By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Errick McCollum, one of the standouts in European basketball, and brother of Portland’s star CJ McCollum explained on twitter why some of the big NBA names are getting cold feet and decide to skip the FIBA World Cup, despite being part of the Team USA pre-selection roster.
With CSKA Moscow star and EuroLeague Final Four MVP Will Clyburn asking himself “why nobody want to play for the USA”, Errick McCollum provided an answer.
While those are reasons that anyone could have thought, the fact that come out on twitter from the brother of CJ McCollum – who also denied the chance to play in the FIBA World Cup – are giving a rare insight to the players’ mindset.
The answer is the following: “Tons of reasons
- Injury risk especially if you are up for extension or max deals
- Short summer (long playoff runs) and the players want family time and to get rested and ready for the season
- GM and owners probably prefer not
- You don’t get your focused off-season training
- (ed.note: And on a personal note to Clyburn) Same reason you wouldn’t play in The Basketball Tournament for Overseas Elite all those years I asked you! You were scared to risk the CSKA contract. At least TBT paid, team USA is for free. I don’t blame those guys, if I had a max deal I wouldn’t play for anybody outside of my NBA organization”.
Of course, playing for your country is a big honor and nobody can’t deny it, but the arguments presented by McCollum are valid.
& same reason you wouldn’t play TBT for overseas elite all them years I asked you! ? you was scared to risk the CSKA bag!! ?? at least TBT paid, team USA is for free lol. I don’t blame them guys, if I had a max deal I wouldn’t pay for anybody outside of my NBA organization ?
— Errick McCollum (@ErrickM3) July 24, 2019
On the contrary, for some players, the national team can be a golden opportunity.
Yeah role players not up for extension should play. Could help their brand/name, but the big dogs shouldn’t. Just my opinion but they have to much to lose & to little to gain. I don’t blame you, summers are beautiful but we was guaranteed titles (4peat) ? imagine with YOU! ??
— Errick McCollum (@ErrickM3) July 24, 2019