For the time being, it is business as usual for the NBA with regard to the league's best players competing in international competition. But changes could be forthcoming.
Shortly after the compound fracture Indiana Pacers star forward Paul George suffered Friday during a Team USA intrasquad scrimmage in Las Vegas, league commissioner Adam Silver stated he doesn't foresee the NBA making significant changes to its participation in international competition.
But Silver admitted that the severity of George's injury would likely reignite the debate on the role of high-profile NBA stars in moving forward.
Commissioner Adam Silver Statement on Paul George Injury pic.twitter.com/1gcZ7SNdar
— NBA (@NBA) August 2, 2014
"Without a doubt, basketball has grown tremendously since 1992, when NBA players began playing in the Olympics," Silver said, according to ESPN.com. "Also, it's important to note the [improvement] many of our players have made in terms of ability, leadership and passion for the game by playing for their home countries. Injuries can happen anyplace at any time. The experiences our players have enjoyed by participating in their national teams, however, are ones that are unique and special in almost every other way. At this point, I don't anticipate a major shift in the NBA's participation in international competitions.
"It seems clear, however, that this will be a topic at our next NBA competition committee meeting in September and our board of governors meeting in October. And, of course, we will continue to evaluate the pros and cons of participating in international tournaments."
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