Mark Cuban's Desire to Keep Pros out of Olympics Is Selfish and Idiotic

The ever outspoken Mark Cuban is barking up the wrong tree as he tries to lead the NBA to prohibiting its players from playing in the Olympics. 

This plan is as doomed as it is foolish. The NBA is not going to take this step, and the majority of fans will thank them for it. 

Here is Cuban as quoted by ESPNDallas.com's Jeff Caplan: 

"

"It's just the epitome of stupidity that we would allow ourselves to be used so other corporations" -- as Cuban calls the Olympics -- "can make tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars. There's some guys sitting at the Olympic headquarters going, 'Those dumb-asses, we're taking all their best guys for nothing.' "

"

Cuban makes a valid point here. Olympic basketball profits big time from showcasing stars that the NBA has created. NBA teams pay these stars millions, and they are forced to helplessly watch as those stars expose themselves to injuries as they play for nothing but the pride of their country. 

The Mavericks owner is careful to make sure that his criticism stays firmly rooted in the people allowing this to happen and not the players themselves. 

I understand from Dirk's perspective. We should never put our athletes in that position. For some sports the Olympics are very, very important. For basketball, it's meaningless. It's not that they're not decent games. All things being equal, it's fun to watch us play Argentina and Spain, but it would be just as fun if they were 21 and under.

Here is where Cuban's argument starts to venture onto an ill-fated track. 

The Folly of Cuban's Statement

It would not be anywhere near as fun to watch these games if they featured 21-and-under players. Fans want to see the world's best competing for the right to make their country champions. 

The addition of NBA players in international basketball gives fans a reason to watch. It gives us all an opportunity to see these great athletes participating in a different style of basketball under completely different circumstances. 

The level of anticipation and interest would be greatly diminished if these games were limited to players under 21. 

This fact is going to find Cuban struggling to gain any support with the fans for this argument, and that is the best source of support he could hope for because the NBA isn't going to change their stance. 

David Stern wants to turn the NBA into a worldwide enterprise. In this pursuit, the Olympics are an invaluable source of advertising. It exposes the glory of watching some of the NBA's finest to a new audience across the globe. 

In short, having NBA players in the Olympics helps the NBA make money. 

While having players wear themselves down in the international setting can be detrimental to their NBA club, it is good for the overall health of the game. 

It is a treat for fans and good for the NBA. It also won't be going away anytime soon.