David Aldridge - nba.com - "Dribbles" (about the tired Tony parker)

[biba]

Dribbles David Aldridge nba.com Posted Jan 11 2010


I'm Tired...
Tired of Playing the Game...
Ain't it a Crying Shame?
I'm..so...tired.--
"I'm Tired," Blazing Saddles

Many nights this season, Tony Parker looks like he's got a piano on his back.

"I just think I've played too much basketball," Parker said last week.

The Spurs' guard is still just 27 years old, in the prime of his career. But there are days, and weeks, when the grind of non-stop play for almost a decade catches up with him, and he is ready for it to end. Something is going to give between Parker's commitment to San Antonio and his commitment to the French national team.

Through Sunday, Parker was averaging 16.5 points per game, more than five points off of his average last season and his lowest in five seasons. His assists are down by one from last season, and his turnovers are up. It doesn't mean he's still not an elite-level point guard, but it does mean there's been some slippage. And slippage is not a good thing when you have only a year left on your contract.

"I've played five summers in a row, and I think it's about time I need a rest," Parker said. "It's going to be tough (to play). The contract's coming up, and (coach Gregg) Pop(ovich) wants me to play well every night. Sometimes it's tough, because you know you play all these championship runs, and every year I play for the national team. Every year. This year is the first year I've found my body is a little bit tired, you know? So I'll have to make some decisions, because I'm not Superman. I can't do 82 games at the level Pop wants, and then play on the national team."

International players feel a special pressure to compete in all international competitions, not just the World Championships and Olympics. The never-ending grind of playing both for China and Houston almost year-round for almost a decade has almost certainly played a role in the injuries suffered by Houston's Yao Ming, who is recovering from foot surgery and will miss the season -- though he has not ruled out playing for China in the Worlds if he gets clearance from the Rockets.

In 2009, Parker played with the Spurs until they were eliminated in the conference semifinals in May. But he spent most of the summer with the French team, which needed to qualify for the 2010 World Championships by finishing in the top six at the European Championships in Poland in September. France finished fifth; its final game was Sept. 20. Parker started camp with the Spurs less than two weeks later.

The Spurs, like other NBA teams, have struggled in recent years with allowing their marquee players to play in international competition. Popovich has all but ordered Manu Ginobili to cease and desist from the Argentine national team, after he helped lead Argentina to a silver at the 2002 Worlds and a gold at the Athens Olympics in 2004. But it's come at a large cost; Ginobili aggravated his ankle injury in the '08 Games, requiring surgery that rendered him a shell of himself last season. And with the Spurs' contender window likely open for just this season and next (that's how long ownership has committed to making significant luxury tax payments, coinciding with the last two years of Tim Duncan's contract), they are short on time.

The Spurs don't know if Parker is going to play in the World Championships, which start in Turkey Aug. 28 and run through Sept. 12. That doesn't count the practice time Parker would rack up with the French team beforehand.

"Look at Manu," Parker said. "Every year he goes, and every year it hurts us a little bit. Because he was hurt, and we're not the same team when Manu's not playing. When Manu's playing his best, we're a championship caliber team. It's going to be tough for everybody -- for (Pau) Gasol, (Dirk) Nowtizki -- Nowitzki took a pass this summer. So I think everybody, as you get older, it's tough to do both. It's very tough to play every game and then go play with the national team."


http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/01/11/morning.tip0111/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

[urunobili]

damn... this is not going to end good... :depressed

[TinTin]

So you going to fucking help duncan or not

[VI_Massive]

Are there any realistic options for resting Parker? Its hard to imagine Pop would just sit him for two weeks and let him recover. I don't even know if 2 weeks would be enough. If they were going to sit him, the time to do that would have been the past few weeks when they played weaker opponents. But, looking at the schedule, maybe you sit him after the LA game for the rest of January, or maybe even until the next Laker game in early February. It doesn't sound that realistic, but neither do our championship chances with a 75% Tony Parker.

[honestfool84]

"...because I'm not Superman. I can't do 82 games at the level Pop wants, and then play on the national team."

well it looks like your choice is obvious, Mr. Parker.

say what you want, but your allegiance is to your pay check right now. if you want to play for France, go ahead, but save the Spurs the $millions so they can sign another point guard.

[boutons_deux]

A huge help would be to ban the abomination of back2backs, which cheats/abuses the players and cheats the fans.

Fuck the greedy NBA business, too many teams, too many games, too little player and coaching talent, too brutal a schedule.

[ffadicted]

"I just think I've played too much basketball," Parker said last week.

"I've played five summers in a row, and I think it's about time I need a rest," Parker said. "It's going to be tough (to play). The contract's coming up, and (coach Gregg) Pop(ovich) wants me to play well every night. Sometimes it's tough, because you know you play all these championship runs, and every year I play for the national team. Every year. This year is the first year I've found my body is a little bit tired, you know? So I'll have to make some decisions, because I'm not Superman. I can't do 82 games at the level Pop wants, and then play on the national team."

"It's very tough to play every game and then go play with the national team."


Tony's answering a lot of his own questions to the problem here, but does anybody else get the feeling he's pointing Pop out as the villain in this story

[VI_Massive]

Tony's answering a lot of his own questions to the problem here, but does anybody else get the feeling he's pointing Pop out as the villain in this story

I don't think so. Every coach wants his players to play hard and at a high level every night. I think he accurately places the blame on the burden of NBA and NT obligations.

[Kori Ellis]

Tony's answering a lot of his own questions to the problem here, but does anybody else get the feeling he's pointing Pop out as the villain in this story

No, I think he's basically saying he's not going to play for the national team in the future.

[timvp]

Good article. I think any debate about whether national team play hurts players can put to rest this season. Parker has obviously been tired all year and Pau Gasol has stayed gimpy. It's just not humanly possible to play that much basketball. I respect Parker's enthusiasm for playing for his home country -- but as a Spurs fan that enthusiasm lowers the team's chance of winning a championship ... and that's all I really care about.

That said, I don't buy what Parker is saying. He's the master at playing both sides of the pond. He'll tell US reporters that he's thinking of not playing while telling French reporters something totally different. If I had to guess, he'll be suiting up next summer once again.

[kace]

A huge help would be to ban the abomination of back2backs, which cheats/abuses the players and cheats the fans.

Fuck the greedy NBA business, too many teams, too many games, too little player and coaching talent, too brutal a schedule.

i couldn't agree more. i know this opinion probably won't have a lot of sucess here, but the NBA schedule is just insane.

82 games plus the PO (let's say 20 games for a deep run), so more than 100 games in less than 8 months :bang:bang:bang

it's against the games quality, the players health (and we could talk about doping), the international tournaments. it's just money over reason.

still, the offseason is very long (5 months) and you can't deny that to spend most of this time still playing bball in competition is a heavy load.

[jonnybravo]

No, I think he's basically saying he's not going to play for the national team in the future.

Agreed. He's just easing into it instead of flat out saying NO.

[DesignatedT]

So you going to fucking help duncan or not

exactly

[hsxvvd]

Poor Parker $12,600,00 a year, approx $150,000 a game or $5,000 a minute on the court.

and he ONLY gets 2 weeks a year holidays....

Suck it up Princess.

[jag]

There is no evidence that these players suffer injuries due to national team play.

[colargol]

No, I think he's basically saying he's not going to play for the national team in the future.

I can't believe it but you're right...
hopefully after the summer..
Oups,
sorry,
i"am French
:king

[kace]

blabla

it's not about injuries here.

[Brazil]

Good article. I think any debate about whether national team play hurts players can put to rest this season. Parker has obviously been tired all year and Pau Gasol has stayed gimpy. It's just not humanly possible to play that much basketball. I respect Parker's enthusiasm for playing for his home country -- but as a Spurs fan that enthusiasm lowers the team's chance of winning a championship ... and that's all I really care about.

That said, I don't buy what Parker is saying. He's the master at playing both sides of the pond. He'll tell US reporters that he's thinking of not playing while telling French reporters something totally different. If I had to guess, he'll be suiting up next summer once again.

I'm not sure about that, there is a possibility he is preparing himself and the FNT to give up summer competitions. I think they are already talking about his next contract and I'm quite sure that Pop and the Spurs FO are putting a lot of pressure regarding the NT question.

For the rest I'm quite worried by Tony's words he seems to be both tired and disappointed. In French we say "las", I don't know a proper translation.

On a side note the NBA schedule is just fucking crazy 3 to 4 games a week with stupid back to back games. Honestly I hate BtoB games and I think 3 games per week should be the limit when PO come.

[Brazil]

Poor Parker $12,600,00 a year, approx $150,000 a game or $5,000 a minute on the court.

and he ONLY gets 2 weeks a year holidays....

Suck it up Princess.

I think you are missing the point

[Mal]

No, I think he's basically saying he's not going to play for the national team in the future.

He signed some sort of document, which says that Tony will play for national team until 2012

[Bukefal]

Well, I dont think he is indirectly saying 'no' to future national team games. I think he just wants to point out that its tough, but still important for him and he will be there next year at the worldcup. Believe me, he wont give it up.

Basically what he is saying is; If you dislike me playing for France and being tired because of it, well just accept it!!

As for Pop resting TP, well I think it''s needed. Of course resting 2 weeks isnt enough, but also the Spurs cannot afford to rest TP so long at the moment. We need him. Its tough, but I hope he finds a way.

Anyway, even though clearly not back to 100% Tony Parker, he is in my eyes coming back a bit lately.

[ElNono]

So much for the 'Tony is young, he won't have Manu's problems' theory...

[kace]

So much for the 'Tony is young, he won't have Manu's problems' theory...

tony isn't injured, not to talk about a season ending injury like the ones manu had the last two years.

[Bukefal]

So much for the 'Tony is young, he won't have Manu's problems' theory...

Well this story doesnt mean shit to accept the fact you are saying. Its says nothing that its going to happen like with manu.

He is young, and he probably won't have any huge issues.

[Kori Ellis]

He signed some sort of document, which says that Tony will play for national team until 2012

I don't know how binding that is, because he already said earlier this year that he might not play this upcoming summer.

[jag]

it's not about injuries here.

It's always about injuries. If it doesn't directly "injure" players, then it wears them down. It leaves them susceptible to injuries. Fans have actually argued that traveling and playing 5+ extra months of basketball every year hasnt contributed to Manu's injuries.

[ElNono]

tony isn't injured, not to talk about a season ending injury like the ones manu had the last two years.

Hey, It's Tony saying he's tired, not me. Obviously he miscalculated how much he could take.

To be honest, I don't see Kobe, Kidd or Lebron being tired or injured and they played for Team USA too. In the case of Kobe and Kidd, they probably have both more mileage than Tony and Manu...

so YMMV...

[kace]

I don't know how binding that is, because he already said earlier this year that he might not play this upcoming summer.

"Moral engagement". no real value.

[jag]

Hey, It's Tony saying he's tired, not me. Obviously he miscalculated how much he could take.

To be honest, I don't see Kobe, Kidd or Lebron being tired or injured and they played for Team USA too. In the case of Kobe and Kidd, they probably have both more mileage than Tony and Manu...

so YMMV...

:lmao

You're such a clown.Please continue to tell me how much Manu hasn't suffered from international play.

American players don't play/practice the same way that international players do for their respective national teams. It's funny that you keep using that argument.

Go fly your Argentina flag somewhere else.

[DesignatedT]

Through Sunday, Parker was averaging 16.5 points per game, more than five points off of his average last season and his lowest in five seasons. His assists are down by one from last season, and his turnovers are up. It doesn't mean he's still not an elite-level point guard, but it does mean there's been some slippage. And slippage is not a good thing when you have only a year left on your contract.


This absolutely has EVERYTHING to do with him competing in international play.

[Bukefal]

Hey, It's Tony saying he's tired, not me. Obviously he miscalculated how much he could take.

To be honest, I don't see Kobe, Kidd or Lebron being tired or injured and they played for Team USA too. In the case of Kobe and Kidd, they probably have both more mileage than Tony and Manu...

so YMMV...

I think European Basketball schedules are a bit more tougher. More games, more training, more traveling, more tournaments.

[ElNono]

It's always about injuries. If it doesn't directly "injure" players, then it wears them down. It leaves them susceptible to injuries. Fans have actually argued that traveling and playing 5+ extra months of basketball every year hasnt contributed to Manu's injuries.

But he didn't play an extra 5+ months every year... and still got injured.
How about when he won a championship after playing those extra 5+ months?

Maybe players just get injured sometimes. It happens as part of being an athlete playing at a high level.

[kace]

Hey, It's Tony saying he's tired, not me. Obviously he miscalculated how much he could take.

To be honest, I don't see Kobe, Kidd or Lebron being tired or injured and they played for Team USA too. In the case of Kobe and Kidd, they probably have both more mileage than Tony and Manu...

so YMMV...

i have to agree.

on a side, i can understand fatigue.

on the other, it seems to always be an issue for the spurs players more than for the others. so, stop the excuse and play the game.

PS: though, i really would like to know more about products and substances, notonly illegal, taken by NBA players, because i often heard tony saying he never wanted any "drugs" and i don't think manu is the kind of player to use it too (like creatine or even illegal stuff).

[ElNono]

American players don't play/practice the same way that international players do for their respective national teams.

They don't? Please enlighten me how team Argentina practices for international tournaments, please...

What? You don't know? You're talking out of your ass again?

No surprises there...

[Obstructed_View]

I think you are missing the point

No, not really. If what you do on your vacation affects what you do for your job, especially if you're being paid millions of dollars to do that job, then there's not really a difficult decision there for anyone with a brain.

[jag]

International fan thinks that real Spurs fans don't like watching Manu/Parker play for their national teams. That isn't the case. It was nice to see Manu win while representing Argentina...it's added to his legacy. But it's obvious what it does to these guys, and international fans are in such denial that it's practically a joke now.

These guys are even admitting that international play (along with NBA play) is wearing them down... yet international fan continues to say that it's just not true.

[Brazil]

i have to agree.

on a side, i can understand fatigue.

on the other, it seems to always be an issue for the spurs players more than for the others. so, stop the excuse and play the game.

PS: though, i really would like to know more about products and substances, notonly illegal, taken by NBA players, because i often heard tony saying he never wanted any "drugs" and i don't think manu is the kind of player to use it too (like creatine or even illegal stuff).

Kace I think guys like Kobe are just machine, they can play at high level during 20 years with no issues for others it's more difficult to maintain motivation, there is no rule and the money has nothing to do with that. In TP case I think it's more a mental fatigue.

[hater]

Good article. I think any debate about whether national team play hurts players can put to rest this season. Parker has obviously been tired all year and Pau Gasol has stayed gimpy. It's just not humanly possible to play that much basketball. I respect Parker's enthusiasm for playing for his home country -- but as a Spurs fan that enthusiasm lowers the team's chance of winning a championship ... and that's all I really care about.

That said, I don't buy what Parker is saying. He's the master at playing both sides of the pond. He'll tell US reporters that he's thinking of not playing while telling French reporters something totally different. If I had to guess, he'll be suiting up next summer once again.

or maybe NBA should shorten the season from 82 arduous meaningless games?

NBA owner's greed is hurting world basketball and the career of these starts. Not to mention the quality of NBA regular season


would anyone really give a fuck if season is shortened to 65 games? oh yeah, only the owners would :fro

[ElNono]

PS: though, i really would like to know more about products and substances, notonly illegal, taken by NBA players, because i often heard tony saying he never wanted any "drugs" and i don't think manu is the kind of player to use it too (like creatine or even illegal stuff).

I don't think illegal substances has anything to do with it.

The point is that even when not playing international competitions, Kori has said many times in these very forums that NBA players play all summer long anyways. So there's that.

[jag]

They don't? Please enlighten me how team Argentina practices for international tournaments, please...

What? You don't know? You're talking out of your ass again?

No surprises there...

:lol the fact that Kobe/Carmelo/LeBron can play 30 min one game and then sit for the next game isn't telling? Do you really need this spelled out for you, international fan?

[kace]

No, not really. If what you do on your vacation affects what you do for your job, especially if you're being paid millions of dollars to do that job, then there's not really a difficult decision there for anyone with a brain.

it's not difficult if your brain is full of shit.

if you have a brain which indeed is used to think, it's all but easy. add a heart, and it's even harder.

i would like you to realize how dumb your post is, but if you could, you probably wouldn't have written it.

[pookenstein]

So much for the 'Tony is young, he won't have Manu's problems' theory...


tony isn't injured, not to talk about a season ending injury like the ones manu had the last two years.

i know this is a little bit offtopic, but i really don't get this tony-bashing by the argentinians/manufans and the manu-bashing by the french/tonyfans.
in my opinion it's all about the spurs.
we don't win 2003, 2005, 2007 without manu and also not without tony.
i can understand that you like tony better than manu if you have that french background or like manu better, if you're from argentina. nothing wrong in being proud of your countryman but in the end one is as important to the spurs success as is the other.
just my 2 cents...

[Brazil]

No, not really. If what you do on your vacation affects what you do for your job, especially if you're being paid millions of dollars to do that job, then there's not really a difficult decision there for anyone with a brain.

This was not the previous point. The previous point was: "you got money, play the game and stfu".
To be tired or weary has nothing to do with your fucking paycheck.

I have a very decent salary and sometimes I'm just tired. It happens.

[MaNu4Tres]

If your tired sit out for 3 weeks and let Hill, Manu, Mason run the show.

Parker would come back fresh and ready for another playoff run.

There's no way Parker would do that though because that would hurt any chance he has at making the All-Star team.

[kace]

i know this is a little bit offtopic, but i really don't get this tony-bashing by the argentinians/manufans and the manu-bashing by the french/tonyfans.
in my opinion it's all about the spurs.
we don't win 2003, 2005, 2007 without manu and also not without tony.
i can understand that you like tony better than manu if you have that french background or like manu better, if you're from argentina. nothing wrong in being proud of your countryman but in the end one is as important to the spurs success as is the other.
just my 2 cents...

WTF you're talking about ? can you read ? indeed, if there's a topic where manu and TP fans are clearly on the same side, it's about international play.

[Brazil]

If your tired sit out for 3 weeks and let Hill, Manu, Mason run the show.

Parker would come back fresh and ready for another playoff run.

There's no way Parker would do that though because that would hurt any chance he has at making the All-Star team.

:lol he already has 0 chance to make the All-Star and he knows that.

[MaNu4Tres]

:lol he already has 0 chance to make the All-Star and he knows that.

Then he should rest and stop using the tired excuse for his inconsistency.

[Obstructed_View]

it's not difficult if your brain is full of shit.

if you have a brain which indeed is used to think, it's all but easy. add a heart, and it's even harder.

i would like you to realize how dumb your post is, but if you could, you probably wouldn't have written it.

Since you're not able to explain why you believe what you believe, I have a feeling you know that there's no logic at all behind your position. Spurs fans pay Tony Parker to play basketball. French fans guilt him into playing for his national team for free by claiming they have "a heart".

[ElNono]

:lol the fact that Kobe/Carmelo/LeBron can play 30 min one game and then sit for the next game isn't telling?

But that did not happen, did it? Because they all played all games, and went through all the Team USA practices pre-tournament.

Again, don't dodge the questions, since you're quick to accuse but when pressed you run away like the scared little bitch you are:

- Did Manu play for the National Team the summer before 2008, when he got injured against Phoenix?

- Did Manu play for the National Team the summer before 2005, when he arguably had his best season as a Spur?

What was Team Argentina preparation to the Japan World Championships?

What was Team Argentina preparation to the Beijing Olympics, and did Manu play any games before the tournament?


Please answer those questions, so we know you're not just flapping your lips, as usual.

[MaNu4Tres]

Pretty confident Hill, Manu, Mason can hold down the fort for the time being.

[pookenstein]

WTF you're talking about ? can you read ? indeed, if there's a topic where manu and TP fans are clearly on the same side, it's about international play.

this is why i said "offtopic".

[ElNono]

i know this is a little bit offtopic, but i really don't get this tony-bashing by the argentinians/manufans and the manu-bashing by the french/tonyfans.
in my opinion it's all about the spurs.
we don't win 2003, 2005, 2007 without manu and also not without tony.
i can understand that you like tony better than manu if you have that french background or like manu better, if you're from argentina. nothing wrong in being proud of your countryman but in the end one is as important to the spurs success as is the other.
just my 2 cents...

I wasn't bashing Tony at all. If anything, it was bashing at Longoria fans that kept claiming it was OK for Tony to play because he was young, but not for Manu.

[VI_Massive]

Is there any chance Pop sits Tony for a few weeks?

[sonic21]

Tony will play for sure for the french NT in 2011 and (hopefully) 2012. His dream is to play in the Olympics.

But it looks like he changed his mind about next summer. He'll most likely not play.

[murpjf88]

If your tired sit out for 3 weeks and let Hill, Manu, Mason run the show.

Parker would come back fresh and ready for another playoff run.

There's no way Parker would do that though because that would hurt any chance he has at making the All-Star team.

Hes not making an all-star team. IMO, I don't think three weeks will do him any good at this point. He would need something like a couple months. Even if the Spurs gave him three weeks off, the Spurs would get buried in a stacked western conference. Then you have the problem of George Hill running the show and I'm not comfortable with him at point gaurd at all.

[Obstructed_View]

This was not the previous point. The previous point was: "you got money, play the game and stfu".
To be tired or weary has nothing to do with your fucking paycheck.

I have a very decent salary and sometimes I'm just tired. It happens.

The previous point was that he gets a lot of money to play basketball for the Spurs. When questioned about why he's not playing well this season, he's talking about how tired playing for free during the summer makes him. While the original quote you responded to wasn't completely accurate, it did touch on the one thing that all of us should keep in mind through this. I know most French fans are going to get mad when people mention where Tony Parker's bread is buttered, and I'm sorry about that, but it doesn't make it any less the case.

[murpjf88]

If the Spurs were toying with the notion of sitting for three weeks, they should of thought of that during the month of December.

[ElNono]

The previous point was that he gets a lot of money to play basketball for the Spurs. When questioned about why he's not playing well this season, he's talking about how tired playing for free during the summer makes him. While the original quote you responded to wasn't completely accurate, it did touch on the one thing that all of us should keep in mind through this. I know most French fans are going to get mad when people mention where Tony Parker's bread is buttered, and I'm sorry about that, but it doesn't make it any less the case.

When the Spurs signed him up for his contract extension they were well aware of what he could and could not do. That includes the fact that they cannot prevent him from playing for his National Team. If they felt they did not want that, then they could have not extended him. They also can still trade him if they don't like the situation.
Obviously, the fact that Tony and Manu are still on the team means that this is something the Spurs are willing to put up with.

[timaios]

Kace I think guys like Kobe are just machine, they can play at high level during 20 years with no issues for others it's more difficult to maintain motivation, there is no rule and the money has nothing to do with that. In TP case I think it's more a mental fatigue.

I think exactly the same thing. I think Tony is 100% healthy but is totally bored with the game of basketball.
You could see his lack of motivation against the poor Nets.
82 regular season games are too much, there's so much meaningless games in one season.
Maybe his enthusiasm will be back against the Lakers...

[Chomag]

If the Spurs were toying with the notion of sitting for three weeks, they should of thought of that during the month of December.

Agreed, it's a bit to late for this now. No longer are the Spurs in the wishy washy part of this seasons schedule. Tuff from here on out pretty much.

[MaNu4Tres]

Hes not making an all-star team. IMO, I don't think three weeks will do him any good at this point. He would need something like a couple months. Even if the Spurs gave him three weeks off, the Spurs would get buried in a stacked western conference. Then you have the problem of George Hill running the show and I'm not comfortable with him at point gaurd at all.

3 weeks would be plenty of rest and the 3 week time period wouldn't be a for sure thing.

It would be more like a week to week or game to game depending on how the team is holding up.

[VI_Massive]

Agreed, it's a bit to late for this now.

I think they could sit him after tomorrow night, either for the rest of January or until the next Lakers game. The opponents aren't THAT bad and we all know that Pop doesn't give a damn about playoff seeding.

[PublicOption]

trade him for harris..........NOW.

[Obstructed_View]

When the Spurs signed him up for his contract extension they were well aware of what he could and could not do. That includes the fact that they cannot prevent him from playing for his National Team. If they felt they did not want that, then they could have not extended him. They also can still trade him if they don't like the situation.
Obviously, the fact that Tony and Manu are still on the team means that this is something the Spurs are willing to put up with.

Unless I'm mistaken, the NBA won't let the Spurs prevent him from playing for his national team, so it was never part of the negotiations. The fact that they have no choice is why it's something the Spurs are willing to put up with, but don't act like they're happy about it, particularly now that he's playing like crap during what was supposed to be a break-out year when the Spurs smashed the piggy bank to bring in help after Parker himself complained about the depth of the team.

Wow that was a long sentence.

[ElNono]

I don't think a guy as competitive as Tony would like to sit down and watch games like against the Lakers from the bench. I think he was already hurrying Pop to get him back to play after he twisted his ankle early in the season.

[Dex]

"Look at Manu," Parker said. "Every year he goes, and every year it hurts us a little bit. Because he was hurt, and we're not the same team when Manu's not playing. When Manu's playing his best, we're a championship caliber team. It's going to be tough for everybody -- for (Pau) Gasol, (Dirk) Nowtizki -- Nowitzki took a pass this summer. So I think everybody, as you get older, it's tough to do both. It's very tough to play every game and then go play with the national team."

Where was this reasoning before the summer, Tony? :pctoss

[Obstructed_View]

I think exactly the same thing. I think Tony is 100% healthy but is totally bored with the game of basketball.
You could see his lack of motivation against the poor Nets.
82 regular season games are too much, there's so much meaningless games in one season.Maybe his enthusiasm will be back against the Lakers...

Not to mention all the meaningless games in the offseason...

[PublicOption]

or bench him for at least 3 weeks. play hill until he becomes great and pay tony peanuts and give the big money to hill.

[pookenstein]

ok, but this...


So much for the 'Tony is young, he won't have Manu's problems' theory...

...can easily be misunderstood as a provocation for the tonyfans.

[kace]

Kace I think guys like Kobe are just machine, they can play at high level during 20 years with no issues for others it's more difficult to maintain motivation, there is no rule and the money has nothing to do with that. In TP case I think it's more a mental fatigue.

very good point. and that's why i can't say i'm worried by Tony's play.

Last year, he had a bad time, even if shorter, and then found his groove and was just unstoppable to finish the year.. i see no reason to not see that again this year.

[jag]

But that did not happen, did it? Because they all played all games, and went through all the Team USA practices pre-tournament.

Again, don't dodge the questions, since you're quick to accuse but when pressed you run away like the scared little bitch you are:

- Did Manu play for the National Team the summer before 2008, when he got injured against Phoenix?

- Did Manu play for the National Team the summer before 2005, when he arguably had his best season as a Spur?

What was Team Argentina preparation to the Japan World Championships?

What was Team Argentina preparation to the Beijing Olympics, and did Manu play any games before the tournament?


Please answer those questions, so we know you're not just flapping your lips, as usual.

Your logic is like that of a 10 year old. "If a player doesn't have an injury during NT play or directly after NT play, then NT play isn't contributing to injuries."

Manu was the backbone of the Argentina NT, playing heavy throughout the tournaments. Yet you compare him to US players like Kobe, Kidd and even LeBron???

The fact that LeBron is 25 years old didn't cross your mind?
The fact that Kidd averaged 13.5 mpg doesn't matter to you? Do you honestly think US players and international players shoulder the same load during NT play? Kobe Bryant, who averaged the 2nd most mpg on the team, averaged 23.5 mpg.

Your pro-Argentina arguments are so tired.

I'm here because i'm a Spurs fan. I'm here because i care about seeing the Spurs win. I'm not here to lobby for my country's (and the players associated with it) significance.

[kace]

or bench him for at least 3 weeks. play hill until he becomes great and pay tony peanuts and give the big money to hill.

why ? even at his so-so current level, tony is clearly the 2nd best spurs player this season. we need him to stay well-ranked.

[MaNu4Tres]

I think they could sit him after tomorrow night, either for the rest of January or until the next Lakers game. The opponents aren't THAT bad and we all know that Pop doesn't give a damn about playoff seeding.

Pop might not give a damn but you know Peter Holt cares about home playoff games. I don't think having Parker resting for 3 weeks would hurt the team more than some believe. This team isn't last years squad we have players that can fill it up. It would also possibly get Jefferson and Manu going in a more aggressive and confident direction because they would get more touches offensively.

[ElNono]

Unless I'm mistaken, the NBA won't let the Spurs prevent him from playing for his national team, so it was never part of the negotiations. The fact that they have no choice is why it's something the Spurs are willing to put up with, but don't act like they're happy about it, particularly now that he's playing like crap during what was supposed to be a break-out year when the Spurs smashed the piggy bank to bring in help after Parker himself complained about the depth of the team.

I'm sure the Spurs are not happy, there's no question about it. I'm sure they're not happy about the fact that the Luxury Tax exists either now that they have to pay it. I mean, it's there, it's part of the business, the rules, and you have to accept it, period.

To be honest, the pride these guys show to represent their NT for mere glory is just another sign of the high character guys this ball club has been proud of for a long time. Not saying you couldn't have one without the other, but you can't deny it's part of the same thing.

[pookenstein]

i'm here because i'm a spurs fan. I'm here because i care about seeing the spurs win. I'm not here to lobby for my country's (and the players associated with it) significance.

+1

[ElNono]

http://images.starcraftmazter.net/4chan/for_forums/strawman.jpg

Answer the questions...

[murpjf88]

Tony needs to get his priorities straight. He gets paid by San Antonio so his loyalty should be with the Spurs. Its admirable and understandable why he chose to play international ball, but sometimes, you have to know when to take a step back and re-evaluate yourself.

[jag]

I'm sure the Spurs are not happy, there's no question about it. I'm sure they're not happy about the fact that the Luxury Tax exists either now that they have to pay it. I mean, it's there, it's part of the business, the rules, and you have to accept it, period.


Luxury Tax = optional international play


great comparison

[Obstructed_View]

To be honest, the pride these guys show to represent their NT for mere glory is just another sign of the high character guys this ball club has been proud of for a long time. Not saying you couldn't have one without the other, but you can't deny it's part of the same thing.

I agree with that to some point, but the posts by many of the French fans in this very thread lead me to believe that Parker also plays because he's afraid of the reaction of a country that seems to feel he somehow "owes" them every summer of his NBA career, especially now that the USA is throwing 20 NBA all-stars at the international competition every year that can average 4 minutes each.

[ElNono]

Luxury Tax = optional international play
great comparison

It's not optional to the team. Which begs the question, why are you still crying?

[kace]

I agree with that to some point, but the posts by many of the French fans in this very thread lead me to believe that Parker also plays because he's afraid of the reaction of a country that seems to feel he somehow "owes" them every summer of his NBA career, especially now that the USA is throwing 20 NBA all-stars at the international competition every year that can average 4 minutes each.

well, at least you're right if you meant that Tony is afraid that his absence of an international tournament with the french NT could be seen as a lack of loyalty by the french fans.

which would be really unfair considering that from all the NBA french players, he was by far the most dedicated to the french NT.

[jag]

Answer the questions...

:lol you're a joke bro

I hope Manu retires with the Spurs. But if he does end up leaving the Spurs, then i will enjoy watching "fans" like you leave with him.

We get it. Argentina has great basketball, great soccer, great music and hot chicks. Awesome. Go Argentina!

http://www.worldmapsinfo.com/flags/1205818749fArgentina_flag(1).gif

Now wander along while Spurs fans talk about the Spurs.


It's not optional to the team. Which begs the question, why are you still crying?

It's optional to the player. I can't believe you make arguments like this.

[ElNono]

Your pro-Argentina arguments are so tired.

I'm here because i'm a Spurs fan. I'm here because i care about seeing the Spurs win. I'm not here to lobby for my country's (and the players associated with it) significance.

You're here because you like to whine and moan. There's absolutely ZERO you can do about this as a Spur fan (other than whine and moan), and the reason is that the Spurs have absolutely ZERO power to do shit about it.

[timaios]

Not to mention all the meaningless games in the offseason...

Sorry... I'm french and for me the French national teams are more important than the clubs (football, basket, hand...)
The games in international tournament are all but meaningless, a France-Greece or Spain-Turkey or USA-Argentina are full of fever.
And then you have the great Spurs-Nets, Spurs-Bucks... yeah right.
Maybe you don't like your country, it's your right.
For me international competions are the best.
Seriously, 82 games before beginning to play the real competition. It's only for the dollars, you kill the basketball with things like that. In the end, the winner is not the most talented, it's the most healthy (lucky).

[Obstructed_View]

well, at least you're right if you meant that Tony is afraid that his absence of an international tournament with the french NT could be seen as a lack of loyalty by the french fans.

which would be really unfair considering that from all the NBA french players, he was by far the most dedicated to the frecnh NT.

That's exactly right. Has anyone done more for the French National team in recent years than Parker? It's possible that this interview is putting the idea out there to see how venomous the reaction is from his home country.

[ElNono]

I hope Manu retires with the Spurs. But if he does end up leaving the Spurs, then i will enjoy watching "fans" like you leave with him.

Unfortunately for you, I'm not going anywhere. I was a Spur fan before Manu came around and will be a Spur fan for life.

[Obstructed_View]

Sorry... I'm french and for me the French national teams are more important than the clubs (football, basket, hand...)

And more important than the people who pay thousands of dollars for tickets to NBA games, and those who pay millions of dollars to professional athletes and expect them not to be burned out and beat up less than halfway into a season where they paid millions of dollars more to bring in talent to help them win.

Sorry to break this to you, but the fact that it's more important to you doesn't mean it's more important to everyone. In fact, it doesn't even mean it's actually more important.

[jag]

Unfortunately for you, I'm not going anywhere. I was a Spur fan before Manu came around and will be a Spur fan for life.

ok

[timaios]

I agree with that to some point, but the posts by many of the French fans in this very thread lead me to believe that Parker also plays because he's afraid of the reaction of a country that seems to feel he somehow "owes" them every summer of his NBA career, especially now that the USA is throwing 20 NBA all-stars at the international competition every year that can average 4 minutes each.

You don't understand international players. For internationals player, the greatest achievement in a sport career is to win something with your national team.
And :lmao at the fact that Parker is "afraid" of the people reaction if he's not playing this summer for the FNT. If he doesn't want to play this summer, he will not !

[ffadicted]

We get it. Argentina has great basketball, great soccer, great music and hot chicks. Awesome. Go Argentina!

What are you smoking bro, my Brasil has argentina beat in every single one of those categories :lol (edit: except bball obv, forgot about that one lol)

PS: I'm totally for players playing for national team, but once you realize it's affecting your club play (who's paying your bills lol), you gotta pull out. Manu pulled out too late, I hope that Parker doesn't take as long to realize this

[timaios]

And more important than the people who pay thousands of dollars for tickets to NBA games, and those who pay millions of dollars to professional athletes and expect them not to be burned out and beat up less than halfway into a season where they paid millions of dollars more to bring in talent to help them win.

Sorry to break this to you, but the fact that it's more important to you doesn't mean it's more important to everyone. In fact, it doesn't even mean it's actually more important.

YES. It's more important.

[thispego]

Good article. I think any debate about whether national team play hurts players can put to rest this season. Parker has obviously been tired all year and Pau Gasol has stayed gimpy. It's just not humanly possible to play that much basketball. I respect Parker's enthusiasm for playing for his home country -- but as a Spurs fan that enthusiasm lowers the team's chance of winning a championship ... and that's all I really care about.

That said, I don't buy what Parker is saying. He's the master at playing both sides of the pond. He'll tell US reporters that he's thinking of not playing while telling French reporters something totally different. If I had to guess, he'll be suiting up next summer once again.

:tu

[kace]

What are you smoking bro, my Brasil has argentina beat in every single one of those categories :lol

PS: I'm totally for players playing for national team, but once you realize it's affecting your club play (who's paying your bills lol), you gotta pull out. Manu pulled out too late, I hope that Parker doesn't take as long to realize this

good luck in the next soccer world cup without kaka. he's the same age as Parker. i'm sure the brazilian fans will understand it.

[ffadicted]

good luck in the next soccer world cup without kaka. he's the same age as Parker. i'm sure the brasilian fans will understand it.

It's different for football. It's a lot less stress, and much less physically demanding then basketball is. It's not even possible to compare the two in terms of this.

[sonic21]

That's exactly right. Has anyone done more for the French National team in recent years than Parker? It's possible that this interview is putting the idea out there to see how venomous the reaction is from his home country.

French experts and fans are surprised tony is playing all summers. I don't think the reactions would be that bad if he's not playing. And basketball is not that popular.

And i'm all for him not playing with the NT every summer. He's been so dedicated to the team and hasn't had help from other players (mainly diaw). He deserves better.

[kace]

It's different for football. It's a lot less stress, and much less physically demanding then basketball is. It's not even possible to compare the two in terms of this.

:rollin

talk about bad faith

[ElNono]

Sorry to break this to you, but the fact that it's more important to you doesn't mean it's more important to everyone. In fact, it doesn't even mean it's actually more important.

Actually, how important it is only matters to the player, who is the only one that has any decision power in the matter.

The rest is irrelevant posturing...

[dbestpro]

The Spurs better start thinking about the back up PG position. If TP breaks down or needs 2-4 weeks of rest we will need a PG who can run the team with Hill. Maybe move Finley or Mason for a true PG. Hill could slide back to the SG slot when TP returns.

[kace]

The Spurs better start thinking about the back up PG position. If TP breaks down or needs 2-4 weeks of rest we will need a PG who can run the team with Hill. Maybe move Finley or Mason for a true PG. Hill could slide back to the SG slot when TP returns.

how sweet to think about tony's health. i'm sure you wouldn't mind this backup PG taking tp's job ultimately, would you ?

[dbreiden83080]

We hear this shit from Tony now, people have been telling him for years to knock this crap off. These guys should be banned from playing on these other teams as long as they are under NBA contracts. "You make 10 mil a year, oh well you have to sacrifice playing on your national team".. You don't like those rules, go play recreational in a gym somewhere for free.. If it means that much to you, what's the problem?? All these guys want it both ways..

[dbestpro]

how sweet to think about tony's health. i'm sure you wouldn't mind this backup PG taking tp's job ultimately, would you ?

Would you prefer RMJ playing the point like he did last year? If Parker needs some rest then maybe you would prefer to resign Vaughn or even Van Exel so TPs job would be safe when he returns. ...Get real.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I hate to see these players break down after pushing themselves too hard in the summer. The NBA teams who lose these players to their national teams should be compensated by those countries. Basically if Tony can't go because he's worn himself out playing in the summer then the guilty country should pickup part of the contract. 3 months commitment to the national team should equate to a 25% reimbursement to the NBA franchise of his salary.

[Bukefal]

International fan thinks that real Spurs fans don't like watching Manu/Parker play for their national teams. That isn't the case. It was nice to see Manu win while representing Argentina...it's added to his legacy. But it's obvious what it does to these guys, and international fans are in such denial that it's practically a joke now.

These guys are even admitting that international play (along with NBA play) is wearing them down... yet international fan continues to say that it's just not true.

No, it is true that its wearing them down. Players have a big schedule and of course get tired which shows on their condition in the rest of the season. But, we as international fans do not think players shouldnt be playing for their nat. teams anymore. Also we do not think that every little injury you can blame on playing for nat. team, as many NBA fans tend to do.

Its very easy to blame it so quick on the player playing for the nat. team, but it is relative. Injuries happen everywhere anytime, it doesnt mean it comes of nat team play. It also happens among players in the NBA who do not play for Team USA, maybe even more. But there is nothing to blame, and with international players there is something for fans to blame on.

[eric365]

And more important than the people who pay thousands of dollars for tickets to NBA games, and those who pay millions of dollars to professional athletes and expect them not to be burned out and beat up less than halfway into a season where they paid millions of dollars more to bring in talent to help them win.

Sorry to break this to you, but the fact that it's more important to you doesn't mean it's more important to everyone. In fact, it doesn't even mean it's actually more important.

Olympics > NBA Playoff > World championship > NBA regular season > other NT local tournament IMO

In Europe the main sport is the soccer and the main event is the world cup every 4 years.
And most of the fans think the soccer World cup with the NT >>>>>>>>>>>> countries and european championships with the clubs who pays the players 40 millions dollars a year for the best ones !

Though they are really huge fans of the clubs championships but the world cup with the NT is only every 4 years. It's really more important !

It's just a different way to think about it.

You can't understand because the USA in major team sport had never had to fight. It's either a easy win (basketball when they send the best player for exemple) or a zero chance (soccer for exemple)

You don't understand the extreme rivalry there is around the NT in other countries.

Just imagine the great feelings after an NBA title if the NBA playoff were only every 4 years !!! That's what we feel with the olympics in team sport

[Bukefal]

I understand people dont want players to play for their national team, because they are afraid that it will have negative effect on the NBA season. But, what I do hate is NBA fans being so fast to blame players playing on Nat. teams. That's bullshit.

And maybe for you, you dont care about someone elses country or pride to play for their country, but the player in question does. For a player it's a very big honour and pride to be able to play for your country, that's something they want and see as a duty they have.

Why aren't you having the same opinion on players playing for Team USA? Well, because you do care about your own country of course. But, Team USA players are less intense busy with their nat. team and also of all the hundreds of american players in the nba, only a handful play for the Nat team while almost every international player in the NBA is playing for their national teams.

[Old School 44]

I think international players are realizing playing basketball year-round is taking it's toll on their NBA careers. They're like cars, the higher the mileage the more likely they are going to break down, and we know the Spurs big three have lots of mileage.

I understand the pride in playing for your national team, I think it's a good thing, but to try to play every year, especially if you've done it before, is asking for trouble.

I actually think some international players would probably prefer not to play anymore for their NT, but they want to make it look like it's not really their decision, but pressure from their NBA coach and team.

[Bukefal]

Its different in the USA. International play isnt so important. Because usa has so many great players and such a strong league, they see their own league as the world cup. Plus, national team play in the USA is only available for a couple of elite players.

So, most of USA fans and teams arent having to do with it. But in Europe its different. Every country has a team and almost all good players are also playing for the National team. Its competitive and we care more about it. In the USA do not so much care, because they know its only open for a couple of elite players + as I mentioned they see their own league already as the World cup and strongest competition in the world. Which it is.

[Harry Callahan]

Well,
In the United States you have to pay players by putting on regular season games. Some of the posters think you can just cut the regular season to 65 games to allow for international competition.

Most businesses in the U.S. (unlike in some other countries) have to turn a profit to survive (unless you are Goldman Sachs or GM). I'm sure the NBA would be glad to cut the reg season to 65 games if the players union agreed to a maximum salary of $5MM for any player with a $30MM salary cap (instead of the current $70MM cap or whatever it is currently).

I don't see that happening.

TP has had a bad year for him this year. I'm bummed about that. I hope he can recapture his game soon.

[Obstructed_View]

Olympics > NBA Playoff > World championship > NBA regular season > other NT local tournament IMO

In Europe the main sport is the soccer and the main event is the world cup every 4 years.
And most of the fans think the soccer World cup with the NT >>>>>>>>>>>> countries and european championships with the clubs who pays the players 40 millions dollars a year for the best ones !

Though they are really huge fans of the clubs championships but the world cup with the NT is only every 4 years. It's really more important !

It's just a different way to think about it.

You can't understand because the USA in major team sport had never had to fight. It's either a easy win (basketball when they send the best player for exemple) or a zero chance (soccer for exemple)

You don't understand the extreme rivalry there is around the NT in other countries.

Just imagine the great feelings after an NBA title if the NBA playoff were only every 4 years !!! That's what we feel with the olympics in team sport

What a load of horseshit. It's a big joke now that the US is sending NBA players every year, and was a joke in previous years that every country was lassoing their professional athletes in order to compete. It's amazing how patriotism is only a dirty word when Americans use it, but athletes used to give up a lot to compete in the olympics.

The fact that something doesn't happen as often as something else doesn't suddenly make it more important.

BTW, Google Miracle on Ice before making idiotic statements about what Americans don't understand. There were no NHL players on that team.

[phyzik]

Its different in the USA. International play isnt so important. Because usa has so many great players and such a strong league, they see their own league as the world cup. Plus, national team play in the USA is only available for a couple of elite players.

So, most of USA fans and teams arent having to do with it. But in Europe its different. Every country has a team and almost all good players are also playing for the National team. Its competitive and we care more about it. In the USA do not so much care, because they know its only open for a couple of elite players + as I mentioned they see their own league already as the World cup and strongest competition in the world. Which it is.

I dont like it when NBA players decide to play even for the US olympic team. If it was up to me, I'd make the invites only for college level players in the US.

If you decide to play for the NBA your obligation should be solely for the NBA in regards to high level competition. I dont mind so much about players holding camps and such in the off season but when you are getting paid millions of AMERICAN dollars, playing for an AMERICAN leage, you have a responsibility to the AMERICAN people that make that fat check possible.

If someone is so dead set for playing for their respective national team, then by all means, go play in that national league, dont come waste our time and money.

Its the same thing in the business world, especially in my field of work (IT). Its competative differences. If I was to go work for another IT company while still employed with my current IT company, I would lose my contract and, depending on the nature of either contract, could be taken to court for damages rendered.

Players getting paid to work for the NBA, then going and getting messed up someplace else, should be under the same obligations.

Just my opinion though, and just like assholes, everyone has one and they most likely stink. So whatever. :lol

[Obstructed_View]

Why aren't you having the same opinion on players playing for Team USA? Well, because you do care about your own country of course. But, Team USA players are less intense busy with their nat. team and also of all the hundreds of american players in the nba, only a handful play for the Nat team while almost every international player in the NBA is playing for their national teams.

You just asked and answered your question. The US has literally a hundred guys they can throw at the olympic team, they have so many that they can throw guys that won't make the team out there to qualify, and each guy can play limited minutes. The international players are asked to do far more than that by their teams. I've got a lot more problem with the countries that ask so much of their athletes than I do with the athletes themselves.

Because there are so many US players there's really not a parallel I can draw that would make any sense. Many Americans don't really think professional athletes should be competing in the Olympics anyway, and aren't really emotionally invested in whether or not Kobe and Carmelo get a gold medal.

[Bukefal]

If someone is so dead set for playing for their respective national team, then by all means, go play in that national league, dont come waste our time and money.

Just my opinion though, and just like assholes, everyone has one and they most likely stink. So whatever. :lol

There is a difference between national team and national league. National leagues have clubs, like the spurs is a club in the NBA. It isnt the same as national team.

But yeah, its about opinions, everyone is entitled to their own, but I am not so ignorant like you to say that everyone elses opinion stinks :lol


Its the same thing in the business world, especially in my field of work (IT). Its competative differences. If I was to go work for another IT company while still employed with my current IT company, I would lose my contract and, depending on the nature of either contract, could be taken to court for damages rendered.

This is a very bad comparing, and it isnt relevant on this subject. It shows you do not know much about national teams, do you? Again; a national team is not a club as the Spurs are a club, but its a national team where all players from other clubs join without salary to represent your country.

:toast

[Bukefal]

You just asked and answered your question. The US has literally a hundred guys they can throw at the olympic team, they have so many that they can throw guys that won't make the team out there to qualify, and each guy can play limited minutes. The international players are asked to do far more than that by their teams. I've got a lot more problem with the countries that ask so much of their athletes than I do with the athletes themselves.

Because there are so many US players there's really not a parallel I can draw that would make any sense. Many Americans don't really think professional athletes should be competing in the Olympics anyway, and aren't really emotionally invested in whether or not Kobe and Carmelo get a gold medal.

Yeah, I pointed that out that that's also the reason why you dont care, but I also pointed it out for you to see that we do care, because its different for us.

[Brazil]

I agree with that to some point, but the posts by many of the French fans in this very thread lead me to believe that Parker also plays because he's afraid of the reaction of a country that seems to feel he somehow "owes" them every summer of his NBA career, especially now that the USA is throwing 20 NBA all-stars at the international competition every year that can average 4 minutes each.

I don't think TP is playing for his country because he is afraid of fan reaction, he is playing for FNT because TP has been raised bb wise by the French federation ! He is just grateful for that and he wants to retribute the BB French federation that enabled him to become what he is today and also because he loves his country. For the same reason he is investing personnal money on French BB. Nothing wrong with that. We should praise that spirit instead of bashing him. TP is really a good guy.

Besides untill now and as far as I know TP never missed the PO or has played poorly in the PO because of the French NT.

Bottom line he has accumulated a big mental fatigue and he is thinking of what he can do to preserve himself in the future especially with this new contract perspective. Consequence he is thinking more and more to let the FNT but I'm sure it's a heart breaker for him.

[it's me]

Bottom line, everybody is blaming the “summer, international competition” when the real problem isn’t that ….. the problem is the atrociously ridiculous schedule the NBA has….. so we fans can spend more money and owners and Stern can get richer and richer every second…….. Fuck that… the season should be 60 games and playoff just best of five… it’s sickening…… Nothing more exciting than watching guys defending their Countries colors…….

Also as Pop whined about the back to backs…… what spectacle is to see player braking down and playing tired night in and night out??? Reduce the number of games and the NBA will increase its quality significantly… now owner won’t make as much money….. so fuck … that’ll never happen.

[Bukefal]

Originally Posted by Obstructed_View

I agree with that to some point, but the posts by many of the French fans in this very thread lead me to believe that Parker also plays because he's afraid of the reaction of a country that seems to feel he somehow "owes" them every summer of his NBA career, especially now that the USA is throwing 20 NBA all-stars at the international competition every year that can average 4 minutes each.

TP doesnt feel that he 'owes' the fans to play for France, but rather feels he 'owes' his country, to play for FRance. It's something he wants. It's pride and doing something for the country you come from and grew up. It's the best thing for an athlete in europe. He does it for himself. It's an honour

[Bukefal]

Bottom line, everybody is blaming the “summer, international competition” when the real problem isn’t that ….. the problem is the atrociously ridiculous schedule the NBA has….. so we fans can spend more money and owners and Stern can get richer and richer every second…….. Fuck that… the season should be 60 games and playoff just best of five… it’s sickening…… Nothing more exciting than watching guys defending their Countries colors…….

Also as Pop whined about the back to backs…… what spectacle is to see player braking down and playing tired night in and night out??? Reduce the number of games and the NBA will increase its quality significantly… now owner won’t make as much money….. so fuck … that’ll never happen.

I agree, you are somewhat right about this.

[mogrovejo]

I think there are 2 problems:

- the NBA regular season should be shortened. 82 games is simply too much. The quality of the game suffers a lot from it.

- FIBA has too many tournaments and they are too long. Continental Championships (Eurobasket, etc) every 4 years and not 2 and the WC with only 12 teams and shorter qualifying states for not-elite teams would be more than enough.

[Obstructed_View]

Yeah, I pointed that out that that's also the reason why you dont care, but I also pointed it out for you to see that we do care, because its different for us.

Yeah, you don't care if you suck the life out of professional athletes without compensation in the name of glory for your nation, because you've been doing that to your professionals for decades. It's shocking that so many fans of the national team seem to just take for granted the sacrifices the athletes make for them.

Pro athletes in the olympics doesn't mean anything to Americans because we've only been doing it for a few years, and we have the common sense to realize how meaningless it is. Once Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley cared more about covering up the Reebok logo on their warmups than celebrating the gold medal, the charm was pretty much gone for me.

[DAF86]

:baby

You could change that Argentina/Manu fan to just International fans.

[Bukefal]

I think there are 2 problems:

- the NBA regular season should be shortened. 82 games is simply too much. The quality of the game suffers a lot from it.

- FIBA has too many tournaments and they are too long. Continental Championships (Eurobasket, etc) every 4 years and not 2 and the WC with only 12 teams and shorter qualifying states for not-elite teams would be more than enough.

Yeah, I agree, I also wouldnt mind FIBA championships to be less and less long. Every two years, plus additional qualifications plus many trainings and travelling, its too much.

[Brazil]

BTW I would like to :toast for Obstructed_View ! Obviously we have different opinions but I appreciate your takes and the civilzed argumentation.

This is raising the bar: an argument TP/manu playing for FNT without dumbass, fuck you, shitty ass etc... Not the case of everybody in the thread unfortunately.

[Obstructed_View]

I think there are 2 problems:

- the NBA regular season should be shortened. 82 games is simply too much. The quality of the game suffers a lot from it.


The quality of the game suffers a lot more from bad teams than from too many games. Retraction?

[Bukefal]

Yeah, you don't care if you suck the life out of professional athletes without compensation in the name of glory for your nation, because you've been doing that to your professionals for decades. It's shocking that so many fans of the national team seem to just take for granted the sacrifices the athletes make for them.

Pro athletes in the olympics doesn't mean anything to Americans because we've only been doing it for a few years, and we have the common sense to realize how meaningless it is. Once Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley cared more about covering up the Reebok logo on their warmups than celebrating the gold medal, the charm was pretty much gone for me.

Well i't's just something you do, I cant even explain it. Just something you do, for your country, for giving something back which the country gave you, for your pride etc etc etc.

Its indeed different for american people. But that's still not a reason why Americans should hate on us being different in this.

[DAF86]

They don't? Please enlighten me how team Argentina practices for international tournaments, please...

What? You don't know? You're talking out of your ass again?

No surprises there...

That's what he usually does.

[Obstructed_View]

BTW I would like to :toast for Obstructed_View ! Obviously we have different opinions but I appreciate your takes and the civilzed argumentation.

This is raising the bar: an argument TP/manu playing for FNT without dumbass, fuck you, shitty ass etc... Not the case of everybody in the thread unfortunately.

Thank you. I do love Tony Parker, and I genuinely feel for him. I also realize how much shit he's put up with from US fans and what it's cost him on this end to do all he's done for the French NT, and I suspect that it's a fraction of the shit he would get if he didn't continue to give everything for a country he wasn't even born in.

[Bukefal]

Thank you. I do love Tony Parker, and I genuinely feel for him. I also realize how much shit he's put up with from US fans and what it's cost him on this end to do all he's done for the French NT, and I suspect that it's a fraction of the shit he would get if he didn't continue to give everything for a country he wasn't even born in.

:lol Yeah, that's true, he wasn't even born there. He is mixed up. TP Could have played for Netherlands, Belgium, USA or France :lol

[Obstructed_View]

Well i't's just something you do, I cant even explain it. Just something you do, for your country, for giving something back which the country gave you, for your pride etc etc etc.

Its indeed different for american people. But that's still not a reason why Americans should hate on us being different in this.

It's not just "something you do". That's how someone who's never had to work hard to give back to his country views it. That's exactly where the expectation that he somehow owes his country something comes from, and where you get people on a message board suggesting (with a straight face) that it's more important that the job he's paid millions of dollars for.

[Bukefal]

Anyway, one thing we all can agree on is wanting TP being himself again soon in 100% shape. Let's hope so!

:toast Cheers.

[Obstructed_View]

:lol Yeah, that's true, he wasn't even born there. He is mixed up. TP Could have played for Netherlands, Belgium, USA or France :lol

Is that true? Shawn Bradley played for Germany, if memory serves. Duncan's played for two different countries in international competition.

[DAF86]

Your logic is like that of a 10 year old. "If a player doesn't have an injury during NT play or directly after NT play, then NT play isn't contributing to injuries."

Manu was the backbone of the Argentina NT, playing heavy throughout the tournaments. Yet you compare him to US players like Kobe, Kidd and even LeBron???

The fact that LeBron is 25 years old didn't cross your mind?
The fact that Kidd averaged 13.5 mpg doesn't matter to you? Do you honestly think US players and international players shoulder the same load during NT play? Kobe Bryant, who averaged the 2nd most mpg on the team, averaged 23.5 mpg.

Your pro-Argentina arguments are so tired.

I'm here because i'm a Spurs fan. I'm here because i care about seeing the Spurs win. I'm not here to lobby for my country's (and the players associated with it) significance.

Why do you talk about things you don't know? Manu cruises for most of the tournaments, he plays like 20 minutes per game (or less) against lesser teams and only plays big minutes against the contenders (so just two or three games per tournament and only if it's a tight encounter).

So Manu's "load" is practically the same to the likes of Kobe, Lebron, Wade, etc.

[picnroll]

Mighty nice of Parker to come to this realization, playing like crap, after Holt's gone $20 million or so in the hole.

[Bukefal]

It's not just "something you do". That's how someone who's never had to work hard to give back to his country views it. That's exactly where the expectation that he somehow owes his country something comes from, and where you get people on a message board suggesting (with a straight face) that it's more important that the job he's paid millions of dollars for.

I havent said anything about nat. team being more important than nba or vice versa. But Im just saying, a player should be able to do both, if he feels like doing so, and Im saying that European players see it as a duty to do so, for themselves and for their country, it's an honour an honour they will do.

First you say you stopped watching the team usa, because they''d cared more about their reebok label and because its all about money, and now you say money from the club is more important. Well, not everything is about money, of course very small, but not everything. Playing for your national team isnt commercialized, but just because you want.

[Bukefal]

Is that true? Shawn Bradley played for Germany, if memory serves. Duncan's played for two different countries in international competition.

Yeah, its true TP wasnt born in France, but in Brugge, Belgium. I was confirming what you said. And he could have played for Belgium instead of FRance, I was just saying. But with naturalization, almost everyone can play for every country. I dont totally understand your post.

[senorglory]

Is that true? Shawn Bradley played for Germany, if memory serves. Duncan's played for two different countries in international competition.

Kaman was issued a German passport so that he could be a ringer for that national team.

[Bukefal]

Well, Im out. Its kinda late over here in this timezone.

As Brasil said, It's indeed nice talking about this in a normal way.

:toast

[dbreiden83080]

And maybe for you, you dont care about someone elses country or pride to play for their country, but the player in question does. For a player it's a very big honour and pride to be able to play for your country, that's something they want and see as a duty they have.


If it means that much to them, then give up your pro contract and go play for your national team. Or sign an agreement that says if you get hurt playing for these other teams then "We are out of all or most of the money we owe you" Tony can go to France and break every bone in his body and the Spurs still owe him every cent off his deal.. How many of these guys making big money in the pro's would give that money up to go play for their national teams?? I doubt any of them would..

[Behrooz24]

Sigh, if TP is too tired to bang Eva, I guess I'd fill in for him http://smiliesftw.com/x/e5dunno.gif

[senorglory]

Parker has a contract to play in the NBA. International play is limiting Parker's ability to play in the NBA. There's no need for speculation on this point, Parker has stated so himself: "I just think I've played too much basketball," Parker said last week. Parker needs to hold off on further international play, until he is healthy, or indefinitely.

Which game/tournament is more "important" to fans: international, national, local, intramural, YMCA pick up games, 3 on 3 on the elementary school blacktop... horse in the driveway? Who cares, doesn't matter.

[senorglory]

Sigh, if TP is too tired to bang Eva, I guess I'd fill in for him http://smiliesftw.com/x/e5dunno.gif

+1 for being a team player.

[senorglory]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=92&pictureid=550

[MB20]

Tony needs a couple of weeks in Acapulco.
Make it without pay, so everybody is happy.

[HarlemHeat37]

I only read the first 2 pages and the last one, but why the fuck do all these types of threads have to turn into Tony vs. Manu?..they play for the same team, we're all Spurs fans here, what the fuck is the point of always doing this shit with Tony-Manu?..

As for Parker, I don't really care if he plays for the NT or not, it's his decision, but he's clearly been off all season..a lot of us wanted him to rest in November or December..it's kind of late now, but I would still rather him rest and them come back for the stretch run..yes, chemistry will then become an issue, but I would rather have the real Tony Parker, as opposed to this year's version that only shows up every few games..

I was worried about a few things going into this season, but Tony's play wasn't one of them..so it really does suck..I still have faith that he'll turn it around though, he's too good of a player not to..

[DAF86]

I only read the first 2 pages and the last one, but why the fuck do all these types of threads have to turn into Tony vs. Manu?..they play for the same team, we're all Spurs fans here, what the fuck is the point of always doing this shit with Tony-Manu?..

As for Parker, I don't really care if he plays for the NT or not, it's his decision, but he's clearly been off all season..a lot of us wanted him to rest in November or December..it's kind of late now, but I would still rather him rest and them come back for the stretch run..yes, chemistry will then become an issue, but I would rather have the real Tony Parker, as opposed to this year's version that only shows up every few games..

I was worried about a few things going into this season, but Tony's play wasn't one of them..so it really does suck..I still have faith that he'll turn it around though, he's too good of a player not to..

Tony vs Manu???? I didn't read the whole thread but I didn't see any Tony vs Manu argument, in fact I think this is a subject that unites Tony and Manu fans.

[MB20]

I did read the whole thread. There's no Tony vs Manu debate.
It's the US Spurs fans vs International fans about the good or bad of playing for the NT in the summer.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I can't do 82 games at the level Pop wants, and then play on the national team."

One team is paying you ridiculously good money, more than a million dollars a month, to play. Seems like an easy decision.

[Obstructed_View]

Yeah, its true TP wasnt born in France, but in Brugge, Belgium. I was confirming what you said. And he could have played for Belgium instead of FRance, I was just saying. But with naturalization, almost everyone can play for every country. I dont totally understand your post.

I wasn't sure if you were being serious or if you were ridiculing me for my post. I knew Parker was born in Bruges. That's where Dr. Evil's from.

[itzsoweezee]

looks like he's already made up his mind. sayonara french national and your meager hopes for international prominence.

[Obstructed_View]

I havent said anything about nat. team being more important than nba or vice versa. But Im just saying, a player should be able to do both, if he feels like doing so, and Im saying that European players see it as a duty to do so, for themselves and for their country, it's an honour an honour they will do.

First you say you stopped watching the team usa, because they''d cared more about their reebok label and because its all about money, and now you say money from the club is more important. Well, not everything is about money, of course very small, but not everything. Playing for your national team isnt commercialized, but just because you want.


He committed to do one, not the other, and was compensated a huge amount of money in return for that commitment. If the one that is financially bound to him suffers, then the other one needs to go.

European fans see it as a duty, but it isn't. The only duty he has is to the team that pays him.

[Brazil]

I wasn't sure if you were being serious or if you were ridiculing me for my post. I knew Parker was born in Bruges. That's where Dr. Evil's from.

his father is american and his mother is dutch

[Obstructed_View]

One team is paying you ridiculously good money, more than a million dollars a month, to play. Seems like an easy decision.

According to French fans, it's only an easy decision if your brain is full of shit and you have no heart. People that are guaranteed a job by the government and get paid for not working seem to take for granted that someone has to pay Tony Parker to do his job.

[Obstructed_View]

his father is american and his mother is dutch

Ah. The Dutch part threw me off. I guess Germany would have found an excuse to take him as well, given their previous track record.

[Brazil]

One team is paying you ridiculously good money, more than a million dollars a month, to play. Seems like an easy decision.

not that simple obviously see manu pau tp dirk etc etc but maybe you are clever than these guys

in tp case if he is paid more than a million dollar a month because of the french federal structure, he has lived in INSEP since he was a kid, he grew up playing bb in a federal structure. Not playing for France is like saying fuck you to the people that gave him a chance to do something in his life. This structure is his second family and you don't say fuck you to your family unless your brain is "full of shit".

Now I think he did enough to be able to say stop at one moment of his carreer. I don't know if this moment is now but on the contrary of what you're saying it is not an easy decision.

[ElNono]

I only read the first 2 pages and the last one, but why the fuck do all these types of threads have to turn into Tony vs. Manu?..they play for the same team, we're all Spurs fans here, what the fuck is the point of always doing this shit with Tony-Manu?..

Actually, this thread is none of that. The only argument here is between the Spur fan Nazis vs the International Ball apologists...

There. Now we even have Godwin's law in here. We're done. :lol

[Obstructed_View]

in tp case if he is paid more than a million dollar a month because of the french federal structure, he has lived in INSEP since he was a kid, he grew up playing bb in a federal structure. Not playing for France is like saying fuck you to the people that gave him a chance to do something in his life. This structure is his second family and you don't say fuck you to your family unless your brain is "full of shit".

Um, Tony has been earning a paycheck since he was a teenager without benefit of a guaranteed government job. Again, he owes France nothing.

[Admidave50]

Ah. The Dutch part threw me off. I guess Germany would have found an excuse to take him as well, given their previous track record.

If I recall well, I think it's Dutch as in Holland ;)

[Obstructed_View]

If I recall well, I think it's Dutch as in Holland ;)

Yeah, his mother is from the Netherlands, which means she's Dutch. We got that. What's it got to do with my joke about the German national team being whores?

[Spursmania]

"I just think I've played too much basketball," Parker said last week.

Genius comment.:rolleyes

Duh...

[TD 21]

I've been concerned about Parker all year. Duncan is back to playing at an MVP level, Ginobili is slowly, but surely getting his groove back, but Parker just looks out of gas. He's lacking that extra burst to beat his man off the dribble and get to the rim any time he wants and then when he does get there, his trademark uncanny ability to finish at the rim is diminished. On top of that, he's become a sieve defensively, though he's been better lately.

If Duncan and Ginobili continue to trend up and McDyess wakes up, maybe the Spurs get to the Western Conference Finals, but there's little to no chance (assuming they get there) of beating the Lakers unless Parker is spectacular. As we all know, that is the Spurs biggest match-up advantage over the Lakers.

[Whisky Dog]

Well no fucking shit you're tired, did that really just hit you now? Did you not think about this before?

Since you are tired and only giving 70% you should be paying Holt 30% of your salary back, dumbass.

[Baseline]

Life is so hard, isn't it? Your coach wants you to play 100% every night...for your $12.6M.

The key word here is "play." He's playing a game, not splitting logs in the Ozarks, or haulingin 160-lb fish in Arctic waters, or washing windows on skyscrapers.

Good Lord - shut up and get the job done, Parker.

[ezau]

we need to trade this guy already. 12.6 million a year and he's still complaining? do your fucking job like everyone else, fucking SOB

[ezau]

I hate to see these players break down after pushing themselves too hard in the summer. The NBA teams who lose these players to their national teams should be compensated by those countries. Basically if Tony can't go because he's worn himself out playing in the summer then the guilty country should pickup part of the contract. 3 months commitment to the national team should equate to a 25% reimbursement to the NBA franchise of his salary.

Agree with this

[narmerguy]

Agree with this

I don't. These players are completely responsible for their decisions and if the NBA teams want players who play for national teams they have to live with the consequences. I personally feel they should start adding some clauses about how much they're allowed to play so we can stop this nonsense. Just put it in their contract that they can't play for a national team more than x-x games or whatever.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

If Manu and Tony didn't have the heart, drive, commitment...you name it, that pushes them to play for their countries despite of the more sensible alternatives ( health-wise ), then the Spurs would have 3 less titles. That's part of the character the Spurs, and we as fans, are so proud of.

[draft87]

So you going to fucking help duncan or not
ruff ruff! grrrrrrr rufff!


exactly
booooooo

[Bukefal]

If Manu and Tony didn't have the heart, drive, commitment...you name it, that pushes them to play for their countries despite of the more sensible alternatives ( health-wise ), then the Spurs would have 3 less titles. That's part of the character the Spurs, and we as fans, are so proud of.

+1
:toast

[veji1]

Life is so hard, isn't it? Your coach wants you to play 100% every night...for your $12.6M.

The key word here is "play." He's playing a game, not splitting logs in the Ozarks, or haulingin 160-lb fish in Arctic waters, or washing windows on skyscrapers.

Good Lord - shut up and get the job done, Parker.

Come on, that kind of comment is plain silly. Did Parker go "bouhou I am tired, this is unfair, I should be paid more..."

No he was just talking with journalists about his inconsistent play and being candid when he says that he feels like he has played too much basketball for the last few years and it has caught up with him, leaving him out of gas.."

Is that whining or stating a fact ?

[buttsR4rebounding]

well it looks like your choice is obvious, Mr. Parker.

say what you want, but your allegiance is to your pay check right now. if you want to play for France, go ahead, but save the Spurs the $millions so they can sign another point guard.

Don't underestimate the endorsement income that Parker gets in France. He is one of the top 3 in-demand people in France. Not playing on the National team would surely hurt that.

[romain.star]

Don't underestimate the endorsement income that Parker gets in France. He is one of the top 3 in-demand people in France. Not playing on the National team would surely hurt that.

French people don't give a fuck about NBA and their BB National Team. It's all about football, rugby, tennis and cycling one month per year. If Parker decides to quit the NT, nobody will make a big deal out of it

that being said, Parker will stop playing for his NT only if they underachieve next summer in Turkey (meaning no ticket to London).

[polandprzem]

Good article. I think any debate about whether national team play hurts players can put to rest this season. Parker has obviously been tired all year and Pau Gasol has stayed gimpy. It's just not humanly possible to play that much basketball. I respect Parker's enthusiasm for playing for his home country -- but as a Spurs fan that enthusiasm lowers the team's chance of winning a championship ... and that's all I really care about.

That said, I don't buy what Parker is saying. He's the master at playing both sides of the pond. He'll tell US reporters that he's thinking of not playing while telling French reporters something totally different. If I had to guess, he'll be suiting up next summer once again.

Playing 9 months of basketball is not humanly possible as well though almost every playes does that and feeling fine.
many players got glimpses, not just players that play for NT.
Pop knows that TP plays for France so he could handle him better in apreperation for the season. [and spurs were fishing after first round]
btw. TP said he feels fine just before the season.
And funny thing is that TD and MG are getting much needed rest and TP is not. He always had to carry the spurs offense in a big load.

[Pauleta14]

Yeah, its true TP wasnt born in France, but in Brugge, Belgium. I was confirming what you said. And he could have played for Belgium instead of FRance, I was just saying. But with naturalization, almost everyone can play for every country. I dont totally understand your post.

Tony only lived the 2 first weeks of his life in Belgium! :lol
He grew up in France and spent some holidays in his US family in Chicago.

That has NOTHING to do with the naturalisations of guys that spent only a few years in a country...

[polandprzem]

Hey! TP also was few days in Poland

[Pauleta14]

French people don't give a fuck about NBA and their BB National Team. It's all about football, rugby, tennis and cycling one month per year. If Parker decides to quit the NT, nobody will make a big deal out of it

that being said, Parker will stop playing for his NT only if they underachieve next summer in Turkey (meaning no ticket to London).

That's true all year long... until the few weeks before the competition when it become a good subject for the media!!
And then, suddenly, like Noah before (who was from Cameroun when he was loosing), people will ask if he REALLY feels he is french and question his comitment.

[ShoogarBear]

I hate to see these players break down after pushing themselves too hard in the summer. The NBA teams who lose these players to their national teams should be compensated by those countries. Basically if Tony can't go because he's worn himself out playing in the summer then the guilty country should pickup part of the contract. 3 months commitment to the national team should equate to a 25% reimbursement to the NBA franchise of his salary.

1) You want to see the USOC pay the Cavs 25% of LeBron's salary?

2) You want to see Donald Sterling try to get the entire Clippers' roster on the national team?

[Brazil]

Um, Tony has been earning a paycheck since he was a teenager without benefit of a guaranteed government job. Again, he owes France nothing.

Maybe but it is how he feels

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

1) You want to see the USOC pay the Cavs 25% of LeBron's salary?

2) You want to see Donald Sterling try to get the entire Clippers' roster on the national team?

Sure...why not?

What I'd really like to see is the return to the Olympics being truly for the amateur athlete. NBA teams should ban their players from playing in these types of competitions due to a conflict of interest. Other professions have similar clauses in contracts, why not the NBA? I know attorneys who are allowed by their firms to take on certain pro-bono work on as long as it doesn't interfere with the job their getting paid to do. The NBA should just ban NT play because it obviously interferes with the job they're paid for.

[DaBears]

Thats whats wrong with these over paid pampered babies.. There's no hunger in them after they have been paid.....

[MmP]

What most americans don't see is what wearing your NT jersey means.
I guess that USA has underestimated so much NT problably since always that probably most of the users here see it just like an useless competition to increase your chances of getting injured. There is also pride and a lot of nationalism involved I guess, to represent your country at the highest level.
Probably generated from soccer-oriented countries, where playing at the soccer WC is the ultimate.

What it's also questionable but nobody brings up is the NBA schedule, 100 games in year? C'mon, playing in the NBA means giving up everything else in terms of bball?

[polandprzem]

What most americans don't see is what wearing your NT jersey means.
I guess that USA has underestimated so much NT problably since always that probably most of the users here see it just like an useless competition to increase your chances of getting injured. There is also pride and a lot of nationalism involved I guess, to represent your country at the highest level.
Probably generated from soccer-oriented countries, where playing at the soccer WC is the ultimate.

What it's also questionable but nobody brings up is the NBA schedule, 100 games in year? C'mon, playing in the NBA means giving up everything else in terms of bball?

I did


Funny thing is that when USA going for a war they use their flag and they are proud to be a military :rolleyes


Uhh I forgot - they got paid for this

[diego]

So what is richard jefferson's excuse for underperforming?


a) nba players that dont play for their NT get injured too, and unless someone can show me that players that play for their NT get injured at a higher rate than players that dont I will continue to call BS

b) players that only play for money are mercenaries, players that love the game will play during the summer anyway. is there a difference between playing in a rec league or for your NT? yeah, less doctors and worse refs.

c) the NBA schedule is too much. shorten the games, shorten the schedule, or reduce the number of teams. it will give you a better product across the board. why is it you seldom hear european bball clubs complaining about this stuff? right, because they dont grind their players through 82 48 minute games a season plus playoffs. and dont tell me "they dont pay 100 million dollar contracts". they spend as much as they can and are businesses too. teams make money on NT players because they get more publicity and more fans. and NT programs spend money developing those players, they have loyalty for a reason beyond their desire to play and win.

d) nobody is holding a gun to a teams head forcing them to sign NT players. its not like the spurs discovered TP or MG before their NT did. the rules clearly say that the team cannot prohibit them from playing. so flame pop RC and holt before going after the players. after all, they're just doing what they've always done, play basketball competitively. Im sure if you go through the players that dont play for their NT (international or american), you'll find plenty of suitable replacements (that includes, jefferson, dyess, and that duncan guy, damn commies with no respect for the man paying the bills!). the good players always play for their NT, always have and always will.

[ShoogarBear]

Sure...why not?

What I'd really like to see is the return to the Olympics being truly for the amateur athlete. NBA teams should ban their players from playing in these types of competitions due to a conflict of interest. Other professions have similar clauses in contracts, why not the NBA? I know attorneys who are allowed by their firms to take on certain pro-bono work on as long as it doesn't interfere with the job their getting paid to do. The NBA should just ban NT play because it obviously interferes with the job they're paid for.

You're pro bono analogy doesn't work for several reasons (and this is even ignoring the point that the whole ideal of the "amateur athlete" was based on the concept of keeping the nasty lower classes out of sports.):

1) First you said want the Olympics to return to the ideal of the "amateur athlete". That's equivalent to saying that lawyers who do nothing but pro bono work should be allowed to present cases in front of the Supreme Court.

2) It's one thing for lawyers to schedule pro bono projects on a flexible basis. It would be something else if you told lawyers that they could only do pro bono work during the months of July through September.

3) You're not telling the lawyers they can't do pro bono work on a specific project. You're telling them they can't do any pro bono work at all.

Personally, I'd rather not see the Olympics go back to the hypocrisy of the NCAA, where everyone makes obscene amounts of money except the people who do the actual work. One solution might be for the NBA to allow contact clauses for not playing for the NT. So Parker makes $10 million for playing for Les Blues, but $13 million for not playing for them. If he really loves his NT, then he can show how much.

[pjjrfan]

No, I think he's basically saying he's not going to play for the national team in the future.

I don't think so either. It's obvious what Pop's priorities are and it's like any other job, if your getting a pay check you have to earn it.

[Obstructed_View]

1) You want to see the USOC pay the Cavs 25% of LeBron's salary?

2) You want to see Donald Sterling try to get the entire Clippers' roster on the national team?

I'd like to see the college basketball players trying out for the Olympic team again, but the marketing machine has its claws too deep into what has no business being called "amateur" sports anymore.

I do enjoy how Europeans seem to think that Americans aren't patriotic just because they don't want to sell their souls for an extra Olympic medal.

[SpurNation]

This is only a problem if Parker was the only one playing for their international team. And though it has shown it can hurt an nba team with the consequences...it's still legal on their part to do so if they wish.

I can't blame him or any player for playing for their country and many nba players still play pick up games over the summer via international or other.

The nba and players association are the one's who need to address a change if it's so warranted or desired...but it hasn't happened nor have I heard of anything that is being brought to the table regarding changing the rule.

Parker has every right. It might not be advantageous for the Spurs or us fans. But expecting any player to rise to expectations soley for our peace of mind when it's allowed and practiced by all the other players is not being fair.

That said...I would love it if the nba and player's association make it law that a team can deny it's players from participating in extra coricular activities they deem as a risk to their investment.

[Pauleta14]

I'd like to see the college basketball players trying out for the Olympic team again, but the marketing machine has its claws too deep into what has no business being called "amateur" sports anymore.

I do enjoy how Europeans seem to think that Americans aren't patriotic just because they don't want to sell their souls for an extra Olympic medal.

:lol

They wouldn't have a shot!!
The change wasn't made only for marketing reasons, the whole BB level was getting higher, as good as US college BB is good, you need your NBA players!

[Cant_Be_Faded]

fuck national team play

i wasn't even high on duncan playing for the U.S.

God only knows what this professional basketball team would have been capable of through these years if not for that cursed summer national team play.

[ajh18]

This is only a problem if Parker was the only one playing for their international team. And though it has shown it can hurt an nba team with the consequences...it's still legal on their part to do so if they wish.

I can't blame him or any player for playing for their country and many nba players still play pick up games over the summer via international or other.

The nba and players association are the one's who need to address a change if it's so warranted or desired...but it hasn't happened nor have I heard of anything that is being brought to the table regarding changing the rule.

Parker has every right. It might not be advantageous for the Spurs or us fans. But expecting any player to rise to expectations soley for our peace of mind when it's allowed and practiced by all the other players is not being fair.

That said...I would love it if the nba and player's association make it law that a team can deny it's players from participating in extra coricular activities they deem as a risk to their investment.

Why no one seems to see this is beyond me. I would love it if our players stayed home during the summer. But, like with any job, they are 100% free to engage in any activity they wish outside of work. No one can tell me I couldn't go drinking until 2 am on a work night. Would it affect my performance? Sure. But it is completely within my rights to do so. If my performance suffered enough, my employer could fire me.

Similarly, the Spurs are completely free to trade or cut Tony Parker, but they wont, so he has all the leverage here. That makes it 100% his choice. He chooses to risk dissappointing his employer in favor of not dissappointing his country. Until collective bargaining allows for clauses banning that activity, it is the way it is. Contracts really SHOULD account for this stuff, because it would allow players to actually place a monetary value on their desire to play for their country, and teams to know what they are getting into when they sign someone.

[Kori Ellis]

Parker got un-tired in the second half tonight.

[polandprzem]

Go figure thay got summer leauges

They do play in summer"? what!?

[ShoogarBear]

Parker got un-tired in the second half tonight.

Steroids.

[Bukefal]

I'd like to see the college basketball players trying out for the Olympic team again, but the marketing machine has its claws too deep into what has no business being called "amateur" sports anymore.

I do enjoy how Europeans seem to think that Americans aren't patriotic just because they don't want to sell their souls for an extra Olympic medal.

Well, I dont know how others think, but I do not think that its because you arent patriotic. Americans are in fact one of the most patriots for their country in the whole world. Maybe it is just because the fact that you 'are' very patriotic that you do not care about national teams, because you see your league as the WC

We've talked about this before, its just because you have such a strong national league, which you already see as a worldcup or the strongest league in the world, which it also is, plus team usa is only available for a small elite thus many fans have nothing to do with it, and well, its just different in Europe.

[Bukefal]

Steroids.


lol yeah that must be it :lol

[Bukefal]

Tony only lived the 2 first weeks of his life in Belgium! :lol
He grew up in France and spent some holidays in his US family in Chicago.

That has NOTHING to do with the naturalisations of guys that spent only a few years in a country...

You dont get the point what I was saying when I said that.

I know Tony only lived for 2 weeks in Belgium. I know he grew up in France and he is French. And we were talking about him being not even born in France. I was confirming it to Obstructed_View that he was born in Brugge and in a funny way i also responded to Obstructed_View I said ironic that he could have also played for Belgium, Netherlands or USA. It was meant funny.

But if you want to talk about it in theory;
It is also technically possible. Since he has rights to obtain belgium nationality if Belgium has a Ius Soli rule. He also has the right to obtain dutch nationality thru his mother and USA nationality thru his father, depending on USA having Ius Soli ( place of birth) rule or Ius sanguinis (bloodline) rule.

And then afterwards I mentioned that which country he could play for technically by his blood or birthplace or not doesnt even matter at all because in recent years with naturalizations process it made it possible for almost every player to play in any country they want to. MAny examples; one of them is Dwash playing for my country.

I was just saying...

[Obstructed_View]

:lol

They wouldn't have a shot!!
The change wasn't made only for marketing reasons, the whole BB level was getting higher, as good as US college BB is good, you need your NBA players!

Here's the thing, though: I don't really give a shit about the outcome; I'd be a lot prouder to see a team of kids that actually want a gold medal competing, even if they're competing against professional Europeans and losing, which is the only reason the rest of the world was able to compete with the US in basketball in the first place. The Dream Team pretty much proved that the US is the best at basketball. Everything after that has proven that the US can't manage shit once all the money-grubbers get involved. That horse is long out of the barn, though. Doesn't stop me from being bitter about it.

[ElNono]

http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/crow.jpg

Well, well, well.. I bring up Kobe Bryant as an example of a guy that plays on his NT and then has a great season in the NBA, and his back gets fucked up the next game...

So'll be chewing on my crow over here...

I should really do this jinx shit more often... :lol