Read the opposing argument from Babe Ruthless.
I find it laughable (and ironic) that an argument must be made in defense of LeBron James’ right to choose to sit out of the FIBA World Championships in Turkey this summer, regardless of his motives for doing so. I also find it ridiculous that people have tried to establish the notion that there is some sort of patriotic obligation which LeBron James must fulfill by representing his country in the World Championships.
What is this, Red China?!
If you want to talk about America and patriotism, let me tell you about the America that I know. In MY America, no one is forced into any role they do not wish to play. In MY America, the only obligation that exists is that of the GOVERNMENT to support every citizen’s right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Nowhere in the constructs of American law, culture, or tradition is it written (or even implied) that a top-level basketball player is OBLIGED to participate in the World Championships.
It’s a Free Country
Uncle Sam has far more important things to do with his time than to ride around on a whistle-stop campaign to recruit the finest basketball players in the country.
The last time I checked, participation in Team U.S.A. Basketball was voluntary. Those athletes who wished to suit up in the Red, White, and Blue submitted their names, showed what they could do on the court, and were (hopefully) selected to participate on the team. That is what VOLUNTARY means – you don’t have to sign up. It’s your choice.
Of course it would be great if all of the top talent decided to don the colors of Old Glory and take the court for national pride, but is the game REALLY going to suffer if the only guys playing for U.S.A. are Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and a host of other NBA Superstars? Is LeBron James really THAT important to Team U.S.A.? If so, then they should rename it Team LeBron!
Obligation Fulfilled
If anyone wants to criticize LeBron for failing to fulfill some concocted patriotic duty – simply because he is choosing to pursue other business interests in the summer of 2010 – allow me to refer you to his national team resumé.
Since 2003, LeBron James has participated on behalf of the United States of America in four of the last six international basketball tournaments. Included in that six year stretch are TWO different Olympic Games, a World Championship, and the FIBA Americas Championship.
That’s right – LeBron has put on an American basketball uniform in almost every single international event since he became a professional. Does that sound to you like a guy who is balking at the opportunity to represent the country he loves in the sport that he loves?
LeBron’s NBA season (which could realistically stretch all the way into the NBA Finals) runs from late September all the way into June, essentially leaving three months of the year for him to spend on activities outside of the NBA. With that free time, he has volunteered to play FREE basketball in two out of every three summers for his country – hardly the act of someone failing to fulfill their patriotic obligation.
He is simply asking for one measly summer away from basketball because the summer is the only time in which he can seriously commit to non-basketball activities. He has not turned his back on Team U.S.A. (in fact, he has already expressed his desire to defend the Olympic Gold won in Beijing during London’s 2012 Olympic Games), and he has already sacrificed a great amount of his personal time for this voluntary team. Now, just because an opportunity has arisen for him to do something for himself that happens to be unrelated to basketball, he is being criticized for it.
It is unfair to expect (or demand) that a professional of any discipline should have to sacrifice all of their free time so they can act as an American ambassador for the very profession that they are taking time away from, especially when they have already demonstrated a very high commitment to that same endeavor on a nearly full-time basis. The only basketball that LeBron OWES his time to is the NBA team that owns his contract. When the NBA is not in season he is beholden to no one and is FREE to use his time in his own PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS!
THAT is the REAL patriotic obligation!
Whoa there Bleacher Fan!
No one is doubting this is a free country, which indeed it is. This debate is about whether LeBron has the right to choose to play or not, but bearing duty to country in mind whether he should.
Patriotic obligations may not be tangible or legally binding but they are real and should be ultimately compelling. No one can force you to say the Pledge of Allegiance, stand for the National Anthem, or keep you from burning the flag (although they should, don’t try that crap around me unless you want to deal with my left fist–justice–and my right fist–liberty!) In this great nation, which is also “My America” as you put it, you are free to make mistakes which LeBron would definitely be doing. But as Toby Keith says sometimes, “Freedom don’t come free.”
America wants to send her best to the FIBA championships and LeBron is the best. If LeBron really wants to play for Team USA in 2012 in London like he has alluded to then he has to man up and answer Lady Liberty’s call to go to Turkey in 2010.
If LeBron doesn’t want to give 2 weeks to the nation that makes his life possible then that is fine. Maybe he can play for Afghanistan and they can call it team TaliBron.
USA, USA, USA