Commentary

Debunking three common FIBA myths

If you think summer international play affects NBA performance, think again

Updated: August 19, 2010, 1:59 PM ET

By Tom Haberstroh | Special to Insider

With the 2010 FIBA World Championships just around the corner, it's worth separating fact from fiction when it comes to drawing conclusions about the coming weeks. Here are three myths that deserve a harder look:

Myth 1: Participating in World Championships adds likelihood of injury

Suit up for a summer competition and an injury the following season is all but guaranteed, right? Not so fast. While it's a common excuse to pass on the global tournament, the truth is that players get hurt every season, regardless of the extra mileage added in offseason competition.

To read why the FIBA World Championships have much less of an effect on players than many think, you must be an ESPN Insider.