Should America go back to using amateurs in Men's Basketball?

Question

The only time the US Olympic team played the NBA all-stars, the pros got simply whooped (92-79, i.e.). As amatuers (who simply "preposterious"ly couldn't play better), Michael Jordan, Alvin Iverson, and Patrick Ewing (ever heard of them) kicked the tales of the best the NBA had to offer.

College players don't yet have the distractions (charity events, children, wives (ok, a few do), sponsorships deals, commercials to tape, jet-setting friends yelling "air trip to the Riviera!" Once finals were over, those teams came together and stayed together. In the only true test of amatuer versus pro, the amatuers ruled the court in what was then the largest live crowd to ever watch a basketball game. No fluke either - they played three games - and won them all handily.

Why don't we go back?

Answer 1

Would not work...not enough experience and we need to send our stars now that the world has gotten "better".

Answer 2

Not a basketball fan  , but a fan of the Olympic Games.

Would like to see the old amateur rules, but consider that many countries had been fielding "pros" for a long time .......

Many were disguised as customs agents, military, no show jobs,  etc who did nothing but train in govt run programs.

Not to mention cash stipends ( which amount to salaries).

It is a world stage & when you see NBA, & NHL players who play for their home countries , got to be a huge fan base.

Get your point , but pro eligibility just legitimzes what has been going on for  many years.

Best regards

Answer 3

if they did USA would suck

Answer 4

Aren't we using amateurs already?  I'm the only pro!

That Flash needs to pass me the ball.  I need to have my 50 shot attempts to score 20 points cause I'm the GREATEST!

Everyone else compared to me are just amateurs and they all suck!  The fairies agree with me!

I do believe in fairies! I do! I do!

Think Happy Thoughts!

Answer 5

I have never heard of Alvin Iverson. How long ago was this? like 1981? That has no bearing on today's game. If you mean Allen Iverson, you are so wrong it's not even funny. There is no way he was ever on an amateur team with Jordan and Ewing.

Answer 6

Whose Alvin Iverson?  And no we should not go back to amatuers for basketball.  The rest of the world has caught up to usa basketball so we have to send our best.

Answer 7

We don't go back because back then the opposing teams were so inferior they would get their pictures taken and have autograph signings with team USA. That was how it was. Other countries weren't nearly as good.

But better yet.

How come the so called SUPERIOR other Countries don't send amateurs?

they send pros too.

What do you have to say to that?