Chris Mannix says NBA players won’t be paid for being in Olympics
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix joined the show to talk about Dwyane Wade’s comments that NBA players should be rewarded for playing in the Olympics.
Mannix talked to USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo last night and said players won’t be played. Mannix said this is Colangelo’s reasoning: “Players won’t be played for the simple reason there isn’t any money to pay them with.”
Mannix said that if players don’t want to play, then there’s a long list of guys who will fill their spot. Mannix also pointed out that players are compensated by increasing their brand awareness across the world.
Mannix also pointed out that these players are working out during this period anyway, so they might as well workout in the Olympic atmosphere. Mannix talked about how playing for USA Basketball helped Lamar Odom have one of his best seasons.
Mannix weighed in Odom’s stuggles as well. He said Odom couldn’t thrive once he was taken out of the cocoon in Los Angeles.
Mannix talked about the Lakers’ chances of getting into the Finals. He said the key is Andrew Bynum. When Bynum is at his best, the Lakers are very dangerous, but you don’t always know when Bynum will show up.