London, England – Freedom is one of the principle foundations on which the United States of America is built. Without freedom, the country would lose one of its primary identities.
That's why a discussed age limit for NBA players to participate in the Olympic Games is one of the most unpatriotic things the league can do.
One proposal would see the roster that makes up the Olympic team composed of players 23 years or younger. If that idea was put into place for the 2012 edition of the team, only five of the current 12 players would be eligible. Yes, Kevin Durant would still be wearing the red, white and blue, but a handful of the NBA's other big stars would not.
No LeBron James.
No Kobe Bryant.
No Carmelo Anthony.
No fun.
Even with those "graybeards" the average age of the team is only 25.8 years old. Yet, it's the largely unknown youth that the league wants to push.
"If there's a change, we'll address the change and do what needs to be done," said USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo at a Friday press conference. "We have a wealth of talent to select from at all ages now. That's our point when we talk about our junior teams: at age 16, 17, 18, 19, these are all gold medalists and they want to play for the senior team. We'll be able to pull from a lot of players."
Quantity, though, isn't always better than quality. And is it fair to throw those juniors up on the world's biggest stage against seasoned national teams with no age limit that are sure to include NBA talent?
And you better not be a late bloomer or you'll never get a chance to play for Team USA.
Colangelo said that he and NBA commissioner David Stern have had discussions about an age restriction and those talks will continue. He said the plan has its pros and cons.
Many feel the minuses outweigh the pluses. One needs to look no further than this year's popular "Dream Team" versus the 2012 squad debate to see that Americans want their best players in the Olympics, not the youngest.
Most Team USA members agree.
"I wish it would remain your choice, because if you put an age limit in, I wouldn't be here right now," said guard Chris Paul. "(2008 in Beijing) was a time I'll never forget and I already have some memories from the 2012 Olympics that I'll never forget. Some of these opportunities here help make you the person you are and I think these Olympic experiences have made me a better basketball player."
And it's not like variety hasn't been an issue. Prior to London, David Robinson was the only three-time men's basketball Olympian. He'll be joined this year by Anthony and James.
"For me, just to get that call that we want you to represent the USA, a chance to be one of the 12 guys that gets to be on that team every year, you can't ask for anything better than that," said Anthony.
If it is up to the players, it would remain their choice and that could ultimately help them win out in the end. In fact, Bryant has been one of the bigger opponents of the age restriction and he reiterated that stance on Friday.
"I am concerned, yes," Bryant said when asked about this possibly being the last Games that NBA players get to take part in. "Because I want to see Derrick Rose, James Harden, Kevin Durant and all the young guys be part of this in the next games. I think that the players should be the ones to decide whether they want to take part of the games or not."
What right does the NBA have in telling a player that he can or cannot represent his country at the Olympics? Very few get the chance to represent their country at the games and it's a special feeling, even to multi-million dollar athletes.
"It's a way of feeling patriotic. It's a way of putting it on for your country and being a part of something special," noted Kevin Love. "I'm not saying that's not the case stateside, but it takes on a whole different meaning when you have 'USA' across your chest."
Paul agrees.
"I think for this here, it's all about the cause," he said. "It's not the Clippers, it's not the Thunder, it's not Brooklyn, it's USA. So this is bigger than any one of us and we understand that."
Hopefully the executives finally understand that as well. Colangelo said he has a "sense there is change in the air," but change doesn't always mean better. It just means different and why the league would want to mess with such a successful formula is strange indeed.
The fans aren't complaining. The players aren't complaining.
Is anybody?
"This is my third Olympics and it feels like it's my first," said Anthony. "Every time I go out, the experience and the challenges, the mingling with the other athletes, the having fun and being alongside these guys, it gets better and better every time."
Here's hoping you get a chance to see Rio in four years, Anthony. If you're allowed, that is.
