Yahoo! Sports reported yesterday that LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers was upset over comments made by USA Basketball managing director, Jerry Colangelo, last week. 

James, the Cavaliers only MVP in NBA history, holds many youngest player records and has been a stand-out player since he was selected as the number one draft pick in 2003. 

Colangelo told Yahoo! last Wednesday that “there would be no free passes to London” and “there are no special rules for anyone. If someone decides to pass [on playing in the World Championships] without a legit issue, they do it with an understanding of the risk.” 

James also made comments Wednesday that he “would probably not be playing” in the World Championships in Turkey over the summer.  

He is among other NBA players who have doubts whether or not they will attend the training camp and tournament, including Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade.  

Wade and James are both facing free agency as of July 1st, one of the reasons James gave for missing Worlds.

He is arguably one of the most talented players in the game today, so the majority of basketball fans will be on the edge of their seats to see where he ends up. 

As a free agent, he would have to meet with coaches, attend work-outs and see how he fits into team’s offenses, so it is understandable that he would want to keep an open schedule. 

However, some of this can be done through video conferencing or before he leaves for Team USA’s training camp. It is also not uncommon for a coach to make an exception for a player on the national team. 

James is one of the most recognizable stars of the NBA and is seen as a role model, therefore making him a perfect ambassador to represent our country on the world’s stage. 

In yesterday’s article, he talked about how much commitment he’s had to Team USA so far. He played in 2004 in Athens and signed a 3-year contract in 2005, playing in all three summer tournaments afterwards, as well as helping take home the gold in Beijing.  

This time around, Colangelo only asked for a 2-year deal and hoped to win in Turkey to automatically qualify for London, which would give the team the next summer off. 

Without some of the team’s best players like James and Wade, the team has a lesser chance of winning, therefore forcing Team USA to play another summer tournament. 

James asked, “So if we are jeopardizing the opportunity to be on the team in London, I mean, what can we do? What can we do?”

What can you do? You can play. That’s what you can do. 

While his free agency is undoubtedly his main priority come summer, representing his country and helping defend the gold medal should come before marketing his shoes and filming a movie.

And if he simply cannot fit the FREAKIN’ OLYMPICS into his “busy schedule,” maybe he shouldn’t be playing anyway. 

For the original report: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-worldchampionships040110

Yesterdays article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-lebronworlds040410