Manu's Agent says....

Don Harris on WOAI 6PM news said he spoke with Manu's agent Herb Rudoy about an hour ago and "Manu has every intention of playing in the Olympics."

Harris went on to say "Ginobili spent only 24 hours in San Antonio getting both an anti-inflammatory shot and an another MRI on that ankle. He is now in route back to Argentina and will be presented with the flag at the presidential palace by President (Cristina) Fernandez at a big ceremony tomorrow."

"Rudoy made it clear to me, Manu's got his mind made up. He (Rudoy) told me on the phone last night:

'Manu told me last night, that the ankle feels fine. It's much better. He returned to Argentina today. His plan is to go to Beijing to play in the Olympics and to carry the flag. Barring something unforeseen that is his intention. You would have to shoot him to keep him out.'

He has spoken with the Spurs about a contract extension with Ginobili, but that is now on hold until after the Olympics are over."

Somebody shoot him!

I can't believe it....I just don't think he could have completely recovered from an injury everyone said was so serious a week ago! If he is determined to play I hope he doesn't do any further damage to his ankle, but it is obviously going to damage his chances of a contract extension!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brespursfan20

I can't believe it....I just don't think he could have completely recovered from an injury everyone said was so serious a week ago! If he is determined to play I hope he doesn't do any further damage to his ankle, but it is obviously going to damage his chances of a contract extension!!!

---

Enough with this contract extension nonsense. I would dare saying he would make MORE money if he were to test the market once his contract is done in 2010. The guy is an All Star, 3 time NBA champion.
Some of you sound like Manu is going to war, not the Olympics.
The very very worst case is he gets injured, and has to take 6 months(?) to recover. He won't freaking die!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ElNono

The guy is an All Star, 3 time NBA champion.
Some of you sound like Manu is going to war, not the Olympics.
The very very worst case is he gets injured, and has to take 6 months(?) to recover. He won't freaking die!

---

:tu

I wasn't saying he shouldn't play, and definetely didn't say he was going to war....BUT...I am a Spurs fan 1st and I don't want him injured for 6 days much less 6 months.

I hope it doesn't turn out like Grant Hill's ankle injury.

We can only hope for a speedy recovery before the Olympics and when he does play his time will be limited.

hopefully he plays the US in the first game of the olympics and the US dominates Argentina.

I'll support whatever Manu decides to do but this ankle thing is really worrying me and we all know how many times Manu has said he was fine when he really wasn't. It all comes down to what Manu really wants in his life.

trade him

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 2centsworth

trade him

---

NO!!!!!!!! :nope

we better hope maggette is with the spurs

get the clippers to resign maggette and trade him for manu. i'm tired of this bullshit!!! he always get injured yet he always play most of the time in the summer. he should know his priority. argentina didn't pay him millions to play for the national team.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BOHOLANO#21

get the clippers to resign maggette and trade him for manu. i tired of this bullshit!!! he always get injured yet he always play most of the time in the summer. he should know his priority. argentina didn't pay him millions to play for the national team.

---

That would leave both teams terribly worse.

we know who is loyalty is with

What are these anti-inflammatory shots? steroids?

They said such shots with Tim's plantar fasciitis were not to surpass 1 or 2.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BOHOLANO#21

get the clippers to resign maggette and trade him for manu. i'm tired of this bullshit!!! he always get injured yet he always play most of the time in the summer. he should know his priority. argentina didn't pay him millions to play for the national team.

---

His priority is his country. Spurs knew this when they signed him. After 3 championships, I'd say the gamble paid off. There's no reason to think it won't keep paying off.

Do Work Manu.


Crush Kobe

It's understandable that Manu desperately wants to go. But I thinks he's concious that if playing means any long term risk and can affect his performance with the Spurs he won't play.

Also think what it means to a sportman to be in the Olympics (probably Manu's last one), it's the best achievement for any. It's a whole different world to be out there.
Plus as competitor as Manu is, he probably feels deep in his guts that he has to defend his gold medal, especially now that the US has a great roster.

Wipe the tears of Kobe with your country's flag Manu!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by boutons_

What are these anti-inflammatory shots? steroids?

They said such shots with Tim's plantar fasciitis were not to surpass 1 or 2.

---

I'm not sure exactly what Manu's issue is but with Duncan it was said that too many injections could do more harm than good. I don't remember exactly why.

The injections only helped for a short period. He also did some kind of procedure with electrical currents with steroids. In the end, it was only rest that got rid of it.

I think Manu's ankle is different than plantar fasciitis, so treatment could be different.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xtremesteven33

we better hope maggette is with the spurs

---

that would be bad ass.. manu just playing 20 min all season and pop starting to unleash the guy after the all star break! Maggette getting all the load... that'd be bad ass

Kobe said it best:

What would it mean for you to win an Olympic gold medal?
It would be the most special thing to happen in my career. Winning an NBA championship is incredible. But you're playing for a particular market. With a gold medal you're playing for your country. I don't think there's any greater honor as a professional athlete that you can have.

Manu must be feeling fine if he's that sure. He already said before that if the ankle still isn't fine, he won't play.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by carina_gino20

Manu must be feeling fine if he's that sure. He already said before that if the ankle still isn't fine, he won't play.

---

:lol

Righttttttttttttttttttttttt Manu would never play at less than full strength. Not Manu. Never.

All in all I don't mind if he plays personally. I can see why the Spurs don't want him to play but it means a lot to him so I hope he does well and I hope his ankle is fine. I respect Manu's right to do what makes him happy regardless of what his employer may or may not want.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ocotillo

I hope it doesn't turn out like Grant Hill's ankle injury.

---

Why would you even say something like that?

best of luck to manu and his country. i'll be cheering for them! (and usa of cousre)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MannyIsGod

:lol

Righttttttttttttttttttttttt Manu would never play at less than full strength. Not Manu. Never.

All in all I don't mind if he plays personally. I can see why the Spurs don't want him to play but it means a lot to him so I hope he does well and I hope his ankle is fine. I respect Manu's right to do what makes him happy regardless of what his employer may or may not want.

---

I said if he's that sure. Two weeks ago, he said he was more scared and worried than anyone else in Argentina. Now he's talking of it like it's a certainty. Of course he's still going to wait out the results of that MRI. But he has already stated before that if the MRI results are bad, he won't play. Manu is competitive, not stupid.

Manu would never skip the Olympics. If the Spurs told him to pick between the NBA and the Olympics, Manu would pick the Olympics every time.

It's not fair to say that Manu views San Antonio as that place he has to be to make money when he's not playing for the Argentina national team ... but it's probably somewhat close.

Fucking Manu, Spurs may lose a title they could have won because of this bullshit, this guy is just pissing me off by the minute anymore. You already have a gold medal, Spurs are not paying you 10 mil a year to be injured all year long. This guy needs to get his priorities in order.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by timvp

Manu would never skip the Olympics. If the Spurs told him to pick between the NBA and the Olympics, Manu would pick the Olympics every time.

---

Your right and to me that is bullshit when he already has a gold medal, is injured and making a ton of money for the Spurs. So what he comes into next year all beat up to shit?? If i am the Spurs i am pissed at him big time right now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

Fucking Manu, Spurs may lose a title they could have won because of this bullshit, this guy is just pissing me off by the minute anymore. You already have a gold medal, Spurs are not paying you 10 mil a year to be injured all year long. This guy needs to get his priorities in order.

---

See Timvp's post right before yours. (Ginobili DOES have his priorities in order.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ElNono

Kobe said it best:

What would it mean for you to win an Olympic gold medal?
It would be the most special thing to happen in my career. Winning an NBA championship is incredible. But you're playing for a particular market. With a gold medal you're playing for your country. I don't think there's any greater honor as a professional athlete that you can have.

---

Kobe needs an NBA title without Shaq far more than he does an Olympic Gold Medal, that means far more to him nomatter what the hell he says.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

Kobe needs an NBA title without Shaq far more than he does an Olympic Gold Medal, that means far more to him nomatter what the hell he says.

---

+1

Honestly, I am still confused as to how many people are freaking out over Manu wanting to represent his home country. I could understand if he wanted to play for some Argentinian club for a local tournament, but this is the OLYMPICS. Not only that, but this is most likely the last time Manu will ever be able to represent Argentina. I understand the concern over his ankle, but to flame the guy for having national pride is a bit much.

Would I rather he rest this summer? Absolutely, but come on people, this is Ginobili, of course he's gonna play for the national team even if he had a broken leg.

If anything, I'm excited to get my Ginobili fix over the summer instead of having to wait till the end of October.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

Honestly, I am still confused as to how many people are freaking out over Manu wanting to represent his home country. I could understand if he wanted to play for some Argentinian club for a local tournament, but this is the OLYMPICS. Not only that, but this is most likely the last time Manu will ever be able to represent Argentina. I understand the concern over his ankle, but to flame the guy for having national pride is a bit much.

Would I rather he rest this summer? Absolutely, but come on people, this is Ginobili, of course he's gonna play for the national team even if he had a broken leg.

If anything, I'm excited to get my Ginobili fix over the summer instead of having to wait till the end of October.

---

I could not agree more. As a fan, I too want Ginobili fully rested and healthy for the upcoming season - but as a person, I admire Manu for his patriotism and competitiveness. I cannot fault him just because his priorities differ from what I would want them to be.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

Honestly, I am still confused as to how many people are freaking out over Manu wanting to represent his home country. I could understand if he wanted to play for some Argentinian club for a local tournament, but this is the OLYMPICS. Not only that, but this is most likely the last time Manu will ever be able to represent Argentina. I understand the concern over his ankle, but to flame the guy for having national pride is a bit much.

Would I rather he rest this summer? Absolutely, but come on people, this is Ginobili, of course he's gonna play for the national team even if he had a broken leg.

If anything, I'm excited to get my Ginobili fix over the summer instead of having to wait till the end of October.

---

I'm sorry but i think the guy puts himself up to be flamed when he is making 10 mil a year, ends the season hurt, is still hurt and wants to play in the Olympics. What if he comes into camp totally beat up and can't play at a high level this year or worse gets hurt so bad in the olympics he needs season ending surgery?? Would you be OK with his decsion then??

Guess you can't have no in your heart... :-s

Basketball is just a game, Spurs fans need to step away from the "doom and gloom". I'm not paying Manu, he can do whatever he wants as far as I'm concerned.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

If anything, I'm excited to get my Ginobili fix over the summer instead of having to wait till the end of October.

---

If you want to see Manu limping around playing at 40% of what he is capable of just pop in a tape of his WCF and you'll have your fix. He is still hurt, this decision on his part is a bad one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sabar

Basketball is just a game, Spurs fans need to step away from the "doom and gloom". I'm not paying Manu, he can do whatever he wants as far as I'm concerned.

---

Will you be saying this if he is hurt all year because of his off-season activities???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

Will you be saying this if he is hurt all year because of his off-season activities???

---

Yes, it's his life. Until there are contracts that explicitly forbid extra-curricular activity he can risk what he wants. Manu has given this city FAR more than anyone thought he would, he owes us nothing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

I'm sorry but i think the guy puts himself up to be flamed when he is making 10 mil a year, ends the season hurt, is still hurt and wants to play in the Olympics. What if he comes into camp totally beat up and can't play at a high level this year or worse gets hurt so bad in the olympics he needs season ending surgery?? Would you be OK with his decsion then??

---

People here are acting like Ginobili played international ball last summer and seem to imply that this was the reason why he was hurt during the Laker series.

Since those events were mutually exclusive I don't believe that the arguments even present a valid correlation.

In fact, Manu's history has indicated otherwise. When he has played international ball during the summer the Spurs went on to win the NBA Title the following season. I'd cheer to banner No. 5 given the trend.

If he's healthy... let him defend his country's gold medal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BOHOLANO#21

get the clippers to resign maggette and trade him for manu. i'm tired of this bullshit!!! he always get injured yet he always play most of the time in the summer. he should know his priority. argentina didn't pay him millions to play for the national team.

---

It is true that Argentina does not pay him his millions. But consider this: how many of us have the opportunity to carry our national flag on the world stage such as the Olympics?

Manu is Argentinian first, and Spurs 10th (or millionth). He is an Olympian for the millions of Argentines. He is an athlete/entertainer for the millions of Spurs fan.

I will do the same if I were him. No question.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sabar

Manu has given this city FAR more than anyone thought he would, he owes us nothing.

---

That is bullshit when you are making 10 mil a year, in my view it is complete nonsense. You are right about it is his choice since his contract says he can do it, but that doesn't make it right. He is letting down the Spurs FO in my view big time with this nonsense. Tim Duncan would never pull this garbage. He is too loyal to Pop and the Spurs. Manu seems more loyal to the Olympics and knows nomatter what he has a guranteed payday coming his way. If this was the NFL where he could be cut, he'd never do this.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Phenomanul

If he's healthy... let him defend his country's gold medal.

---

He's not healthy, that is the problem

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

He's not healthy, that is the problem

---

Manu's doctor, is that you?

What did the MRI say?

I'll never understand how as SPURS fans anyone can say that they would be ok with an already injured Manu playing in the Olympics....I can see if you're a fan of Argentina or from there but how can you say that you would be ok with this guy jeoperdizing the '09 season by not letting the ankle heal properly during the summer so he can be at full strength for camp and more importantly the start of the season.

If this past season showed us that we can't afford any of the big three to be hurt for an extended period of time or to lose close or winable games during the regular season as it impacts playoff standings in a hypercompetitive western conference.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

That is bullshit when you are making 10 mil a year, in my view it is complete nonsense. You are right about it is his choice since his contract says he can do it, but that doesn't make it right. He is letting down the Spurs FO in my view big time with this nonsense. Tim Duncan would never pull this garbage. He is too loyal to Pop and the Spurs. Manu seems more loyal to the Olympics and knows nomatter what he has a guranteed payday coming his way. If this was the NFL where he could be cut, he'd never do this.

---

Tim Duncan cannot represent Virgin Islands anymore, not because he is too loyal to Pop. Remember his agony when he had to play against V.I. in 2004?

Let Manu live his life the way he wants it. He has life outside the Spurs, just as much as we have life outside our professions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MannyIsGod

Manu's doctor, is that you?

What did the MRI say?

---

Yeah he got an MRI and an injection because everything is feeling great. :rolleyes

I had that done the other day myself, give me a break

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

He's not healthy, that is the problem

---

I would venture to say that Manu is never "100%"... He plays to win, nagging injuries and all. Why didn't Pop sit him out during the Lakers series; why wasn't he protecting the franchise's asset then? True, Ginobili wasn't himself, and the entire NBA nation was witness to that. But a month has already passed. I would think that he is healthier now than during the playoffs.

He took less money to play for the Spurs, he fulfills his role as sixth man when he could easily start for most other teams, he is a team player, a proven leader, a clutch performer, he carried the Spurs this season and he plays to win. That is Manu. You can't trash him and praise him in the same breath for the same attributes that make him who he is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wijayas

Tim Duncan cannot represent Virgin Islands anymore, not because he is too loyal to Pop. Remember his agony when he had to play against V.I. in 2004?

---

Duncan never represented VI, he played for team USA.
And he choose to sit out the qualifying game against VI rather than play against them.

He won't play again, his experience was horrible. "FIBA sucks" were his exact words.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by duncan228

Duncan never represented VI, he played for team USA.
And he choose to sit out the qualifying game against VI rather than play against them.

---

Right on the money!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wijayas

Tim Duncan cannot represent Virgin Islands anymore, not because he is too loyal to Pop. Remember his agony when he had to play against V.I. in 2004?

---

If Tim Duncan ended the season hurt like Manu is and wanted to play in the Olympics he would not do it, he is too loyal to say Screw You Spurs FO, i'm playing hurt nomatter what. Manu can risk this because he knows injured or healthy i am getting paid.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Phenomanul

He took less money to play for the Spurs, he fulfills his role as sixth man when he could easily start for most other teams, he is a team player, a proven leader, a clutch performer, he carried the Spurs this season and he plays to win. That is Manu. You can't trash him and praise him in the same breath for the same attributes that make him who he is.

---

I respect the hell out of Manu as a player but i do not support this decision. The man was a shell of himself this post-season and he is still not right. The Olympics are a grind and now the odds of him coming into camp at all healthy have gone down considerably. I can say i think this is a bad call on his part, a lot of people feel that way. If he gets really hurt, most everyone will feel that way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

If Tim Duncan ended the season hurt like Manu is and wanted to play in the Olympics he would not do it, he is too loyal to say Screw You Spurs FO, i'm playing hurt nomatter what. Manu can risk this because he knows injured or healthy i am getting paid.

---

See my earlier post about being an Olympian vs. being an athlete.
Besides, nobody wants to consciously get injured (re-injured). Not even someone as reckless as Manu. Manu is too clever for that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by duncan228

Duncan never represented VI, he played for team USA.
And he choose to sit out the qualifying game against VI rather than play against them.

He won't play again, his experience was horrible. "FIBA sucks" were his exact words.

---

However, the scenarios don't compare. Tim's reluctance to play international ball has more to do with the style and officiating than with his intentions to please the Spurs FO. If Tim's knee had been healthy during the 2000 Sydney Olympics... There's no doubt in my mind Tim would have represented the USA.

One notable difference to Manu's current situation: Tim underwent surgery. Manu's condition has not warranted any medical procedure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wijayas

See my earlier post about being an Olympian vs. being an athlete.
Besides, nobody wants to consciously get injured (re-injured). Not even someone as reckless as Manu. Manu is too clever for that.

---

You have a choice to be an olympian or take the summer off and see to it you come in ready to go for your team paying you millions of dollars. I actually agree with Mark Cuban on this one. Why should we pay these guys so much money and have them risk it all playing for another team in the summer?? The problem is guaranteed money here. They get it, injured or healthy, so they can risk whatever the hell they want.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Phenomanul

However, the scenarios don't compare. Tim's reluctance to play international ball has more to do with the style and officiating than with his intentions to please the Spurs FO. If Tim's knee had been healthy during the 2000 Sydney Olympics... There's no doubt in my mind Tim would have represented the USA.

One notable difference to Manu's current situation: Tim underwent surgery. Manu's condition has not warranted any medical procedure.

---

I agree. Duncan hates international ball after his '04 experience, and yes, I think he would have played in 2000 had he been able to.

I wasn't trying to compare the situations, I was just responding to what wijayas posted about Duncan representing VI.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Phenomanul

However, the scenarios don't compare. Tim's reluctance to play international ball has more to do with the style and officiating than with his intentions to please the Spurs FO. If Tim's knee had been healthy during the 2000 Sydney Olympics... There's no doubt in my mind Tim would have represented the USA.

---

Tim Duncan is in a class all by himself. If POP Came to him and said "I don't want you to risk your health by playing in the Olympics", he would not play, especially if he ended the season with an injury. There is no doubt in my mind of that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

I'm sorry but i think the guy puts himself up to be flamed when he is making 10 mil a year, ends the season hurt, is still hurt and wants to play in the Olympics. What if he comes into camp totally beat up and can't play at a high level this year or worse gets hurt so bad in the olympics he needs season ending surgery?? Would you be OK with his decsion then??

---

What if he doesn't play the Olympics then gets injured the very first game of the season and needs a season ending surgery? It's the same end result. And would you feel any different if he made $1 a season instead of $10 million? If he gets injured during the olympics the Spurs don't have to pay him a dime of his salary until he recovers. That's why there's mandatory insurance in these cases.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

I respect the hell out of Manu as a player but i do not support this decision. The man was a shell of himself this post-season and he is still not right. The Olympics are a grind and now the odds of him coming into camp at all healthy have gone down considerably. I can say i think this is a bad call on his part, a lot of people feel that way. If he gets really hurt, most everyone will feel that way.

---

I would agree except for the fact that Ginobili has shown that his 'slow starts' typically mean that he ends the season on a tear (2003, 2005, 2007). When he starts the season off at such a high level, he takes on more of a burden, puts more pressure on himself, and ultimately can't sustain it. We saw that this season. Besides, people need to accept the fact that his injury this year was 'unlucky' in terms of timing. You can't plan around that. For all we know, he can rest the entire off-season and have a season-ending injury on Game 1 of the NBA schedule - refer to Corey Magette. I'd rather Ginobili pace himself next season, play 24-26 mpg and that the Spurs address the deficiency through the FA market, that they use Manu's minutes to help develop their younger players - I believe that this goal can still be accomplished regardless of whether or not Ginobili participates in this year's Olympics.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

You have a choice to be an olympian or take the summer off and see to it you come in ready to go for your team paying you millions of dollars. I actually agree with Mark Cuban on this one. Why should we pay these guys so much money and have them risk it all playing for another team in the summer?? The problem is guaranteed money here. They get it, injured or healthy, so they can risk whatever the hell they want.

---

Fallacy. If they get injured insurance, not the team, pay their salary.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by duncan228

I agree. Duncan hates international ball after his '04 experience, and yes, I think he would have played in 2000 had he been able to.

I wasn't trying to compare the situations, I was just responding to what wijayas posted about Duncan representing VI.

---

I understood your intentions the moment I read your post. I just felt inclined to help others discern the difference. :toast

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ElNono

Fallacy. If they get injured insurance, not the team, pay their salary.

---

Again so he still gets paid and can do what he wants, the money is coming nomatter what. Plus as a fan this is obviously more about wanting to win another title and we can't do it without Manu being Manu.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Phenomanul

I would agree except for the fact that Ginobili has shown that his 'slow starts' typically mean that he ends the season on a tear (2003, 2005, 2007). When he starts the season off at such a high level, he takes on more of a burden, puts more pressure on himself, and ultimately can't sustain it. We saw that this season. Besides, people need to accept the fact that his injury this year was 'unlucky' in terms of timing. You can't plan around that. For all we know, he can rest the entire off-season and have a season-ending injury on Game 1 of the NBA schedule - refer to Corey Magette. I'd rather Ginobili pace himself next season, and that the Spurs address the deficiency through the FA market, that they develop their younger players - that goal can still be accomplished regardless of whether or not Ginobili participates in this year's Olympics.

---

Completely agree. Plus Manu would have been fine in the playoffs if not for that injury in the Phoenix series. It happened with Tim in 2006, even when he got all summer off. Injuries are something you can't control, and when they happen at the end of the season there's nothing you can do about it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ElNono

Injuries are something you can't control.

---

What you can control is avoiding the odds of suffering one

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Phenomanul

I understood your intentions the moment I read your post. I just felt inclined to help others discern the difference. :toast

---

My intentions are usually pretty obvious...Duncan's mentioned, I appear. :lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

Tim Duncan is in a class all by himself.

---

Yes he is. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

Again so he still gets paid and can do what he wants, the money is coming nomatter what. Plus as a fan this is obviously more about wanting to win another title and we can't do it without Manu being Manu.

---

We get it. If your boss tells you not to have fun with your family during your time off, you'll nod and do just that. I personally would start looking for another job.
Playing for your country is a matter of pride. It has historical connotations. The day the story of Manu Ginobili is written after he retires, it will say he represented his country in two Summer Olympic games, not how much he was making as a Spur at the time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

What you can control is avoiding the odds of suffering one

---

With that mentality we'll just suspend training camp aswell.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ElNono

We get it. If your boss tells you not to have fun with your family during your time off, you'll nod and do just that. I personally would start looking for another job.

---

Manu's job entails being a great athlete, not having his ass chained to a desk, surely you see a diference there?? Some people have it in their contracts that they can't ride motorcycles, in the offseason, and if they get hurt bye bye salary. That is having fun in the offseason isn't it?? But you don't do it if it means kissing a payday goodbye. Tell me or anyone with a straight face you would risk your health if you knew that if you got hurt you would lose out on 10 mil. Manu can do this because that is not at risk nomatter what.

I know this is tough for Manu...but even though you take a lot of pride in your own country and want to represent them you still have a job that you are paid for. There is loyalty involved in both with regards to the fans, but you have co-workers that are depending on you. Its not fair to them for you jeopardize what all of them work so hard to achieve every year because you feel a sense of obligation to your country regardless of your health. You can't let loyalty and national pride turn into selfishness...and you are riding that line with this decision.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ElNono

With that mentality we'll just suspend training camp aswell.

---

:rolleyes

Oh My GOD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by benefactor

I know this is tough for Manu...but even though you take a lot of pride in your own country and want to represent them you still have a job that you are paid for. There is loyalty involved in both with regards to the fans, but you have co-workers that are depending on you. Its not fair to them for you jeopardize what all of them work so hard to achieve every year because you feel a sense of obligation to your country regardless of your health. You can't let loyalty and national pride turn into selfishness...and you are riding that line with this decision.

---

This call should be easy for Manu. You have a gold medal and you ended the year hurt, sit home this summer and get healthy for your team paying you millions of bucks to be healthy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

Manu's job entails being a great athlete, not having his ass chained to a desk, surely you see a diference there?? Some people have it in their contracts that they can't ride motorcycles, in the offseason, and if they get hurt bye bye salary. That is having fun in the offseason isn't it?? But you don't do it if it means kissing a payday goodbye. Tell me or anyone with a straight face you would risk your health if you knew that if you got hurt you would lose out on 10 mil. Manu can do this because that is not at risk nomatter what.

---

Ofcourse he would still do it even if he would lose 10 million. That's what you can't seem to get through your thick head. And injury would set him back, at worse, one year. After that he can easily sign a $60+ million contract.
You know, I wouldn't pass up on 10 million because I'll probably never see that kind of money again. But Manu is basically getting paid below average money for a ex-All Star player still in his prime.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by benefactor

I know this is tough for Manu...but even though you take a lot of pride in your own country and want to represent them you still have a job that you are paid for. There is loyalty involved in both with regards to the fans, but you have co-workers that are depending on you. Its not fair to them for you jeopardize what all of them work so hard to achieve every year because you feel a sense of obligation to your country regardless of your health. You can't let loyalty and national pride turn into selfishness...and you are riding that line with this decision.

---

How is this selfish?
It's deciding between co-workers depending on you, or your entire country counting on you.
It's like having to decide between my co-workers or my family. This is a no-brainer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ElNono

How is this selfish?
It's deciding between co-workers depending on you, or your entire country counting on you.
It's like having to decide between my co-workers or my family. This is a no-brainer.

---

What? Entire country =/= family.

I'm not sure what the odds are, but I think that Ginobili getting injured further is more probable than his leading Argentina to another gold medal.

And another poster said that Tim may have played if he had been okay in 2000. That's the thing, he wasn't okay, hence he did not play. Simple. He decided against mortgaging the future. Realizing that the NBA overpays its players probably didn't escape his mind either.

Trade him. Larry Bird wants to get rid of Jamaal Tinsley's contract. Danny Granger would fit right in here. Those two contracts would work with Manu's.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by v2freak

What? Entire country =/= family.

---

Family > Country > Coworkers

When it comes to sports, both fans and players are super prideful. You need to realize that Argentina never won ANYTHING in basketball, before this generation of players. 15 years ago it was unthinkable that a player from Argentina, who historically sucked at Basketball, would play in the NBA and even less win 3 championships. So Manu, along with Nocioni, Oberto, Scola, etc basically know they're writing the history book of Argentina's basketball every time they play.
There's a reason they call them the Golden generation.

Quote:

---

I'm not sure what the odds are, but I think that Ginobili getting injured further is more probable than his leading Argentina to another gold medal.

---

And you base this on what exactly? They're the defending Olympic champions, and the only team to beat team USA twice. They're playing under international rules that favor them. I think along with Spain, Greece and the US, they are candidates.

As far as I'm concerned, Manu can do whatever is within his right in his contract with the Spurs. This is a FACT.

I'm pretty sure he wouldn't play if he didn't feel like he could go at some sort of competitive level. Not only would he be risking his own long term health, but selfish in taking a spot in the Argentinian team that another player could've taken.

And from I what I've seen of Manu on the court, I couldn't label him as having a selfish personality. And this is fundamentally what people are questioning.

I say Go Manu. You have my benefit of the doubt.

Baring he hasn't a significant risk to turn his injury into a long-term one, that is to say at least season ending injury, I'm all for Manu playing the Olympics. That's areally big even for him.

However, I'm quite concerned about Manu's ankle. I wonder how bad is his arthritis and if it will hurt him in the long term.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ElNono

Family > Country > Coworkers

When it comes to sports, both fans and players are super prideful. You need to realize that Argentina never won ANYTHING in basketball, before this generation of players. 15 years ago it was unthinkable that a player from Argentina, who historically sucked at Basketball, would play in the NBA and even less win 3 championships. So Manu, along with Nocioni, Oberto, Scola, etc basically know they're writing the history book of Argentina's basketball every time they play.
There's a reason they call them the Golden generation.

---

So automatically fans of the Spurs deserve to be held in a much lower regard than Argentinean fans of their NT?

You should put coworkers/boss, because we both know that part of the reason he is able to live comfortably with his family in his country in the offseason is because of his coworkers/boss. His salary should be a huge deal in this argument. It's a lot of money to me, you, Ginobili, the Spurs, etc.

Quote:

---

And you base this on what exactly? They're the defending Olympic champions, and the only team to beat team USA twice.

---

Not the same US team now

Quote:

---

They're playing under international rules that favor them.

---

Agree 100%

Quote:

---

I think along with Spain, Greece and the US, they are candidates.

---

The Miami Heat may have been the NBA champions in 2006, but they got embarassed in 2007. That was year to year. I don't think that after 4 years, this team could have possibly stayed as sharp as in 2004. Every player has aged and/or injured and it seems that international teams do not shift their rosters around as much as, say, the US. Just my 2 cents though, I have no idea how it will turn out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

You have a choice to be an olympian or take the summer off and see to it you come in ready to go for your team paying you millions of dollars.

---

Manu has decided to be an Olympian, represents his country in the world's biggest stage and has a life outside the Spurs/NBA. He is exercising his basic rights. Who are we to deny someone something so fundamental, so human?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

I actually agree with Mark Cuban on this one. Why should we pay these guys so much money and have them risk it all playing for another team in the summer?? The problem is guaranteed money here.

---

Unlike us mere mortal, guaranteed money in NBA is in fact--dont hold your breath--LEGAL. Something legal is never a problem. If Mark Cuban does not want to pay guaranteed money, he can choose not to "play" in NBA.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

They get it, injured or healthy, so they can risk whatever the hell they want.

---

Just because the NBA millionnaires have the money does not mean they can (or want) to risk their health. Your concise argument earlier is getting incoherent here. Have you been injured yourself? Do you consciously want to trade money with injury? I don't think so. Manu can play hurt. He cannot play injured. Relax. Manu is not our nor the Spurs' property.

dbreiden83080, I'm not asking this to be downright contrary. I just want to know. Do you have any confirmation that Manu is still hurt?

I just don't see what the fuss is all about. He already said before that if the injury turns out to be really serious (which we'll know in four or five days), he will sit it out. I don't think he said what he said to be spiteful and say "Fuck it. Injured or not, I'm going to play." To go from "more worried and concerned than all of you" to almost certain that he will be able to play in a span of two weeks, Manu must have significant reason to believe that indeed he is healthy enough. Besides, from the last column he wrote in his website, he says that the Spurs and Argentine doctors are already on the same page and working together with him. If they say he's fine, let the guy defend his medal.

Hey, can you post a link of that atricle?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manufan909

Hey, can you post a link of that atricle?

---

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?...6607&high=manu

Thanks

EDIT: And is there an english version somewhere?:(

Manu is playing regardless of how he feels. This was just the politically correct thing to do/say.

I love the Spurs already, but I love the fact they will not discuss any contract extension until after his Olympic play is over. Obviously we don't want him if he shows continued wear on that ankle, and has a terrible outing or even worse re-injures it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manufan909

Hey, can you post a link of that atricle?

---

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100391

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by urunobili

(I think he wrote all this at the airport when boarding to go to San Antonio)

“Being the flag bearer is a distinction that I can’t enjoy; my head is everywhere right now”

By Manu

I am at full speed right now and doing several things in my visit to Buenos Aires, being there for my commercial compromises and leaving to San Antonio in a couple of hours. There were some changes regarding my rehab with the ankle and I had to set up this trip almost urgently. As the work and treatment on the ankle is finished and now I need a final injection to lower the tendon size on the ankle, the doctors thought it was more convenient if I do this in San Antonio

Luckily, now the specialists here and the ones hired by the Spurs are agreeing and thinking the same way. The fact that both parties are now on the same page alleviates me a big deal. It also favors me having this trip earlier than originally scheduled in 4, 5 days from now, because that way, I could start with the preparation earlier and go to the training camp in Rosario next Friday.

We now have to wait the results of the injection; it won’t be immediate because I’ll have to immobilize the ankle for 4 days after it. If everything goes well, great, otherwise we’ll have to make a decision about my trip to Beijing. Furthermore, it wasn’t any good wait too long because the spur that I had on the ankle could make me lose strength on my leg’s muscles. Things changed now, but we are all lucky that everybody agrees on the following steps to follow and it is also possible that the Spurs kinesiologyst travel with me to check on the rehab and workouts.

So far, i have done all the treatments that were recommended during my days in Bahia Blanca, and that wasn’t a show stopper for me to get good rest, spend a lot of time with family and friends and ate all the “asados” (barbecues) I wanted.

Anyhow, the situation is not easy. Uncertainty is big and in this moment I am more concerned about my ankle than of the Olympics. I don’t even know which teams we have friendly matches scheduled against in our preparation tour. The only thing I want is to heal, be fine and start training because I already lost a lot of time. Normally, ten days before camp I start running and weight lifting, but this time I couldn’t. that’s one of the things bothering me already.

I generally don’t have a tendency to gain weight because of inactivity and before Japan’s World cup, 4 weeks of intense training was enough for me to be fine. But this time is different because my ankle has been immobilized and I have walked very little. I didn’t do any physical activity.

Spurs being worried is very logic. We had a couple of phone calls with Pop the first week and then just a couple of emails to coordinate my trip.

It has been brought to my attention that some people are saying that I don’t want Togo to the Olympics. Unfortunately I can’t convince all first hand of the opposite, but Confederation Front Office, my teammates, the coaching staff, the doctors here and in San Antonio and my family know very well that I am doing all possibly to be in Beijing. If they don’t believe that I can’t do anything for them.

In regards to the condition of being the flag bearer that the Argentinean Olympic committee has just designated for me, it does not mean additional pressure because I still have the same willingness to play that I always had. The flag does not change my objective. It isn’t also a distinction that I could enjoy today or even get to understand. I have my head somewhere else. When the time passes by I will probable value that fact that the flag will be give to me by the president next Friday at Cenard (Argentinean High Performance Sports Facility). Surely the 8th August in Beijing, I will know what it means and I will feel a great emotion and happiness.

I do not want to say goodbye without referring to Ruben Wolkowyski’s declarations in the press. The first thing I want to say is that I don’t share his opinion and the coaching staff has my absolute support. Those were critics that do not bring anything and have little sense to be said on this moment. I hope that this doesn’t affect the team. Probably he being left out for this team provoked his anger and that’s why he said it.

Past tomorrow I’ll be back to join the team at Rosario’s camp. I hope everything goes fine. For now, I have great expectations and a big uncertainty.

---

Manu wants to play and I'm fine with it.

Play and win Manu

I could care less whether he plays or not.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by v2freak

So automatically fans of the Spurs deserve to be held in a much lower regard than Argentinean fans of their NT?

---

He's a native from Argentina. What do you think?
Kobe said it best: When you play for your team you're just representing a market. When you play for the NT you're representing your entire country.
That's not to say that Manu doesn't care about Spurs fans. He cares enough to earn less money to play with our team. But if you put him in a bind to select between San Antonio vs Argentina, he'll pick the latter 10 out of 10 times.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by v2freak

You should put coworkers/boss, because we both know that part of the reason he is able to live comfortably with his family in his country in the offseason is because of his coworkers/boss. His salary should be a huge deal in this argument. It's a lot of money to me, you, Ginobili, the Spurs, etc.

---

He does his job throughout the year. He's been bailing out co-workers (Hedo, Finley) that can't came off the bench for years. He's a talented player. You seem to ignore that if he wouldn't be working for us, he would be working for another NBA team, or even an Euro team, where he won't have to deal with all this bitching and still have a very comfortable offseason with his family.
So let's just be grateful the guy came over back in '02 and played VERY hard for our team to win 3 championships.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by v2freak

Not the same US team now

---

It's not about Team USA. It's about playing (probably for the last time) an Olympic competition with a team that's been together for a decade or more, and that is writing Argentina's basketball history.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by v2freak

The Miami Heat may have been the NBA champions in 2006, but they got embarassed in 2007. That was year to year. I don't think that after 4 years, this team could have possibly stayed as sharp as in 2004. Every player has aged and/or injured and it seems that international teams do not shift their rosters around as much as, say, the US. Just my 2 cents though, I have no idea how it will turn out.

---

I have not idea how it will turn out either. But when you looked at the '04 Olympic team, it was pretty much the same as looking at this US team: Iverson, Duncan, Wade, Lebron, Carmelo, Boozer, Odom, etc.
That's why they play the games...

LINK

"Es un momento bastante especial. No saben el honor y la alegría que siento en este momento por haber sido elegido como representante del grupo increíble de atletas que va a estar en Beijing", dijo Manu tras recibir la bandera de manos de la Presidenta.

"El sueño de cada atleta es competir en los Juegos Olímpicos. Yo encima estoy representando a 35 ó 40 millones de personas. El honor es enorme y el orgullo es incalculable, así que haré lo posible para estar ahí", concluyó Ginóbili, quien esta mañana regresó de Estados Unidos, donde fue revisado por el cuerpo médico de San Antonio Spurs. El zurdo terminó la temporada de la NBA con una lesión en el tobillo izquierdo y aún no está confirmada su presencia en Beijing 2008.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This is a very special moment. I feel honored and happy to be selected the representative of this group of incredible athletes that are heading to Beijing.", said Manu after receiving the flag from the President.

"The dream of every athlete is to compete in the Olympics. I'm also representing 35 to 40 million people. The honor is huge and the pride incalculable, so I'll do what I can to be there", he concluded.
Ginobili returned this morning from the US, where he was examined by the Spur's medical staff. The lefty ended the NBA season with an injury in his left ankle, and his presence in Beijing is still not confirmed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brutalis

Manu is playing regardless of how he feels. This was just the politically correct thing to do/say.

I love the Spurs already, but I love the fact they will not discuss any contract extension until after his Olympic play is over. Obviously we don't want him if he shows continued wear on that ankle, and has a terrible outing or even worse re-injures it.

---

Today, Manu say in the NT press conference that if he feels bad in Spain, he's gonig back to San Antonio. Obviously they want him for more years.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ElNono

He's a native from Argentina. What do you think?
Kobe said it best: When you play for your team you're just representing a market. When you play for the NT you're representing your entire country.
That's not to say that Manu doesn't care about Spurs fans. He cares enough to earn less money to play with our team. But if you put him in a bind to select between San Antonio vs Argentina, he'll pick the latter 10 out of 10 times.


He does his job throughout the year. He's been bailing out co-workers (Hedo, Finley) that can't came off the bench for years. He's a talented player. You seem to ignore that if he wouldn't be working for us, he would be working for another NBA team, or even an Euro team, where he won't have to deal with all this bitching and still have a very comfortable offseason with his family.
So let's just be grateful the guy came over back in '02 and played VERY hard for our team to win 3 championships.

---

So when does pride become nationalism? I've seen the two be applied to the exact same situation, although one is held in a much more positive light. And the Spurs drafted Ginobili at a ridiculously low number. Had the Spurs not taken a chance on Ginobili, I don't know where he'd be right now. There's also an argument that he's developed tremendously as a player playing next to Duncan, learning the Spurs system and performing against the bad.

Some homers here act like Ginobili single-handedly led the Spurs to 3 championships. He was absolutely critical in 2005 when Duncan was limping - I'll give you that. Without him, the Spurs would not have pulled it out. Still interesting why he only had good games when Duncan did though.

Quote:

---

It's not about Team USA. It's about playing (probably for the last time) an Olympic competition with a team that's been together for a decade or more, and that is writing Argentina's basketball history.


I have not idea how it will turn out either. But when you looked at the '04 Olympic team, it was pretty much the same as looking at this US team: Iverson, Duncan, Wade, Lebron, Carmelo, Boozer, Odom, etc.
That's why they play the games...

---

Just explaining why I don't think they will have the same type of success.

Quote:

---

When it comes to sports, both fans and players are super prideful. You need to realize that Argentina never won ANYTHING in basketball, before this generation of players.

---

mmmm... do you know wich was the first country to win the world tittle in basketball???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argenti...asketball_team


Besides that... I believe that Manu knows pretty well that an injury on this olympics could cause big damage to his relationship with the spurs and his career , also he is aware that our nt needs him and that this could be his last chance representing our country.
He is a fighter who ALWAYS wants to win (and to show that he decided to play and put aside the bad relationship he has with the argie coach)... I love the spurs and I love Manu, it would suck if he gets hurt... but I know he will do anything to take good care of himself and get the gold medal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

What you can control is avoiding the odds of suffering one

---

you can avoid the odds, but you cant control the odds. there is a big difference.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

The problem is guaranteed money here. They get it, injured or healthy, so they can risk whatever the hell they want.

---

the spurs money isnt at risk, because manu has mandatory insurance for the olympics. if manu gets injured at the olympics, the spurs dont pay a penny; if he gets injured during the season, then they foot the bill (although they probably have insurance for that too.)

so the issue isnt money at all, its performance, and you have no way of knowing how manu, or any other spur, will perform next season.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

Manu's job entails being a great athlete, not having his ass chained to a desk, surely you see a diference there?? Some people have it in their contracts that they can't ride motorcycles, in the offseason, and if they get hurt bye bye salary. That is having fun in the offseason isn't it??

---

kind of. manu's job entails being a great BASKETBALL PLAYER. how do you think he became one? by sitting on his ass in the summer? or maybe, by PLAYING BASKETBALL? he's not out riding motorcycles.

Pop (and Kori) said it best- playing organized basketball is the best case scenario for manu.

but please, dont mind reason, carry on complaining about a problem that doesnt exist (oh no, the risk!), and when manu does have a career ending injury, most probably playing for the spurs, tell yourself that it was argentina's fault and that the spurs paid for the right.