Tatum hurt during Todays World Cup game

[Surferdad]

and out at least two games. Not a fan of our players beating their bodies up before the season and now we have ankle injury to contend with.

https://sports.yahoo.com/tatum-miss-team-usas-next-144957648.html

So, if they didn't play in the World Cup, they'd just be at home playing video games and putting their bodies in absolutely ZERO risk of any type of injury?  How did DeMarcus Cousins hurt himself? 

These are basketball players.  In the offseason they play basketball.  A slight sprained ankle that keeps a player out 5 days is nothing to worry about and nothing that can be prevented, even in pickup games.

True, they can injure themselves in many ways. Ankle injuries can become buggy. I would shut him down.I always seem to worry more about our players anyway, especially one's that are crucial to our success.

Let me rephrase, I do not like Celtics players participating. 

I do believe it increases your odds to get an injury by playing in more games in a year though. I understand the positive benefits and even fast maturing for a young player but I believe the risk far outweighs that.

Celtics front office authorized 4 of their best players to play...seems like they recognized the benefits and they outweighed the risks.

[Fafnir]

NBA teams can't prevent healthy players from playing international basketball afaik.

Mark Cuban has been upset by this fact since he came into the league. (Dirk would play for Germany)

[ETNCeltics]

IMO, a minor injury is well worth these guys getting to play together, having the experience of playing for their country, and from a Celtics standpoint, most importantly, getting to play under Popovich for a month.

Sounds like Tatum's injury is no big deal.

[TDurden]

The curse of IT strikes again!

[Bobshot]

and out at least two games. Not a fan of our players beating their bodies up before the season and now we have ankle injury to contend with.

https://sports.yahoo.com/tatum-miss-team-usas-next-144957648.html

Smart has some problems,too, as expected for him. You wonder why he is there. Any more injuries, and Ainge will start to be second guessed in the media.

Has anybody asked him why so many Celtics playing for USA? It just compounds the chance of injury.

[Donoghus]

The curse of IT strikes again!

Did he curse himself too?

[Surferdad]

and out at least two games. Not a fan of our players beating their bodies up before the season and now we have ankle injury to contend with.

https://sports.yahoo.com/tatum-miss-team-usas-next-144957648.html

Smart has some problems,too, as expected for him. You wonder why he is there. Any more injuries, and Ainge will start to be second guessed in the media.

Has anybody asked him why so many Celtics playing for USA? It just compounds the chance of injury.

This debate is raging in multiple threads, and frankly I am fine either way.  However, I view participation as the ONLY way to get reps against NBA-level competition (or close to that), in real game situations, in the off-season.  I could be off-base, but I doubt it.   

[SHAQATTACK]

useful time learning to play ball with Kemba and bond with him .  And time to forget Kyrie and his team deconstruction.