There is a secret cold war between the NBA and FIBA. By NBA, we mean the 30 owners of the 30 teams which comprise the league. The most vocal among them is Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks who has been outspoken about this issue for years.

This time, he also spoke on the financial aspect via this tweet:

When considering FIBA/Olympic events ask who gets paid. Players=No. NBA=No FIBA/IOC=YES. Ask the people making money of us what they think

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) August 4, 2014

The Mavericks has a penchant for international players. At one time, he had as many as six international players on his roster and majority of them are shoo-ins, or even forced to play for their country in FIBA events or the Olympics. Easiest example would be Dirk Nowitzki of Germany.

His point was emphasized when Paul George was injured during a Team USA scrimmage game. While Paul George was the biggest victim here, the next to grieve would be the Indiana Pacers. They just signed George to a five-year, $ 90 million contract to become the face of the team. Now they will have to lose him for more than a full season. Meanwhile, Team USA can just pick any replacement from their national pool and move on.

However, the argument extends from the issue of international competition to the sensitive subject of owner-player relations. Do the team owners own the team-and the players as well.

SB Nation contends that Mark Cuban wants to dictate on his players:

"There are real issues with property and propriety here. Players have bargained away some rights -- no riding motorcycles, snowboarding or playing for cash in unsanctioned basketball events, for example -- but have retained others, including representing their countries in international play. Cuban is arguing for fewer player rights and more NBA owner propriety over the biggest non-NBA basketball events in the world. Cuban is fully financially motivated, but his financial motivation has a side effect of player control."

The decision to represent one's country in international events is not being forced on anybody. This is why Kevin Love and Blake Griffin chose to withdraw for various reasons. This is why the best player in the world, LeBron James, has absolutely no involvement with Team USA this year. It is a privilege that one can accept.

But what Cuban wants is to deny this privilege on NBA players by virtue of the millions of dollars they invest. The fate of the Pacers next season will be highlighted in his favor, but is it a reasonable argument? What do you think?