve turned an ankle in a pickup game or tripped over a shoe left on the stairs. Some things can’t be eliminated. Some can. This is one.
I’m all for patriotism. It’s the potential of submarining the vested interests of others I have a problem with.
