Almost all teams in the NBA undergo this conundrum - should we allow players to play for national team during off season or not?
This should not be a question, actually, but with some players going down to injury in recent months, some NBA franchise are being more careful. Los Angeles Lakers fans are feeling the same right now.
Reports said incoming sophomore Jordan Clarkson has been allowed by Los Angeles Lakers to play for his country Philippines.
The team, called Gilas Pilipinas, is currently preparing for the upcoming FIBA Asia World Championship wherein the champion will get a ticket to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
"Per the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the Player's Association, as long as national team play does not interfere with team requirements and there are no injury issues, it is up to the players whether or not to play. Our players must be in Los Angeles on September 28, so as long as he would be back by then, we would have no objection to Jordan playing in the event up until that date," John Black, vice-president for public relations of the Lakers, told Manila Bulletin Tuesday.
Jordan Clarkson's Gilas Pilipinas is currently in the middle of the William Jones Cup competition and local basketball officials are hoping he can be mixed in the line up.
The team also features former Brooklyn Nets Andray Blatche as naturalized Filipino player.
Gilas Pilipinas supporters rejoiced for this news but some Los Angeles Lakers fans are not that sold about it because they are fearing of injury to the shooting guard who made it to last year's All-Rookie team.
This is because of what happened to Utah Jazz first team point guard Dante Exum who injured his knee while playing for Australia national team. It is also worth nothing that Jordan Clarkson missed some games last season due to recurring injury.
Is this a risky gamble or not?
