Mark Cuban Doesn’t Have the Olympic Spirit
All things considered, Mark Cuban has been on what can probably be termed as his “best behavior” this season.
His criticism of the zebras quieted down significantly, and aside from his bizarre decision to ban bloggers from the Mavs’ locker room, he’s done a pretty good job of avoiding controversy. Well, so much for that.
With the Team USA roster expected to be unveiled on Monday, Cuban went on a tirade against what the Olympics (and NBA players’ participation) truly represent.
“I hate the fact that we lie to ourselves and pretend this is about representing country,” Cuban said. “It’s not. It’s about money.”
Is Cuban disappointed that Nowitzki and Kidd have chosen this path or does he understand?
“I understand completely, I just disagree,” Cuban said. “As I mentioned, to me, the disturbing part is not just the financial risk we incur, with minimal upside, it’s the hypocrisy of it all. Can’t we just call it the GE Olympic Team?”
An NBA fine is probably already on its way to Cuban’s mailbox; my only question is, Can the IOC squeeze a few dollars out of Mark as well?
40 Responses to “Mark Cuban Doesn’t Have the Olympic Spirit”
Jun.18 at 3:02 pm
TADOne says:
I actually find myself agreeing with him.
Jun.18 at 3:08 pm
H to the izzo says:
The NBA,and Mark Cuban,however,are not about money at all.
Jun.18 at 3:13 pm
E. Sneed says:
Classic Cuban…he never disappoints when a mic, or digital recorder, is in his face!
Jun.18 at 3:17 pm
ciolkstar says:
I hate Mark Cuban
Jun.18 at 3:19 pm
ciolkstar says:
worst dressed Millionaire of all time. Somebody get him a TShirt that fits.
Jun.18 at 3:28 pm
Krishan says:
AHAHAHAHAHAH Mark, IF I COULD ONLY STRANGLE YOU
Jun.18 at 3:31 pm
RV says:
He doesn’t need the olympic story, he can buy it whenever he wants
Jun.18 at 3:31 pm
Kevin Wilson says:
The not-that-funny-or-ironic thing about it is that Cuban’s distaste for the Olympics lies somewhat in the possibility that some guy he pays max dollars to might get hurt and cripple his Mavericks empire.
Jun.18 at 3:31 pm
RV says:
olympic SPIRIT…not sure where i got story from
Jun.18 at 3:46 pm
riggs says:
yes mark cuban, its hypocrisy at its finest. Now if u can stand a lil bit to the left in front of that mirror, can you repeat that last bit please.
Jun.18 at 3:47 pm
albie1kenobi says:
exhibit A to support Mark Cuban: Jorge Garbajosa.
also, would you let someone else drive your lamborghini if you have one?
Jun.18 at 3:48 pm
blackjack says:
Hard to disagree with the statement, as much as I hate Cuban
Jun.18 at 3:48 pm
Brandon Hoffman says:
Mark Cuban is my favorite owner in the NBA. He’s a guy that invests more than his money in his franchise. He’s emotionally invested in his team. But he’s DEAD WRONG on this. He should feel free to question the injury risks but he has no right to question the motives of the players who choose to wear the red, white, and blue.
Jun.18 at 3:48 pm
Arthur Rimbaud Jr. says:
Excuse me, I’m french, what does he mean by GE Olympic Team ? Thanks.
Jun.18 at 3:53 pm
H to the izzo says:
People should start realizing that basketball doesn’t begin and end with the NBA..
Jun.18 at 4:02 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Cuban is on point. Read Dave Zirin.
Jun.18 at 4:07 pm
H to the izzo says:
Cubes makes a good point,but all he cares about is HIS money.
Jun.18 at 4:25 pm
TADOne says:
Me too izzo.
Jun.18 at 4:27 pm
H to the izzo says:
Well maybe Cubes should shut up,you too TAD.
Jun.18 at 4:43 pm
Jukai says:
Brandon, he never questioned the players. Please actually read the article, kthx.
Jun.18 at 4:45 pm
Jukai says:
There’s something inherently wrong with this. Because the Olympics itself is all about money, his players shouldn’t be in it because then Cuban could lose HIS money? I mean, I agree with the statement, I hate that that statement originated out of greed.
Jun.18 at 5:32 pm
Chukaz says:
I agree with Cuban. I want Kobe to have his surgery in his hand right now. I want to know that Kobe will be healthy by the time next season starts. I want Kobe to keep working on his game. I want Kobe to be healthy and I want him to rest. I understand what Kobe is doing, he has won pretty much everything there is to win. He’s got scoring titles, he’s got his MVP, he got ring, he’ll get his Finals MVP next year, so the only thing left for him to do know is win a gold medal.
Jun.18 at 5:58 pm
tealish says:
But Chuckaz, traditionally one must reach the Finals to be eligible for the Finals MVP award.
Jun.18 at 6:04 pm
chefkoch says:
Everyone who thinks the Olympics and other sport events are not about money but for the love of the game, competition an other altruistic reasons is a complete moron. The Olympics in Beijing, land of the Free are just about money and market opportunities.
Jun.18 at 7:54 pm
whooo! says:
dirk is doing it for money? just like the argentines and the spaniards from the nba? cuban you idiot, those guys actually are proud to be the best their country has and want to represent.
Jun.18 at 7:58 pm
Jeronimo says:
@Arthur Rimbaud Jr.: I assume “GE” stands for General Electric.
Jun.18 at 8:43 pm
Yunki says:
who cares
Jun.18 at 8:57 pm
Brandon Hoffman says:
Jukai, I read the article. I don’t agree with Cuban’s implication that players without guaranteed contracts are less likely to play for their country. I haven’t seen that in the US. To my knowledge, it’s been the exact opposite. Players are calling up Colangelo and begging for the opportunity to try out.
Jun.18 at 10:02 pm
Vortex Knight says:
If you think his statements have anything to do with judging the players you’re missing the point: his point is that the Olympic committee, the cities that host the olympics, olympic sponsors, and especially broadcasters make loads of money off of athletes that are paid relatively little for their efforts. It’s similar to the whole problem with college sports: it’s a treasured sporting event with lots of history that people put a great deal of pride into participating in, but people have gotten so good at taking advantage of the money making opportunities and it’s grown so far beyond the bounds of what it was meant to be that it’s bordering on a money-making scam.
I don’t think Cuban is hypocritical at all. He’s very up-front about the fact that the NBA is a business. His issue is that people won’t admit the Olympics has become a business as well.
Jun.18 at 10:36 pm
Dacre says:
well worded vortex knight…shame about your co-sign name however.
Jun.18 at 10:57 pm
Luckyluciano says:
SO SO TRUE- I UNDERSTOOD THIS AT THE SYDNEY OLYMPICS WHERE I WAS SOO THIRSTY BUT COULD NOT FIND ONE DRINK THAT WAS NOT OWNED BY COKE– PLUS WE HAVE MCDONALDS AS A SPONSOR? THERE FOOD IS GARBAGE!!!
Jun.19 at 3:19 am
Russ Bengtson says:
I think the issue is a lot more complicated than he makes it out to be. Some players ARE proud to go out and compete for their country. And while yes, a player could get hurt playing in the Olympics, they could also get hurt playing pick-up or just working out on their own (isn’t that what happened to Elton Brand?). Does Cuban feel that NBA players should not play basketball AT ALL (or engage in any other physical activity that could lead to injury) unless it’s under team supervision? Maybe he does. But that’s terribly unrealistic.
Jun.19 at 10:01 am
Joel O's says:
Well, perhaps to NBA-ers it *might* sometimes be about the money. So Cuban is right in this sense, that some players may not really care about representing their country. But this may just be an NBA thing, if only because the biggest competition for an NBA player doesn’t usually come from overseas - it comes night after night in the League. However, for athletes of other sports (gymnastics, diving, track & field, etc) international competitions like the Olympic Games are the only chance for these athletes to shine. And they only get a few shots at it in their entire lives.
Jun.19 at 10:06 am
Joel O's says:
So to sum up my point, I think Cubes is being a bit unfair to other sports here. Certain NBA-ers don’t give a crap about it - remember the Dark Ages after Sydney 2000 where squads of fringe all stars or raw young’uns had to be fielded? But other athletes A.) don’t get the chance to shine very often at all, maybe once every 2-4 years, and B.) don’t get the chance to compete with such stellar competition as often as NBA players do, and want nothing more than to go out and do their best.
Jun.19 at 10:11 am
Arthur Rimbaud Jr. says:
@Jeronimo : thanks. I can’t wait for the Olympics, but I have a question : The games will be at 8 or 9 p.m. in China that means about 10 a.m.or noon in Europe, what about the USA ?
Jun.19 at 10:15 am
Arthur Rimbaud Jr. says:
I mean, we wake up at 4 a.m. in Europe to watch the NBA (or record it) , will people in the States do the same for the Olympics ?
Jun.19 at 11:34 am
Rico says:
Marc Cuban doesn’t have A spirit!
Jun.19 at 12:20 pm
SLAM ONLINE | » Surprise: Don Nelson Doesn’t Agree With Mark Cuban says:
[…] Mark Cuban’s assessment of what the Olympic Games truly represent, though perhaps stated without enough tact, were completely correct. That doesn’t mean, though, that everyone is going to agree. […]
Jun.19 at 5:51 pm
Jackie Moon says:
I don’t think it’s the players Cubes is ranting against, it’s that other people are making money off the players at the risk of Cube’s financial gain.
Jun.20 at 5:55 am
Penny Hardaway says:
Cubes should know better, Dirk has played every year, deep postseason or not, carrying a bad team which he knows won’t help him win anything. He even plays in exhibition tournaments. I saw him in
greece in front of a 200 audience.