David Aldridge - nba.com - "Dribbles" (about the tired Tony parker)

[Obstructed_View]

BTW I would like to for Obstructed_View ! Obviously we have different opinions but I appreciate your takes and the civilzed argumentation.

This is raising the bar: an argument TP/manu playing for FNT without dumbass, you, ty ass etc... Not the case of everybody in the thread unfortunately.

Thank you. I do love Tony Parker, and I genuinely feel for him. I also realize how much he's put up with from US fans and what it's cost him on this end to do all he's done for the French NT, and I suspect that it's a fraction of the he would get if he didn't continue to give everything for a country he wasn't even born in.

[Bukefal]

Thank you. I do love Tony Parker, and I genuinely feel for him. I also realize how much he's put up with from US fans and what it's cost him on this end to do all he's done for the French NT, and I suspect that it's a fraction of the he would get if he didn't continue to give everything for a country he wasn't even born in.

Yeah, that's true, he wasn't even born there. He is mixed up. TP Could have played for Netherlands, Belgium, USA or France

[Obstructed_View]

Well i't's just something you do, I cant even explain it. Just something you do, for your country, for giving something back which the country gave you, for your pride etc etc etc.

Its indeed different for american people. But that's still not a reason why Americans should hate on us being different in this.

It's not just "something you do". That's how someone who's never had to work hard to give back to his country views it. That's exactly where the expectation that he somehow owes his country something comes from, and where you get people on a message board suggesting (with a straight face) that it's more important that the job he's paid millions of dollars for.

[Bukefal]

Anyway, one thing we all can agree on is wanting TP being himself again soon in 100% shape. Let's hope so!

Cheers.

[Obstructed_View]

Yeah, that's true, he wasn't even born there. He is mixed up. TP Could have played for Netherlands, Belgium, USA or France

Is that true? Shawn Bradley played for Germany, if memory serves. Duncan's played for two different countries in international compe ion.

[DAF86]

Your logic is like that of a 10 year old. "If a player doesn't have an injury during NT play or directly after NT play, then NT play isn't contributing to injuries."

Manu was the backbone of the Argentina NT, playing heavy throughout the tournaments. Yet you compare him to US players like Kobe, Kidd and even LeBron???

The fact that LeBron is 25 years old didn't cross your mind?
The fact that Kidd averaged 13.5 mpg doesn't matter to you? Do you honestly think US players and international players shoulder the same load during NT play? Kobe Bryant, who averaged the 2nd most mpg on the team, averaged 23.5 mpg.

Your pro-Argentina arguments are so tired.

I'm here because i'm a Spurs fan. I'm here because i care about seeing the Spurs win. I'm not here to lobby for my country's (and the players associated with it) significance.

Why do you talk about things you don't know? Manu cruises for most of the tournaments, he plays like 20 minutes per game (or less) against lesser teams and only plays big minutes against the contenders (so just two or three games per tournament and only if it's a tight encounter).

So Manu's "load" is practically the same to the likes of Kobe, Lebron, Wade, etc.

[picnroll]

Mighty nice of Parker to come to this realization, playing like crap, after Holt's gone $20 million or so in the hole.

[Bukefal]

It's not just "something you do". That's how someone who's never had to work hard to give back to his country views it. That's exactly where the expectation that he somehow owes his country something comes from, and where you get people on a message board suggesting (with a straight face) that it's more important that the job he's paid millions of dollars for.

I havent said anything about nat. team being more important than nba or vice versa. But Im just saying, a player should be able to do both, if he feels like doing so, and Im saying that European players see it as a duty to do so, for themselves and for their country, it's an honour an honour they will do.

First you say you stopped watching the team usa, because they''d cared more about their reebok label and because its all about money, and now you say money from the club is more important. Well, not everything is about money, of course very small, but not everything. Playing for your national team isnt commercialized, but just because you want.

[Bukefal]

Is that true? Shawn Bradley played for Germany, if memory serves. Duncan's played for two different countries in international compe ion.

Yeah, its true TP wasnt born in France, but in Brugge, Belgium. I was confirming what you said. And he could have played for Belgium instead of FRance, I was just saying. But with naturalization, almost everyone can play for every country. I dont totally understand your post.

[senorglory]

Is that true? Shawn Bradley played for Germany, if memory serves. Duncan's played for two different countries in international compe ion.

Kaman was issued a German passport so that he could be a ringer for that national team.

[Bukefal]

Well, Im out. Its kinda late over here in this timezone.

As Brasil said, It's indeed nice talking about this in a normal way.

[dbreiden83080]

And maybe for you, you dont care about someone elses country or pride to play for their country, but the player in question does. For a player it's a very big honour and pride to be able to play for your country, that's something they want and see as a duty they have.

If it means that much to them, then give up your pro contract and go play for your national team. Or sign an agreement that says if you get hurt playing for these other teams then "We are out of all or most of the money we owe you" Tony can go to France and break every bone in his body and the Spurs still owe him every cent off his deal.. How many of these guys making big money in the pro's would give that money up to go play for their national teams?? I doubt any of them would..

[Behrooz24]

Sigh, if TP is too tired to bang Eva, I guess I'd fill in for him

[senorglory]

Parker has a contract to play in the NBA. International play is limiting Parker's ability to play in the NBA. There's no need for speculation on this point, Parker has stated so himself: "I just think I've played too much basketball," Parker said last week. Parker needs to hold off on further international play, until he is healthy, or indefinitely.

Which game/tournament is more "important" to fans: international, national, local, intramural, YMCA pick up games, 3 on 3 on the elementary school blacktop... horse in the driveway? Who cares, doesn't matter.

[senorglory]

Sigh, if TP is too tired to bang Eva, I guess I'd fill in for him

+1 for being a team player.

[senorglory]

[MB20]

Tony needs a couple of weeks in Acapulco.
Make it without pay, so everybody is happy.

[HarlemHeat37]

I only read the first 2 pages and the last one, but why the do all these types of threads have to turn into Tony vs. Manu?..they play for the same team, we're all Spurs fans here, what the is the point of always doing this with Tony-Manu?..

As for Parker, I don't really care if he plays for the NT or not, it's his decision, but he's clearly been off all season..a lot of us wanted him to rest in November or December..it's kind of late now, but I would still rather him rest and them come back for the stretch run..yes, chemistry will then become an issue, but I would rather have the real Tony Parker, as opposed to this year's version that only shows up every few games..

I was worried about a few things going into this season, but Tony's play wasn't one of them..so it really does suck..I still have faith that he'll turn it around though, he's too good of a player not to..

[DAF86]

I only read the first 2 pages and the last one, but why the do all these types of threads have to turn into Tony vs. Manu?..they play for the same team, we're all Spurs fans here, what the is the point of always doing this with Tony-Manu?..

As for Parker, I don't really care if he plays for the NT or not, it's his decision, but he's clearly been off all season..a lot of us wanted him to rest in November or December..it's kind of late now, but I would still rather him rest and them come back for the stretch run..yes, chemistry will then become an issue, but I would rather have the real Tony Parker, as opposed to this year's version that only shows up every few games..

I was worried about a few things going into this season, but Tony's play wasn't one of them..so it really does suck..I still have faith that he'll turn it around though, he's too good of a player not to..

Tony vs Manu???? I didn't read the whole thread but I didn't see any Tony vs Manu argument, in fact I think this is a subject that unites Tony and Manu fans.

[MB20]

I did read the whole thread. There's no Tony vs Manu debate.
It's the US Spurs fans vs International fans about the good or bad of playing for the NT in the summer.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I can't do 82 games at the level Pop wants, and then play on the national team."

One team is paying you ridiculously good money, more than a million dollars a month, to play. Seems like an easy decision.

[Obstructed_View]

Yeah, its true TP wasnt born in France, but in Brugge, Belgium. I was confirming what you said. And he could have played for Belgium instead of FRance, I was just saying. But with naturalization, almost everyone can play for every country. I dont totally understand your post.

I wasn't sure if you were being serious or if you were ridiculing me for my post. I knew Parker was born in Bruges. That's where Dr. Evil's from.

[itzsoweezee]

looks like he's already made up his mind. sayonara french national and your meager hopes for international prominence.

[Obstructed_View]

I havent said anything about nat. team being more important than nba or vice versa. But Im just saying, a player should be able to do both, if he feels like doing so, and Im saying that European players see it as a duty to do so, for themselves and for their country, it's an honour an honour they will do.

First you say you stopped watching the team usa, because they''d cared more about their reebok label and because its all about money, and now you say money from the club is more important. Well, not everything is about money, of course very small, but not everything. Playing for your national team isnt commercialized, but just because you want.

• He committed to do one, not the other, and was compensated a huge amount of money in return for that commitment. If the one that is financially bound to him suffers, then the other one needs to go.
  
• European fans see it as a duty, but it isn't. The only duty he has is to the team that pays him.

[Brazil]

I wasn't sure if you were being serious or if you were ridiculing me for my post. I knew Parker was born in Bruges. That's where Dr. Evil's from.

his father is american and his mother is dutch