Each week sports reporters Matthew Lambert and Eric Schroeder will face off on a hot topic in sports. The world of sports is changing quickly and constantly, but we want to slow it down and take a better look at the juiciest gossip, scandal, rumor or issue that is making headlines this week. Lambert and Schroeder will take different sides and battle it out, telling you why you they are right.

This week’s topic: Team USA in the FIBA championship

Last week in Spain, the United States Men’s Basketball team won the FIBA championship 129-92 against Serbia. The Men’s team has now won the last two FIBA championships and two Olympic Gold medal games. This week we’re looking at international basketball on the heels of Team USA’s Gold Medal in Spain. After yet again another dominant showing by the USA should NBA players be allowed to play in the Olympics? Will they be able to continue this dominance or is the rest of the world starting to catch up?Let’s talk about it… (Preview by Matthew Lambert and Eric Schroeder)

FROM ERIC SCHROEDER

Team USA took their fourth consecutive gold over the weekend of Sept. 12 in Spain, and it was seemingly without much competition. Is this the trend in the international field now?

I think absolutely not.

Team USA is struggling to keep their players interested especially after the gruesome injury to Paul George during the intrasquad scrimmage at the start of August. Kevin Durant, the best player on this summer’s squad, withdrew following the injury greatly depleting the team at the forward position. Going forward, I would be shocked if more players were not cautious about playing and spending the extra time playing at such a highly competitive level.

As a fan, I would not like to see it moved to 100% college players, but I think that this is the best move overall.

Talent around the world is definitely improving as more and more NBA players are coming from overseas, namely Spain, but the change to just college players will speed up that leveling out process.

In my opinion, international basketball is not entertaining anymore due to the lack of competitiveness. By introducing just college players, who still will be potential pros one day, the game will be that much more exciting to watch, and the NBA season will improve as well. With players not playing almost all year they will have time to rest and come back at 100 percent making the regular season more competitive and interesting.

Despite not being able to watch some of my favorites year round, I think it is necessary for Team USA to make some changes.

FROM MATTHEW LAMBERT

The question that has floated around the Olympics for decades now is: should professional players be allowed to play in international competition for the United States? My stance is simple: why would you take away the chance for someone to play for their country just because they are professional? Don’t you want the best players you can find?

While the point can be made that we beat countries mercilessly, i.e. Nigeria in the 2012 Olympics 156-63, it’s not an intention for the U.S. It’s hard when you have a team, arguably, of future Hall of Famers. How do you tell professional athletes —who  are told every day to give their all and nothing less — to slow down and not beat up the other team too bad?

Another point could be made about how this year Serbia went to the FIBA championship without any NBA players on their squad. Alright, I counter that with they lost by 37 points. They’re are proof that it is possible, but having players in your country who are professional is a huge advantage.

If a rule were to be passed stating that only college players could play basketball, the rule would need to be universal. Let’s not forget the last Olympic gold medal game.  The U.S. only won by seven points against a Spain team that had the Gasol brothers, Jose Calderon, Serge Ibaka and Ricky Rubio, all players who are in the NBA. Or what about Lithuiana? The team the U.S. had to play to go to the championship in this years FIBA competition. They have Jonas Valanciunas and Donatas Motiejunas on their roster, two players who play in the NBA. Should all foreign professional players be banned as well?

My thoughts, again, are simple. Don’t try to fix something that isn’t broken.

Leave basketaball the way it is.