After watching the Olympic basketball group play I have a couple of thoughts. First, why is team USA so proud of winning this so often. The other countries so far haven't been a challenge. If you've missed the scores check out this report from their last win. http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/basketball/record-breaking-night-for-team-usa.html I also did a little research and noticed that the United States have won 13 of the 17 gold medals in the Olympics and one year, in Moscow, we didn't even attend. Needless to say, the USA has been dominate since the event started in 1936. In case your wondering, the USA is not the only country dominant in a sport, China has won 46 of the 50 gold medals in badminton offered since its induction.
Why is this a problem? I guess first it makes for some unexciting spectacle. I don't think people pay to watch an 80 point blow out. I also think it doesn't line up with the Olympic ideals of competition. Again, there isn't much competition for our team I'm sorry to say. I think another problem is that I perceive basketball to be primarily an American sport. Others in the world dabble, but honestly it started here and this the place where anybody really cares about it. (I do understand however that there is a vibrant Spanish league and the Sport is gaining in popularity in places like China.)
So, what are the solutions. I think there are two solutions other than just leaving the status quo in place. The first solution is to just remove the sport from the Olympic line up. This isn't unprecedented, but it would probably upset a lot of people. The second solution would also upset people, but its the best option, and that is to make the Olympic competition between national under 23 teams. This is exactly the model men's soccer has during the Olympics. The teams are composed of people under 23 with a few players allowed to be older as team-leaders and provide veteran experience. This give younger players a chance to excel and also a platform for those who might not continue on to a professional league. I think this would make the Olympic competition more competitive and exciting to watch and also ensure an actual competition.
Just so you don't think this is coming from nowhere, the NBA commissioner is also throwing this idea although I'm sure his motives might be different than mine. http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/18924306/david-stern-wants-to-restrict-olympics-to-23andunder-players
No comments:
Post a Comment