Bryant calls Under-23 Olympic proposal “stupid”

by UK American Sports Fans

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LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant made his feelings perfectly clear over the NBA’s notion that the Olympic tournament is made exclusively for those under 23 years old as he touched down ahead of USA’s historic clash with Great Britain.

USA Basketball arrived in Manchester this afternoon, and speaking alongside Chris Paul of LA Clippers, both players felt it was perhaps the wrong move to make, with Bryant the more outspoken of the pair.

“It’s stupid, a stupid idea,” said the five times NBA champion.

“There hasn’t been much discussion about it. Our discussion is this: basically it is just a dumb idea and we disseminate it this way”

he continued in a round table discussion.

In a similar vain to which the Olympic football tournament is held, where FIFA sanctioned the ruling of teams consisting primarily under-23 players, with the exception of three overage players, the NBA is looking to implement a similar format.

Whilst the NBA is a big player in the world of basketball, FIBA is the governing body and will have the overall say. The move is widely seen as being potentially detrimental to the Olympic event.

The best way to describe the situation is to compare football and basketball.

The NBA are akin to the Premier League, as the FA are akin to USA Basketball, and FIBA to FIFA.

FIFA were in favour of such a tournament for under-23’s so as not to detract from their World Cup product. With the move to rename basketball’s world championships as a World Cup, it is possible to think that the tide is turning within FIBA’s offices to follow suit.

Chris Paul, aged 27, highlighted the fact that had such a ruling been in place, he wouldn’t be in front of the media as an Olympian. Such a title is very dear in the hearts and minds of both players, alongside many others it seems, and a decision like what is being proposed could spell disaster for many wanting to add being part of an Olympic Games to their CV.

It is uncertain exactly what decisions will be made regarding this issue, but the comments of one of USA’s most decorated players will resonate across all levels, and although focused on the job in hand to bring home gold for USA this summer, it may bubble under the surface of the hard court.