Must read: new Manu article

[Baseline]

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 en y 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.

[in2deep]

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 en y which is paying you those millions, right?

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?

[ElNono]

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?

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...

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

[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 ing 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 ing play for this year... not for a contract for some other team next year.

ridiculous

[boutons_deux]

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 at ude towards it he wants, we owe him, more than he owes us.

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

[Creation88]

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 does Pop let this fly/get out?

[ElNono]

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

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

[leo_d]

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 ing 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 ing play for this year... not for a contract for some other team next year.

ridiculous

^^This

[OldSilentHill]

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 ing 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 ing play for this year... not for a contract for some other team next year.

ridiculous

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

[td_tp_manu]

man, this article makes me so sad

thanks for translating

[Chico]

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

[zerokibum]

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

[Spursfanfromafar]

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.

[Brazil]

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.

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.

[leo_d]

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.

[kace]

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.

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 compe ions 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 compe ion would be.

[OldSilentHill]

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

Most ignorant comment I´ve read in this forum

You´re not serious.

[Crazymaddopeyo]

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 ing 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 ing play for this year... not for a contract for some other team next year.

ridiculous

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.

[Manudona]

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 have difficulties understanding the "sports is business" at ude 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.

[arles]

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 compe ions 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 compe ion would be.

I have difficulties understanding the "sports is business" at ude 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.

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?

[spurs10]

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!