Comments on: Doc Rivers talks Olympic tournament, why he likes pros in it

By: jimeejohnson

jimeejohnson — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:17:03 +0000

Oh my God: I forgot the apostrophe on grandparents’ indicating the possessive. Shoot me, now!

By: jimeejohnson

jimeejohnson — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:16:06 +0000

But THE “miracle on ice” of 1980, when our true amateurs beat Russia’s pros and won the gold medal, was AWESOME. It didn’t hurt that the Olympics were in the USA (Lake Placid, NY) that year. One more thing: all those track and field athletes earn money at meets throughout the world and are still able to compete in the Olympics. In other words, these aren’t your grandparents Olympics.

By: LPad

LPad — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:08:24 +0000

Agree with Doc, but I’ll take it a step further. Why is it a big deal about basketball pros but not other sports? No one seems to have a problem with Federer going for gold. The approach for the Olympics should be the best athletes in each sport should compete pro or amateur. I also hope the people thinking the US shouldn’t send pros know that the US would have a hard time getting a bronze medal if we sent nothing but college kids.

By: nokoolaidcowboy

nokoolaidcowboy — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:55:14 +0000

Tired of hearing the same justifications for pros int the Olympics. The Olympics should be for amateurs, stooping to the same level as some other countries is just that. So call it what it is.

Before we started giving millionaires something else to gloat over (as if they don’t get enough attention), it was a great opportunity for collegiate athletes to experience the chance of a lifetime. Not all of them would go on to the pros, so representing the USA was an honor.

Now every Olympics we stack the Team USA Basketball with ringers that are “supposed” to win it all. And if they don’t – ooh controversy!

Too bad kids, unless you are a pro, the US doesn’t want you on their team.