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Anyone else a little bothered by the fact that we have pro players on our Olympic basketball team?

Yes, I know China is playing Yao Ming.

Personally, I think that the Olympics should be about amateur athletes.

Playing our pro's is equivalent to sending Lance Armstrong into a cycling event.

To me, it seems contrary to the spirit of the Games.

Thoughts?

All the other countries have been using their pro athletes for some time now. I have no problem seeing LeBron, Kobe and the rest of our guys out there. BTW- Lance Armstrong did win a gold a few Olympics ago I think. I did love seeing our collegians compete though.

No problem with it. Except for exposure and residual promotions, they're not getting paid for it, as far as I know.
I was more bothered at LaBron insisting on pimping his hat to the side during the opening ceremonies. How tacky!

I prefer it to be all amateur, but so many other nations have been using pros for years. I like the USA teams to be competitive with the other countries teams.

As Don Henley sang "This is the end of the innocence". It's all about the $$$ now. Want purism? Go watch some AA or college baseball. Hate to be a downer, but this is what we have come to be.

RSportsguy saidAll the other countries have been using their pro athletes for some time now. I have no problem seeing LeBron, Kobe and the rest of our guys out there. BTW- Lance Armstrong did win a gold a few Olympics ago I think. I did love seeing our collegians compete though.

Actually Lance won a bronze in the 2000 Olympics.

We're supposed to have our best athletes representing us... why can't they be able to make money at home for it as well?