Parker to play for French NT in september

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Originally Posted by TheGreatYacht

Why are you being so defensive on this matter? Are you from France? If not, then you are either trolling or you just have very different opinions from an average person. Seriously, these international fans would be more happier if TP won a stupid gold medal for his national team than if our beloved Spurs won a championship. Most of us Spurs fans that live in SA prefer that our international players rest. I can't really bitc* (well I can but not like it will matter) if one of our players wants to represent his country for the Olympics but come on, TP wants to participate in some stupid tournament for France? What a joke.

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How is it a joke? You getting pissed at this is a joke. TP has a life and he can do whatever he pleases. His life doesn't resolve around you of the Spurs. Everyone plays for their country. The fact that you say our opinions are either trolling or not popular is actually pretty ignorant when trying to support a point. Especially considering you're wrong.

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Originally Posted by PlayNando

Quit with the HATING.

Parker wants to play for his COUNTRY. It's not my fault that you are an unpatriotic hater. Parker is a FRENCH NATIONALIST and wants to bring GLORY to FRANCE. If you got a problem with that, then you need to go back to the Middle Ages, where nationalism didn't really exist yet.

Personally, I am THRILLED for TONY that he is playing for his COUNTRY. NATION >>>> professional sports team. Parker is making a SACRIFICE to bring GLORY to his NATION. That anyone has a problem with that makes me sick.

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France and FIBA aren't paying his salary. France and FIBA aren't putting food on his table. The Spurs are. FIBA and the Olympics are both bullshit organizations that STEAL money from the NBA by having athletes compete for free so they can make an easy profit. I usually find Mark Cuban to be an annoying douche but his thoughts on this subject are the most rational I've seen:

Cuban: M.C.: I think international basketball is a joke to start with. If I had the time and funds I would sign contracts with all National Teams which would establish a company with NTs as shareholders and they would share the money amongst themselves instead of giving $2 billions to the Olympic committee. [...]

So instead of giving our best players for free to their National Teams so the Olympic Committee and GE (General Electric who owns NBC, who owns Olympic Games TV rights) can make free money I would create an International NBA Basketball Tournament which would allow for NBA to make more money and our players could play without any problems.

If the Olympics were just about fans there would be no problem, but it is a multi-billion business. You know what kind of person gives his player for free to another person to make money off them? An idiot. And we are all idiots.

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Originally Posted by ElNono

cue :madrun who pays their salaries rant :madrun

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Originally Posted by SpursSerb

Well they should be mad,one big guy actually playing would make a big difference for France.They backstabbed their country.Tony just showed how much he loves his country,French people should be proud of him.

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We were one Noah away from a potential Gold Medal at the Euro. Yeah it sucks because IMO, it was Parker's last and best chance to get International Gold.

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Originally Posted by Johnny RIngo

France and FIBA aren't paying his salary. France and FIBA aren't putting food on his table. The Spurs are. FIBA and the Olympics are both bullshit organizations that STEAL money from the NBA by having athletes compete for free so they can make an easy profit. I usually find Mark Cuban to be an annoying douche but his thoughts on this subject are the most rational I've seen:

Cuban: M.C.: I think international basketball is a joke to start with. If I had the time and funds I would sign contracts with all National Teams which would establish a company with NTs as shareholders and they would share the money amongst themselves instead of giving $2 billions to the Olympic committee. [...]

So instead of giving our best players for free to their National Teams so the Olympic Committee and GE (General Electric who owns NBC, who owns Olympic Games TV rights) can make free money I would create an International NBA Basketball Tournament which would allow for NBA to make more money and our players could play without any problems.

If the Olympics were just about fans there would be no problem, but it is a multi-billion business. You know what kind of person gives his player for free to another person to make money off them? An idiot. And we are all idiots.

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You're missing the point here, and I guess it is because of a massive cultural difference between the US and the rest of the world. Here in Europe, the NTs matter big time to the fans and the players (with the exception of every French Big men, but that is another problem).

The important matter is not "who pays who" or "who makes profit". What really matters here is to represent your country, beyond any business consideration.

But I guess that in a world where money is everything, it is a little bit complicated to understand...

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Originally Posted by romain.star

You're missing the point here, and I guess it is because of a massive cultural difference between the US and the rest of the world. Here in Europe, the NTs matter big time to the fans and the players (with the exception of every French Big men, but that is another problem).

The important matter is not "who pays who" or "who makes profit". What really matters here is to represent your country, beyond any business consideration.

But I guess that in a world where money is everything, it is a little bit complicated to understand...

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I'm not going to attack players who play for their national teams. Indeed, I might be one of the few on this board who is looking forward to Leonard playing for the US when the time comes. I think playing games in the summer can be a good way to stay in shape, while allowing some players to play roles they can't in the NBA. And hell, as a fan, I want to see great players play as much as possible. But I don't think your characterization of the argument against NBA players participating in FIBA tournaments is correct.

From what I gather, people are not upset because players are, as you put it, representing their country above any business consideration. Indeed, they're NOT doing that, hence the need to get insurance and the general reluctance of many players to participate in tournaments while they're free agents. Players are very well aware of the business considerations of their participation, and they take precautions to protect themselves.

What people see as the problem with this is that the NBA teams then carry the risk for the player, while receiving none of the gain. (So goes the argument. Pop disagrees with that part.) In essence, Parker in this case isn't taking any risk himself. The Spurs have to pay him even if he breaks his leg while playing in September. Although insurance would compensate San Antonio, they'd still lose out on investing Parker's $12.5 Million into making their team better, or at least get diminished returns. Even if Parker survives the games unscathed, if he runs out of gas later in the year because of his extra games in September, then it's the Spurs and not Parker who will have lost out on the money they could have gained.

Players aren't putting nationalism over money by entering the tournaments. If they were doing that, they'd assume the financial risk themselves. Instead, they get to have their cake and eat it to. What they're actually doing is choosing their countries' interests over their NBA teams' interests. They're risking screwing over their NBA teammates for their friends and family back home. There's nothing particularly virtuous about that.

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Originally Posted by elmanutres

cool, another story for spurstalkers to bitch about nothing

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Originally Posted by romain.star

We were one Noah away from a potential Gold Medal at the Euro. Yeah it sucks because IMO, it was Parker's last and best chance to get International Gold.

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I still think France has a legit chance for the title.You have the best player on the tournament,the best Sf,and hell there are no better pf's than Diaw tbh,at least not much better.But yes you needed Noah,basically just to fight with Marc Gasol.With Noah you would be the clear favourites.

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Originally Posted by SpursSerb

I still think France has a legit chance for the title.You have the best player on the tournament,the best Sf,and hell there are no better pf's than Diaw tbh,at least not much better.But yes you needed Noah,basically just to fight with Marc Gasol.With Noah you would be the clear favourites.

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It is not just that Noah is out, it is that most of our best big men are out (Noah, Seraphin, Mahinmi, Traore, Turiaf and Vaty)! No offense to Petro and Ajinca but I don't think we can win it all without at least one decent big man

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Originally Posted by Chinook

I'm not going to attack players who play for their national teams. Indeed, I might be one of the few on this board who is looking forward to Leonard playing for the US when the time comes. I think playing games in the summer can be a good way to stay in shape, while allowing some players to play roles they can't in the NBA. And hell, as a fan, I want to see great players play as much as possible. But I don't think your characterization of the argument against NBA players participating in FIBA tournaments is correct.

From what I gather, people are not upset because players are, as you put it, representing their country above any business consideration. Indeed, they're NOT doing that, hence the need to get insurance and the general reluctance of many players to forgo tournaments while they're free agents. Players are very well aware of the business considerations of their participation, and they take precautions to protect themselves.

What people see as the problem with this is that the NBA teams then carry the risk for the player, while receiving none of the gain. (So goes the argument. Pop disagrees with that part.) In essence, Parker in this case isn't taking any risk himself. The Spurs have to pay him even if he breaks his leg while playing in September. Although insurance would compensate San Antonio, they'd still lose out on investing Parker's $12.5 Million into making their team better, or at least get diminished returns. Even if Parker survives the games unscathed, if he runs out of gas later in the year because of his extra games in September, then it's the Spurs and not Parker who will have lost out on the money they could have gained.

Players aren't putting nationalism over money by entering the tournaments. If they were doing that, they'd assume the financial risk themselves. Instead, they get to have their cake and eat it to. What they're actually doing is choosing their countries' interests over their NBA teams' interests. They're risking screwing over their NBA teammates for their friends and family back home. There's nothing particularly virtuous about that.

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I never said players should represent their country at all cost. They won't risk their NBA career (and NBA money) for International glory, we can agree on that.

Now looking at the big picture and from a $$$ perspective, it is in the NBA own interest to send all of its best players in these International tournaments (Worlds, Euros, Olympics). This is how the NBA could turn into a real world wide product: send your best embassadors in order to attract new customers from all around the world (when Jordan played in Barcelona 92', it did not hurt the NBA finances)
Like it or not but NBA and FIBA Baskeballs are two sides of the same coin. With common goals and a concerted strategy, it'd be a win-win situation.

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Originally Posted by Chinook

I'm not going to attack players who play for their national teams. Indeed, I might be one of the few on this board who is looking forward to Leonard playing for the US when the time comes. I think playing games in the summer can be a good way to stay in shape, while allowing some players to play roles they can't in the NBA. And hell, as a fan, I want to see great players play as much as possible. But I don't think your characterization of the argument against NBA players participating in FIBA tournaments is correct.

From what I gather, people are not upset because players are, as you put it, representing their country above any business consideration. Indeed, they're NOT doing that, hence the need to get insurance and the general reluctance of many players to forgo tournaments while they're free agents. Players are very well aware of the business considerations of their participation, and they take precautions to protect themselves.

What people see as the problem with this is that the NBA teams then carry the risk for the player, while receiving none of the gain. (So goes the argument. Pop disagrees with that part.) In essence, Parker in this case isn't taking any risk himself. The Spurs have to pay him even if he breaks his leg while playing in September. Although insurance would compensate San Antonio, they'd still lose out on investing Parker's $12.5 Million into making their team better, or at least get diminished returns. Even if Parker survives the games unscathed, if he runs out of gas later in the year because of his extra games in September, then it's the Spurs and not Parker who will have lost out on the money they could have gained.

Players aren't putting nationalism over money by entering the tournaments. If they were doing that, they'd assume the financial risk themselves. Instead, they get to have their cake and eat it to. What they're actually doing is choosing their countries' interests over their NBA teams' interests. They're risking screwing over their NBA teammates for their friends and family back home. There's nothing particularly virtuous about that.

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Nice post. I've been saying the same things for several years in this forum.

btw, pretty sure that you meant the opposite of what you typed in the bolded part above.

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

Nice post. I've been saying the same things for several years in this forum.

btw, pretty sure that you meant the opposite of what you typed in the bolded part above.

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Indeed I did. Edited. Thanks.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/...2d80/1400x.jpg

San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker of France (L) shoots next to Oklahoma City Thunder's Thabo Sefolosha of Switzerland during a charity basketball match organised by Sefolosha on July 17, 2013 in Clarens near Montreux, western Switzerland.

http://features.rr.com/photo/0aIyeKe...+antonio+spurs

parker looking a little haggard

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Originally Posted by Chinook

Although insurance would compensate San Antonio, they'd still lose out on investing Parker's $12.5 Million into making their team better, or at least get diminished returns. Even if Parker survives the games unscathed, if he runs out of gas later in the year because of his extra games in September, then it's the Spurs and not Parker who will have lost out on the money they could have.

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Parker has always been clear about international games. If the Spurs were not happy with that, they just had not to give him a new contract.

Just like Cuban... always speaking about what people should do to run their business.
But never said Anything to Dirk about playing with Germany.

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Originally Posted by ace3g

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/...2d80/1400x.jpg

San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker of France (L) shoots next to Oklahoma City Thunder's Thabo Sefolosha of Switzerland during a charity basketball match organised by Sefolosha on July 17, 2013 in Clarens near Montreux, western Switzerland.

http://features.rr.com/photo/0aIyeKe...+antonio+spurs

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sleepless nights? TP looks a lot older than his age :oops

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Originally Posted by mathbzh

Parker has always been clear about international games. If the Spurs were not happy with that, they just had not to give him a new contract.

Just like Cuban... always speaking about what people should do to run their business.
But never said Anything to Dirk about playing with Germany.

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First, Cuban's had plenty to say about Dirk playing for the German national team. That's why Dirk's only done it once or twice in the last 10 years. Dirk says he and Cuban decide together when he gets to play for FIBA. Most of the time, they decide against it.

Secondly, what does that have to do with my post? I was just showing that the players that participate for their national teams aren't choosing their country over their teams -- they're risking their NBA teams' success for their national teams. That the Spurs are okay with Parker doing that is another matter entirely.

That's a LOT of nonstop basketball for Parker :depressed. Everybody better keep their expectations at a reasonable level next year(2nd round exit) - I doubt TP's going to survive the entire season. He's not a china doll like Manu but he's not exactly an iron man either. He REALLY should be resting this summer especially after all the bitching he did about his hamstring the last few months.

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Originally Posted by milkyway21

sleepless nights? TP looks a lot older than his age :oops

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Agree. Parker looks so much older. Maybe all the playing for his NT during the summer instead of resting is taking its toll on him. I wish he understood this.

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Originally Posted by TheGreatYacht

Agree. Parker looks so much older. Maybe all the playing for his NT during the summer instead of resting is taking its toll on him. I wish he understood this.

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I really understand both side of the argument but your conclusion based on a picture of a charity game after more than one month of Parker playing 0 bb is at best foolish.

Is Diaw playing in this as well? jw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...;v=vTe0Ifghvr0

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Originally Posted by Chinook

First, Cuban's had plenty to say about Dirk playing for the German national team. That's why Dirk's only done it once or twice in the last 10 years. Dirk says he and Cuban decide together when he gets to play for FIBA. Most of the time, they decide against it.

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http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa...//players.html
Once or twice?

I did not quote your whole post. Just the part about the Spurs money. They knew what they were doing.
And it looks like Parker was not too greedy. Who knows maybe he accepted the discount for the "right" to play FIBA games.

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Originally Posted by mathbzh

http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa...//players.html
Once or twice?

I did not quote your whole post. Just the part about the Spurs money. They knew what they were doing.
And it looks like Parker was not too greedy. Who knows maybe he accepted the discount for the "right" to play FIBA games.

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Sorry, he's played four times in the last seven years. Big difference.

And no, the whole point is that players aren't choosing country over money. The NBA mandates that the teams let their players play in international tournaments if the players want to. It's not the teams' decision. The Spurs could have gone with a domestic point-guard, but they would have been worse off.

The whole idea about Parker taking a discount to play overseas is just wild speculation, with absolutely no support. We already know that players like Ginobili didn't. And they're not bad people for it. But it's not a nationalism vs. capitalism thing as the poster I originally quoted suggested. It's a national team vs NBA team thing. Whether or not the teams are okay with players doing so is completely irrelevant to that.

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Originally Posted by TheGreatYacht

Agree. Parker looks so much older. Maybe all the playing for his NT during the summer instead of resting is taking its toll on him. I wish he understood this.

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