While I wish that, say, Yao would make the decision to actually rest in the offseason, there is no way I would support FORCING him to do so. This is just wrong of the Cavs. Especially considering Z has never done it. To deny the man the opportunity to play for his country is just wrong, and if it was a situation here in the US, the public would make a lot of noise. Stupid decision.
I really do not think this is enforceable. If big Z takes it up in court he's gonna play. By the way, what happens if big Z plays anyways? It's not like the Cavs are going to say don't come back next year right?
However, I am wondering if this is a contract ploy by the Cavs. If he plays in the Olympics, does it nullify his contract or make certain aspects of it void? Does it give the Cavs room to maneuver on trades or to drop his salary? Only thing I can think of.
You may wish it, but there isn't any way if he asked you wouldn't let him go play for his country. The other poster clearly would not.
The Cavs are A**holes, even though I'm not a fan of Big Z the dude got rights too Z should just say "F*** you guys I'm going to play for MY country" I'm pretty sure a team would want Big Z other than the Cavs.
i assume everyone complaining about the cavs is going to step up and pay big Z's contract if he gets injured, right? i mean it seems only right for something y'all believe so dearly in, the "human rights" of this 33 year old, injury prone guy who gets 10 million a year from his NBA team, not his country. i'm pretty sure big Z used his human rights to sign than multi-million dollar contract, no one forced him to. how dare the cavs try to protect their investment and care about "financials." certainly, no player has ever cared about financials, they all just willingly sign with the cavs if the cavs say they really need them but don't want to pay them.
I said it in the other thread, I totally understand the Cavs decision, but I'd rather see Big Z allowed to play if that's what he chooses. And I'm a diehard Cavs fan. As for whether it's fair? Well many contracts do not allow players to ride motorcycles or go sky diving so this isn't the first case of not allowing a guy 'free will' so to speak. Cleveland has some rights to protect their investment and Z can leave and get employment elsewhere. Also consider that Big Z has probably made 100+ million dollars so far playing in Cleveland, although he's only been able to play healthy for maybe 60% of the time. Management has a right to be paranoid. But to Z's credit, he could've retired early with plenty of money or half-assed it since his return, like other younger, more talented, yet more bone headed players do. I'm a huge Z fan because he's the only guy who's been with the team for the past decade, through the horrible times (500lb Shawn Kemp) to the good times (hello Lebron). BTW, take a look at the GARM. How many people there complain about Yao playing in the Olympics? It's easy to judge when you have nothing at stake. Like I said, Cleveland is in their right and it's completely reasonable, but I'd rather see Big Z get his wish. Anyways, I'm sure he has enough leverage where he wouldn't have to do full workouts w/ the Olympic team if he didn't want to.
if they say no to LB, they know what going to happen. LB can sign w other teams when become a free agent, demand a trade, all American fans will flame CAVS for stop LB to represent USA. all media go crazy about CAVS.
I don’t want to be a jackass but are you Chinese or just stupid? SLAVE??? ARE YOU FOR REAL??? I wish I was a slave too, you know getting paid 10 million per year and all
This situation is kinda foul, but Big Z knew that this could happen when he signed that fat contract with the Cavs. It seems unfair on one level, but I mean, the guy knew what he was getting into. If he wanted to play for his country, he should have taken less money and had a clause added into his contract. Also, way to sabatoge the competition, Cleveland! USA! USA! USA!
look at what happened to memphis. memphis were in the playoff the year before then gasol got hurt in the world's and missed part of the season then they have to rebuild. and if iirc, big z has been refusing to play for his country all along ever since he joined the NBA. why change of heart now?
No kidding telling it like it is I did not make the decision, but I agree with the cavs right to protect their investment in Z. 100 million dollar career earning slave. Grow up. He is NOT a slave and a business that PAYs his salary has a right to protect their interests. You could never imagine a human being that could be so moronic and insesitve......um please watch the 10 oclock news for a reality check on what is insensitive and moronic in this world you drama queen.
There was another theory about this situation. Z didn't want to play for his NT, he didn't reported to the NT when his NT called him in the past years. Of course he had different kind of reasons. This time he still didn't want to play for his NT, so he asked Danny Ainge to be the bad guy to forbid his playing for his NT. Then he can say to his countrymen:"See, it's not I don't want to play, it's them didn't allow me to play." This is what I heard from other forum, just in case some of you havn't seen it.
The article said the Cavs was fearful because of Z's injury history. LB's injury history doesn't even come close to the # of games missed by Z.
This isn't doing something that is inherently dangerous. This is what the man does for a living day in and day out. Telling he can't ply his trade in the Olympics is BS.
