Kobe Bryant Disagrees with Olympic Age Limit
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David Becker/Getty Images(MANCHESTER, England) — Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant doesn’t agree with the 23-and-under concept proposed by NBA commissioner David Stern regarding the Olympics.
Team USA arrived in London on Tuesday and the Lakers forward spoke at an appearance at the town hall in Manchester about the issue.
“It’s a stupid idea. It should be a (player’s) choice,” Bryant said. “Our (Team USA teammates) discussion is this: Basically, it’s just a dumb idea and we (discuss) it that way. … We just discuss it like that (and) kind of voice our opinions through you (media) guys.”
Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul would also miss out if this proposal came into effect.
“If you look at the track record for it, I can honestly say my best season in the NBA statistically was the 2008-09 season, which was after my first Olympics. You see guys, when they come back from playing on a team like this, they go into the new season with the ultimate confidence,” the 27-year-old Paul said on Tuesday. “We talk during the season, we talk about how tired we’re going to be in the summer, but as soon as we all get out to Vegas, we’re excited. We’re ready to go — it’s on. It’s better than being at home just working out and playing ball. You get to play against the best players in the world.”
Team USA will play against Team Great Britain in an exhibition game on Thursday night.
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