Report: George injury could change how NBA GMs let 'stars' take part in international play
It's never too early to panic, especially when one of the NBA's biggest stars goes down with a horrific right leg injury. And while this might be driven by the emotion of the moment after Paul George was stretchered off during a USA scrimmage, it looks like it could lead to some potential changes for how the league's general managers treat their stars who want to take part in international play. As in, they might not get to do it at all.
Owners and GMs united tonight: Paul George injury could be tipping point for use of stars in international play. "Game-changer," GM told me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) August 2, 2014
This is not a new concept, as Shaq (of all people) pointed out on Twitter on Friday after the fourth-quarter incident.
Now I think nba teams are gonna do what the spurs are doin to ginobli, and not allow the stars to play international ball #whatwouldyoudo
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) August 2, 2014
However, it does not seem to be that simple.
NBA deal w/FIBA states that its teams can't bar players from international comp unless there's "reasonable medical concern" going in. So ...
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 2, 2014
So that would suggest NBA teams won't be able to put up any more resistance to international play unless/until its deal with FIBA changes
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 2, 2014