Mahinmi and the French NT

[Bruno]

Today, French NT new coach (Michel Gomez) has announced a list of 28 players for the summer's NT. Mahinmi belongs to this 28 players list and will join the team after Spurs' two summer leagues. Some of these 28 players will be cut before the competition.

While French NT won't go to Beijing, they have to play a qualifying tournament for the 2009 Euro. There will have 10 preparation games and 6 qualifying games.

The 28 players list and the schedule is available here (http://www.basketfrance.com/page_m.php?d=actu&p=actu&id=4256).
As you can see, Mahinmi should practice with some NBA bigmen (Turiaf, Petro and Noah).

[Louae]

I notice Mickael Pietrus name omitted from that list.

[kobyz]

i dont see Parker there, why?

[urunobili]

i dont see Parker there, why?

summer off for him. if they qualify he'll play the tournament

[urunobili]

Bruno i don't see Gelabale here either... he drew himself out or it's not Gomez preference as a player?

[kobyz]

Bruno i don't see Gelabale here either... he drew himself out or it's not Gomez preference as a player?

i think Gelabale is injured

[Bruno]

Mike Pietrus don't want to play with French NT. He has a diva attitude.
Gelabale is out after an ACL surgery. He should be back around January 2009.

[mathbzh]

Pietrus don't want to play with the French NT because he will be a free agent this summer and doesn't want to risk an injury.
Parker excuse for not being there is not much better.

Some time ago, Batum said he will not play for the french team because he wants to take the time to prepare is first NBA season. I am not sure Petro, Diawara or Turiaf will be there.

Does someone know if Noah finally has a french passport?

[Bruno]

Pietrus don't want to play with the French NT because he will be a free agent this summer and doesn't want to risk an injury.


It's not the only reason.
Turiaf and Diawara are in the same case than Pietrus and they will play with the French NT if they signed a new contract soon in the summer.
You should have missed his interview where he said something like "Gomez didn't really respect me. When he go to the US, he didn't go to San Francisco and just see me in San Antonio after a game against Spurs."

The status of French players regarding the NT is :
Batum : will depend on what the team that draft him will say.
Ajinca : same case as Batum.
Turiaf : Yes, if he has signed a new NBA contract.
Diawara : same case as Turiaf.
Diaw : Yes, unless some crazy insurance complications.
Parker : No, rest.
Gelabale : No, injured.
Pietrus : No, "feelings" hurt.
Mahinmi : Yes, will join the team after NBA summer leagues.
Petro : Same case as Mahinmi.
Noah : Maybe. It will depend on what Del Negro wants.

A French article about that :
http://www.eurosport.fr/basketball/qualif-euro-2009/2008/noah-convoque_sto1601996/story.shtml

[hater]

Mike Pietrus don't want to play with French NT. He has a diva attitude.


so by your logic, Parker has diva attitude as well? :wakeup


summer off for him. if they qualify he'll play the tournament

[stéphane]

Such a shame not to have Pietrus...

hum I mean F. Pietrus of course...

[Marcus Bryant]

Tony's earned his time off.

[Bruno]

so by your logic, Parker has diva attitude as well? :wakeup

:rolleyes
I've never said that Pietrus is a diva because he doesn't want to play for the NT.
Pietrus is a diva because of why he doesn't want to play for the NT.

[Bruno]

Such a shame not to have Pietrus...

hum I mean F. Pietrus of course...

So true. He is the heart and the soul of the team.

[mathbzh]

Honestly, I can understand Pietrus feeling about the French team.

I hope we will not miss him too much.
Without him (and Gelabale) the french defense sucked in the 2007 Euro... and the offense was not better that during the 2006 WC.

The French team has a long history of problems between coaches/players and the federation... this is not a diva issue but a deep political problem with the french federation (and this is not about Pietrus).

[SenorSpur]

Pietrus don't want to play with the French NT because he will be a free agent this summer and doesn't want to risk an injury.


Pietrus must prepare for his first season in a Spur uniform.

[mathbzh]

I honestly hope he will not be a Spurs.

[Guajalote]

Since I don't get much of a chance to watch the D League games or highlights, it'll be interesting for me to see how Ian does. I'll bet he tears it up.

[mathbzh]

I hope Ian will be able to avoid full troubles (if he plays).

[Brutalis]

I don't understand the drama following NBA players who don't want to play for their national team.

After 2004 Duncan stated he will not play again. Anyone bitching at that? He had good reason.

NBA is the big leagues boys and girls. These guys are getting smart enough to know finally, that risking injury for a meaningless FIBA, Euro, or Olympics is just that, too much risk.

These guys are playing for their career.

[Brutalis]

It's just too bad Manu is all geeked up about international play. I don't see the point. He established himself as the best world player non-NBA and then made the jump. Why go back? Bleh, pride.

[TDMVPDPOY]

IF IAN cant even make the nt roster, = bust

[bigfish22]

Mike Pietrus don't want to play with French NT. He has a diva attitude.




Funny you make that point. I have a friend who was good friends with Pietrus. About a year ago, Pietrus had agreed to be his best man at his wedding. Well, the night before the wedding, Pietrus backed out and left his good friend hanging and forced to move each groomsman up a spot. That's just my personal story about Pietrus. I have no feelings either way towards him.

[urunobili]

IF IAN cant even make the nt roster, = bust

I... Agree...

[SPURSGOAT]

I honestly hope he will not be a Spurs.

I think you might be disappointed then.... I can really see them going after Pietrus. French connection and he would probably only take about half of the MLE...would be a decent role player coming off the bench and for small ball.

[Brutalis]

I honestly hope he will not be a Spurs.

Oh well you are in luck then he will not be a Spurs.

He might be a Spur however.

[SPURSGOAT]

Pietrus must prepare for his first season in a Spur uniform.

:lol :toast

[SPURSGOAT]

dang, we might have four French players on the roster next year if we get Pietrus and land Nicolas Batum in the draft. :hat

[polandprzem]

I hope Ian will be able to avoid full troubles (if he plays).

I hope he will avaoid half troubles as well


:shootme

[Bruno]

Mahinmi is likely out the NT, he should stay the whole summer in SA to work on his game.

[T Park]

Mahinmi decided to stay home?

Nice :smokin

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

:tu

[picnroll]

Mahinmi is likely out the NT, he should stay the whole summer in SA to work on his game.
Is that by Mahinmi's choice or the national team coaches'?

[Spurs Brazil]

Mahinmi is likely out the NT, he should stay the whole summer in SA to work on his game.

Great news, I hope is a sign that he’ll play more minutes and must be prepared

[Bruno]

Is that by Mahinmi's choice or the national team coaches'?

It's Spurs/Mahinmi's choice.

[picnroll]

It's Spurs/Mahinmi's choice.
Good. Ask Mahinmi to call Ginobili.