Thompson Says NBA Is Making It Easier for Soviets

Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson said Wednesday the Soviet national basketball team is gaining an advantage by training with National Basketball Assn. players.

Thompson, who will coach the U.S. team in next year’s Olympic Games at Seoul, South Korea, said the tips they are getting from the world’s greatest basketball players will make it more difficult for his squad to win the gold medal.

“The NBA . . . has been very helpful to our opponents,” Thompson said in an appearance Wednesday on NBC’s “Today” show. “Presently they are training the Soviet team.”

The Soviets are in the midst of a 10-day tour of the United States to familiarize themselves with the difference between the NBA style of play and international amateur basketball. The tour, which opened Monday in Atlanta, includes scrimmages in Los Angeles and Seattle.