Must read: new Manu article

Traslate, please:

http://www.canchallena.com/1227103

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Acá estoy, comiendo un alfajor y listo para contarles algunas cosas. Vino mucha gente de la Argentina últimamente y tengo la alacena llena de mi golosina preferida. ¡Acepto toda clase de alfajores, jaja! Después del triunfo contra Atlanta del miércoles a la noche estamos más contentos porque ya era histórico lo que nos estaba pasando: 5 derrotas en 6 partidos y las 3 últimas como locales.

Una situación muy rara, a la que nos cuesta encontrarle solución. Porque no es cuestión de química de grupo o de estilo de juego, además la convivencia y el vestuario siguen siendo espectaculares. Lo que pasa es que por momentos jugamos muy bien y nos entran todas las bolas, como con Atlanta, cuando hicimos 66 puntos en el 1er tiempo y después nos caemos, perdemos confianza, nos bloqueamos y por ahí entramos en individualismos. Nos cuesta horrores encontrarles respuesta a esos bajones. Y lo extraño es que generalmente se dan al regreso del vestuario luego del entretiempo. Bueno, en los playoffs del año pasado, contra New Orleans, perdimos los terceros cuartos en 6 partidos seguidos. Eso fue insólito.

Y no es cuestión de esperar que los astros se pongan en linea y nos favorezcan, hay que defender más duro, atacar más el aro y duplicar el esfuerzo. Si se me nota más enchufado en estos partidos es porque me siento muy bien físicamente y asumo una gran responsabilidad por revertir esto. Si bien contra Atlanta erré bastante, no creo que haya jugado mal y tampoco es algo que me preocupe, es cuestión de confianza, ya van a entrar; lo importante es que me siento fuerte, ágil, con mucha pila.

Si miramos la tabla de posiciones en la Conferencia (6tos, con récord 26-18), no parece muy preocupante nuestra situación porque estamos con sólo 4 derrotas más que el 2do del Oeste (Denver, 31-14); lo complicado es que nos quedan 24 partidos de visitante y sólo 14 como locales para terminar la serie regular. En febrero y marzo casi no vamos a estar en San Antonio.

El miércoles próximo comenzamos la tradicional gira del rodeo, con 8 partidos seguidos fuera de casa. Y si bien históricamente este momento sirvió para amalgamar al equipo y salir de algunas crisis, no nos podemos confiar en eso porque los primeros 5 juegos serán contra equipos muy difíciles, entre ellos Portland, los Lakers y Denver.

Mi sensación es que dejamos pasar una gran oportunidad en el arranque de la temporada y que deberíamos tener 5 derrotas menos.

Alguien me decía ayer que parece que estuviese jugando como con bronca, muy enchufado, y se refería a mi situación contractual o a la posibilidad de que no me renueven en los Spurs. ¡Nada que ver! No juego con resentimiento ni con ganas de revancha. Ni siquiera siento que juegue distinto. Estoy muy bien físicamente, eso sí, y lo único que quiero es ganar y repetir el título. Además, mientras más lejos lleguemos con los Spurs mayor será mi salario el año próximo.

Para que se entiendan bien algunas cosas quiero aclarar que hasta hace unos meses esperaba y me preocupaba por la llegada del ofrecimiento de extensión del contrato, pero ya no. Estoy más relajado en ese sentido. No espero que me renueven antes del 30 de junio, cuando finaliza el acuerdo. Veremos qué pasa en julio.

Hace dos años suponía que mi carrera terminaría en San Antonio, pero ahora estoy cada vez más abierto a la posibilidad del cambio. Si uno mira la historia de la NBA, muy pocos jugadores hicieron toda su carrera en una misma franquicia. Son las reglas del juego. Este año los Spurs se armaron para ganar el título y si no se logra el objetivo todo puede suceder. Son las reglas del juego. Pueden hacer cambios para intentarlo de nuevo en la próxima temporada.

Hay muchos rumores y crecerán más hacia mitad de año porque como nunca en la historia de la NBA hay un gran grupo de estrellas que serán agentes libres el 1° de julio, como Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire y varios equipos que reservaron dinero para salir al mercado con todo. Justo a mí me involucraron en un cambio directo con Phoenix por Stoudemire, pero no le veo el negocio para ninguno llevarse un jugador por 6 meses que en julio quedará libre.

Repito, no sé qué puede pasar, estoy abierto a todas las posibilidades. Si me tengo que ir de San Antonio no me molestará cambiar, lo hablaré con mi esposa (por suerte lo mellizos no van a opinar... todavía) y evaluaremos las posibilidades; sí me va a doler dejar atrás una historia de ocho años en esta ciudad, donde siempre estuve muy a gusto.

Por ahora nadie puede hablar oficialmente de negociaciones hasta julio, está prohibido, así que hay que esperar, tratar de jugar lo mejor posible y especialmente buscar recuperar terreno con mi equipo. Ojalá lo podamos lograr en estos duros partidos que se vienen.

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Nice article. Too bad I´m not good at translating.

why Spurs go through rough stretches, Manu?
1. live by the 3 die by the 3
2. inconsistent D
3. old team
4. Richard Jefferson

i hate when people don't realize this is an english site lol

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Originally Posted by ffadicted

i hate when people don't realize this is an english site lol

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You realize the original poster asks for someone to translate it to English, right?

It's pretty much routine here... people post the international articles, then some nice person will come in and translate, so that everyone can benefit from the news.

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Originally Posted by ffadicted

i hate when people don't realize this is an english site lol

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You do realize she posted it so that someone would be kind enough to translate, right?

I'll tell you what, I hate when newbies complain without using their brains.

I got this, give me 10 minutes

Here is the article translated through Google. Hope this helps until someone else can do a better translation:

*Deleted to avoid confusion*

-Overall Manu says that as the days go by he's more open to changing jerseys.
-He surprisingly talks about his market value going up if the Spurs go deep into the playoffs.
-Doesn't believe that a team will rent a player for 6 months (Amare issue).
-Says if you notice his aggressiveness/crankiness lately that it doesn't have anything to do with the contract negotiations, he says that he's just extremely healthy and wants to pick up the slack.

I'm working on it...

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Originally Posted by ElNono

I'm working on it...

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Originally Posted by urunobili

I got this

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Thanks :tu

Thank God someone beat me to it.
I was trying real hard. :lol

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Originally Posted by Kindergarten Cop

google shit

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Dude everybody can do that please delete the post to avoid confusion with the actual translations... thanks...

hmm sounds like this being the last season for manu is not out of the realm of possibility. Hope he goes out wiht a championship. Although a good performance might ensure a new contract.

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Originally Posted by Kindergarten Cop

google shit

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Originally Posted by urunobili

Dude everybody can do that please delete the post to avoid confusion with the actual translations... thanks...

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I was honestly trying to help and don't really understand how anyone would confuse it "with the actual translations" considering that I prefaced it with "Here is the article translated through Google. Hope this helps until someone else can do a better translation." I will go back and delete it, but do you honestly feel that the tone in your response was warranted?

http://coolaggregator.files.wordpres...05/drphil1.jpg
What do you say we just get back to the issue of translating.

Awesome article. Can't wait until I understand it.

I'm every time more open to the possibility of change.
By Manu
Translation - urunobili

Here I am eating an “alfajor” (a south American traditional candy) and ready to tell you some things. A lot of people from Argentina came over recently and I have my drawers full of these! I accept all kind of alfajores so feel free to send more! Lol After the win over Atlanta last Wednesday we are happier since it was historical already to lose 5 out of the last 6 and the last 3 at home.

It was a very weird situation and difficult to find a solution because this is not about group chemistry or game style. The relationship in between us and the locker-room keep being spectacular. What is happening is that for moments we play very well and all the balls go in, like against Atlanta that we scored 66 points at halftime and after that, we slow down and we lose confidence, we block ourselves mentally and maybe some times we fall into individualist kind of play. It’s been very difficult to find an answer to those melt downs. The strange thing is that it happens after coming back from the lockerroom in halftime. Well in the 2008 playoffs we lost the 3rd quarter on 6 straight games. That was unheard of.

It is not a matter of waiting for the stars to align and favor us, we have to defend harder, attack the rim more and double our efforts. You can tell I have been more on these matches and that’s because I am feeling very well physically and I am assuming a great responsibility to try to revert this. Although I did miss a lot against Atlanta, I don’t think I played bad at all and it is not something that is currently worrying me, it’s just a matter of confidence, they will fall eventually; the most important thing is that I feel strong, agile and with a lot of energy.

If we look at the standings in our conference (currently 6th with a 26-18 record), our situation doesn’t seem very concerning because we’re just 4 losses away from the west’s 2nd team (Denver 31-14); the complicated thing is that we have 24 games as visitors and just 14 at home to finish the regular season. In February and March we will barely be in San Antonio.

Next Wednesday our traditional road rodeo trip will start with 8 straight matches played away. Even considering that historically this moment have always helped us to mesh as a team and get out of some crisis, we cannot trust that just that will happen because the first 5 games will be against very tough teams like Portland the Lakers and Denver.

My sensation is that we let a huge chance slip away at the beginning of the season and that we should have 5 less losses.

Someone told me yesterday that it seems like I’m playing with anger, very focused, and he was referring to my contractual situation or to the possibility that I am not renewed by the Spurs. It has nothing to do with that! I do not play with any kind of resentment neither with revenge. I am not even feeling that I am playing any differently. I am fine physically and what’s for sure is that I want to win and repeat the title after that. Even more the further we get with the Spurs this year the biggest my salary is going to be next.

To be understood appropriately I would like to clarify that until a couple of months ago I was worried and waiting for a contract extension offer but not anymore. I am more relaxed about that now. I don’t think that I will be renewed until June 30th when the actual deal finalizes. We’ll see what happens in July.

For years I have supposed that my career would finish in San Antonio, but now I am more open than before to the possibility of change. If you look at NBA’s history very few players played their whole career with the same franchise. Those are the rules of the game. This year the Spurs got prepared to win it all and if the objective is not met anything could happen. Those are the rules of the game. Changes could be made and try again next season.

There are lots of rumors and they will grow as the year keeps rolling because like never in the history of the NBA, there is a group of superstars that will be free agents in July 1st like Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudamire and there are several teams that reserved some cash to go out shopping very aggressively. I was just recently involved in a rumor saying that a straight swap with Phoenix was happening for Stoudamire, but I don’t see good business in having a player just for 6 months that will then end up leaving in July.

I repeat, I don’t know what can happen, I am open to all possibilities. If I have to leave San Antonio I will not be mad to chance scenery, I will evaluate it with my wife (luckily the twins will not have a say… for now) and we will evaluate the possibilities; it would truly hurt to leave a history of eight years in this city where I have always been very happy.

For now, no one can speak officially about negotiations until July, it’s forbidden so you have to wait, I'll try to play to the best of my abilities and especially try to recover ground with my team. Hopefully we’ll get it done in these tough matches ahead.

www.manuginobili.com
www.facebook.com/manuginobili

Thank you urunobili.

And Cherry to this day I still appreciate your photochopping skills.
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/138...mithersbd4.jpg

I'm still proof reading / editing some grammar stuff so if you find funny stuff let me know...

Uru, don't forget Manu's pronunciation:

Rosher Mason
Shorshe Hill

and don't forget to add a che and a boludo once in a while. entendes?

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Here I am eating an “alfajor” (a south American traditional candy) and ready to tell you some things. A lot of people from Argentina came over recently and I have my drawers full of these! I accept all kind of alfajores so feel free to send more!

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Manu needs to share :hungry:

Thanks to the translator.

Manu is really dragging this whole free agency subject out. I guess we should've known that the questions would be there when he wasn't offered an extension, but I still just don't understand how this is such a big surprise to Ginobili.

With the injuries he's had, this is the bed he's made for himself, albeit unwillingly. If he continues to stay healthy and play well, then of course the Spurs will offer him a fair contract. My bet is that they are still loyal to Manu, just not fool-heartedly. It's his prerogative, at that point, whether he wants to go chasing bigger dollars or title hopes somewhere or else.

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Originally Posted by Kindergarten Cop

Here is the article translated through Google. Hope this helps until someone else can do a better translation:

*Deleted to avoid confusion*

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Hey Kinder sorry for the tone of my request you're totally right... I was in the middle of the translation and I saw it and felt dissapointed.. my bad I'm sorry i hope you hold no grudge over me ST is a gr8 place to make friends :tu

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Originally Posted by urunobili

Dude everybody can do that please delete the post to avoid confusion with the actual translations... thanks...

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Gracias... I was just finished when I got your email... :pctoss

:lol

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Originally Posted by timvp

Manu needs to share :hungry:

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Damn never saw that one! though I love to learn that when i visit San Antonio next, the Ellis'es would love to get a couple of boxes of those :toast

Maybe we should do a raffle or some sort of contest and I'll even ship them from here to the winner wherever he/she is!:flag:

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Originally Posted by ElNono

Gracias... I was just finished when I got your email... :pctoss

:lol

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lol I saw your post on here two after mine and was close to send you an email to stop you... Sorry :blush

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Originally Posted by hater

Uru, don't forget Manu's pronunciation:

Rosher Mason
Shorshe Hill

and don't forget to add a che and a boludo once in a while. entendes?

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Si, señorita... :lol

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Originally Posted by timvp

Manu needs to share :hungry:

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I literally brought 6 boxes of Havanna with me last September from my last trip... 3 Alfajores, and 3 Havannets...

Never tried the Malt, I'm a coffee guy... :lol

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Originally Posted by ElNono

I literally brought 6 boxes of Havanna with me last September from my last trip... 3 Alfajores, and 3 Havannets...

Never tried the Malt, I'm a coffee guy... :lol

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Nono, te recomiendo para la proxima que te lleves los alfajores El Cachafaz.
Son mejores que los Havanna.

Great read. Thanks for the translation. :)

My neighbor friend's dad used to keep a bunch of those Malta Goyas stashed in the fridge. As is typical with kids, we would occasionally sneak one, drink it, hate it, but still feel cool for finishing it.

Maybe I've acquired the taste for it over the past 15 years...but I doubt it. :vomit:

on a side note... Uruguayan Alfajores >>>>>>>>>> Argentinean ones :stirpot:

Thanks, urunobili. :tu

Very good news that Manu says he's feeling so good physically. Hopefully with more confidence and rhythm, he'll be able to return to the level of play we've all come to expect.

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Even more the further we get with the Spurs this year the biggest my salary is going to be next.

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That's an un-Manu-like quote. I never thought I'd see the day Manu would say he wants to win so he can get more money.

As I've said previously, Manu is being a bit of a drama queen about his contract situation. He could have already received his extension if that was what he wanted -- but he decided to play for his NT instead. That was his decision and he should just live with the consequences. Contract extensions are pretty rare -- and are unheard of for players who have gone through two straight injury plagued season.

I can't imagine a situation in which I wouldn't want Manu back next season. And really, there isn't much reason for Manu to be worried about it. He'll be a free agent in what promises to be one of the best summers in NBA history for for free agents. He's going to get a good contract. Maybe not as good as the extension the Spurs offered, but again that's the risk Manu took when he played for the NT.

Instead of continuously talking about your contract situation and how you had an epiphany about not necessarily being a Spur for life or whatever, concentrate on becoming the dominant Manu we all know and love. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by MB20

Nono, te recomiendo para la proxima que te lleves los alfajores El Cachafaz.
Son mejores que los Havanna.

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When you've been without Alfajores for a year, anything is AWESOME...
But I'll try Cachafaz next time... :tu

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Originally Posted by timvp

That's an un-Manu-like quote. I never thought I'd see the day Manu would say he wants to win so he can get more money.

As I've said previously, Manu is being a bit of a drama queen about his contract situation. He could have already received his extension if that was what he wanted -- but he decided to play for his NT instead. That was his decision and he should just live with the consequences. Contract extensions are pretty rare -- and are unheard of for players who have gone through two straight injury plagued season.

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Well, I think he pretty much added that whole thing because as he commented on the article, people come as ask him about it. I'm sure it probably was pretty hectic last wednesday when the Amare rumor came up.

And on a side note, as far as injury plagued goes, it was just one season.

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Originally Posted by timvp

I can't imagine a situation in which I wouldn't want Manu back next season. And really, there isn't much reason for Manu to be worried about it. He'll be a free agent in what promises to be one of the best summers in NBA history for for free agents. He's going to get a good contract. Maybe not as good as the extension the Spurs offered, but again that's the risk Manu took when he played for the NT.

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I think the FO is doing what's sensible and waiting out on it to see what his health looks like. There's no reason for the FO to hurry right now.

Thanks for the translation, nice to know that Ginobili is actually keeping his calm, definitly seemed like in the past few games he was playing with anger. I mean, he's always been an aggressive and passionate player, but it seemed different to me anyway. His intangibles, passing, IQ, playmaking and defense are all there, he just needs time to get his shot back, and I'm confident he will do just that.

I agree with what he said about the chemistry in the team. It really seems like all the guys are class acts, so the locker room should be no different, and we all know the coaching staff has a good relation with the players as well. Spurs should definitly be higher in the standings, and it's obviously taken a much longer time for them to gel, and I'm still not sure we'll be able to see 100% games from the whole team before the playoffs, and maybe not even this season at all, but I'm certainly hoping for it. The flashes have been there, and this last game against atlanta could have very well been our most complete effort this season, so there are certainly good signs.

When looking at his contract situation, I always try to stay positive but I realize like he does that if things don't go according to plan this season, anything really is possible. With that said though, if the spurs just let manu walk who can they really sign for that amount that will be able to bring to the spurs what Manu can? I just don't see it, and I think not extending him was solely due to possibility of longer lasting injury. Either way, Manu's got the right idea not caring too much about that now and focusing on what's important: getting his groove back and doing everything possible to get the spurs over the hump.

PS: No I didn't realize he asked for a translation, I'm having a bad morning after an exam, frustrated that I couldn't read the article and my bad for snaping guys lol

As an addendum, I'll just post my version of the translation here, since I already did it. Urunobili's should be the 'official' version...

"I'm more mentally open to the possibility of a change of team"

In his regular column for La Nacion, Manu Ginobili talks about the end of his contract with the Spurs and the chance to be a free agent after the playoffs. "I feel very good physically", he said.

Here I am, eating an alfajor (ED: classic Argentina's sweet cookie) and ready to share with you all a few things. lot of people from Argentina came over lately and I have my pantry full of my favorite cookie. I accept any kind of Alfajores! jeje.. After beating Altranta last wednesday night we're a lot happier because it was already historical what was happening to us: 5 losses in 6 games and the last 3 at home.

A very rare situation that we're finding difficult to find a solution to. It's not q chemistry situation of the group or a style of play, plus the camaraderie and relationships inside the locker room keep being amazing. What's happening is that we play very well for stretches and we hit every shot, like against Atlanta where we scored 66 points in the 1st half and then we fall off a cliff, lose confidence, we get a mental block and perhaps we start playing selfish basketball. It really costs us a lot to find a response to those drops in performance. And what's strange is that they normally happen returning from the locker room right after the half. Well, in last year's playoffs against New Orleans, we lost the 3rd quarters for 6 games straight. That was unusual.

And it's not about waiting for the stars to align and favor us, we have to defend harder, attack the rim more and put forth twice the effort. If you noticed that I've been playing a little harder these last few games it's because I feel great physically and I assume a big responsibility to turn this around. Even though against Atlanta I missed quite a bit, I didn't think I played bad and it's not something I'm worried about. It's a matter of confidence, they'll go in eventually. The important thing is that I feel strong, agile and very energetic.

If we look at the standings for the Conference (6th, with a 26-18 record), our situation doesn't look too worrisome because we're only 4 losses behind the 2nd in the West (Denver, 31-14); what's complicated is that we still have 24 games on the road and only 14 at home to end the regular season. In February and march we're almost not going to play in San Antonio.

Next Wednesday we start the traditional Rodeo road trip with 8 games on the road. And even though this moment historically worked to solidify the team and get out of a crisis or two, we can't just rely on that because the first 5 games are going to be against very difficult teams, among them Portland, the Lakers and Denver.

I feel like we let a great opportunity pass us by when the season started and we should have 5 less loses at this point.

Somebody told me yesterday that it looked like I was playing pissed off, very engaged and he was referring to my contract situation or the possibility of not getting an extension with the Spurs. None of that! I don't play with any resentment or revenge spirits. I don't even feel I'm playing any different. I'm just very well physically, and I want to win and get another championship. Furthermore, the farthest we get with the Spurs the better my salary will be next season.

So everybody can understand, let's clear up that up until a few months ago I was waiting and I was worried about not getting a contract extension offer, but not anymore. I'm more relaxed in that area. I don't expect to be renewed before June 30th, when our current contract expires. We'll see what happens in July.

Two years ago I thought my career was going to end in San Antonio, but now I'm more mentally open to the possibility of a change of team. If you look at the history of the NBA, very few players had their entire career on the same franchise. They're the rules of the game. This season the Spurs were built to win the championship and if the objective is not met, anything can happen. They can make changes to go for it again next season.

There's a lot of rumors and they'll grow as we approach mid-year because like almost never in the history of the NBA there will be a big pool of stars that will be free agents July 1st, like Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire and a bunch of teams have saved money to make a big move. I was just involved in a trade rumor with Phoenix for Stoudemire, but I don't see the benefit for either team to rent a player for 6 months.

I repeat, I don't know what's going to happen. I'm open to any possibility. If I have to leave San Antonio I wouldn't mind the change. I would talk about it with my wife (luckily the twins wont have an opinion.. yet) and we'll evaluate the possibilities; It will definitely hurt to leave a history of 8 years in this city, where I was always very comfortable.

For now, nobody can talk about official negotiations until July, it's prohibited. So we'll have to wait, try to play as best as possible and especially try to regain some ground with my team. I hope we can do that in the next couple of difficult games that are coming up.

I would hate to see Manu leave the Spurs :bang

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Originally Posted by ElNono

Well, I think he pretty much added that whole thing because as he commented on the article, people come as ask him about it. I'm sure it probably was pretty hectic last wednesday when the Amare rumor came up.

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Every article regarding Manu I've read lately has him talking about his contract. But yeah, this week he has a legit excuse to talk about it.

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Originally Posted by ElNono

And on a side note, as far as injury plagued goes, it was just one season.

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Good point. I should have specified the end of the two seasons.

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Originally Posted by timvp

Every article regarding Manu I've read lately has him talking about his contract. But yeah, this week he has a legit excuse to talk about it.

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You also have to understand that the Argentina's media sees him and the NBA in a very different vein than you or me. Ginobili is the best player Argentina ever produced. And loyalty is not an uncommon trait in contract negotiations in soccer over there (which is the biggest sport and usually the barometer for comparison). So, sometimes it's hard for them to understand that the Spurs means business and that includes not extending Manu. And I'm sure Manu is trying to teach them that there's nothing weird about it.

uru and nono beat me to the translation, good job guys...

as far as that quote timvp highlighted, that paragraph is being misunderstood. manu is saying someone was noting how angry and focused he was playing and implying that he was playing for a contract. manu says that he's not playing differently, and that he's not playing for a contract, that he just wants the team to win and adds at the end "besides, the further the team gets the better contract i'll get". basically the traditional manu "i play for the team not my stats and everything else will take care of itself" line. if you believe him or not is another matter...

If I were Spurs FO, I would offer a contract extension to Manu just after the trade deadline. Signing Manu to a $16M/2 years or $18M/2 years extension isn't a that big risk compared to the risk of losing him via FA. Even if Manu declines to sign the extension, an extension offer will help to improve the relationship between Spurs FO and Manu.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

If I were Spurs FO, I would offer a contract extension to Manu just after the trade deadline. Signing Manu to a $16M/2 years or $18M/2 years extension isn't a that big risk compared to the risk of losing him via FA. Even if Manu declines to sign the extension, an extension offer will help to improve the relationship between Spurs FO and Manu.

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I like your logic though playing or not in Turkey will be a huge part of his next contract negotiation. If you throw him the bone to early he might go to Turkey and I bet Pop doesn't want that... :wakeup

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Originally Posted by Bruno

If I were Spurs FO, I would offer a contract extension to Manu just after the trade deadline. Signing Manu to a $16M/2 years or $18M/2 years extension isn't a that big risk compared to the risk of losing him via FA. Even if Manu declines to sign the extension, an extension offer will help to improve the relationship between Spurs FO and Manu.

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8mil per year is too much in my opinion when you think what are the risks and minutes he is able to play when healthy.

Something that urunobili fixed in the translation but I left in mine, is that Manu has a lapse in memory when he said: "Well, in last year's playoffs against New Orleans, we lost the 3rd quarters for 6 games straight."

I was LOL when translating...

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Originally Posted by urunobili

Hey Kinder sorry for the tone of my request you're totally right... I was in the middle of the translation and I saw it and felt dissapointed.. my bad I'm sorry i hope you hold no grudge over me ST is a gr8 place to make friends :tu

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No sweat.

Thanks for the accurate translation. I'm really getting nervous over this Manu FA talk. He is one player that I was certain would never play in another uniform (in the NBA, anyways). I guess this just goes to show that it truly is a business.

Thanks, urunobili and ElNono. :toast

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Originally Posted by Manu

Well, in last year's playoffs against New Orleans, we lost the 3rd quarters for 6 games straight.

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'09 really was a lost year; literally deleted from Manu's memory bank. :lol

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Originally Posted by Kamnik

8mil per year is too much in my opinion when you think what are the risks and minutes he is able to play when healthy.

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It's a risk to take.

When I see that the best Spurs could do in the 2010 FA are players like Mike Miller or John Salmons, I'm ready to take that risk.

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Originally Posted by ElNono

Something that urunobili fixed in the translation but I left in mine, is that Manu has a lapse in memory when he said: "Well, in last year's playoffs against New Orleans, we lost the 3rd quarters for 6 games straight."

I was LOL when translating...

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see? even Manu agrees last year series vs. Mavs and Lakers championship don't count

I think in Manu's mind, he just goes out and plays his heart out for his team, whether it's the Spurs or the National Team. He's obviously a sincere guy, as we all know, which is why we love him. He doesn't know any other way than fight, fight, fight.

But I still don't think he realizes how badly he screwed over the Spurs by choosing to play in the Olympics and getting hurt so badly, and that was on top of being hurt in the 2008 playoffs, which also cost us dearly.

I personally couldn't believe he chose to play in the Olympics. It just defied common sense. He is paid millions by a professional team - so you do your utmost for the entity which is paying you those millions, right?

So it surprises me not at all that the Spurs would wait it out until the end of this season and see if he stays healthy or not.

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Originally Posted by Baseline

I personally couldn't believe he chose to play in the Olympics. It just defied common sense. He is paid millions by a professional team - so you do your utmost for the entity which is paying you those millions, right?

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It's very very simple. He loves his country more than he loves his job, money and the Spurs. How hard is that to understand?

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Originally Posted by in2deep

It's very very simple. He loves his country more than he loves his job, money and the Spurs. How hard is that to understand?

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Originally Posted by urunobili

I like your logic though playing or not in Turkey will be a huge part of his next contract negotiation. If you throw him the bone to early he might go to Turkey and I bet Pop doesn't want that... :wakeup

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Originally Posted by ElNono

There's no reason for the FO to hurry right now.

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:wakeup

i really dont understand why he keeps talking about this... its not like its going to help the team. i could see it having more of a negative effect on the rest of this season than positive.

if he feels like he wants to explore free agency, then fucking go ahead. keep it to your damn self manu.

your still under contract for this year, so start worrying about this year. this only shows lack of focus on his part....

he atleast owes tim duncan this. go out and fucking play for this year... not for a contract for some other team next year.

ridiculous

Manu seems to be playing the next contract, which is just fine, everybody does it in a contract year.

He knows injuries have reduced his contribution/market value this past couple seasons (and I'm sure he looks a RJ's $14M with some envy).

It'll be his last contract. I go along with whatever attitude towards it he wants, we owe him, more than he owes us.

But let's salvage this disaster of a season first.

when did our team start getting so sensitive and start taking everything so damn personal?

Tony butt hurt about flying back after getting injured in his side-job this summer and Manu butt hurt for not getting a contract extension that he has not earned- injury wise.

Tim continues to show he's the only true professional.

and how the fuck does Pop let this fly/get out?

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Originally Posted by Creation88

and how the fuck does Pop let this fly/get out?

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What can he do about it? Not offer an extension? Well, he's there already.

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Originally Posted by DesignatedT

i really dont understand why he keeps talking about this... its not like its going to help the team. i could see it having more of a negative effect on the rest of this season than positive.

if he feels like he wants to explore free agency, then fucking go ahead. keep it to your damn self manu.

your still under contract for this year, so start worrying about this year. this only shows lack of focus on his part....

he atleast owes tim duncan this. go out and fucking play for this year... not for a contract for some other team next year.

ridiculous

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^^This

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Originally Posted by DesignatedT

i really dont understand why he keeps talking about this... its not like its going to help the team. i could see it having more of a negative effect on the rest of this season than positive.

if he feels like he wants to explore free agency, then fucking go ahead. keep it to your damn self manu.

your still under contract for this year, so start worrying about this year. this only shows lack of focus on his part....

he atleast owes tim duncan this. go out and fucking play for this year... not for a contract for some other team next year.

ridiculous

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FAIL

Everybody in his situation is/would do/think the same. The difference is that he shows he is a sincere person and doesnt want to hide it :toast

man, this article makes me so sad

thanks for translating :toast

it's like reading an email from your g/f telling you to pack up and move out..

we'll be always with you wherever you are.....Manu~~~~~do yourself, and happy everyday, please.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

If I were Spurs FO, I would offer a contract extension to Manu just after the trade deadline. Signing Manu to a $16M/2 years or $18M/2 years extension isn't a that big risk compared to the risk of losing him via FA. Even if Manu declines to sign the extension, an extension offer will help to improve the relationship between Spurs FO and Manu.

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:toast

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Originally Posted by ElNono

You also have to understand that the Argentina's media sees him and the NBA in a very different vein than you or me. Ginobili is the best player Argentina ever produced. And loyalty is not an uncommon trait in contract negotiations in soccer over there (which is the biggest sport and usually the barometer for comparison). So, sometimes it's hard for them to understand that the Spurs means business and that includes not extending Manu. And I'm sure Manu is trying to teach them that there's nothing weird about it.

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Thanks Uru and El nono ! you are real assets to this forum.

I think you are highlighting a very interesting point here. This is the same situation in Europe, it's very hard for fans to see ontheir favorites go to another team. Just to give an example, I think it would e of have been impossible for Maradona to play for another team than Napoli same in France for Zidane or Platini... In Europe and South America loyalty in soccer for great players is really really important, this is the same for NT: NT is always more important than clubs ! Manu and TP have a very difficult task to explain US behavior and to explain why in USA, sport is a business, in Europe or South America sport is not a business.

I don`t think Manu went to the olympics because of the fans or the press. Basketball fans in Argentina are almost inexistent, and there are few journalist that knew what a basketball was before 2002.

Manu went because he was hungry for glory, the guy is a winner and winning the olympics again would have put him in a separate category.

But, as I defended his right to go, I say he can`t blame the Spurs for not resign him. It bothers me that in every note he gives he talks about that, like he has not been around professional basketball for all his life.

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Originally Posted by Brazil

Thanks Uru and El nono ! you are real assets to this forum.

I think you are highlighting a very interesting point here. This is the same situation in Europe, it's very hard for fans to see ontheir favorites go to another team. Just to give an example, I think it would e of have been impossible for Maradona to play for another team than Napoli same in France for Zidane or Platini... In Europe and South America loyalty in soccer for great players is really really important, this is the same for NT: NT is always more important than clubs ! Manu and TP have a very difficult task to explain US behavior and to explain why in USA, sport is a business, in Europe or South America sport is not a business.

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well, to be honest, the same problem between NT and clubs does exist lately in soccer in europe. Some teams being hesitant to free their players for some games (never international competitions though), players stopping their NT carrer whereas they still play in their clubs. insurance discussion if injury happens in a NT game.........

that the sad evolution of the professional sport. money over anything. that doesn't mean we have to agree though.

i don't think some people understand how sad a sport without international competition would be.

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Originally Posted by leo_d

Basketball fans in Argentina are almost inexistent, and there are few journalist that knew what a basketball was before 2002.

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Most ignorant comment I´ve read in this forum :wow

You´re not serious.

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Originally Posted by DesignatedT

i really dont understand why he keeps talking about this... its not like its going to help the team. i could see it having more of a negative effect on the rest of this season than positive.

if he feels like he wants to explore free agency, then fucking go ahead. keep it to your damn self manu.

your still under contract for this year, so start worrying about this year. this only shows lack of focus on his part....

he atleast owes tim duncan this. go out and fucking play for this year... not for a contract for some other team next year.

ridiculous

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I really believe that the only reason he is still talking about this is because the fans are still talking about it, and he is trying his hardest to make things clear. Just because Manu stops talking about doesn't mean it's going to go away, if anything this is his way of trying to put a stop to it.

So in conclusion, everyone else should stop talking about it!

On a side not am I the only one that thinks Manu is still one of the best playing out there for the Spurs, it seems like a majority of steals come from Manu's hustle.

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Originally Posted by Brazil

Manu and TP have a very difficult task to explain US behavior and to explain why in USA, sport is a business, in Europe or South America sport is not a business.

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I have difficulties understanding the "sports is business" attitude in US/Canada. WTF are we cheering a team for? Is as stupid as cheering for Starbucks opening a new store in detriment of Seattles Best Coffee.

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Originally Posted by kace

well, to be honest, the same problem between NT and clubs does exist lately in soccer in europe. Some teams being hesitant to free their players for some games (never international competitions though), players stopping their NT carrer whereas they still play in their clubs. insurance discussion if injury happens in a NT game.........

that the sad evolution of the professional sport. money over anything. that doesn't mean we have to agree though.

i don't think some people understand how sad a sport without international competition would be.

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Originally Posted by Manudona

I have difficulties understanding the "sports is business" attitude in US/Canada. WTF are we cheering a team for? Is as stupid as cheering for Starbucks opening a new store in detriment of Seattles Best Coffee.

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This.

I don't get why so many people place franchises over countries. This is the World Cup we are talking about, not some cheap tournament. It happens only every 4 years. It's a worldwide event.

Wouldn't It be better for all the NT if all the best players for every country could play in the WC?

Thanks for the translations. Diego's interpretation regarding Manu's level of play being not so much about future earnings, as trying to be better now, sounds about right. However, it is a simple fact that the more you win the more you'll get paid. I don't think money alone has ever been the main inspiration for his playing. I'm sure he could have, like Tim, gotten more money elsewhere on his last contract.
Manu is the ultimate team player and I'm just thankful he's on our team!:lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2: