I don't know how it is in the USA, but in Europe and everywhere else, playing for your country is the most you can do in your career.
France with Tony won in 2000 the "FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship" and TP was the MVP of the tournament.
Since then, he is the leader of this new generation (post 2000 Olympic Games).
France record since 1999
1999 European Championship : 4th place.
2000 Olympic Games : 2nd (Silver medal).
2001 European Championship : 6th place.
2003 European Championship : 4th place.
2005 European Championship : 3rd place.
2006 FIBA World Championship : 5th place.
The problem is, since 2006 a lot of french players are not playing anymore for their national team. But i think it's gonna change now.
France, today, has a lot of good players and could do something special in the years to come if everyone is on the same track.
It's a great honor to represent your country in sports. It's not difficult to understand.
When Tony was a teenager, his country gave him a great formation. That's one of the reasons he is the player he is today. Without this formation he wouldn't be able to play in the NBA today. Tony knows that, and beyond that, he is a true compe or and love playing for his NT.
The NBA season is off during 6 months. You really believe that a NBA player doesn't play basketball during those 6 months.
A player can get injured playing with friends, or practicing... or simply walking in the street (one false move : sprained ankle.)
You can't expect the worse everytime, otherwise you're not doing anything anymore.
So, Tony will play some games for France, what a big deal.
He played for France last year and see the result : he had a great season with the Spurs.
Last year, with a lot of french players MIA, Tony had to carry the French team and he did a fantastic job... Maybe what he did with the French team was a good training for what he did with the Spurs this year.
The more you play international games, the better player you will become.
TP is improving his game every year, thanks to the Spurs and thanks to the French team.
See the positives, not always the negatives...
Oh, and


