The FIBA World Cup will now and forever be marred in the image of Indiana Pacers star Paul George snapping his leg like a twig during a scrimmage that now calls into question if players should be allowed to play international competition while under contract to an NBA team.
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That’s the current mindset in the NBA at the moment as Adrian Wojnarowski reports that NBA general managers are under the belief that the George injury is a game changer and may be the final straw that now makes players more cautious or even prevents them from playing in international competition during the offseason.
Owners and GMs united tonight: Paul George injury could be tipping point for use of stars in international play. "Game-changer," GM told me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2014
This is hardly shocking information as the entire league seems to now be upset and against the idea of allowing their players to play internationally while the season isn’t in swing. This may not include the Olympics, but the FIBA World Cup is a primer for the 2016 Rio Games, and the Paul George injury now calls into question whether we will see pros trying to bring home the gold or college kids who the NBA doesn’t have under contract.
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