For Lynx Olympians, risks of Rio are worth it

Even though, in a way, it amounts to a third season, Lynx star forward Maya Moore wouldn't consider saying no to the chance to play in the Olympics this summer.

Will she be tired? Yes. A big banged-up? Probably. But Moore, who spends her summer with the Lynx and her winters playing in China, is going to Rio de Janeiro.

"It's not ideal how much we try to squeeze into a year," she said. "But we try to focus on the pros rather than the cons. It can be a tough decision. But it's such an awesome opportunity.''

A number of NBA players already have pulled out of the Rio games due to injury, most recently Golden State star Stephen Curry, citing ankle and knee issues.

Others appear on the fence. Such as LeBron James, who won't tell USA Basketball of his decision until after the NBA Finals. Others, such as Andrew Iguodala, Russell Westbrook and Klay Thompson, reportedly have expressed concern about the Zika virus.

But you haven't heard any of the women selected to the team bowing out. Not yet. Indeed, Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker appears to be on a season-long mission trying to show her omission from the Olympic team was a mistake.

Four Lynx — Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles — will be in Rio. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve will be an assistant to Olympic head coach Geno Auriemma. And while there are concerns about health — in particular the Zika virus — nobody is having second thoughts.

When asked about the difference, Reeve pointed to the money NBA players make and NBA teams invest.

"It's very simple," she said. "Millions of dollars. And, frankly, I don't think you get the NBA teams supporting USA Basketball as much as WNBA teams support USA Basketball. It doesn't come easy, because of the risk.''

But the Lynx who will be in Rio choose instead to look at the reward.

"USA Basketball has been great to me all these years, so I haven't had any real hesitation,'' Whalen said.

Indeed, after an injury plagued 2015 season Whalen took the European season off to get healthy. And while the main focus of that health was returning to the Lynx at 100 percent, it also was important to be healthy enough for the USA Basketball camp this spring.

Said Augustus: "I don't know how important it is with the guys. For us, when you look back on your career, being a gold medalist is something we strive to have on our résumé. And to be able to do it with Whalen and Maya again? You can't ask for more.''

That said, there is concern about the Zika virus. It's something about which USA Basketball has talked with the players and for which it has planned.

"They've talked about it at length," Reeve said. "What they've talked about is that it will be winter in Rio, and so that virus, which is mosquito-driven, and they're not supposed to be as active. But it's a legitimate concern for any athlete that aspires to bear a child.''

As Reeve said, in a perfect world nobody would have to worry about the virus. But any concern is outweighed by the experience.

"It's a special time of basketball," Moore said. "You're getting the chance to play with the best players in the world.''