Oh no. Not this again. Do I really have to have this conversation with you people again? Alright let’s do this.
Back in the summer. We had the FIBA World Cup, remember that? It’s flooding back now isn’t it? All the whining of “What’s the point the USA wins anyways?”. “The players will get injured, why isn’t everybody pulling out like Kevin Durant?”. It’s playing for your country. It’s a whole different ball game. Yes your team is important. But representing your country is an honor that not many people get to experience.
So quit moaning! Be appreciative! Nicolas Batum is going to the EuroBasket championships in the summer according to The Oregonian. On his home soil no less! But what about Portland? Well. Like you. They’re going to have to deal with it.
The move will be surprising to some, considering the Blazers’ small forward acknowledged last month that he has felt “fatigue” this NBA season, in part, because he overextended himself last summer. But, despite this fatigue — which no doubt led to his subpar season — there was never really a doubt that Batum would play internationally in 2015.
“I have to fight for my country,” he said.
Smell that? Smells like patriotism there. Smells like he hasn’t forgot where he’s come from. And if you can’t respect that. Kick rocks! It’s different for Europeans. They can’t all be LeBron James. Not even Andrew Wiggins. If they want to get in the Basketball Hall Of Fame. They will have to play for country as well as their team.
Do me a favor and look up Oscar Schmidt. You may not have heard of him. But he’s in the Hall of Fame. And he didn’t play in the NBA.
