did ray allen really say this?

[greenlion]

for once, a soul in this thread who does get it! hats off to you blink..bottomline is if you think you are putting at risk your livelihood and it does not equate to your calling, the noble privelege of representing your country,then don't do it! it's that simple,however commercialized the modern olympics have been, you can never justify that you ought to have a piece of it too and shouting it out..how does playing in front of billions of people, gasping on your every move,amazed and in complete awe of your talents sound to you?still not enticing without the money that you demand to go with it?then don't do it..got it?

[OsirusCeltics]

You said: "everyone is paid for their work".
That just isn't true, regardless of how you are trying to skin the cat.  There are many people who volunteer their time.  So you think that the work of volunteers is less valued than the 'work' put in by NBA athletes?  There are also many athletes that aren't paid.

You said: "Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close" 

Well maybe the athletes themselves should be proud just to be an olympic athlete for their country?

You also said: "How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?"

I would really appreciate it if you would stop putting words in my mouth. I never said anything about the other athletes at all.  Not once.  I have no problem if the archery team needs some compensation to be able to afford to be gone from their day job for a few weeks.  You completely missed my point and I don't think you are understanding my view.  My only comments have been related to the greedy attitude of a couple of NBA players. 

You were the one who is quoting the figures on the revenue, look at your previous comment.  You stated that they deserved a bit of the pie, and implied a distribution.  I said it isn't the focus of my issue with this.  At least read my comments.

Everyone gets paid who works for the olympics?  Are you kidding me?  There are thousands of people who volunteer for the olympics.  Most of those volunteers are not getting paid, well maybe a t-shirt.  Not everyone who participates gets paid.

Look we really disagree on this.  I think it is greedy for the NBA players to want to get paid.  It isn't in the spirit of event. 

Do you know how or where any of the revenues generated from the olympics are divided out?  Probably not, and neither do I.  It isn't really the focus of my issue with this.  I am sure there are unfair things that happen with that money, just like there are with the US budget and every other country.    

All our olympic athletes get most or all of their traveling expenses paid for.  Man, don't act like D Wade is going off to London with no one paying for his hotel and food.  That is just silly trying to use that to argue that NBA players should be paid.  Sheesh the NBA players are probably the most wealthy athletes on the olympic team.

I don't like how the fact that just because NBA players make millions in the NBA, they have no right to be compensated in the Olympics

One fact has no relation to the other

A reported $2.6 Billion is made for everytime the Olympic events are held. And asking for some compensation is wrong?
Not to mention the risk of injury, expenses to live in another country oversees. I'm not saying $2 million each player, but more like a base reasonable salary for every player competing in the Olympics

It doesn't matter how its distributed, thats not even the point
And thats an excuse that Dwade's hotel arrangements are paid for

From the from the popcorn maker to the Olympic league official, everyone is paid for their work but the players, and that is unfair
Like I said just because the star players are paid millions, is not related to being compensated in the Olympics

Key word is volunteer
Volunteers come into a situation knowing they are not getting paid. And its not like a volunteer is training their whole life at a sport to be performed in front of billions of people. Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close

Just because you get paid millions doesn't mean anything. How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?

So why do people who fight in the Army get paid? Because they are volunteering and doing a service to their country

[greenlion]

You said: "everyone is paid for their work".
That just isn't true, regardless of how you are trying to skin the cat.  There are many people who volunteer their time.  So you think that the work of volunteers is less valued than the 'work' put in by NBA athletes?  There are also many athletes that aren't paid.

You said: "Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close" 

Well maybe the athletes themselves should be proud just to be an olympic athlete for their country?

You also said: "How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?"

I would really appreciate it if you would stop putting words in my mouth. I never said anything about the other athletes at all.  Not once.  I have no problem if the archery team needs some compensation to be able to afford to be gone from their day job for a few weeks.  You completely missed my point and I don't think you are understanding my view.  My only comments have been related to the greedy attitude of a couple of NBA players. 

You were the one who is quoting the figures on the revenue, look at your previous comment.  You stated that they deserved a bit of the pie, and implied a distribution.  I said it isn't the focus of my issue with this.  At least read my comments.

Everyone gets paid who works for the olympics?  Are you kidding me?  There are thousands of people who volunteer for the olympics.  Most of those volunteers are not getting paid, well maybe a t-shirt.  Not everyone who participates gets paid.

Look we really disagree on this.  I think it is greedy for the NBA players to want to get paid.  It isn't in the spirit of event. 

Do you know how or where any of the revenues generated from the olympics are divided out?  Probably not, and neither do I.  It isn't really the focus of my issue with this.  I am sure there are unfair things that happen with that money, just like there are with the US budget and every other country.   

All our olympic athletes get most or all of their traveling expenses paid for.  Man, don't act like D Wade is going off to London with no one paying for his hotel and food.  That is just silly trying to use that to argue that NBA players should be paid.  Sheesh the NBA players are probably the most wealthy athletes on the olympic team.

I don't like how the fact that just because NBA players make millions in the NBA, they have no right to be compensated in the Olympics

One fact has no relation to the other

A reported $2.6 Billion is made for everytime the Olympic events are held. And asking for some compensation is wrong?
Not to mention the risk of injury, expenses to live in another country oversees. I'm not saying $2 million each player, but more like a base reasonable salary for every player competing in the Olympics

It doesn't matter how its distributed, thats not even the point
And thats an excuse that Dwade's hotel arrangements are paid for

From the from the popcorn maker to the Olympic league official, everyone is paid for their work but the players, and that is unfair
Like I said just because the star players are paid millions, is not related to being compensated in the Olympics

Key word is volunteer
Volunteers come into a situation knowing they are not getting paid. And its not like a volunteer is training their whole life at a sport to be performed in front of billions of people. Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close

Just because you get paid millions doesn't mean anything. How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?

So why do people who fight in the Army get paid? Because they are volunteering and doing a service to their country

i am not from the united states, but i pity you putting your noble servicemen in the same breadth as this obnoxious,whining and greedy athletes..you are darn right despite their sacrifices, you have the audacity to mock them,at least from where i come from, there is such a thing as respect..for crying out loud,these people lay their lives on the line and not on the freethrow line,you have one busted concept on this topic sir, better get a grip..

[clover]

for once, a soul in this thread who does get it! hats off to you blink..bottomline is if you think you are putting at risk your livelihood and it does not equate to your calling, the noble privelege of representing your country,then don't do it! it's that simple,however commercialized the modern olympics have been, you can never justify that you ought to have a piece of it too and shouting it out..how does playing in front of billions of people, gasping on your every move,amazed and in complete awe of your talents sound to you?still not enticing without the money that you demand to go with it?then don't do it..got it?

Agreed.  Any profits from their participation can well go to subsidize athletes in the less lucrative sports.  And they get a big boost in their marketability just by participating.

[Finkelskyhook]

for once, a soul in this thread who does get it! hats off to you blink..bottomline is if you think you are putting at risk your livelihood and it does not equate to your calling, the noble privelege of representing your country,then don't do it! it's that simple,however commercialized the modern olympics have been, you can never justify that you ought to have a piece of it too and shouting it out..how does playing in front of billions of people, gasping on your every move,amazed and in complete awe of your talents sound to you?still not enticing without the money that you demand to go with it?then don't do it..got it?

I'm really sorry....I've got two sons who have served in Iraq.  My dad is a WWII vet.  They and many others answered the noble call and nobly represented their country.  

To even take an absolute joke of a jaded "competition" like the olympics and equate it even remotely with true patriotism is offensive to me.  They're playing freaking games.

I despise Wade.  He is a cheap shot artist almost on the level of Derek Fisher.  

I despise class envy even more.  Greedy?  They're not greedy.  They're practicing basic common sense.

That said...I have absolutely no problem with Allen, Wade, or anybody else wanting to be compensated for risking injury...Not to mention their own safety..To participate in this "competition".  

I don't see it as greedy because they're wealthy.  They have a skill that we don't and an audience that we don't.  They also have a limited window where it's lucrative.  That their competition aren't as wealthy as them is irrelevent.  They're getting paid.  Why shouldn't Wade and Allen?  

[blink]

You said: "everyone is paid for their work".
That just isn't true, regardless of how you are trying to skin the cat.  There are many people who volunteer their time.  So you think that the work of volunteers is less valued than the 'work' put in by NBA athletes?  There are also many athletes that aren't paid.

You said: "Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close" 

Well maybe the athletes themselves should be proud just to be an olympic athlete for their country?

You also said: "How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?"

I would really appreciate it if you would stop putting words in my mouth. I never said anything about the other athletes at all.  Not once.  I have no problem if the archery team needs some compensation to be able to afford to be gone from their day job for a few weeks.  You completely missed my point and I don't think you are understanding my view.  My only comments have been related to the greedy attitude of a couple of NBA players. 

You were the one who is quoting the figures on the revenue, look at your previous comment.  You stated that they deserved a bit of the pie, and implied a distribution.  I said it isn't the focus of my issue with this.  At least read my comments.

Everyone gets paid who works for the olympics?  Are you kidding me?  There are thousands of people who volunteer for the olympics.  Most of those volunteers are not getting paid, well maybe a t-shirt.  Not everyone who participates gets paid.

Look we really disagree on this.  I think it is greedy for the NBA players to want to get paid.  It isn't in the spirit of event. 

Do you know how or where any of the revenues generated from the olympics are divided out?  Probably not, and neither do I.  It isn't really the focus of my issue with this.  I am sure there are unfair things that happen with that money, just like there are with the US budget and every other country.   

All our olympic athletes get most or all of their traveling expenses paid for.  Man, don't act like D Wade is going off to London with no one paying for his hotel and food.  That is just silly trying to use that to argue that NBA players should be paid.  Sheesh the NBA players are probably the most wealthy athletes on the olympic team.

I don't like how the fact that just because NBA players make millions in the NBA, they have no right to be compensated in the Olympics

One fact has no relation to the other

A reported $2.6 Billion is made for everytime the Olympic events are held. And asking for some compensation is wrong?
Not to mention the risk of injury, expenses to live in another country oversees. I'm not saying $2 million each player, but more like a base reasonable salary for every player competing in the Olympics

It doesn't matter how its distributed, thats not even the point
And thats an excuse that Dwade's hotel arrangements are paid for

From the from the popcorn maker to the Olympic league official, everyone is paid for their work but the players, and that is unfair
Like I said just because the star players are paid millions, is not related to being compensated in the Olympics

Key word is volunteer
Volunteers come into a situation knowing they are not getting paid. And its not like a volunteer is training their whole life at a sport to be performed in front of billions of people. Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close

Just because you get paid millions doesn't mean anything. How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?

So why do people who fight in the Army get paid? Because they are volunteering and doing a service to their country

i am not from the united states, but i pity you putting your noble servicemen in the same breadth as this obnoxious,whining and greedy athletes..you are darn right despite their sacrifices, you have the audacity to mock them,at least from where i come from, there is such a thing as respect..for crying out loud,these people lay their lives on the line and not on the freethrow line,you have one busted concept on this topic sir, better get a grip..

I agree.  Trying to validate NBA players getting paid in the olympics by using the military folks as an example is kind of in poor taste.  Getting shot at for your country does not = turning your ankle when playing a basketball game.  It actually makes my point more than yours.  We should be paying soldiers a lot more, and wealthy NBA athletes shouldn't complain about not getting paid for participating in the olympics (esp since it is their choice to do so).

[Finkelskyhook]

for once, a soul in this thread who does get it! hats off to you blink..bottomline is if you think you are putting at risk your livelihood and it does not equate to your calling, the noble privelege of representing your country,then don't do it! it's that simple,however commercialized the modern olympics have been, you can never justify that you ought to have a piece of it too and shouting it out..how does playing in front of billions of people, gasping on your every move,amazed and in complete awe of your talents sound to you?still not enticing without the money that you demand to go with it?then don't do it..got it?

Agreed.  Any profits from their participation can well go to subsidize athletes in the less lucrative sports.  And they get a big boost in their marketability just by participating.

Are you kidding?  You really think an athlete as mass marketed and promoted by the NBA as Wade gets a big boost in marketability merely by participating in something like the olympics?  In what way?  Do you think any "boost" Wade would get would be worth risking injury or his own personal safety?

Why should profits from their participation go to other athletes instead of them?  

[fairweatherfan]

I am Dwyane Wade, and I'm here to ask you a question: Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow?

'No!' says the man in Washington, 'it belongs to the poor.'

'No!' says the man in the Vatican, 'it belongs to God.'

'No!' says the man in Moscow, 'it belongs to everyone.'

I rejected those answers; instead, I chose something different. I chose the impossible. I chose...Merch.

[blink]

I absolutely disagree.  They absolutely get a boost from exposure in the biggest athletic event in the world.  Many NBA athletes have extremely large endorsement contracts of all kinds.  Those companies that they are endorsing PAY them to wear the shoes, endorse the products AND to be at events.  

Do you think that D Wade isn't getting a bit extra from his shoe company to participate in different events around the world?  C'mon...that is naive.

And why should the profits go to other programs / athletes instead?  Well maybe because it promotes the olympic creed?  IE participation is the important factor.

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

for once, a soul in this thread who does get it! hats off to you blink..bottomline is if you think you are putting at risk your livelihood and it does not equate to your calling, the noble privelege of representing your country,then don't do it! it's that simple,however commercialized the modern olympics have been, you can never justify that you ought to have a piece of it too and shouting it out..how does playing in front of billions of people, gasping on your every move,amazed and in complete awe of your talents sound to you?still not enticing without the money that you demand to go with it?then don't do it..got it?

Agreed.  Any profits from their participation can well go to subsidize athletes in the less lucrative sports.  And they get a big boost in their marketability just by participating.

Are you kidding?  You really think an athlete as mass marketed and promoted by the NBA as Wade gets a big boost in marketability merely by participating in something like the olympics?  In what way?  Do you think any "boost" Wade would get would be worth risking injury or his own personal safety?

Why should profits from their participation go to other athletes instead of them?  

[blink]

hahaha thanks for that.

I am Dwyane Wade, and I'm here to ask you a question: Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow?

'No!' says the man in Washington, 'it belongs to the poor.'

'No!' says the man in the Vatican, 'it belongs to God.'

'No!' says the man in Moscow, 'it belongs to everyone.'

I rejected those answers; instead, I chose something different. I chose the impossible. I chose...Merch.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

for once, a soul in this thread who does get it! hats off to you blink..bottomline is if you think you are putting at risk your livelihood and it does not equate to your calling, the noble privelege of representing your country,then don't do it! it's that simple,however commercialized the modern olympics have been, you can never justify that you ought to have a piece of it too and shouting it out..how does playing in front of billions of people, gasping on your every move,amazed and in complete awe of your talents sound to you?still not enticing without the money that you demand to go with it?then don't do it..got it?

I'm really sorry....I've got two sons who have served in Iraq.  My dad is a WWII vet.  They and many others answered the noble call and nobly represented their country.  

To even take an absolute joke of a jaded "competition" like the olympics and equate it even remotely with true patriotism is offensive to me.  They're playing freaking games.

I despise Wade.  He is a cheap shot artist almost on the level of Derek Fisher.  

I despise class envy even more.  Greedy?  They're not greedy.  They're practicing basic common sense.

That said...I have absolutely no problem with Allen, Wade, or anybody else wanting to be compensated for risking injury...Not to mention their own safety..To participate in this "competition".  

I don't see it as greedy because they're wealthy.  They have a skill that we don't and an audience that we don't.  They also have a limited window where it's lucrative.  That their competition aren't as wealthy as them is irrelevent.  They're getting paid.  Why shouldn't Wade and Allen?  

AMEN to all of that!!!! Well said!!! That's why I laughed, people act like being in the Olympics is war! Is it great to represent your country? SURE IT IS, no one is arguing that but that doesn't mean that others should make MILLIONS off of your hard work and you get NOTHING and you should keep your mouth shut and just do it!! If it's all about representing your country, why don't they just give the jerseys and items away for FREE, isn't that patriotism? Nope, only the athletes and other volunteers need be patriots! Really, it's just funny to me what some are saying!

[OsirusCeltics]

You said: "everyone is paid for their work".
That just isn't true, regardless of how you are trying to skin the cat.  There are many people who volunteer their time.  So you think that the work of volunteers is less valued than the 'work' put in by NBA athletes?  There are also many athletes that aren't paid.

You said: "Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close" 

Well maybe the athletes themselves should be proud just to be an olympic athlete for their country?

You also said: "How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?"

I would really appreciate it if you would stop putting words in my mouth. I never said anything about the other athletes at all.  Not once.  I have no problem if the archery team needs some compensation to be able to afford to be gone from their day job for a few weeks.  You completely missed my point and I don't think you are understanding my view.  My only comments have been related to the greedy attitude of a couple of NBA players. 

You were the one who is quoting the figures on the revenue, look at your previous comment.  You stated that they deserved a bit of the pie, and implied a distribution.  I said it isn't the focus of my issue with this.  At least read my comments.

Everyone gets paid who works for the olympics?  Are you kidding me?  There are thousands of people who volunteer for the olympics.  Most of those volunteers are not getting paid, well maybe a t-shirt.  Not everyone who participates gets paid.

Look we really disagree on this.  I think it is greedy for the NBA players to want to get paid.  It isn't in the spirit of event. 

Do you know how or where any of the revenues generated from the olympics are divided out?  Probably not, and neither do I.  It isn't really the focus of my issue with this.  I am sure there are unfair things that happen with that money, just like there are with the US budget and every other country.   

All our olympic athletes get most or all of their traveling expenses paid for.  Man, don't act like D Wade is going off to London with no one paying for his hotel and food.  That is just silly trying to use that to argue that NBA players should be paid.  Sheesh the NBA players are probably the most wealthy athletes on the olympic team.

I don't like how the fact that just because NBA players make millions in the NBA, they have no right to be compensated in the Olympics

One fact has no relation to the other

A reported $2.6 Billion is made for everytime the Olympic events are held. And asking for some compensation is wrong?
Not to mention the risk of injury, expenses to live in another country oversees. I'm not saying $2 million each player, but more like a base reasonable salary for every player competing in the Olympics

It doesn't matter how its distributed, thats not even the point
And thats an excuse that Dwade's hotel arrangements are paid for

From the from the popcorn maker to the Olympic league official, everyone is paid for their work but the players, and that is unfair
Like I said just because the star players are paid millions, is not related to being compensated in the Olympics

Key word is volunteer
Volunteers come into a situation knowing they are not getting paid. And its not like a volunteer is training their whole life at a sport to be performed in front of billions of people. Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close

Just because you get paid millions doesn't mean anything. How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?

So why do people who fight in the Army get paid? Because they are volunteering and doing a service to their country

i am not from the united states, but i pity you putting your noble servicemen in the same breadth as this obnoxious,whining and greedy athletes..you are darn right despite their sacrifices, you have the audacity to mock them,at least from where i come from, there is such a thing as respect..for crying out loud,these people lay their lives on the line and not on the freethrow line,you have one busted concept on this topic sir, better get a grip..

I'm not equaling the importance of the army to the Olympics, why would you assume that??

[blink]

I think you are confusing the olympics with the NBA.  In the NBA absolutely they should be paid well (and they are).  To me the olympics strive for a higher ideal about sport.  That is why it bugs me that extremely wealthy nba players say they want to get paid.  And it bugs me that they use their connection to the media to try and push for it. (well at least until the backlash forces their PR people to post a retraction)

Well you get paid really well in the NBA.  The olympic games are different.

You said:
"If it's all about representing your country, why don't they just give the jerseys and items away for FREE, isn't that patriotism? Nope, only the athletes and other volunteers need be patriots!"

How is giving away the jerseys and items for free patriotism?  I never said that no one should profit from the olympics.  And not every volunteer is in it to be a patriot.  I think most volunteers like to participate because it is a fun event, and hopefully they appreciate some of the olympic ideals.  

I think you are making a leap that participation in the olympics = patriotism.  For some people it might be, for others it isn't.  The olympic ideals aren't set forth by the US.  There is a reason that during the closing ceremonies that the athletes don't come out with their countries, but mixed together.  Has anyone here ever watched the olympics?  Am I taking crazy pills?

for once, a soul in this thread who does get it! hats off to you blink..bottomline is if you think you are putting at risk your livelihood and it does not equate to your calling, the noble privelege of representing your country,then don't do it! it's that simple,however commercialized the modern olympics have been, you can never justify that you ought to have a piece of it too and shouting it out..how does playing in front of billions of people, gasping on your every move,amazed and in complete awe of your talents sound to you?still not enticing without the money that you demand to go with it?then don't do it..got it?

I'm really sorry....I've got two sons who have served in Iraq.  My dad is a WWII vet.  They and many others answered the noble call and nobly represented their country.  

To even take an absolute joke of a jaded "competition" like the olympics and equate it even remotely with true patriotism is offensive to me.  They're playing freaking games.

I despise Wade.  He is a cheap shot artist almost on the level of Derek Fisher.  

I despise class envy even more.  Greedy?  They're not greedy.  They're practicing basic common sense.

That said...I have absolutely no problem with Allen, Wade, or anybody else wanting to be compensated for risking injury...Not to mention their own safety..To participate in this "competition".  

I don't see it as greedy because they're wealthy.  They have a skill that we don't and an audience that we don't.  They also have a limited window where it's lucrative.  That their competition aren't as wealthy as them is irrelevent.  They're getting paid.  Why shouldn't Wade and Allen?  

AMEN to all of that!!!! Well said!!! That's why I laughed, people act like being in the Olympics is war! Is it great to represent your country? SURE IT IS, no one is arguing that but that doesn't mean that others should make MILLIONS off of your hard work and you get NOTHING and you should keep your mouth shut and just do it!! If it's all about representing your country, why don't they just give the jerseys and items away for FREE, isn't that patriotism? Nope, only the athletes and other volunteers need be patriots! Really, it's just funny to me what some are saying!

[Finkelskyhook]

To me the olympics strive for a higher ideal about sport.  That is why it bugs me that extremely wealthy nba players say they want to get paid.

 
olympic ideals?  (Really?) Such as the pure ideals that Roy Jones Jr, Evander Holyfield, The 72 US basketball team, figure skaters practically every olympics, gymnasts, ad nauseum etc experienced?  Those ideals make NBA officiating look forthright and consistent.  the olympics is a caricature of itself.  Nothing more. olympic ideals, IMHO, is an oxymoron.

Again I ask....Why is their wealth relevent?  It's said that tax money supports this scam of an event.  Allen and Wade probably pay close in taxes to what everybody combined in this blog do.  Aren't they doing enough already? 

[blink]

I never said that the olympics were perfect.  But I am impressed that you can make a long list of olympic scandals to try and support your argument.  But it doesn't change my view.  Yeah people are human and don't always do the right thing.  Does that make the olympic ideals any less valid?  To me it doesn't.

But if we take your cynical view of the whole thing then why should we even participate at all?  Why are you even in this discussion if you feel it is so obvious that the olympics are such a waste of time and so filled with inequalities and cheating judges and contestants?

Why is their wealth relevant?  It is relevant because that many average people (myself included) feel that an extremely weathly NBA athlete shouldn't be moaning about not wanting to play without getting paid.  How is this so hard to understand?  Google 'occupy wall street'.  Most people don't want to see wealthy athletes moaning about not getting paid for something that thousands of people would do for free.

The olympics aren't perfect, they never will be.  The commercialization of the olympics obviously takes it's toll on the event.  But that doesn't mean that NBA players need to make it worse.

To me the olympics strive for a higher ideal about sport.  That is why it bugs me that extremely wealthy nba players say they want to get paid.

 
olympic ideals?  (Really?) Such as the pure ideals that Roy Jones Jr, Evander Holyfield, The 72 US basketball team, figure skaters practically every olympics, gymnasts, ad nauseum etc experienced?  Those ideals make NBA officiating look forthright and consistent.  the olympics is a caricature of itself.  Nothing more. olympic ideals, IMHO, is an oxymoron.

Again I ask....Why is their wealth relevent?  It's said that tax money supports this scam of an event.  Allen and Wade probably pay close in taxes to what everybody combined in this blog do.  Aren't they doing enough already?