The 2009 French NT thread

[ForeignFan]

70-69 France

[ForeignFan]

71/70 Finland
TP misses a 3, BD fouls ... 72/70 now with 56 seconds left

[ForeignFan]

Diaw misses FT 1, makes 2nd

72/71 Fin

[ForeignFan]

ranniko for 3...

75/71 - 18 secs

looks bad :depressed

[ForeignFan]

and 2 FT's by Finland should seal it 77/71

it is over

[DPG21920]

Dagger 3 by Finland.

[ForeignFan]

FIN 77-73 FRA is the final score

[DPG21920]

This looked like a game France took it easy because they were the first seed. But their offense needs a lot of work. Some crazy shots by Finland though.

[rjv]

so how bad a loss is this for france and what were the stats for tony, ian and nando. sounds like TP was a let down today.

[spursballer21]

they probably lost unless a miracle happens diaw sucks i bet if ian would of been there they would of won he looked way better than diaw

[spursballer21]

they should of trusted ian

[Naelven]

Here is the box score :

http://sports.orange.fr/basket/directs/2009/qualifs-euro-hommes/7914/finlande-france.html

[Bruno]

Not a pretty game by FNT.
The loss isn't a big deal but it's disappointing.

Mahinmi and De Colo :tu
Parker :td

[DPG21920]

Is their offense always this bad? They did not even have TP bring the ball up. Then they just run one simple screen, TP gets the ball, dribbles or catches at the top of the 3PT line, and everyone stands around. It is very poor.

They move much better on defense though. Good to see Ian have a positive impact and Diaw really struggled as well. But at least he was sort of consistent in trying to take it to the rim late in the game.

[rjv]

nice numbers from ian.

[angelbelow]

Wow Ian really played well. I hope he gets more playing time next game. Liking De Colo's stats too.

[naico]

Looks like France will have to play Belgium (if they win against Portugal) for a spot in the Euro's after the Belgian's had a 102-79 victory against Bosnia.

[rjv]

Looks like France will have to play Belgium (if they win against Portugal) for a spot in the Euro's after the Belgian's had a 102-79 victory against Bosnia.

wasn't tony actually born in belgium ?

[timaios]

Looks like France will have to play Belgium (if they win against Portugal) for a spot in the Euro's after the Belgian's had a 102-79 victory against Bosnia.

Belgium is +24
France is +29

So if Belgium win in Portugal by a margin of 5+ points, they will play the last of the 2 games against France, at home.
If Belgium win by a margin of 1-4 points, then France will play the last game at home.

If Begium loses in Portugal, then Bosnia and Herzegovina is qualified to play France in finals and France will play the last game at home.

1 game left before the 2 finals games
Portugal vs Belgium 2009/08/20 8:30pm (CET)

Then the 2 finals games are played 08/27 & 08/30.

[Lady M]

Belgium is +24
France is +29

So if Belgium win in Portugal by a margin of 5+ points, they will play the last of the 2 games against France, at home.
If Belgium win by a margin of 1-4 points, then France will play the last game at home.

If Begium loses in Portugal, then Bosnia and Herzegovina is qualified to play France in finals and France will play the last game at home.

1 game left before the 2 finals games
Portugal vs Belgium 2009/08/20 8:30pm (CET)

Then the 2 finals games are played 08/27 & 08/30.

it's more difficult
for France play last game at home we must have
316/287 (french att/def) > (243+Belgian pt against portugal)/(219+Portugal point)

where FIBA basketball is very simple :lmao

[timaios]

it's more difficult
for France play last game at home we must have
316/287 (french att/def) > (243+Belgian pt against portugal)/(219+Portugal point)

where FIBA basketball is very simple :lmao

It's more difficult only if Belgium win by exactly 5 points against Portugal.

[Bruno]

It's more difficult only if Belgium win by exactly 5 points against Portugal.

Lady M is right, it's more complicated because it's point scored divided by points allowed.
If, for example, Belgium won 86-80 in Portugal, France will still have the tiebreaker.
For France: 316/287=1.101
For Belgium: 329/299=1.1003

[timaios]

Lady M is right, it's more complicated because it's point scored divided by points allowed.
If, for example, Belgium won 86-80 in Portugal, France will still have the tiebreaker.
For France: 316/287=1.101
For Belgium: 329/299=1.1003

Wow. OK. :lol

[duncan228]

Finland Shocks France 77-73, Petteri Koponen Outplays Tony Parker (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Timothy Varner
48 Minutes of Hell

Kimmo Sinisalo is a Finnish citizen who, not surprisingly, lives and works in Helsinki. He’s been around basketball for 30 years. He’s a self-described basketball lifer who has coached, played, kept stats and referred more games at the amateur level than he can remember. He’s also a 48MoH reader. Kimmo had the good fortune of attending today’s France-Finland rematch, and was kind enough to send his thoughts our way. The following post, and title thereof, belongs to him. Thanks, Kimmo. You’re the very best of our Helsinki crowd.

Finland got a huge upset over France thanks to Portland pick Koponen, ex-Ute and Hawk Hanno Möttölä, and some hot shooting from Euroleague vet PG Teemu Rannikko, among other guards. Nic Batum and Johan Petro did not play for France.

My evaluation of Parker: he seemed to move without discomfort, but was clearly nowhere near full speed. He did not push the ball full court, was not aggressive in the halfcourt offense, could not earn any free throws and missed every one of his jumpers off the front of the rim. A classic case of playing with heavy legs. Parker totaled 4 points on 2/14 shooting and just 3 assists despite playing 31 minutes. Koponen was able to stay in front of Parker, getting 2 blocks and a steal off Parker’s hands. At the other end Koponen used his size advantage to hit two pull-up 3s over Parker, as well as get inside paint and dish several perfect assists. OK, this was TP at maybe 60%, but I believe Koponen could be a solid backup PG in the NBA. Hopefully someone buys his rights from the Blazers, who may not ever find room for him.

Anyway, this surprising mismatch was crucial for Finland winning. France, of course, had nothing to play for and did not show their best defensive intensity.

Then the good news: the other two Spurs were the most efficient players for France.

Nando de Colo played 23 minutes at 2 and also 3 in small-ball lineups. He was top scorer for France with 18 (8/11 shooting), hitting 2 clean spot-up 3s and several layups coming from good backdoor cuts, loose balls and fast breaks. On D, he showed awareness and quick hands, getting several deflections. Overall a smart and solid performance with no eye-catching mistakes.

Ian Mahinmi played little in the first half, but in the second half he was very active and mobile for a 10-minute stretch, scoring efficiently at the rim (5/7) and rebounding well. He got 12 pts and 5 rebs in just 12 minutes. His post defense against the wily moves of veteran Möttölä was also the best on the French team.

[spursfan09]

Finland Shocks France 77-73, Petteri Koponen Outplays Tony Parker (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Timothy Varner
48 Minutes of Hell

Kimmo Sinisalo is a Finnish citizen who, not surprisingly, lives and works in Helsinki. He’s been around basketball for 30 years. He’s a self-described basketball lifer who has coached, played, kept stats and referred more games at the amateur level than he can remember. He’s also a 48MoH reader. Kimmo had the good fortune of attending today’s France-Finland rematch, and was kind enough to send his thoughts our way. The following post, and title thereof, belongs to him. Thanks, Kimmo. You’re the very best of our Helsinki crowd.

Finland got a huge upset over France thanks to Portland pick Koponen, ex-Ute and Hawk Hanno Möttölä, and some hot shooting from Euroleague vet PG Teemu Rannikko, among other guards. Nic Batum and Johan Petro did not play for France.

My evaluation of Parker: he seemed to move without discomfort, but was clearly nowhere near full speed. He did not push the ball full court, was not aggressive in the halfcourt offense, could not earn any free throws and missed every one of his jumpers off the front of the rim. A classic case of playing with heavy legs. Parker totaled 4 points on 2/14 shooting and just 3 assists despite playing 31 minutes. Koponen was able to stay in front of Parker, getting 2 blocks and a steal off Parker’s hands. At the other end Koponen used his size advantage to hit two pull-up 3s over Parker, as well as get inside paint and dish several perfect assists. OK, this was TP at maybe 60%, but I believe Koponen could be a solid backup PG in the NBA. Hopefully someone buys his rights from the Blazers, who may not ever find room for him.

Anyway, this surprising mismatch was crucial for Finland winning. France, of course, had nothing to play for and did not show their best defensive intensity.

Then the good news: the other two Spurs were the most efficient players for France.

Nando de Colo played 23 minutes at 2 and also 3 in small-ball lineups. He was top scorer for France with 18 (8/11 shooting), hitting 2 clean spot-up 3s and several layups coming from good backdoor cuts, loose balls and fast breaks. On D, he showed awareness and quick hands, getting several deflections. Overall a smart and solid performance with no eye-catching mistakes.

Ian Mahinmi played little in the first half, but in the second half he was very active and mobile for a 10-minute stretch, scoring efficiently at the rim (5/7) and rebounding well. He got 12 pts and 5 rebs in just 12 minutes. His post defense against the wily moves of veteran Möttölä was also the best on the French team.

:wow

Thanks 228 for the recap! I'm sorry but I have a hard time truly getting excited about this upcoming season becasue of Tony Parker. I just do not want him to get hurt or be tired.

[Bruno]

http://autres-sports.le10sport.com/la-promo-de-mahinmi_349205_a

French NT coach has decided to keep Ian and to cut Petro.

It's always nice to see Ian, a player who has missed most of the NT preparation, who has been injured for one year and who has played 23 minutes in the NBA, being picked over Petro who has played 4688 minutes in the NBA. :downspin:

[Bambililos]

Especially when Ian had a nice 2nd half, but an awful first...
Neither of them will play heavy minutes as neither of them is reliable anyway... just fouling machines who can grab some rebounds and score a couple dunks on good nights...

[urunobili]

http://autres-sports.le10sport.com/la-promo-de-mahinmi_349205_a

French NT coach has decided to keep Ian and to cut Petro.

It's always nice to see Ian, a player who has missed most of the NT preparation, who has been injured for one year and who has played 23 minutes in the NBA, being picked over Petro who has played 4688 minutes in the NBA. :downspin:

Bruno.. reports are confusing me a lot... i thought Ian was about to be left after a very harsh feedback from the coach and now this is a 180 degrees change...

I am very happy for him and this means he'll come to training camp in a roll... bad news for Haislip....

[Bruno]

Bruno.. reports are confusing me a lot... i thought Ian was about to be left after a very harsh feedback from the coach and now this is a 180 degrees change...


Ian started to practice with the team last Monday. During these practices, he didn't show more that the other bigmen so the coach decided to stick with his roster for the game against Italy last Friday. During this game, Petro was damn bad. Petro's poor performance surely decided the coach to give Ian a try for a nearly meaningless game against Finland. Ian was quite good in this game so he decided to keep him over Petro.

[Bruno]

Especially when Ian had a nice 2nd half, but an awful first...
Neither of them will play heavy minutes as neither of them is reliable anyway... just fouling machines who can grab some rebounds and score a couple dunks on good nights...

Well one of Koffi, Traoré or Mahinmi, will play some minutes. I don't see Collet giving all the minutes at PF/C to Turiaf, Pietrus and Diaw with Diaw also playing some SF.

I wouldn't also be that surprised to see Noah back if the France qualify for the Euro. In this case, it's quite sure that Ian won't play.

[ForeignFan]

French coach itnerview:

"On a intégré Ian (Mahinmi) il y a une quinzaine de jours seulement parce que les Spurs ne l'avaient pas rendu disponible avant, explique le sélectionneur. Je pense qu'il peut nous aider davantage dans un registre défensif, sachant que le titulaire du poste est Ronny Turiaf et que sur le rôle de joker offensif on a Ali Traoré. Johan Petro a eu un comportement tout à fait correct, presque exemplaire, mais pas assez d'impact sur le plan du basket. En attaque, il a de vraies capacités, mais défensivement il est très en retard. J'ai même ressenti qu'il avait progressé lors des quinze derniers jours, en particulier dans le domaine défensif, mais cela n'a pas été suffisant par rapport aux objectifs que nous nous étions fixés"

Basically, the French coach says Ian can provide more then Petro in terms of D. The reason why Ian was not been included in the roster earlier was that the Spurs had not made him available then

[ForeignFan]

Well one of Koffi, Traoré or Mahinmi, will play some minutes. I don't see Collet giving all the minutes at PF/C to Turiaf, Pietrus and Diaw with Diaw also playing some SF.

I wouldn't also be that surprised to see Noah back if the France qualify for the Euro. In this case, it's quite sure that Ian won't play.

That would be great. I have not read anything mentioning the possiblity (or impossibility) of Noah returning to the team, though.

[Bruno]

That would be great. I have not read anything mentioning the possiblity (or impossibility) of Noah returning to the team, though.

http://autres-sports.le10sport.com/la-promo-de-mahinmi_349205_a


Collet ne veut cependant «pas s'interdire» un renfort éventuel de Mickaël Pietrus et Joakim Noah, a priori bloqués par leurs clubs NBA. Un retour de Joseph Gomis ou Mamoutou Diarra, qui avaient quitté le groupe sur blessure, n'est en revanche pas envisagé.

I don't see at all Mike Pietrus coming back but IMO Noah is a possibility.

[angelbelow]

http://autres-sports.le10sport.com/la-promo-de-mahinmi_349205_a

French NT coach has decided to keep Ian and to cut Petro.

It's always nice to see Ian, a player who has missed most of the NT preparation, who has been injured for one year and who has played 23 minutes in the NBA, being picked over Petro who has played 4688 minutes in the NBA. :downspin:

Great news!

[Bambililos]

http://autres-sports.le10sport.com/la-promo-de-mahinmi_349205_a



I don't see at all Mike Pietrus coming back but IMO Noah is a possibility.

That would be awesme. He is clearly our best big man.

[DPG21920]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindbla..._national.html



For those of us who don't speak French or missed the translation from Tim Brown about Nicolas Batum's injury scare, I've tracked down the official word on the matter from the Trail Blazers.

According to Tom Penn, the Blazers' vice president of basketball operations, Batum left the French National Team over the weekend and traveled to Portland so Blazers doctors could examine his ailing right shoulder. After reviewing diagnostic tests taken by French doctors and following those up with their own medical examinations, Blazers team doctors determined that Batum merely has a shoulder contusion.

The injury is different and unrelated to the one Batum suffered last season with the Blazers. The second-year small forward was cleared to return to international competition and already has rejoined Team France. Penn said the team finished its most recent game about an hour ago and Batum did not play, but it had nothing to do with his right shoulder.

"He checked out with our doctors and has returned to France and is expected to continue to play," Penn said.

"The real story here is how well he's been playing. He's been playing his (butt) off. He's leading the team in scoring and has been doing a little bit of everything for them. I don't know if you've seen any (video) clips of him, but he's been really dynamic and just doing what he does."

Details about international games are difficult to track down, but Penn said Batum has sparkled as his team competes in a qualifying tournament for the European Championships, which will take place next month in Poland. During a victory over Italy, just before Batum flew to Portland, he scored 18 points and added eight rebounds and six steals. In another international game, Batum had 20 points and eight rebounds and nailed a game-tying three-pointer to force overtime.

"He's really blossoming over there," Penn said.

And, to the relief of the Blazers, he can continue to blossom. The shoulder scare was just that.

[Solid D]

Ian started to practice with the team last Monday. During these practices, he didn't show more that the other bigmen so the coach decided to stick with his roster for the game against Italy last Friday. During this game, Petro was damn bad. Petro's poor performance surely decided the coach to give Ian a try for a nearly meaningless game against Finland. Ian was quite good in this game so he decided to keep him over Petro.

Glad Collet recognized the need he had in the post but he's still not saying what he needs to say about Ian's offensive strengths. As I said earlier, Diaw was their best scorer in the post. Petro gave them nothing and Ian has certain abilities to score, draw fouls and make FTs that they haven't had from a Big so far. They just need to give him a shot to show it. He's not a star player but he's better than what they've had the past couple of years.

[duncan228]

Nicolas Batum, Noah caught between NBA and France (http://www.interbasket.net/news/3524/2009/08/18/france-nba-collide-over-joakim-noah-nicolas-batum/)

The French National Team is doing their best to qualify for the 2009 Eurobasket (http://forums.interbasket.net/f61/), a key tournament in earning a berth to the 2012 Olympics in London.

However, Les Bleus has had to fight battles on and off the court concerning three of the NBA players on their roster, Joakim Noah, Tony Parker, and Nicolas Batum.

Joakim Noah

Three weeks ago, Joakim Noah’s participation for the French National Team (http://forums.interbasket.net/f61/france-nt-2009-8684/) was a cause of concern for the Chicago Bulls.

During Noah’s exit interview with the Bulls, the team set up a summer, strength-training regimen for the 6-11 power forward/center, that allowed Noah to practice with the French National Team for two weeks at the end of July.

Noah headed to Strasbourg, and played well for Team France, helping them defeat Austria and the Czech Republic in the preparation games. Noah averaged 13 points, 7.5 rebounds, and provided much needed toughness for the French interior.

The problem began when France wanted to keep Noah on their squad for the Additional Qualifying Round. France confirmed that they were attempting to persuade the Bulls to let the 24-year-old play in the AQR games against Italy and Finland.

However, Bulls made it clear that Noah should not play past the preparation round. Noah supported the Bulls in this decision.

Noah, the son of French-born tennis star Yannick Noah, agreed with the Bulls and returned stateside to begin his weight-training.

Tony Parker

After the preparation game against Austria, Tony Parker injured his foot which caused moderate drama (http://www.interbasket.net/news/3159/2009/08/03/tony-parker-caught-between-nba-and-france/) between France and the San Antonio Spurs. The injury forced the star guard to fly back to San Antonio to have the Spur’s medical staff examine the injury themselves.

The move clearly incensed Parker, who was forced to spend several days in Texas rehabbing his injury, when he obviously would have preferred helping his country qualify for the all-important Eurobasket.

“Honestly, I don’t understand this decision, because of all the tests done with the French doctors and the Spurs,” Parker said. “I regret what is going on.”

Fortunately, Team France was fine without Parker in the one game he missed, defeating Italy 80-77 (http://www.interbasket.net/news/3214/2009/08/06/without-parker-france-defeats-italy-80-77-in-aqr/) in the initial AQR game. Parker rejoined the team for their next game.

Nicolas Batum

Recently, Batum’s ailing shoulder gave cause for concern to the Portland Trailblazers, who summoned the 20-year old back to the United States so the Blazers’ doctors could look at the shoulder first hand.

Batum, who had just helped France to victory in their second game against Italy, was distressed by the news, “It was perhaps my last match, so I wanted to win at any cost before leaving the team.” Batum said, “Tony Parker got back quickly, so I’m hoping that the the same thing happens for me. I’m just taking off to be examined over there, and after that, we’ll see what happens.”

Without Batum, who is averaging 17.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the AQR, France lost to Finland 77-73.

Tony Parker managed only 4 points and 3 assists in the game, but the loss was meaningless to France, as they had already clinched the top spot in their group. France will play either Belgium or Bosnia and Herzegovina to determine the final Eurobasket berth.

“I love playing for France. If we are able to quality for the EuroBasket, we will be in a good position to do well at the tournament.” Parker told FIBA.com

In the last month, France has had no less than eight NBA players on their national team roster - Tony Parker, Nicolas Batum, Joakim Noah, Boris Diaw, Ronny Turiaf, Nando De Colo, Ian Mahinmi, and Johan Petro.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

http://autres-sports.le10sport.com/la-promo-de-mahinmi_349205_a

French NT coach has decided to keep Ian and to cut Petro.

It's always nice to see Ian, a player who has missed most of the NT preparation, who has been injured for one year and who has played 23 minutes in the NBA, being picked over Petro who has played 4688 minutes in the NBA. :downspin:

Petro sucks. So what if he played in the NBA? Plenty of NBA players suck.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Nicolas Batum, Noah caught between NBA and France (http://www.interbasket.net/news/3524/2009/08/18/france-nba-collide-over-joakim-noah-nicolas-batum/)

The French National Team is doing their best to qualify for the 2009 Eurobasket (http://forums.interbasket.net/f61/), a key tournament in earning a berth to the 2012 Olympics in London.

However, Les Bleus has had to fight battles on and off the court concerning three of the NBA players on their roster, Joakim Noah, Tony Parker, and Nicolas Batum.

Joakim Noah

Three weeks ago, Joakim Noah’s participation for the French National Team (http://forums.interbasket.net/f61/france-nt-2009-8684/) was a cause of concern for the Chicago Bulls.

During Noah’s exit interview with the Bulls, the team set up a summer, strength-training regimen for the 6-11 power forward/center, that allowed Noah to practice with the French National Team for two weeks at the end of July.

Noah headed to Strasbourg, and played well for Team France, helping them defeat Austria and the Czech Republic in the preparation games. Noah averaged 13 points, 7.5 rebounds, and provided much needed toughness for the French interior.

The problem began when France wanted to keep Noah on their squad for the Additional Qualifying Round. France confirmed that they were attempting to persuade the Bulls to let the 24-year-old play in the AQR games against Italy and Finland.

However, Bulls made it clear that Noah should not play past the preparation round. Noah supported the Bulls in this decision.

Noah, the son of French-born tennis star Yannick Noah, agreed with the Bulls and returned stateside to begin his weight-training.

Tony Parker

After the preparation game against Austria, Tony Parker injured his foot which caused moderate drama (http://www.interbasket.net/news/3159/2009/08/03/tony-parker-caught-between-nba-and-france/) between France and the San Antonio Spurs. The injury forced the star guard to fly back to San Antonio to have the Spur’s medical staff examine the injury themselves.

The move clearly incensed Parker, who was forced to spend several days in Texas rehabbing his injury, when he obviously would have preferred helping his country qualify for the all-important Eurobasket.

“Honestly, I don’t understand this decision, because of all the tests done with the French doctors and the Spurs,” Parker said. “I regret what is going on.”

Fortunately, Team France was fine without Parker in the one game he missed, defeating Italy 80-77 (http://www.interbasket.net/news/3214/2009/08/06/without-parker-france-defeats-italy-80-77-in-aqr/) in the initial AQR game. Parker rejoined the team for their next game.

Nicolas Batum

Recently, Batum’s ailing shoulder gave cause for concern to the Portland Trailblazers, who summoned the 20-year old back to the United States so the Blazers’ doctors could look at the shoulder first hand.

Batum, who had just helped France to victory in their second game against Italy, was distressed by the news, “It was perhaps my last match, so I wanted to win at any cost before leaving the team.” Batum said, “Tony Parker got back quickly, so I’m hoping that the the same thing happens for me. I’m just taking off to be examined over there, and after that, we’ll see what happens.”

Without Batum, who is averaging 17.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the AQR, France lost to Finland 77-73.

Tony Parker managed only 4 points and 3 assists in the game, but the loss was meaningless to France, as they had already clinched the top spot in their group. France will play either Belgium or Bosnia and Herzegovina to determine the final Eurobasket berth.

“I love playing for France. If we are able to quality for the EuroBasket, we will be in a good position to do well at the tournament.” Parker told FIBA.com

In the last month, France has had no less than eight NBA players on their national team roster - Tony Parker, Nicolas Batum, Joakim Noah, Boris Diaw, Ronny Turiaf, Nando De Colo, Ian Mahinmi, and Johan Petro.

This tournament has nothing to do with 2012 Olympics.

[spursfanmom]

Go vote for TONY on YAHOO poll about fastest man in the NBA. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Who-is-the-NBA-s-version-of-Usain-Bolt-?urn=nba,183600

[Solid D]

This tournament has nothing to do with 2012 Olympics.

Lies!

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Lies!

How the fuck does this tournament have to do with 2012 Olympics? This is qualifying for 2010 World Championship. Nothing at all to do with 2012 Olympics.

[Solid D]

How the **** does this tournament have to do with 2012 Olympics? This is qualifying for 2010 World Championship. Nothing at all to do with 2012 Olympics.

Well, by winning the final slot in Eurobasket 2009, they can then be positioned to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey. The winner of the Worlds gets an automatic bid to the 2012 Olympics. It's not likely the French NT would be able to win the Worlds over the likes of Team USA or even an overachieving Greek team...but this is why they play the games.

By winning the final slot in the Eurobasket 2009, they can position themselves to receive a bid to the FIBA European Tourney in Lithuania in 2011. The top two Euro teams in this tournament receive bids to the 2012 Olympics.

These are two ways in which the additional qualifying slot is related to the Olympics.

[Mel_13]

Petro, Jackson Let Go By France Before Pivotal Games

France coach Vincent Collet has swung the ax ahead of the crunch Additional Qualifying Round showdown with the Group A winners that will decide which team claims the last spot at the EuroBasket.

With Nicolas Batum set to return to the French squad following his trip to United States where the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers have looked at his problematic shoulder to make certain he is okay to play, Johan Petro and Edwin Jackson have been let go.

"We have decided to reduce the group to 12 players in order to concentrate and for the players to be in total confidence, in order to avoid an eventual cut," said Collet, whose team has clinched first place in Group B.

"We have decided to let Edwin Jackson and Johan Petro go."

Jackson, a 1.91m shooting guard, is only 19 years of age. He was called into the squad when Tony Parker was forced to fly to the United States to have his ankle injury examined by the his NBA club, San Antonio.

Jackson was in the team when France played the first two games against Italy and Finland, but did not see any action.

"Edwin joined the group when Tony Parker had to go to San Antonio at the last minute," Collet said.

"He adapted to the team and gave a lot to the team with enthusiasm in training, even if he didn´t play the two qualifying games.

"I found it interesting to have a young player in the team that in the future will be on the national team."

Letting the 2.15m center Petro go was a tough decision because of the good attitude displayed by the 23-year-old NBA player this summer.

"With regards to Johan," Collet said, "we decided not to keep him for more defensive reasons than offense. We believed that Ian Mahinmi had a profile that had more mobility and gives an advantage to the national team.

"Johan has had an exceptional behavior during training. I believe he has improved, especially defensively, in the last 15 days, but that was not sufficient for the aims we had set out."

The France players are to gather on August 22 in Paris to start preparing for their all important next two games against Belgium or Bosnia and Herzegovina, the winner of which will advance to the EuroBasket.

If Belgium win in Portugal on Thursday, they will play France. Otherwise, Bosnia and Herzegovina will go up against Les Bleus.

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/coid_LpaxZ822HboRJE040XqIq0.articleMode_on.html

[Bruno]

Glad Collet recognized the need he had in the post but he's still not saying what he needs to say about Ian's offensive strengths. As I said earlier, Diaw was their best scorer in the post. Petro gave them nothing and Ian has certain abilities to score, draw fouls and make FTs that they haven't had from a Big so far. They just need to give him a shot to show it. He's not a star player but he's better than what they've had the past couple of years.

I don't think Collet sees Ian as a defensive specialist. Against Finland, Ian was quite the opposite of that with a quite bad defense and a quite good offense. Ian got a lot of offensives touches.

Collet is talking about Ian's defense because Petro played no D. France still had a no D bigman with Traoré so they decided to keep Ian who is more a two way big.

[rjv]

i think pop made collet an offer he could not refuse in regards to getting ian some playing time.

[will_spurs]

i think pop made collet an offer he could not refuse in regards to getting ian some playing time.

I totally agree and I love how you put it. Maybe DeNiro can play the role of Pop in a movie about the Spurs franchise - "Tony, either your signature or your brains will be on this contract" :lol

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Well, by winning the final slot in Eurobasket 2009, they can then be positioned to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey. The winner of the Worlds gets an automatic bid to the 2012 Olympics. It's not likely the French NT would be able to win the Worlds over the likes of Team USA or even an overachieving Greek team...but this is why they play the games.

By winning the final slot in the Eurobasket 2009, they can position themselves to receive a bid to the FIBA European Tourney in Lithuania in 2011. The top two Euro teams in this tournament receive bids to the 2012 Olympics.

These are two ways in which the additional qualifying slot is related to the Olympics.

2011 Eurobasket is what qualifies to Olympics. Like you say only other way is to win 2010 World Championship which is unlikely. No team should bet on this even US. So it does not really make sense for interbasket to say this affects 2012 Olympics. As usual interbasket is full of idiots.

[Solid D]

2011 Eurobasket is what qualifies to Olympics. Like you say only other way is to win 2010 World Championship which is unlikely. No team should bet on this even US. So it does not really make sense for interbasket to say this affects 2012 Olympics. As usual interbasket is full of idiots.

There is an indirect chain... but a connection none-the-less. Also, these are not the only European roads to the Men's Olympic Basketball in 2012. Host team gets a berth and then there is also the Olympic Qualifier inter-continental tourney.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

There is an indirect chain... but a connection none-the-less. Also, these are not the only European roads to the Men's Olympic Basketball in 2012. Host team gets a berth and then there is also the Olympic Qualifier inter-continental tourney.

WTF?

France CANNOT qualify for Olympics by 2009 Eurobasket. This is a fact.

[Solid D]

WTF?

France CANNOT qualify for Olympics by 2009 Eurobasket. This is a fact.

Absorb the information you are given...then get back to us. There is a connection by progression. Do not waste our time until you have studied the information.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Absorb the information you are given...then get back to us. There is a connection by progression. Do not waste our time until you have studied the information.

You are a fucking dumb ass.

[Solid D]

This is qualifying for 2010 World Championship. Nothing at all to do with 2012 Olympics.

You already acknowledged that Eurobasket 2009 "is qualifying for 2010 World Championship" and that the winner of the World Championship gains an automatic berth in Olympics. Whether France or another European team qualifying from Eurobasket 2009 wins WC in Turkey (see Spain 3 yrs. ago), there is a connection.

Next time, you will learn not to speak in absolutes, i.e. nothing, never, always, etc.

Why do you call people idiots or dumb *** when you run out of support to substantiate your arguments?

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

You already acknowledged that Eurobasket 2009 "is qualifying for 2010 World Championship" and that the winner of the World Championship gains an automatic berth in Olympics. Whether France or another European team qualifying from Eurobasket 2009 wins WC in Turkey (see Spain 3 yrs. ago), there is a connection.

Next time, you will learn not to speak in absolutes, i.e. nothing, never, always, etc.

Why do you call people idiots or dumb *** when you run out of support to substantiate your arguments?

Fucking idiot. You CANNOT qualify from 2009 Eurobasket to 2012 Olympics. WTF is wrong with you?

[Solid D]

You CANNOT qualify from 2009 Eurobasket to 2012 Olympics.

I didn't say you can. qualify from Eurobasket 2009 to 2012 Olympics. Not straight through. Quit changing the premise.

[Solid D]

I didn't say you can. qualify from Eurobasket 2009 to 2012 Olympics. Not straight through. Quit changing the premise.

KBP: You can never get the color orange from the color yellow.

Common sense: Well, sure if you color with yellow and then add red to it...you can get the color orange.

KBP: Idiot!

Common sense: Sure think about it. Try it and see for yourself. Absorb it and holla' back when you get it.

KBP: IDIOT!! You CANNOT use a yellow crayon and
see orange on your paper.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I didn't say you can. qualify from Eurobasket 2009 to 2012 Olympics. Not straight through. Quit changing the premise.

WTF is wrong with you? Interbasket said that it directly affected 2012 Olympics which is pure bull shit.

[Spursfan092120]

WTF is wrong with you? Interbasket said that it directly affected 2012 Olympics which is pure bull shit.
lol indefinite pink

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

lol indefinite pink

Why should I care now? I have asked nicely many times to not be pinked and never even get a response. Plus I never did anything wrong in the first place to get it. So now there is no reason for me to worry about it. Why should I be worried about what I say when nothing will get me unpinked anyway.

[DPG21920]

Why should I care now? I have asked nicely many times to not be pinked and never even get a response. Plus I never did anything wrong in the first place to get it. So now there is no reason for me to worry about it. Why should I be worried about what I say when nothing will get me unpinked anyway.


Fucking idiot. You CANNOT qualify from 2009 Eurobasket to 2012 Olympics. WTF is wrong with you?


You are a fucking dumb ass.

[Solid D]

WTF is wrong with you? Interbasket said that it directly affected 2012 Olympics which is pure bull ****.

:lol It actually said "The French National Team is doing their best to qualify for the 2009 Eurobasket, a key tournament in earning a berth to the 2012 Olympics in London."

...Like I said these tournaments are connected in a progression. I think it's the Top 6 teams in Eurobasket 2009 (plus 3 wild card teams and 7 that have to go through qualifiers) receive berths in Eurobasket 2011. For sure, the top 2 teams in Eurobasket 2011 go to the 2012 Olympics with the next 4 finishers going to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

I would say that considering the chain of progression just mentioned, the 2009 Eurobasket is a key tournament in earning a berth to the 2012 Olympics in London.

[Manufan909]

KBP: You can never get the color orange from the color yellow.

Common sense: Well, sure if you color with yellow and then add red to it...you can get the color orange.

KBP: Idiot!

Common sense: Sure think about it. Try it and see for yourself. Absorb it and holla' back when you get it.

KBP: IDIOT!! You CANNOT use a yellow crayon and
see orange on your paper.

:lol:downspin::toast

Oh, and has Ian only played one game?

[Mel_13]

Belgium beats Portugal 60-58 and wins Group A. If I understand the tiebreaker rules, the first game between France and Belgium will be held in Belgium. France will have the advantage of having the second game at home.

[timaios]

Belgium beats Portugal 60-58 and wins Group A. If I understand the tiebreaker rules, the first game between France and Belgium will be held in Belgium. France will have the advantage of having the second game at home.

:tu

08/27 1st game in Belgium
08/30 2nd game in France

[Bruno]

That's the best case with Belgium and the second game at home. It will take a huge choke job to miss the Euro...

Mike Pietrus said yesterday that he will join the NT next week if his wrist is healthy. I'm still skeptical and I don't think he will join the NT but who knows...

[Brazil]

That's the best case with Belgium and the second game at home. It will take a huge choke job to miss the Euro...

Mike Pietrus said yesterday that he will join the NT next week if his wrist is healthy. I'm still skeptical and I don't think he will join the NT but who knows...

Any news from Noah ?

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

You already acknowledged that Eurobasket 2009 "is qualifying for 2010 World Championship" and that the winner of the World Championship gains an automatic berth in Olympics. Whether France or another European team qualifying from Eurobasket 2009 wins WC in Turkey (see Spain 3 yrs. ago), there is a connection.

Next time, you will learn not to speak in absolutes, i.e. nothing, never, always, etc.

Why do you call people idiots or dumb *** when you run out of support to substantiate your arguments?

You are retarded.

[DPG21920]

Please stop the personal insults.

[timaios]

Kill_Bill_Pana, in a thread you started the 03/24/2009

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120590




My Apologies To All Here
It seem I have become very unpopular here. I keep explain I only have call others names after they first do so to me. I have the right to tell others the same they tell to me and also how much people make fun of me here.

It seem I am misunderstood and hated here even though I am a Spurs fan and I only mean well. This makes me sad. I am sorry for those that believe I am bad person. This is all.

Today...


As usual interbasket is full of idiots.


You are a fucking dumb ass.


Fucking idiot...


You are retarded.

So, what is wrong with you ?

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Kill_Bill_Pana, in a thread you started the 03/24/2009

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120590



Today...









So, what is wrong with you ?

What is wrong with the idiot that keeps making up the lie that the 2009 Eurobasket qualifies you to the 2012 Olympics? Obviously he is retarded.

[spursfaninla]

A logical explanation given above:

It actually said "The French National Team is doing their best to qualify for the 2009 Eurobasket, a key tournament in earning a berth to the 2012 Olympics in London."

...Like I said these tournaments are connected in a progression. I think it's the Top 6 teams in Eurobasket 2009 (plus 3 wild card teams and 7 that have to go through qualifiers) receive berths in Eurobasket 2011. For sure, the top 2 teams in Eurobasket 2011 go to the 2012 Olympics with the next 4 finishers going to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

I would say that considering the chain of progression just mentioned, the 2009 Eurobasket is a key tournament in earning a berth to the 2012 Olympics in London.

Proceeded by nonsense:

What is wrong with the idiot that keeps making up the lie that the 2009 Eurobasket qualifies you to the 2012 Olympics? Obviously he is retarded.

This seems to be corroborated by more "lies" spread by the AP news:

English basketball dispute dents qualification chances for 2012 Olympics

GENEVA (AP) _ Britain's hopes of qualifying for the basketball tournament at the 2012 London Olympics are in jeopardy because of a dispute between national authorities and the sport's world governing body.

FIBA, the international basketball federation, said Wednesday it will suspend all of the British team's English players as of June 15 because British sporting authorities are withholding funds for the program.

The move puts a major dent in Britain's efforts to qualify for the Olympics, because the team will now be unable to call up NBA-based England players such as Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls.

``We cannot accept that governments interfere in the affairs of sport and dissolve our membership,'' FIBA spokesman Florian Wanninger said. ``This will completely jeopardize their campaign to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. This is a serious consequence.''

Sport England's move to withhold funding for basketball follows an official review of the sport in England. The review declared basketball ``not fit for purpose'' and called for the English governing body to be disbanded.

``We don't understand the conclusion. They've had considerable success in improving the situation of teams and players eligible,'' Wanninger said, adding that the suspension of the English association was the only option possible as long as there is ``a power struggle over control of the sport.''

Britain is 2-2 in its qualifying games for the 2009 European championship, which will determine which teams compete at the 2012 Games.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

It is factually IMPOSSIBLE to qualify for Olympics through this Eurobasket. There is a site called FIBA.com Perhaps you and others here should look at it instead of all arguing a point which is factually wrong like you are doing.

[angelbelow]

my goodness, why cant we all just get along

[Solid D]

It is factually IMPOSSIBLE to qualify for Olympics through this Eurobasket. There is a site called FIBA.com Perhaps you and others here should look at it instead of all arguing a point which is factually wrong like you are doing.

I think it's been made clear that Eurobasket 2009 does not directly qualify NTs for the Olympics in 2012. Eurobasket 2009 does provide a pathway, or progression, toward qualifying for an Olympic berth. What's so difficult to understand about that?

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I think it's been made clear that Eurobasket 2009 does not directly qualify NTs for the Olympics in 2012. They do provide a pathway, or progression, toward qualifying for an Olympic berth. What's so difficult to understand about that?

I guess you do not understand how FIBA rules work. It has NO PROGRESSION to Olympics. The writers of those articles are wrong and do not know what they are talking about.

It has NOTHING to do with 2012 Olympics and there is no "progression". NOTHING that happens now has anything to do with 2012 Olympics. In fact you do not even have to play in 2009 Eurobasket or 2010 world championship at all to play in 2012 Olympics.

I repeat you do not even have to play in 2009 Eurobasket or 2010 world championship at all to play in 2012 Olympics. It is clear that you and many others fail to understand how FIBA rules work.

This Eurobasket is important just for that it is the second or first hardest tournament. It is harder than the World Championship and Olympics is debatable but most that know FIBA agree Eurobasket is harder than the Olympics. In US it is considered some joke but that is just ignorance. It's probably the top tournament and obviously because is in Europe it is very important to Europeans.

But it has NOTHING in any way at all to do with the 2012 Olympics and those articles are 100% wrong to suggest that it does. And there is no "progression" you are either making this up or fail to understand how the FIBA system works.

France can skip the 2009 Eurobasket and 2010 World championship and not even play them and won't have one single effect on their ability to play at 2012 Olympics. If you argue that you simply do not know how FIBA's rules work.

Is this good enough explanation or do I have to explain more?

[Blackjack]

Is this good enough explanation or do I have to explain more?

More please..

[timaios]

France can skip the 2009 Eurobasket and 2010 World championship and not even play them and won't have one single effect on their ability to play at 2012 Olympics. If you argue that you simply do not know how FIBA's rules work.

Is this good enough explanation or do I have to explain more?

The french players need to play together in great competitions.
You know, to grow up as a team... experience, chemistry, etc.
There is new players (Diot, Batum, Noah, Mahinmi...) and veterans (Pietrus brothers, Parker, Diaw, Turiaf...).
If they don't play the Euro 2009, then they can't qualify for the World 2010.

So, they don't play for 2 years and suddenly they need to be great for the Euro 2011 qualifying tournament and the Euro 2011 to have a chance to participate to the JO 2012... I don't think so.

That's why this Euro 2009 is vital for the French team future !!!
Now, all the French players are agree to play together and without the Euro 2009 & World 2010, the Parker/Diaw/Piétrus generation could be dead.

[Solid D]

I'll see if I can make things even more easy to understand for you KBP, by providing "reminders" from history with the FIBA tournaments leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympics.

I'm sure you remember Eurobasket 2005 where the Greek NT won the Gold in Belgrade.
The Top 6 teams in Eurobasket 2005 were:
1. Greece, 2 Germany, 3 France, 4 Spain, 5 Lithuania, 6 Slovenia

Those 6 European teams earned automatic berths in the FIBA World Championships in 2006 in Japan, along with 3 other Euro Wild Card Teams - Serbia & Montenegro, Italy and Turkey (Puerto Rico was also a wild card from the Americas). Spain killed Greece in the WC Finals to become World Champions, USA took Bronze over Argentina. The WC Gold earned Spain an automatic slot in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Spain would not have played in the WC or maybe not the Olympics if it had not been one of the Top 6 from Eurobasket 2005 or one of the 3 Wild Card teams.

Now let's move on to the next, biennial Eurobasket event in 2007 held in Spain. The teams that had earned berths in Eurobasket 2007 were the Eurobasket 2005 Top 6 finishers Greece, Germany, France, Spain, Lithuania and Slovenia and the 3 Wild Card Teams Serbia (formerly Serbia & Montenegro), Italy and Turkey. The other teams participating in Eurobasket 2007 arrived via Qualifying Games plus one Additional Qualifier winner, Israel (what France is trying to be in 2009). The winner of Eurobasket 2007 and its other top finishers were:
1 Russia* (automatic berth in 2008 Olympics), 2 Spain* (automatic berth in 2008 Olympics as WC winner), 3 Lithuania* (automatic berth in 2008 Olympics since Spain qualified as WC winner), 4 Greece, 5 Germany, 6 Croatia, 7 Slovenia, 8 France.

Now let's move to the Olympics in 2008, where the European entries were Russia, Spain and Lithuania plus the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th place Eurobasket 2007 finishers qualified for the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Those 4 teams from Europe, once again, were Greece, Germany, Croatia and Slovenia. Had France won 1 more game in the Eurobasket 2007 tourney, it would have been allowed to continue its progression toward the Olympics. Too bad, but Slomo's Slovenia got over on France.

As things played out in the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the 3 teams that qualified for the Olympics were all from Europe: 1 Greece, 2 Croatia, and 3 Germany. Sorry Slomo, Slovenia missed the Olympics too.

So see the progression and the impact that Eurobasket 2005 had in deciding what teams earned a place in the WCs, EB 2007 and Olympics. All of these FIBA events, the biennial Eurobaskets (and other continental qualifying tournaments: Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceana) and the WCs all lead to berths in the Olympics. It is a progression of qualifying tournaments via earned berths.

[Solid D]

I will add to the explanation above that Eurobasket 2009 is related to the 2008 Olympics and FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. That's right, the progression or relationship of Olympics to Eurobasket is that the 3 European Olympic teams from 2008, Russia, Spain and Lithuania, earn automatic berths in Eurobasket 2009 along with the 4 FIBA World Olympic Qualifiers Greece, Germany, Croatia, and Slovenia. If France would have made its free throws against Russia in Eurobasket 2007, they would already be in as direct qualifiers for Eurobasket 2009. :)

[Solid D]

...but Tony has been working on his FTs since then. :)

[Solid D]

It has NOTHING to do with 2012 Olympics and there is no "progression". NOTHING that happens now has anything to do with 2012 Olympics.

But it has NOTHING in any way at all to do with the 2012 Olympics and those articles are 100% wrong to suggest that it does. And there is no "progression" you are either making this up or fail to understand how the FIBA system works.

False. It can provide a pathway via direct qualifications into the WC and then on into the Euro championship 2011.


France can skip the 2009 Eurobasket and 2010 World championship and not even play them and won't have one single effect on their ability to play at 2012 Olympics.

Partially True. France can try to play its way through the crowd of qualifiers in tournaments in 2011 like it is doing in now in Eurobasket 2009 AQR. If it can do that and then finish in the top 7, or thereabouts, then and only then...can France get a shot at the Olympics.

[bobbybob0]

It is factually IMPOSSIBLE to qualify for Olympics through this Eurobasket. There is a site called FIBA.com Perhaps you and others here should look at it instead of all arguing a point which is factually wrong like you are doing.

you're a dumbass.

[benefactor]

KBPink owned again.

Just another day on Spurs Talk.

[Bruno]

Some little videos for bored people:

Nando hitting a back to the basket mid-court shot:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa2c84_nando_sport

Pau's crowd:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa6v28_france-italie-a-pau_sport
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa6v6g_france-italie-pau_sport

The video made by France NT staff to show Blazers that Batum was healthy:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa7xta_batum_sport

[eric365]

The next opponent is Belgium.

I saw in an article that the France NT won easily 82-44 in preparation with Noah and without Parker.
The 3 best player were missing in the Belgium NT. Are they back ?

[naico]

The next opponent is Belgium.

I saw in an article that the France NT won easily 82-44 in preparation with Noah and without Parker.
The 3 best player were missing in the Belgium NT. Are they back ?

Hervelle and Mbenga are back with the team yes. Although Mbenga blocks and defends well, he's not that big of a factor on the offensive end. Thomas Van Der Spiegel is not with the team. Van Rossom is injured.

Normally this should be an easy job for France. Belgium won their group thanks to heart and cohesion.
They should look out for Hervelle, who does about every little thing. Lauwers is a good shooter, Moors is a strong PG who takes advantage of that and Bosco, although very small and skinny is extremely ennergetic.

If France stays focused there shouldn't be any problem. But if they let down, Belgium can have a couple of bursts. They are known for that.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I'll see if I can make things even more easy to understand for you KBP, by providing "reminders" from history with the FIBA tournaments leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympics.

I'm sure you remember Eurobasket 2005 where the Greek NT won the Gold in Belgrade.
The Top 6 teams in Eurobasket 2005 were:
1. Greece, 2 Germany, 3 France, 4 Spain, 5 Lithuania, 6 Slovenia

Those 6 European teams earned automatic berths in the FIBA World Championships in 2006 in Japan, along with 3 other Euro Wild Card Teams - Serbia & Montenegro, Italy and Turkey (Puerto Rico was also a wild card from the Americas). Spain killed Greece in the WC Finals to become World Champions, USA took Bronze over Argentina. The WC Gold earned Spain an automatic slot in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Spain would not have played in the WC or maybe not the Olympics if it had not been one of the Top 6 from Eurobasket 2005 or one of the 3 Wild Card teams.

Now let's move on to the next, biennial Eurobasket event in 2007 held in Spain. The teams that had earned berths in Eurobasket 2007 were the Eurobasket 2005 Top 6 finishers Greece, Germany, France, Spain, Lithuania and Slovenia and the 3 Wild Card Teams Serbia (formerly Serbia & Montenegro), Italy and Turkey. The other teams participating in Eurobasket 2007 arrived via Qualifying Games plus one Additional Qualifier winner, Israel (what France is trying to be in 2009). The winner of Eurobasket 2007 and its other top finishers were:
1 Russia* (automatic berth in 2008 Olympics), 2 Spain* (automatic berth in 2008 Olympics as WC winner), 3 Lithuania* (automatic berth in 2008 Olympics since Spain qualified as WC winner), 4 Greece, 5 Germany, 6 Croatia, 7 Slovenia, 8 France.

Now let's move to the Olympics in 2008, where the European entries were Russia, Spain and Lithuania plus the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th place Eurobasket 2007 finishers qualified for the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Those 4 teams from Europe, once again, were Greece, Germany, Croatia and Slovenia. Had France won 1 more game in the Eurobasket 2007 tourney, it would have been allowed to continue its progression toward the Olympics. Too bad, but Slomo's Slovenia got over on France.

As things played out in the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the 3 teams that qualified for the Olympics were all from Europe: 1 Greece, 2 Croatia, and 3 Germany. Sorry Slomo, Slovenia missed the Olympics too.

So see the progression and the impact that Eurobasket 2005 had in deciding what teams earned a place in the WCs, EB 2007 and Olympics. All of these FIBA events, the biennial Eurobaskets (and other continental qualifying tournaments: Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceana) and the WCs all lead to berths in the Olympics. It is a progression of qualifying tournaments via earned berths.

France can skip Eurobasket 2009 and World Championship 2010 and STILL qualify for 2012 Olympics. This is a simple fact.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

KBPink owned again.

Just another day on Spurs Talk.

Owned by him once again posting errors?

Once again France does not even have to play Eurobasket 2009 or World Championship 2010 to play in 2012 Olympics. You obviously know nothing about FIBA system.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I will add to the explanation above that Eurobasket 2009 is related to the 2008 Olympics and FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. That's right, the progression or relationship of Olympics to Eurobasket is that the 3 European Olympic teams from 2008, Russia, Spain and Lithuania, earn automatic berths in Eurobasket 2009 along with the 4 FIBA World Olympic Qualifiers Greece, Germany, Croatia, and Slovenia. If France would have made its free throws against Russia in Eurobasket 2007, they would already be in as direct qualifiers for Eurobasket 2009. :)

Where do you get this information? Do you not realize that Eurobasket had 3 divisions and qualifiers for each division?

2011 Eurobasket is what qualifies to 2012 Olympics for European clubs. Nothing to do with this other nonsense. France is automatically qualified to the qualifier of 2011. So the simple fact is you are wrong and making up crap.

This tournament is important for France but has nothing to do with 2012 Olympics and everyone knows it.

[Solid D]

I will add to the explanation above that Eurobasket 2009 is related to the 2008 Olympics and FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. That's right, the progression or relationship of Olympics to Eurobasket is that the 3 European Olympic teams from 2008, Russia, Spain and Lithuania, earn automatic berths in Eurobasket 2009 along with the 4 FIBA World Olympic Qualifiers Greece, Germany, Croatia, and Slovenia. If France would have made its free throws against Russia in Eurobasket 2007, they would already be in as direct qualifiers for Eurobasket 2009. :)


Where do you get this information? Do you not realize that Eurobasket had 3 divisions and qualifiers for each division?

2011 Eurobasket is what qualifies to 2012 Olympics for European clubs. Nothing to do with this other nonsense. France is automatically qualified to the qualifier of 2011. So the simple fact is you are wrong and making up crap.

This tournament is important for France but has nothing to do with 2012 Olympics and everyone knows it.

3 Divisions yes but Division C isn't really involved with regard to Eurobasket 2009...so really just Div A and B. The European Olympic representatives drew their rankings from Eurobasket 2007. They all get automatic placement into Eurobasket 2009

Where did I "get this information?" Well, take your own advice and check on FIBA site. http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_lWcd9qadJVkTTFvMFz0Qf1.coid_vSxnc2cVJMApfwu2,Q ywn1.articleMode_on.html

The above join the top ranked teams from EuroBasket 2007 who have qualified automatically for the EuroBasket 2009 Final Round:

Russia
Spain
Lithuania
Greece
Germany
Croatia
Slovenia

Also see the bottom of this link (I've posted it in italics)
http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_lWcd9qadJVkTTFvMFz0Qf1.coid_Lute4f1ZGa6U40c5TY JsE1.articleMode_on.html

06 October 2008
FIBA EUROPE ANNOUNCES SEEDINGS FOR EUROBASKET DRAWS

EuroBasket 2009
Organisers: Poland

Dates: September 7-20, 2009

Preliminary Round venues: Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw and Wroclaw

Qualifying Round venues: Bydgoszcz and Lodz

Final Round venue: Katowice

Draw : November 8, 2008

Draw venue : Capital Theatre, Marszałkowska 115, Warsaw, at 13.00 hrs.

Draw seedings:

Seed Team Last FIBA Europe Competition Result

1 Russia 1st EuroBasket 2007
2 Spain 2nd EuroBasket 2007
3
Lithuania 3rd EuroBasket 2007
4 Greece 4th EuroBasket 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Germany 5th EuroBasket 2007
6 Croatia 6th EuroBasket 2007
7 Slovenia 7th EuroBasket 2007
8 Turkey
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 6/0


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9
Serbia
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 7/1
10
Poland
Organisers, 13-16th place EuroBasket 2007
11
FYR Macedonia EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 4/2, goal avrg. coefficient 1.1173
12
Latvia EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 4/2, goal avrg. coefficient 1.1031

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13
Great Britain
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 4/2, goal avrg. coefficient 1.0456
14
Israel
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 3/3
15
Bulgaria
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 4/4
16
Qualifier Additional Qualifying Tournament (August 2009)




EuroBasket 2009 Additional Qualifying Round


Venues: Two groups of three teams each, to meet in home and away games. The winners of the two groups meet in home and away games with the overall winner qualifying for EuroBasket 2009.

Dates: August 2009

Seed Team Last FIBA Europe Competition Result


1 France EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 3/3,goal avrg. coefficient 1.0313
2 Bosnia and Herzegovina
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 3/3, goal avrg. coefficient 0.9893

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Italy
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 4/4, goal avrg. coefficient 0.9728
4 Portugal EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 3/3, goal avrg. coefficient 0.8586

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Finland EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 3/5
6 Belgium EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 2/4

Now, who is making stuff up? You obviously didn't know this already...but now you do.

In FIBA Europe, the biennial Eurobaskets provide pathways for its more successful NTs via automatic berths. These automatic seedings make it easier for teams to make it to the WC and Olympics, KBP. You just have to get rid of your absolutism and see the Big Picture.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

False. It can provide a pathway via direct qualifications into the WC and then on into the Euro championship 2011.



Partially True. France can try to play its way through the crowd of qualifiers in tournaments in 2011 like it is doing in now in Eurobasket 2009 AQR. If it can do that and then finish in the top 7, or thereabouts, then and only then...can France get a shot at the Olympics.

Solid D = a LIAR

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

3 Divisions yes but Division C isn't really involved with regard to Eurobasket 2009...so really just Div A and B.

Where did I "get this information?" Well, take your own advice and check on FIBA site. http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_lWcd9qadJVkTTFvMFz0Qf1.coid_vSxnc2cVJMApfwu2,Q ywn1.articleMode_on.html

The above join the top ranked teams from EuroBasket 2007 who have qualified automatically for the EuroBasket 2009 Final Round:

Russia
Spain
Lithuania
Greece
Germany
Croatia
Slovenia

Also see the bottom of this link (I've posted it in italics)
http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_lWcd9qadJVkTTFvMFz0Qf1.coid_Lute4f1ZGa6U40c5TY JsE1.articleMode_on.html

06 October 2008
FIBA EUROPE ANNOUNCES SEEDINGS FOR EUROBASKET DRAWS

EuroBasket 2009
Organisers: Poland

Dates: September 7-20, 2009

Preliminary Round venues: Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw and Wroclaw

Qualifying Round venues: Bydgoszcz and Lodz

Final Round venue: Katowice

Draw : November 8, 2008

Draw venue : Capital Theatre, Marszałkowska 115, Warsaw, at 13.00 hrs.

Draw seedings:

Seed Team Last FIBA Europe Competition Result

1 Russia 1st EuroBasket 2007
2 Spain 2nd EuroBasket 2007
3
Lithuania 3rd EuroBasket 2007
4 Greece 4th EuroBasket 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Germany 5th EuroBasket 2007
6 Croatia 6th EuroBasket 2007
7 Slovenia 7th EuroBasket 2007
8 Turkey
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 6/0


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9
Serbia
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 7/1
10
Poland
Organisers, 13-16th place EuroBasket 2007
11
FYR Macedonia EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 4/2, goal avrg. coefficient 1.1173
12
Latvia EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 4/2, goal avrg. coefficient 1.1031

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13
Great Britain
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 4/2, goal avrg. coefficient 1.0456
14
Israel
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 3/3
15
Bulgaria
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 4/4
16
Qualifier Additional Qualifying Tournament (August 2009)




EuroBasket 2009 Additional Qualifying Round


Venues: Two groups of three teams each, to meet in home and away games. The winners of the two groups meet in home and away games with the overall winner qualifying for EuroBasket 2009.

Dates: August 2009

Seed Team Last FIBA Europe Competition Result


1 France EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 3/3,goal avrg. coefficient 1.0313
2 Bosnia and Herzegovina
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 3/3, goal avrg. coefficient 0.9893

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Italy
EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 4/4, goal avrg. coefficient 0.9728
4 Portugal EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 3/3, goal avrg. coefficient 0.8586

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Finland EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 3/5
6 Belgium EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round, Win/loss 2/4

Now, who is making stuff up? You obviously didn't know this already...but now you do.

In FIBA Europe, the biennial Eurobaskets provide pathways for its more successful NTs via automatic berths. These automatic seedings make it easier for teams to make it to the WC and Olympics, KBP. You just have to get rid of your absolutism and see the Big Picture.

I see the picture. I see this Olympics is the only thing that matters bull shit propoganda.

[DPG21920]

Who on this site is not a liar KBP? Are you liar because you promised Bourousis would be a Spur and he is not?

[FvckMavs]

Who on this site is not a liar KBP? Are you liar because you promised Bourousis would be a Spur and he is not?

You just wasted 5 seconds of your life by talking to KBP.

[DPG21920]

You just wasted 5 seconds of your life by talking to KBP.

You don't get it.

[Solid D]

I don't need facts, I just call people names. You are all liars.

[stéphane]

Just wow at KBP trying to argue with Solid. It's like a 5year old retarded child trying to teach philosophy to Descartes.
When did hell froze again? ST is odd for a couple months now, I really hope that it will get better when the season starts cause the trolling is really hard to live with these days.

[Bruno]

An article about Ian:
http://www.havre-libre.fr/index.php/cms/13/article/208105/Mahinmi_a_l_ouvrage_a_Rouen

I don't translate it since it's not that interesting. Ian said that Pop was happy by what he did in SL. The article is mainly about Ian being a nice guy.

[Bruno]

Some interviews:
http://www.pau-orthez.com/news.php?newsid=943

[Cant_Be_Faded]

downright fucking ridiculous that the mavs are over there keeping their players from playing for this bull shit national crap

and here we are in summer 7 of our best player risking it all for nothing

[angelbelow]

An article about Ian:
http://www.havre-libre.fr/index.php/cms/13/article/208105/Mahinmi_a_l_ouvrage_a_Rouen

I don't translate it since it's not that interesting. Ian said that Pop was happy by what he did in SL. The article is mainly about Ian being a nice guy.

That's good that Pop liked what he saw. Hopefully Ian contributes to the French team and maybe develop some chemistry with TP.

[J_Paco]

Is there any site that we can find info, photos and videos about the French N.T. but in english? Should I try the Fiba official site?

[Mel_13]

Parker Returning To Country Of Birth

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/files/%7B41590312-71C9-4FE8-B9ED-E7750CB15B62%7Dbig_h.jpg

Tony Parker was born in Belgium and is not surprisingly immensely popular in the country, which is one reason why the Lotto Arena in Antwerp will be jam-packed with 5,500 fans on Thursday when the Belgian national team plays in the EuroBasket Additional Qualifying Round play-offs.

However, most of those in attendance won't be rooting for the San Antonio Spurs star because he'll be playing for the enemy, France.

The appearance of the Brugge-born Parker is an interesting aside to a fascinating story that has developed in the Low Countries this summer.

Belgium, arguably the underdogs of Group A heading into the Additional Qualifying Round, overcame Bosnia and Herzegovina and Portugal to reach the AQR play-offs and now they are within touching distance of a place in the EuroBasket with home and away games on Thursday and Sunday against Les Bleus.

The country is buzzing about basketball after Eddy Casteels' men overcame a narrow defeat to the Bosnians to finish 3-1 in the AQR.

One of the skilful Belgian players who is chomping at the bit to play is Sam Van Rossom.

The point guard would like nothing more than to go up against Parker.

However, a foot injury means he will not go full speed in practice on Monday and the 23-year-old could end up being out of the line-up for the game in Antwerp.

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/coid_QZRCkV,UJt6THlfVhSCCh3.articleMode_on.html

[Bruno]

Some interviews (in French):
http://pau-orthez.com/news.php?newsid=944

I find quite interesting that whenever Nando talk about his future he mentions the links between Valencia and Spurs (Valencia's coach is Pop's friend).
I wonder if Nando having a contract with Valencia has been a deciding factor for Spurs to draft him.

[DPG21920]

Does Nando remind anyone else of Steve Blake?

[Solid D]

Some interviews (in French):
http://pau-orthez.com/news.php?newsid=944

I find quite interesting that whenever Nando talk about his future he mentions the links between Valencia and Spurs (Valencia's coach is Pop's friend).
I wonder if Nando having a contract with Valencia has been a deciding factor for Spurs to draft him.

Good observation and possibly true, at least one of the influencing factors. Pop went to Valencia to visit Neven's practices after the Final Four. Maybe he got the live glimpse of Nando too when they were looking at Claver but the way the contract is written is important, too...not just favorable relations with Neven.

[Bruno]

Pop went to Valencia to visit Neven's practices after the Final Four. Maybe he got the live glimpse of Nando too when they were looking at Claver but the way the contract is written is important, too...not just favorable relations with Neven.

Nando didn't play in Valencia last year but in France. He will start playing with Valencia after the Eurobasket.

It was known before the draft that Nando will go to Valencia if he didn't get a NBA contract. My point was that Spurs reasoning could have been "he will work with a team close to us, it will be great to follow his development".

[hater]

downright fucking ridiculous that the mavs are over there keeping their players from playing for this bull shit national crap

and here we are in summer 7 of our best player risking it all for nothing

:lmao

exagerate much?

[Solid D]

Nando didn't play in Valencia last year but in France. He will start playing with Valencia after the Eurobasket.

It was known before the draft that Nando will go to Valencia if he didn't get a NBA contract. My point was that Spurs reasoning could have been "he will work with a team close to us, it will be great to follow his development".

Yes, I know Nando was with Cholet several years. I'm sure Dennis Lindsey watched Nando in Treviso at the Reebok camp, too, but I was suggesting Nando may have been at the workouts in Valencia when Pop visited Neven. Anyways, I thought you might be referring to sign-ability for Nando, in view of the Scola fiasco. Now, I see what you meant and that makes sense.

[Bruno]

Yes, I know Nando was with Cholet several years. I'm sure Dennis Lindsey watched Nando in Treviso at the Reebok camp, too, but I was suggesting Nando may have been at the workouts in Valencia when Pop visited Neven. Anyways, I thought you might be referring to sign-ability for Nando, in view of the Scola fiasco. Now, I see what you meant and that makes sense.

Nando wasn't in Valencia when Pop was there. Cholet's season hasn't ended at that time. Nando worked out in SA in June and even had a dinner at Parker's house with Pop.

Spurs should have scouted him a lot when he was playing with youth/senior NT or with Cholet. Cholet was last year the most interesting team to scout in France for NBA teams with prospects like Beaubois, Nando and Kevin Seraphin.

His contact with Valencia is a two years contract with an opt-out clause for the NBA after the first year. I guess that a reasonable buyout ($500K) is attached to this opt-out clause.

[rayray2k8]

KBP is jealous of the French team and all the attention this thread gets. :lol
The difference is, our best player is on that team. KBP just needs to change his tampon. :lmao

[rayray2k8]

That being said, can someone post a link of all the games the French NT has played with the game stats, please?
Thanks

[Solid D]

Nando wasn't in Valencia when Pop was there. Cholet's season hasn't ended at that time. Nando worked out in SA in June and even had a dinner at Parker's house with Pop.

Spurs should have scouted him a lot when he was playing with youth/senior NT or with Cholet. Cholet was last year the most interesting team to scout in France for NBA teams with prospects like Beaubois, Nando and Kevin Seraphin.

His contact with Valencia is a two years contract with an opt-out clause for the NBA after the first year. I guess that a reasonable buyout ($500K) is attached to this opt-out clause.

Sorry. I thought Nando played his last game against Virtus in Semi-Final and that Pop visited Valencia 30-4-09. Not important, any way. Edit: Actually article said Pop was visiting Neven on 05-May-09, but the point is Cholet was still playing. In fact, Cholet played Pau-Orthez on 5-5-09 so Pop wouldn't have been watching any of Nando's workouts at that time.

[Kamnik]

Could someone please tell me in a few sentences how Ian is doing/looking? The thread is a bit too long for me to start reading it now :)

[DPG21920]

From the last game he played, he did pretty well. Offensively was his best showing in a while and he had a nice impact on the game. He seems to be getting into better shape and adjusted to playing again since the injury.

He is doing better than last year overall, but Spurs will have to wait and see how he does in training camp and in preseason.

[Kamnik]

Thanks. What is his expected/current role? Deep bench? Getting decent minutes?

If I remember right French team is weaker with bigmen and stronger with 1-3 slots... this means he will be able to play more?

[DPG21920]

Not sure. At first the FNT did not seem to like what Ian brought over whom they currently had. But then the other bigs played poorly and Ian got his shot. He did very well and not just in comparison to the others playing poorly.

Going forward, I am not sure what his role would be with the FNT. I am sure it will depend on who is playing well. It would be nice to have him penciled in as the starter, but I just do not know.

As far as his role on the Spurs, no one knows at this point.

[Bruno]

Ian has only played 12 min in 1 game with the NT. I guess his role will depend on what he did in the upcoming games. If things goes well, he could end up as the first big from the bench.

[duncan228]

A little on Mahinmi from Pop's interview today.


Popovich is happy with the progress he's seen from third-year center Ian Mahinmi this summer. He'd just like to see more of him.

After putting up a performance at the Las Vegas summer league that Popovich termed "not great, but good," Mahinmi is playing with Parker for the French national team this fall.

"That's the best thing he can do right now, to play with (Ronny) Turiaf and the rest of the boys there," Popovich said. "I'm as excited about seeing him in training camp as anybody else, just because I'd like to see what we have in Ian Mahinmi."

The team has until Oct. 31 to exercise its contractual option on Mahinmi for 2010-2011.

[DPG21920]

Ian has only played 12 min in 1 game with the NT. I guess his role will depend on what he did in the upcoming games. If things goes well, he could end up as the first big from the bench.

Do you think he will get a shot in every game, or will he be there only if others play poorly.

Even though he played 12 minutes, he played well.

[Bruno]

Do you think he will get a shot in every game, or will he be there only if others play poorly.

Even though he played 12 minutes, he played well.

I don't know, we will see.

The sure thing is that the door is open for Ian. Other bench bigmen (Alain Koffi and Ali Traoré) have been quite bad. If Ian plays well in practices and during games, he should get some consistent playing time.

[Brazil]

A little on Mahinmi from Pop's interview today.

Thanks D228 ! highly appreciated.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Just announced, Rubio signed officially with Barcelona. 5 years contract.

[ChumpDumper]

Quit spamming.

[Mel_13]

With the game starting in a few hours, I went looking for any game previews in English or Dutch (I have to use Google Translate for articles in French) and came up with a few tidbits from a Belgian news website.

-the game in Antwerp is a sellout. A large screen will be set up in the Central Market of Brussels for supporters to watch the game

-the Belgian coach holds the FNT in high regard saying: If France plays as a team they are, perhaps, the best team in Europe.

-much attention to Parker including a telephone interview with Tony's dad. I had always been curious as to how someone born in Belgium as the son of an American father and Dutch mother came to be a French citizen. His dad explains that he was playing for a Belgian team when Tony was born. That team went bankrupt and the family moved to France. His dad joked that Tony could be playing for Belgium tonight if the club in Brugge had stayed in business.

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Sportwereld/Article/Detail.aspx?articleid=G2P2E7428

Not much on the Eurobasket site. This is the game matchup page with stats and history.

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/cid_toT,ovGDH2EaLKL67XnPo2.gameID_6378-1-A-1.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2009.roundI D_6378.teamID_.html

They use this picture of Batum:

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/files/%7B0D56C96B-27D7-4947-826C-455F8A780C1F%7Dhs_big.jpg

[naico]

With the game starting in a few hours, I went looking for any game previews in English or Dutch (I have to use Google Translate for articles in French) and came up with a few tidbits from a Belgian news website.

-the game in Antwerp is a sellout. A large screen will be set up in the Central Market of Brussels for supporters to watch the game

-the Belgian coach holds the FNT in high regard saying: If France plays as a team they are, perhaps, the best team in Europe.

-much attention to Parker including a telephone interview with Tony's dad. I had always been curious as to how someone born in Belgium as the son of an American father and Dutch mother came to be a French citizen. His dad explains that he was playing for a Belgian team when Tony was born. That team went bankrupt and the family moved to France. His dad joked that Tony could be playing for Belgium tonight if the club in Brugge had stayed in business.

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Sportwereld/Article/Detail.aspx?articleid=G2P2E7428

Not much on the Eurobasket site. This is the game matchup page with stats and history.

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/cid_toT,ovGDH2EaLKL67XnPo2.gameID_6378-1-A-1.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2009.roundI D_6378.teamID_.html

They use this picture of Batum:

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/files/%7B0D56C96B-27D7-4947-826C-455F8A780C1F%7Dhs_big.jpg

More notes:

- The Belgian coach thinks France's mixed results in the near past is due to their 'star mentality'.

- Interesting matchup between Bosco and Parker. Bosco, known as a pest in defense got Parker once frustrated. Parker called him a 'fils de pute' who had nothing to do on a bball floor.

- Belgium is counting on Hervelle and the defensive presence of Mbenga.

- Sam Van Rossum will return from injury.

[Pauleta14]

someone has a link for the belgium game?

[Bruno]

someone has a link for the belgium game?

http://fr.justin.tv/keeperlive4

[DPG21920]

TP with a nasty and 1!

[DPG21920]

TP is ballin' right now. The rest of the FNT needs to pick up their level. Too lazy on the passes.



Also, I did not know Mbenga was Belgian...

[Thomas]

Parker already 12 of France's 16 Points

[DPG21920]

LOL Mbenga trying to murder TP.

[yavozerb]

has ian played yet?

[Mel_13]

has ian played yet?

He's in now.

Tony went to the bench with 15 seconds left in the first qtr. He had 16 pts and France was up by 10. He sat for 3 minutes and Belgium scored 11 straight. I've seen this show somewhere.

[DPG21920]

Yes and he just had a great defensive play and dunk from TP.

[Mel_13]

Parker to Ian for a monster dunk.

[NicolasBatum]

Ian can dunk !

[thekingrobert]

Parker seems tired great dunk by Ian

[DPG21920]

Parker to Ian for a monster dunk.

Did you see Ian's play at the rim right before the dunk?

[Mel_13]

Did you see Ian's play at the rim right before the dunk?
missed it

[thekingrobert]

the french ball handling sucks

[thekingrobert]

is Pietrus playing?

[Mel_13]

is Pietrus playing?

Florent is.

Mike-no

[DPG21920]

Its funny watching some guys play for their country. Like how others rip Bargnani and some other guys for sucking (even though they did). If you were watching this game and judging, Diaw would look like the worst player to ever make it in the NBA. He is playing so bad.

And Mbenga is owning people :lol

[jb4g]

i lol everytime the annouce says tp's name


parkkkkkeeeerrrrrr

[Solid D]

Interesting French not trying to zone. Lots of isos with 5-out for Belgium.

[thekingrobert]

so France has more NBA players but are sucking balls

[thekingrobert]

ParKerr

[thekingrobert]

Batum sucks

[Alain]

Home cooking and bad shooting...

[Solid D]

Lauwers 2 3-pointers did France in, along with the awful turnovers by Nando and Diaw that let Belgium get some momentum. French had no outside shot and did nothing to adjust to the isolations.

[DPG21920]

Batum is very good. Just not enough effort from the FNT. They stood around, made lots of silly passes and were sloppy. Not to mention the offense fell apart today without TP. The bigs for France did not play well at all.

[Bruno]

Losing against Belgium is quite a shame.
Props to Belgium, MBenga did a great job in the paint, Hervelle and Moors played well. Lauwers shot came back in the clutch.

TP has an awesome offensive first quarter. Defensively, he was damn bad. Nando sucked. Ian should have had some playing time in the second half.

French are at -4 before the game at Pau. It isn't a disaster but they will have to play way better on Sunday, especially on the offensive end.

[angelbelow]

is the game over already?

edit-nevermind

[DPG21920]

Yes, there were some very questionable coaching decisions today with rotation, style and substitutions.

Diaw was terrible as well. There were some nice blocks from both sides, but the defense overall from everyone was pretty bad.

Mbenga absolutely destroyed the FNT. Made them look foolish.

[rjv]

did tony get injured ?

how did ian play ?

[DPG21920]

No, TP did not get injured.

Ian only played about 2-3 minutes and he played well for his short stint. He had a nice block and box out on the defensive end and then a dunk in the same play. He ran the floor well, but his screens need work.

[rjv]

No, TP did not get injured.

Ian only played about 2-3 minutes and he played well for his short stint. He had a nice block and box out on the defensive end and then a dunk in the same play. He ran the floor well, but his screens need work.

thanks for the update. just can not figure out how france has lost to finland and belgium back-to-back. hope they can get it figured out.

[Solid D]

Belgium used what talent they had and outplayed, outcoached the French NT. Of course, if Parker and his teammates had made their FTs against Russia in Eurobasket 2007, they woudn't even be having to qualify right now as the last team in.

If French lose in Pau, they don't deserve a place in Eurobasket 2009.

[naico]

Belgium used what talent they had and outplayed, outcoached the French NT. Of course, if Parker and his teammates had made their FTs against Russia in Eurobasket 2007, they woudn't even be having to qualify right now as the last team in.

If French lose in Pau, they don't deserve a place in Eurobasket 2009.

Vive la Belgique, Leve België!! :toast

IMO, France should have done a better job scouting the Belgians.
It looked like they underestimated their opponent.
It was a good lesson for France. Heart won against skill.

Normally France should still qualify but they better watch out on sunday. I'm glad Mbenga finally gets some attention. Dude can play defense! Always said so..
Hervelle can contribute on any nba team. Good hustle player with high bball IQ.

[Limguogolo]

Skills?! where have you seen "skills" ?

No post player, no 3pt shooter, average dribblers, no team work.

What we can say for define this team is "salut les musclés!!!!!"

It works when you are -18, but not in pro. They don't deserve to be in Poland.

And I hope Tony won't play like that this year, again. As he played last season and as he played tonight. "I am a star, bigger than a star, bigger... i am a black hole..."

[Brazil]

If French lose in Pau, they don't deserve a place in Eurobasket 2009.

we all agree with that

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

so France has more NBA players but are sucking balls

How many fucking times does this have to be said here? Most of Frances's NBA players would not even be decent at the Euroleague level.

[Solid D]

How many fucking times does this have to be said here? Most of Frances's NBA players would not even be decent at the Euroleague level.

Easy. Go eat some comfort food and take a chill pill, Kill Bill. Go eat some more baklava or some olives.

[2Cleva]

Mbenga absolutely destroyed the FNT. Made them look foolish.

He's one of the great ones.

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2494/greatcs.jpg

[romain.star]

If French lose in Pau, they don't deserve a place in Eurobasket 2009.

Over the last 4 years, they don't deserve shit... fucking depressing....

[Bruno]

France Belgium:
stream: http://fr.justin.tv/eddy63
stats: http://live.fibaeurope.com/netcasting/default.asp?game_number=6378-1-B&microsite_scope=undefined

If FNT win by 5 or more, they go at the Eurobasket. Otherwise, end of the summer.

[Brazil]

France Belgium:
stream: http://fr.justin.tv/eddy63
stats: http://live.fibaeurope.com/netcasting/default.asp?game_number=6378-1-B&microsite_scope=undefined

If FNT win by 5 or more, they go at the Eurobasket. Otherwise, end of the summer.

This game is gonna be a tough one. Ian needs more minutes, TP needs to find a good balance between Offense and team involvement, Batum and Diaw need to show they are for real.

[ForeignFan]

35-22 France, who has been playing well for the last few minutes
Diot with 5 assits in 10 min

[ForeignFan]

TP with a long 3
+16

[romain.star]

Damn... Diaw is that fat !

[ForeignFan]

1min left first half
44-22

Diaw +2
46-22

[ForeignFan]

halftime 48-25 for the Bleus

[spursballer21]

half time is about to start

[kace]

Mike Pietrus just said he won't play in the European Tournament if France qualifies and he said he hopes if brother Florent will play for the Bobcats this season.

[spursballer21]

it looks bad at the moment

[ForeignFan]

turiaf dunks on dime from Diot
60-32

[ForeignFan]

turiaf looks hurt, bad news

[ForeignFan]

this game has been over for 10'

70-37 end of Q3

[ForeignFan]

end of game 92-55

Nice reaction after Thursday's defeat, but, really, how did they lose in Belgium ?

[Bruno]

^ the final score is 92-54.

Nice win by FNT. They are now qualified for the Euro and the failure of last summer has been erased. The team should be quite mentally or physically fresh for the Euro. They have been very inconsistent, so I don't know what to expect from them in Poland.

Spurs related: TP has been ok, Nando has been very good, Ian has played very few minutes. Diot is someone to keep and eye on during the future drafts.

[Brazil]

This game is gonna be a tough one. Ian needs more minutes, TP needs to find a good balance between Offense and team involvement, Batum and Diaw need to show they are for real.

lol at myself

[Blackjack]

France Takes Care of Business, Destroys Belgium (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/08/30/france-takes-care-of-business-destroys-belgium/)
by Timothy Varner

France needed a 5 point victory to advance past Belgium into Eurobasket proper. They got that, and tacked on an additional 33 for good measure, winning this morning’s contest (http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/coid_Wrkv5UVfIdoc31,yti9r23.articleMode_on.html) in a 92-54 rout (http://live.fibaeurope.com/netcasting/default.asp?game_number=6378-1-B&microsite_scope=undefined)...

[velik_m]

Good job France.

With Belgium out, that's one less team Slovenia needs to worry about. Now we just need to avoid Israel&Latvia...

[Pero]

Good job France.

With Belgium out, that's one less team Slovenia needs to worry about. Now we just need to avoid Israel&Latvia...

:lol

[Pero]

Well that should be interesting, Golemac on Schorchanitis? :lol

[Pero]

Oops wrong thread.

[ivanfromwestwood]

^ the final score is 92-54.

Nice win by FNT. They are now qualified for the Euro and the failure of last summer has been erased. The team should be quite mentally or physically fresh for the Euro. They have been very inconsistent, so I don't know what to expect from them in Poland.

Spurs related: TP has been ok, Nando has been very good, Ian has played very few minutes. Diot is someone to keep and eye on during the future drafts.
hey bruno. where can we find highlites of the game? be wanting to see nando play. thanks

[Bruno]

hey bruno. where can we find highlites of the game? be wanting to see nando play. thanks

Some highlights (quite short):
http://player.canalplus.fr/#/271508

[DPG21920]

Man, Bruno does this type of game make you shake your head at the FNT when you see them play down to the level of their opponent and lose to them earlier?

When I watch them play I notice a few things:

1) Coaching is sometimes shaky with rotations and not making adjustments in game.

2) Lazy on offense. Really just stand around and the passing is lazy.

3) Defense seems active for the most part, but ineffective often.

Do you see the same things? Why do you think they play so poorly sometimes (more often than they should)? Is it just an attitude problem?

[Bruno]

Man, Bruno does this type of game make you shake your head at the FNT when you see them play down to the level of their opponent and lose to them earlier?

When I watch them play I notice a few things:

1) Coaching is sometimes shaky with rotations and not making adjustments in game.

2) Lazy on offense. Really just stand around and the passing is lazy.

3) Defense seems active for the most part, but ineffective often.

Do you see the same things? Why do you think they play so poorly sometimes (more often than they should)? Is it just an attitude problem?

A lot of players in the FNT need to play with a high level of energy/motivation to be good and when they don't have it, the team suffers and its weaknesses appear. FNT has played 5 important games this summer and has been good or great in 4 of them so it isn't a disaster.

About your points:
1) To me, the coaching has been very good so far. Props to Collet.
2) The lack of shooting makes things harder on the offensive end for the team. Sometimes the team also goes in "let's watch TP plays" mode. TP and the rest of the team are both responsible for that.
3) Defense has been quite good so far. There have been some weak areas in some games but overall I've liked their defense.

[DPG21920]

Yes, they move so much better on defense than offense, it is strange. I just sometimes see them as ineffective. You see random teams lighting them up from 3 point land and such.

They do lack shooting, but it seems like either they stand and watch TP or they just try and dump it to Diaw and watch him. It is very predictable. It makes sense because Diaw and TP are their best offensive players, but they could be a little more creative and move the ball better.

But overall, I wonder why they can't bring the energy more often. I guess it is good they are playing well when they have to, but it is a mindset type thing.

[Bruno]

Yes, they move so much better on defense than offense, it is strange. I just sometimes see them as ineffective. You see random teams lighting them up from 3 point land and such.

They do lack shooting, but it seems like either they stand and watch TP or they just try and dump it to Diaw and watch him. It is very predictable. It makes sense because Diaw and TP are their best offensive players, but they could be a little more creative and move the ball better.

But overall, I wonder why they can't bring the energy more often. I guess it is good they are playing well when they have to, but it is a mindset type thing.

I guess you have only watch the game in Belgium to draw these conclusions. In most of the games, the ball movement and the offensive creativity have been good.

[DPG21920]

I guess you have only watch the game in Belgium to draw these conclusions. In most of the games, the ball movement and the offensive creativity have been good.

I have watched about 3 games. I am not saying it is always poor, they just go through spurts where things stagnate.

I watched Finland, Italy and Belgium IIRC.

[will_spurs]

Man, Bruno does this type of game make you shake your head at the FNT when you see them play down to the level of their opponent and lose to them earlier?

Don't ask me why, but it's a trademark of French national teams, even in other sports. In Rugby we regularly beat New Zealand (arguably the best team on the planet) to move on to be beaten by an average team. In football we can kick Brazil's ass, and draw against Liechstenstein. For whatever reason French national teams play better against tougher opponents.

It's also not recently unprecedented in basketball, the Spurs are well known to lose Game 1 of first round playoffs series - as in, wake us up when it's the WCF already (ok, the Spurs are a bit better than the French NT but I guess you see my point anyway).

[Manufan909]

So any new theories why Ian isn't getting much PT? What was his line for this game?

[tomtom]

Yeah, is there a boxscore around ?

[timaios]

Yeah, is there a boxscore around ?

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/cid_toT,ovGDH2EaLKL67XnPo2.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOr Uf9le2.season_2009.gameID_6378-1-B-2.html

[angelbelow]

So any new theories why Ian isn't getting much PT? What was his line for this game?

Hopefully its just cause hes relatively new to the team and the coach is being more loyal to the big men that were already there.

[tomtom]

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/cid_toT,ovGDH2EaLKL67XnPo2.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOr Uf9le2.season_2009.gameID_6378-1-B-2.html

Thanks nice to see Nando and Batum doing pretty well. Hope Ian gets some more play in the next few games

[Admidave50]

Nice Victory for FNT, if only they can play at this level more consistently and if Noah and Mike Pietrus could play!

PG TP
SG MP
SF Batum
PF Diaw
C Noah

Bench: Florent Pietrus, Mahinmi, Turiaf, De Colo...

[ForeignFan]

according to L'Equipe (today), MP and Noah will not join the FNT.

[will_spurs]

71.4% at 2-point, that's really ridiculous (removing TP the French team shot 77.8% from 2-point).

[spursfan09]

How's TP looking? Tired? Okay? Be honest.

[Bruno]

Hopefully its just cause hes relatively new to the team and the coach is being more loyal to the big men that were already there.

Ian is fighting with Traoré and Koffi for bench minutes at PF/C. They aren't great players but they come from a good season in France (Koffi was french league french MVP and Traoré was 3rd). Both know very well FNT plays since they have been coached by FNT coach in french league.
Ian needs time since he is a raw player who hasn't played for a year and who has missed the start of the training with the NT. FNT doesn't have time so, for the moment, Ian is the 5th bigman.

[Bruno]

Some postgame interviews (in french):
http://www.pau-orthez.com/news.php?newsid=948

Ronny is quite awesome. :lol

[Pauleta14]

How's TP looking? Tired? Okay? Be honest.

He was ok, but not really "needed"...

I mean there had been talk in the media after the previous loss that his "big" start (he scored almost all the points before being benched in the 1st) was a reason of the poor performance of the rest of the team once he wasn't on the floor.
So (he said that) he decided to start "slowly" and finish strong if needed...
Obviously, with such an early gap, it wasn't needed!

He took care of his stats in the 4th (9pts/16)

[Bruno]

TP played with a compression sock at his right leg yesterday. His ankle still isn't at 100% and he is a little out of shape.

[velik_m]

France is looking good. They should have no trouble making the top 8.

[Brazil]

Today TP interview from tp9.net

August 31, 2009

http://www.tp9.net/en/images/fleche_haut.gif « We let it all out »


Tony, thanks to this win against Belgium you are now going to the Euro 2009 in Poland.
We were a bit irked following Thursday’s game 9loss in Belgium 77-66). We did not think that Belgium could beat us and had played the perfect game. This is what makes our sport beautiful but once back on home turf we’ve showed our true face and it was a no contest.



Were you in any doubt following the loss in Belgium ?
We never doubter as we had confidence in ourselves. There was lots of frustration with this loss. This is why we let it all out yesterday and it was a big collective win. We’ve all played well and Ronny (Turiaf) played his best match for the French National team (19 points, 9 rebounds).



What are your conclusions from these qualification ?
We’ve done our job by making it to the Euro, it was our primary goal. We must now use this experience to arrive in Poland in the best conditions possible. We could not have had a better preparation with such tough games.



Following the loss in Belgium you were criticized in the way you interacted with your teammates. Did you bring any changes in your game ?
I was more patient and I tried to help my teammates from the start of the game. To get back to Thursday’s loss and the various critics I’ve faced I do not wish to make any comment on them. When you lose there will be away someone to say something and we will always have to find someone responsible. I thus tried to do my best yesterday. One thing is for sure, I was not about to change my game but I could be better alongside my teammates.



Did you speak to Vincent Collet after the loss in Belgium ?
We did bring the topic but he asked me not to change my game, just the scenario. He wanted to me to start a bit slower to bring confidence to my teammates and allow us to finish strong.



You will be facing in your group Russia, Germany and Latvia. Your feeling ?
Let’s not get carried away. This is not because Nowitzki is not playing for the German and without Kirilenko and Holden for the Russian that we must underestimate them. If we do not play at our level like we did against Finland and Belgium we will lose. Let’s remain focuses in order to be better in our performances.


What are you expecting from this Euro ?
Our goal is to reach the quarter finale to validate our ticket for the 2010 World Championships in Turkey. Once this is done we will have time to think about the gold medal!

[Manufan909]

So when is the date/time of the next game? I hope i have the ability to watch it.

[timaios]

So when is the date/time of the next game? I hope i have the ability to watch it.

Eurobasket 2009 official website :

http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/cid_toT,ovGDH2EaLKL67XnPo2.pageID_znH-9TRlHsQ89rbQiy3N,3.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.s eason_2009.html

[Manufan909]

The 7th at 7:15? Fuck.

[sonic21]

France-Germany
Sep 7th
19:15 in France
13:15 EST

France-Latvia
Sep 8th
19:15 FR
13:15 EST

France-Russia
Sep 9th
16:30 FR
10:30 EST

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

France and Greece are negotiating a game before Eurobasket starts.

[manufan10]

Lies!

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Lies!

So France national team lies then?

[sonic21]

France and Greece are negotiating a game before Eurobasket starts.

i heard spanoulis will fake an injury coz he's afraid to get owned by Tony.

weak

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

i heard spanoulis will fake an injury coz he's afraid to get owned by Tony.

weak

You mean like the last time when he out scored Parker 19-12 and Greece won 80-65?

[manufan10]

So France national team lies then?

Sorry I should have known to spell it out for you: Greek lies!

[sonic21]

You mean like the last time when he out scored Parker 19-12 and Greece won 80-65?

friendly game doesn't count and when did that happen?

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

friendly game doesn't count and when did that happen?

2007 Acropolis tournament idiot. The one where after the game Parker asked Popovich to take Spanoulis on the team and him and Spanoulis had dinner after the game where Parker asked him to please stay on the Spurs.

[sonic21]

2007 Acropolis tournament idiot. The one where after the game Parker asked Popovich to take Spanoulis on the team and him and Spanoulis had dinner after the game where Parker asked him to please stay on the Spurs.

like i said friendly games don't count.

And parker did the same with Beno, he let himself getting outscore by beno and spanoulis and asks Pop to take those scrubs. It's a strategy to be sure to be the main PG on the spurs.

[Freeze]

2007 Acropolis tournament idiot. The one where after the game Parker asked Popovich to take Spanoulis on the team and him and Spanoulis had dinner after the game where Parker asked him to please stay on the Spurs.

:lmao

France did not play in the Acropolis tournament in 2007.
They did in 1992, 1997, and 2006.

Once again you've been lying and faking facts, I guess that's why you never post any links of your source.

Here is the boxscore of their last meeting :
http://www.basketfrance.com/_stats/0708/edf_masc/2007_08_11_-_france_grece.pdf

I remember reports explaining Parker asking him to reconsider his decision to leave NBA, nothing more, and probably due to the fact that Beno was about to be traded, so that he was the only other PG the spurs had under contract.

You're pathetic.

[manufan10]

:lmao

France did not play in the Acropolis tournament in 2007.
They did in 1992, 1997, and 2006.

Once again you've been lying and faking facts, I guess that's why you never post any links of your source.

You're just lame.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:gwcHEYdBm3SZIM:http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/icypsycho/KelsoBURN2.jpg

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:gwcHEYdBm3SZIM:http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/icypsycho/KelsoBURN2.jpg

He lied.

It is right at the official Greek federation site. Hey go fucking cut of your head.

[sonic21]

He lied.

It is right at the official Greek federation site. Hey go fucking cut of your head.

link or LIES

[manufan10]

He lied.

It is right at the official Greek federation site. Hey go fucking cut of your head.

:deadhorse:frying::violin

GREEK LIES!

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

http://www.eurobasket.com/reports/2007/8/13.asp

Greece 74 France 55

Parker 9 points Spanoulis 16 points

Strasbourg - Hall Rhenus (Attendance : 5950)

France - Greece 55-74 (13-23,12-15,16-17,14-19)

France : Gomis 6,Morandais 5,Jeanneau 2, Sangare 4, Diawara 7,Tony Parker 9,Ferchaud 5,Badiane 2, Giffa 4, Turiaf , Weis 6

Greece : Papaloukas 5, Bourousis 2, Spanoulis 16, Vasilopoulos 2,Fotsis 12, Hatzivrettas 2, Dikoudis 2, Diamantidis 6,Papadopoulos 12, Pelekanos 11,Perperoglou,Glyniadakais 4

[Freeze]

So you recognized you were wrong ?

[sonic21]

http://www.eurobasket.com/reports/2007/8/13.asp

Greece 74 France 55

Parker 9 points Spanoulis 16 points

Strasbourg - Hall Rhenus (Attendance : 5950)

France - Greece 55-74 (13-23,12-15,16-17,14-19)

France : Gomis 6,Morandais 5,Jeanneau 2, Sangare 4, Diawara 7,Tony Parker 9,Ferchaud 5,Badiane 2, Giffa 4, Turiaf , Weis 6

Greece : Papaloukas 5, Bourousis 2, Spanoulis 16, Vasilopoulos 2,Fotsis 12, Hatzivrettas 2, Dikoudis 2, Diamantidis 6,Papadopoulos 12, Pelekanos 11,Perperoglou,Glyniadakais 4

parker only played 16 min, the loss is not that important judging by the french team roster.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

The picture of Spanoulis holding the MVP trophy and Parker (who did not win it standing in the background)

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:PcNRxZl9ajSeTM:http://www.contra.gr/images/hellasakropolisphoto8.jpg

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

parker only played 16 min, the loss is not that important judging by the french team roster.

You LIED

You got proven as a LIAR

Now STFU

[ChumpDumper]

2007 Acropolis tournament idiot. The one where after the game Parker asked Popovich to take Spanoulis on the team and him and Spanoulis had dinner after the game where Parker asked him to please stay on the Spurs.Oh, so Parker let him win to encourage him to be a Spur.

[manufan10]

Moochie Norris > Spanoulis

[manufan10]

Oh, so Parker let him win to encourage him to be a Spur.

Yup, just like when you take a girl bowling you let her win the first set. You want to encourage them. :toast

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

So you recognized you were wrong ?

No there was another game where it was 80-65 and Parker scored 12 and Spanoulis 19. But you fucking MORONS cannot read Greek.

But anyway I found an English link with that other game which proves the same point. Actually Spanoulis has had no problem at all ever with Parker. But of course all the mofos here would not have any basic facts right.

[sonic21]

You LIED

You got proven as a LIAR

Now STFU

so it's because of this game you're saying spanoulis is better than parker.
That's sad. Judging by the stats parker had the better game

[Slo spurs fan]

Dragic>>>>>>>>>Vaginis

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Yup, just like when you take a girl bowling you let her win the first set. You want to encourage them. :toast

That picture was from before Spanoulis went to the NBA MORON.

[Slo spurs fan]

Smush Parker>>>>>>Vaginis, not to mention Tony.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

so it's because of this game you're saying spanoulis is better than parker.
That's sad. Judging by the stats parker had the better game

The last 3 times they played Parker was benched he was owned so bad by Spanoulis.

[manufan10]

That picture was from before Spanoulis went to the NBA MORON.

Yup you are right, Spanoulis was an NBA moron. :toast

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Smush Parker>>>>>>Vaginis, not to mention Tony.

I guess that explains how Smush Parker got cut from more than one Euro team while Spanoulis is the MVP. yes you are a smarty guy :rolleyes

[sonic21]

The last 3 times they played Parker was benched he was owned so bad by Spanoulis.

keep lying

[manufan10]

Luther Head>>>>>> Spanoulis

[Slo spurs fan]

Eurobasket 2007

Dragic: 30 min, 7pts (2-3for 2, 1-1 for 3), 4rebs, 3ast

Vaginis: 25 min, 6pts (2-5 for 2,0-3 for 3) 3rebs, 0ast (the best PG in the world with 0ast in 25 min!!!)


So as I said: Dragic>>>>>>>>>>>>Vaginis.

[manufan10]

Eurobasket 2007

Dragic: 30 min, 7pts (2-3for 2, 1-1 for 3), 4rebs, 3ast

Vaginis: 25 min, 6pts (2-5 for 2,0-3 for 3) 3rebs, 0ast (the best PG in the world with 0ast in 25 min!!!)


So as I said: Dragic>>>>>>>>>>>>Vaginis.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:gwcHEYdBm3SZIM:http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/icypsycho/KelsoBURN2.jpg

[Bruno]

An interview of Ian:
http://www.lefigaro.fr/basket/2009/09/05/02006-20090905ARTSPO00500-j-apprecie-tous-les-instants.php

http://www.lefigaro.fr/medias/2009/09/05/sport24_294699_5141838_1_fre-FR.jpg

Translation of the part about Spurs:

San Antonio has hired a lot of bigmen this summer. Do you fear the competition?
They don't roll out the red carpet in San Antonio. It's a good challenge. DeJuan Blair and me are the youngest bigmen of the team. We should get an opportunity among aging bigmen. It's up to us to bring our energy. This is what I plan to do without trying to do too much. and by playing my game. i know what I can bring to Spurs. I take up the challenge without problems. Either I play or I don't but I will stay in San Antonio. I shouldn't go back in NBDL.

What are your goals with Spurs?
I'm eager to be at the start of the season. I believe in our chances to win the title. We really have a good team. We have improved a lot the team this summer.