Detroit Pistons: Saddiq Bey should reconsider USA Basketball participation

Despite warnings from several members of the scientific community that the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games could have adverse effects, the games will go on. Team USA has been no exception, to COVID-19 problems, as now two members have been entered into health and safety protocols.

The Detroit Pistons’ Jerami Grant and Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal are no longer with the team after being exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Beal is expected to miss the Olympics entirely, but Team USA is optimistic that Grant, who has not tested positive for the virus, will make it to  Japan.

Team USA’s training camp was suppose to be a ‘bubble’ like atmosphere similar to what the NBA played in Orlando. Guess not.

The Pistons had three representatives for USA Basketball in Vegas. Grant was named a member of the Olympic team, and rookies Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart were named to the Select Team, which trains and practices with the main squad.

With Grant entering COVID-19 protocols and Stewart leaving camp after suffering an ankle sprain, it has not been the greatest experience for Detroit players.

The silver lining is that Bey was promoted temporarily to join Team USA to hlp fill in for the players still in the NBA finals, but, at this point, that seems to be an unnecessary risk. While injuries were simply going to happen and it’s unfortunate that Stewart suffered one, the added risk of the global pandemic persists.

Tokyo declared a state of emergency due to rising COVID numbers, and even with no fans in the stands at the games, it has become clear that the athletes are putting themselves at risk.

Unless Bey is promoted to Team USA full time, there is no good reason for him to remain at training camp. With his fellow two Pistons out, for different reasons, it is increasingly clear that the risk is just too high. After a delayed and rushed NBA season, the additional wear and tear Bey is putting on his body could result in a career-altering injury.

And while it’s unlikely that he would face severe symptoms if exposed to the virus, the long-term effects are still relatively unknown, and could present health issues for years to come.

Recently I’ve been in favor of adding Pistons to the Team USA roster, but I was unaware (perhaps ignorantly so) that players were still at-risk individuals. I thought vaccines were distributed and players were still quarantining. Apparently not.

While it is unclear if Beal and Grant came in contact with the virus before coming to Las Vegas, due to Team USA protocols or simply through their own negligence, my tone has changed. It’s time for players to seriously consider withdrawing from the games, regardless of what sport they play.

Of course, it’s up to individual athletes to make their own decisions, but with the health and safety of the athletes, support staff, Tokyo residents, and coaches, it might be time to reconsider if the Olympics are a good idea at this time.