FIBA, basketball's governing body, changed its qualification system starting this year so fans could see their national teams play at home. The difference is that club teams can't prevent players from competing for their national teams in soccer qualifiers, unless they have a documented injury. That's left European-based players caught in the middle, not wanting to disappoint their national teams or anger the ones that pay them. NBA players would be able to play in the pair of two-game windows next summer, but their teams might already be behind. "It'll be hard to see the guys going and battling without being there, but that's part of the game," he said.

Source: ABC News November 22, 2017 11:37 UTC