France and Slovenia will meet in Euro 2005

[Frenchise player]

I don't know if it is really Spurs related but I have just learned that Tp will face rasho next summer. Tp says that Beno is not going to compete because he would like to rest. It is a pity because I would really had enjoyed to see our two PG face to face

[SLOVENIAN 8]

I don't know if it is really Spurs related but I have just learned that Tp will face rasho next summer. Tp says that Beno is not going to compete because he would like to rest. It is a pity because I would really had enjoyed to see our two PG face to face

Beno will play!!

[Urko]

And we'll win as well :elephant :elephant :elephant

[Kori Ellis]

Beno told me that he wasn't going to play because he had to go to a rookie/sophomore orientation in New York during the same time period because he had missed it last year. Beno told me this before the Spurs season started. Maybe something has changed since then.

[Slomo]

I don't think so, His last comments on the subject were that he won't play, and I haven't heard any news of the contrary.

[GoSpurs21]

if the Spurs dont win the NBA championship this year then Tony P, Beno U and Rasho need to devote their summers to improving for their employers not playing in a meaningless tourney.

[Slomo]

1. They're going to win the NBA championship.

2. Why is it meaningless?

[Kori Ellis]

It's meaningful to the players; otherwise they wouldn't be playing.

[GoSpurs21]

It's meaningless when the players are under contract to the Spurs and the tourney only puts the Spurs next season at risk. I dont see any reason the Spurs should allow their investments to go off and risk injury. Even if their is insurance, I'm pretty sure Holt would rather have the players than the money.

The tourney is not meaningless to players trying to get better so that they can try to make it to the NBA.

[HIP HOOPERS]

Well, let's just wait untill the end of the season, how will Beno feel, will he be healthy, with enough energy etc....
'Cos i would hate to see the headlines in the newspaper like "Udrih doesn't care for his own country" or something like that... It has happened before and it will happen again to maybe Beno or maybe someone else... really not fair...

[GoSpurs21]

Well, let's just wait untill the end of the season, how will Beno feel, will he be healthy, with enough energy etc....
'Cos i would hate to see the headlines in the newspaper like "Udrih doesn't care for his own country" or something like that... It has happened before and it will happen again to maybe Beno or maybe someone else... really not fair...If the folks back home are small minded enough to think that way then it's too bad. They should be happy that Beno is successful in the best league. No one should be guilted into playing for so called "national pride". Everyone that works hard deserves a vacation.

I may be selfish but like Holt, I make an investment in the Spurs every year. Since the players are employees to the Spurs their first loyality should be to the person signing the checks. If they want to play for the national team they should sign contracts with the national team. You cant have your cake and eat it too. There is just too much at stake.

[Kori Ellis]

It's meaningless when the players are under contract to the Spurs and the tourney only puts the Spurs next season at risk. I dont see any reason the Spurs should allow their investments to go off and risk injury.

So you were against Duncan going to the Olympics as well?

[GoSpurs21]

So you were against Duncan going to the Olympics as well?I was. But since I have no control, I can do nothing, but pray that he remained healthy. Since he decided to play I supported him 110%, the same as all the USA basketball olympians. While it's nice to have a Spur in the Olympics, I care more about the Spurs than I do the Olympics.

While I dont support the choice to play in Olympic and qualifying tourney's, I will always support Spur players in those tourney's.

I don't understand why people (mainly sheep - red states folks) cannot comprehend the idea of not supporting a decision but supporting the person who has to live up to the obligation. I don't support Bushes decision to go to war, but I support the troops 110%. I don't care what anyone says that idea is reasonable for most intellegent people.

[Spurbanana]

Allez France !

Frenchise player, est-ce que les autres Frenchies dans le NBA, comme Bobo, Moïso, ou Piëtrus va jouer aussi ? Ou Ronny Turiaf de Gonzaga ? J'espère qu'ils vont améliorer le statut de basket français en 2005 !

[HIP HOOPERS]

Let me just describe one example... A few years ago while Beno was still playing for the Olimpija from Ljubljana, he had to have an operation (i forgot how it's called in english-that rutine operation where they cut those "things" out of your throat) and becaouse it was during the season, the only chance was to do it during EC qualifications... He asked the coach if it's ok, and he gave him permission 'cos there were only 2 games against England and Chech republic (it was supposed to an easy win), and he even sent him msg it was ok. When Slovenia accedantly lost one of those games (if not even both, i can't remember), he was on the TV saying how "some" of the players obviously don't have respect for the national team, and how they don't wanna play for it-clearly refering to the Beno, since he was one of the few that were missing. He did to somehow "clear" his name and not accept the responsability for the loss(es).
Now, of course, the journalists didn't know the whole story, and just added "1 and 1" together, and the headlines were up...
Those are the kind of things i hate, and don't wanna see about Beno or any other player. Nobody deserves that!
And, for those who still don't get it (we've got a lot of those here), let me just point out, that for example Beno (and it's allmost the same with majority of the players) was playing in EVERY YOUTH,JUNIOR,... national team since he was....really young! Ergo, he didn't have any summer holidays for a long, long time! But i think he deserved it... just like other players did... But of course, nobody looks at it this way so they all need to play no matter what... year after year...

[GoSpurs21]

Let me just describe one example... A few years ago while Beno was still playing for the Olimpija from Ljubljana, he had to have an operation (i forgot how it's called in english-that rutine operation where they cut those "things" out of your throat) and becaouse it was during the season, the only chance was to do it during EC qualifications... He asked the coach if it's ok, and he gave him permission 'cos there were only 2 games against England and Chech republic (it was supposed to an easy win), and he even sent him msg it was ok. When Slovenia accedantly lost one of those games (if not even both, i can't remember), he was on the TV saying how "some" of the players obviously don't have respect for the national team, and how they don't wanna play for it-clearly refering to the Beno, since he was one of the few that were missing. He did to somehow "clear" his name and not accept the responsability for the loss(es).
Now, of course, the journalists didn't know the whole story, and just added "1 and 1" together, and the headlines were up...
Those are the kind of things i hate, and don't wanna see about Beno or any other player. Nobody deserves that!
And, for those who still don't get it (we've got a lot of those here), let me just point out, that for example Beno (and it's allmost the same with majority of the players) was playing in EVERY YOUTH,JUNIOR,... national team since he was....really young! Ergo, he didn't have any summer holidays for a long, long time! But i think he deserved it... just like other players did... But of course, nobody looks at it this way so they all need to play no matter what... year after year...The only way I can answer this situation is that I support Beno's decision whatever it may be. I only hope that he makes it based on his obligations to himself first. The only person Beno should try to please is himself. After all when the chips are down its family and close friends that he can really count on. He should not give in to pressure of the press.

[fonzy16]

we need motivated, healthy, full of energy players in our national team. and i think that playing some "easy" games in europe would be good for rasho's selfconfidence. so that's good for spurs as well

[GoSpurs21]

we need motivated, healthy, full of energy players in our national team. and i think that playing some "easy" games in europe would be good for rasho's selfconfidence. so that's good for spurs as wellYou better be careful, some around here (sequspur) would wish that Rasho got hurt so that Spurs would be able to replace him with someone else.

Kori, now that I think about it how much time did Rasho play this past summer for his national team?

[SLOVENIAN 8]

This ERO 2005 is vey important, and i bet that Rasho will play becouse EURO 2005 is is Serbia And Montenegro. Also Brezec, Nachbar, Udrih and Vujačič. We have 5 NBA players and Slovenia have only 2.000.000 population.

[adidas11]

International competition should always trump domestic competition. Going to Euro 2005 is very important for the players, and always should be. That's the risk teams take by signing international players. Get over it.

[Frenchise player]

I don't understand why some Spur's fan see international tournament as a bad thing.
We have the best exemple of a player who became a superstar because of the olympic tournament. To my mind it is not a "bad investiment", by the way I don't really like this financial language about something that is just a game. Players should be proud to play for their country and it can only benefit them and their NBA team (Manu's jersey sells must have trully improved since the Olympics).

I hope France will win as always against Slovenia. We already met in 2003 and we had won and eliminate them and I just don't see why it would be different with a Tony Parker who has improved a lot since Lulea and some other NBA players like Pietrus and Diaw (I don't know if Turiaf will play because he will have first to go to the draft).
Apolagize to the slovenian spurs fans but I really think you have no chance against a full-power french team.

[GoSpurs21]

International competition should always trump domestic competition. Going to Euro 2005 is very important for the players, and always should be. That's the risk teams take by signing international players. Get over it.That's a nice sports ideal. I wonder if you would have the same attitude if you were signing the players checks. You could also say that when international players sign NBA contracts they are agreeing to provide services to work in America. I wonder how long it will be until we start seeing clauses in contracts of big name players like Dirk and Nash preventing them from playing in all but the Olympics.

[ChumpDumper]

Damn, you haven't used the word focus in this thread yet.

[GoSpurs21]

Damn, you haven't used the word focus in this thread yet.That's pretty funny.:lol It's getting late, I have to get up at 4am for a 6:45am flight to Newark, I guess I'm just losing mine.

[Dario]

Well for some players its very important to play for their own country, they worked their whole life to be in national team and in some coutries people respect and suport them. I can understand why most "superstars" in USA doesn't care about playing for national team, to much money and no pride. Half of them would beat eachother up, other half would be laughing :/ Well if you live in country that has 2mio people and you actualy got a team that could beat most other teams, that means something to you.
PS: and the players are actualy all friends, imagine that huh :)

[baraya]

Well for some players its very important to play for their own country, they worked their whole life to be in national team and in some coutries people respect and suport them. I can understand why most "superstars" in USA doesn't care about playing for national team, to much money and no pride. Half of them would beat eachother up, other half would be laughing :/ Well if you live in country that has 2mio people and you actualy got a team that could beat most other teams, that means something to you.
PS: and the players are actualy all friends, imagine that huh :)

nice written :smokin

i´ve got to say something to Frenchise friend. are you so sure, that France will beat SLO this summer?. and why? you really know all slowenian player. not those which play in nba. -but the others, in euroleague, and italian championship. there are a few of them, much better than most players from your´s country team. there is lakovic, smodis, tusek, milic, and of course becirovic, who has been playing an amazing well last year, and next year Denver will probably call him( their draf pick), to join the team. and there are more of great players, waiting to join the national team. and comming generation ( golden ) 1984 is one of the strongest in the world.
and dont take me wrong. i´m not bashing your country´s players. i really like french championship. a big number of black athlets whose almost flying around the baskets. it reminds on nba. whatever, we will have to wait till the summer, and see our teams trying to reach gold.

[gus]

The Euro is one the best Basketball Championship in the world. If USA and Argentina were allowed to play it would be the best of the best. It is more competitive than perhaps the World Championship because no scumbags are allowed to play ( e.g. China, Angola etc. ). So If you want to watch some good basketball stuff and check a lot of diiferent tactics ( zone defense, flex offense, very hard team defense, ) you'd better watch the Euro Champs.
Besides you will see also some good NBAers like Dirk, the Eslovenian, Peja and the Serbian, hopefully some Croats, Pau Gasol etc.

Perhaps, you do not notice it, but Pop and Larry Brown ( Pop especially ) are using some ball movement copied or adapted from their Olympic experience.
E.G. going with the PG or SG to the rim and then take the rock outside for a long shot.

I hope that TV broadcast it in Argentina.

Gus

[Frenchise player]

i´ve got to say something to Frenchise friend. are you so sure, that France will beat SLO this summer?. and why? you really know all slowenian player. not those which play in nba. -but the others, in euroleague, and italian championship. there are a few of them, much better than most players from your´s country team. there is lakovic, smodis, tusek, milic, and of course becirovic, who has been playing an amazing well last year, and next year Denver will probably call him( their draf pick), to join the team. and there are more of great players, waiting to join the national team. and comming generation ( golden ) 1984 is one of the strongest in the world.
and dont take me wrong. i´m not bashing your country´s players. i really like french championship. a big number of black athlets whose almost flying around the baskets. it reminds on nba. whatever, we will have to wait till the summer, and see our teams trying to reach gold.
I really believe in this french team because the three best players, Parker, Pietrus and Diaw are from the same generation and play together for a while there are strong bounds between them.
But what I think will make the difference between Slovenia and France is tony. He is one the best international players in the NBA (that means to me the world less Bodiroga), just behind Kirilenko, Nowitzi and Gasol. There is no slovenian player who can stop him. France is athletic and young and it will be an interesting match against more experienced Slovenia.

[boutons]

"the three best players, Parker, Pietrus and Diaw are from the same generation and play together for a while there are strong bounds between them."

I imagined they would do well, but they couldn't qualify for Athens. I hear Tony played really badly in the qualifiers, and everybody played selfishly. Maybe in 2008.

[gus]

Patience my French friends,

In the Qualy tournament for the Olympics in 1999, Argentina with youngs Ginobili, Nocioni, Scola etc. lost the chance to qualify because there were only 2 places, and they were got by the Dream Team with Garnett, Duncan, Mourning and Canada with Nash, and Argentina due to injuries did not have big men, and the others were too young.

See what happened later.

France has a good chance, because Serbia is aging ( I sincerelly do not think that Bodiroga makes any diference anymore, I would put my hopes in Rakocevic (sp), Peja and Radmanovic ), Russia do not have his act together. But if Spain play how do they played in the Olympics, it is my candidate.

Regards.

[Dario]

Ye, spain is my favourite to, but you are wrong about serbia, if they can get all their best players together they can win it. France is always playing for top spot, but never makes it, and for slovenia, formidable team with impresive wins in qualifying rounds, but cant do shit when it comes to big games. But if they explode they can go all the way anytime, but i doubt that will happen anytime soon :(

[pepito51]

If the folks back home are small minded enough to think that way then it's too bad. They should be happy that Beno is successful in the best league. No one should be guilted into playing for so called "national pride". Everyone that works hard deserves a vacation.

I may be selfish but like Holt, I make an investment in the Spurs every year. Since the players are employees to the Spurs their first loyality should be to the person signing the checks. If they want to play for the national team they should sign contracts with the national team. You cant have your cake and eat it too. There is just too much at stake.

Money, money, money... In soccer, the best achievment for a player is not the Champion's league Cup.... but the World Cup. You are too much used of having base-ball, american football and basket ball in your country. This sports during years were your dominants sports, no opponents.... so why should you try to challenge the other little countries?? why??
And suddenly... your nba "investors" understood that european players were good, that some american players who played in european championship were good ( and now coach too)....
so now that USA team can't win against countries white 10, 100 times less people, and so called "little league"; you dont understand why your investment ( cause you dont talk about sport rigt?? you talk about investments, they are your toys?) go to play them...
Your vision of the sport is a little bit strange. Personnaly, i love basket players, not superstars... when Tp says he's too tired, i can understand him after a nba title... nba starts in october right?? i know thay ave pre season but being paid millions per games and having two or three months of holiday should be enough to go to play for your country and please your national fans... it's just sports, in europe, when you won a title with your national team, that's important.

[pepito51]

Ye, spain is my favourite to, but you are wrong about serbia, if they can get all their best players together they can win it. France is always playing for top spot, but never makes it, and for slovenia, formidable team with impresive wins in qualifying rounds, but cant do shit when it comes to big games. But if they explode they can go all the way anytime, but i doubt that will happen anytime soon :(

I'm french, .... and i think spain will look pretty scrary, I dont know much about slovenia, just that they have huge player with great style. Do you have a good generation?
France will have to find a collective game but i'm sure that after great season, TP will be good, peitrus too and Diaw will be frustrated so he will play so well...

Does anybody know Diaw??? I'm so sure that he would be great as a spurs, as he unselfish and so gifted....
Anyway, this Euro will be fantastic to watch.... for everybody....

[cmurek]

Anyway, this Euro will be fantastic to watch.... for everybody....
Yes, that so true! On EC we can see a lot of players with imagination and that maks a game much more watchable than any other NBA game where we can see just dunking :rolleyes Maybe Spurs are only team with "the game" becouse they have international players who have a key rolls in a team. I dont like NBA any more, since the last real superstar (jordan) reatired NBA goes down! NBA In Eurepe is not more respected from some yers ago!!!

[fonzy16]

WTF????Spain? SCG is a clear favorite to win all. They are playing in Belgrade! Ever been in game in Belgrade. Fans are nuts. They wont let them lose.

My favorites:
1. SCG
2. Lithuania
3. Slovenia (i hope) :smokin

Can't wait for the tournament.

[Solid D]

So If you want to watch some good basketball stuff and check a lot of diiferent tactics ( zone defense, flex offense, very hard team defense, ) you'd better watch the Euro Champs.


Perhaps, you do not notice it, but Pop and Larry Brown ( Pop especially ) are using some ball movement copied or adapted from their Olympic experience.
E.G. going with the PG or SG to the rim and then take the rock outside for a long shot.
Gus

gus, keep up the good work & posting here. I think you are right about Pop using some elements adapted from their Olympic experience. I have noticed the Spurs run what looks like the Flex, more often this season. It works for Argentina. It gets everyone moving and involved. No unnecessary dribbling. Dribbling only when used to penetrate inside or to gain a passing angle or spacing. The Spurs run lots of different offensive looks though.

[pepito51]

1. Lithuania
2. France ( but it's my french point fo view.... ;o)
3. Spain

BUt slovenia, SCG, Italy too... germany with dirk too.... Mann, that will be so great to watch... no littel team, even greece could do something...

[SLOVENIAN 8]

The funny shit is that Slovenia in qualifications always dominate and beat everyone (Italy, Rusia, France, Germany, itd....), but when they came to EURO it is allways something wrong. I just hope that this year they do something :smokin

[Slomo]

WTF????Spain? SCG is a clear favorite to win all. They are playing in Belgrade! Ever been in game in Belgrade. Fans are nuts. They wont let them lose.

My favorites:
1. SCG
2. Lithuania
3. Slovenia (i hope) :smokin

Can't wait for the tournament. Playing in Belgrade is a scary experience for any team that is not from SCG, the public in the arena will be the sixth man.

Also do not forget that Serbs are masters of improvisation, even if their recent form or results do not make them a title contender you can never dismiss them at home.

[pepito51]

it can also be scary for the home team... if something begin to turn bad.. it can become a disaster really fast.. some player are better with the public against them... but you're right playing in belgrade must be impressive... there's no ambiance like that in nba for sure ;o)

[fonzy16]

Off topic, belgrade related...
Two days ago Larry Bird and Chris Mullin were in Belgrade watching the Zagreb-Partizan game in Goodyear Adriatic league.

[gus]

Thanks Solid D. for your comments, I like to post here.-

With respect to the crowd making things difficult for other teams in Belgrade, I would say that it won't happen.

The tournament will be in the at the new stadium and because it is big it won't be so impresive like in the local matches or the greek league ( that is pretty scary too ). Compared to some local matches in the Greek league the Detroit brawl looks like the Ballet Fundraising event.

Rgds.

Gus

[parker_man222]

Hello, I'm french (my english isn't good) and I support San Antonio since Tony Parker arrived in NBA. France has a very good team, the lineup will be : Parker, Pietrus, Diaw, Turiaf, Antoine Rigaudeau (he played with Denver and dallas) and the substitutes will be Gelabale (Real Madrid player), Laurent Foirest (a great shooter), Johan Petro (he will play in NBA : number 17 in the NBA Mock Draft),....
We can win the Europe Championship.

[cmurek]

There is a lot of teams who can win a title! At least 8!

I hope that Rasho be a MVP :smokin

[baraya]

I'm french (my english isn't good).

you don´t have to write about your english. when you say that you are french, we know all about it. :smokin i´ve been a couple of times in paris, and if you don´t speak their language, you have a huge problem. :lol only persons i spoke to, were some workers in hotels and boys on the streets, trading small towers, watches made in china, and other shit... :spin
but you´ve made a brave decision and wrote a post in this strange language :lol !! keep on postin`