More Manu: "I am looking forward to playing (WC)"

**TD 21** · 03-12-2010

This could be the straw that breaks the camels back. I've maintained for a while that I think the Spurs will re-sign Ginobili for 2 years/$20 million, but if he's going to run himself ragged again in the summer, I'm not sure they'll be willing to make that commitment.

Honestly, it's reached the point with Parker and Ginobili where the Spurs may just have to offer them an ultimatum: if you continue to play every summer for your national team, we're not re-signing (in the case of Ginobili) you or we're going to trade (in the case of Parker) you. Enough is enough.

This team has probably one year left to even think about competing for a championship and these two guys, who can't stay healthy as is, want to play for their national team for the umpteenth time over taking one last run? Shows where their priority lies. I realize it's the World Championships and particularly in the case of Ginobili, this is probably his last shot to play in it, but it's not like he hasn't done it before and it's not like it will be played on home soil.

To me, the number one thing is taking one last run next season, while Duncan is still guaranteed to be around and will likely still be one of the better players in the league. If these two care more about their national teams than that, then get them the out of here and try with a younger cast surrounding Duncan. It probably won't work out, but at least the team will have more pieces to re-build with going forward.

**DPG21920** · 03-12-2010

Originally Posted by ElNono

Not really. It's not about the money. Insurance pays back if he gets injured.
What it does do, however, is limit said team on having Manu's contribution for the duration of recovery.

That is his point. Manu gets paid no matter what. If Manu had to choose, between the millions and his country, that would be an easy choice.

The Spurs are the ones stuck in the bad spot when Manu goes down. They pay everything and lose "the unseen" value, which is their team suffering.

**TMTTRIO** · 03-12-2010

I guess he's willing to sacrifice the rest of his professional career in order to play for his country and I don't blame him even though it's hard to see. I'm just not seeing teams coming after him and offering him much now if they see or hear that he's going to continue to continue to play for his country.

**024** · 03-12-2010

might be good news. spurs can use this to lowball ginobili. a 5-6 million contract or just slightly above the MLE outbid the rest. won't be much risk involved.

**Amuseddaysleeper** · 03-12-2010

I think Ginobili is just saying this to keep the overseas press intrigued. I bet you when this summer arrives he will put out a press release saying how devastated he is to not being able to play in the WC.

He always said he'd put his family first, and first he needs a contract to continue supporting his family. (Not that he isn't already wealthy)

**Johnny RIngo** · 03-12-2010

If Spurs don't make it out of the first round(or even miss the playoffs) I could see him playing the summer.

**Obstructed_View** · 03-12-2010

Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

I think Ginobili is just saying this to keep the overseas press intrigued. I bet you when this summer arrives he will put out a press release saying how devastated he is to not being able to play in the WC.

He always said he'd put his family first, and first he needs a contract to continue supporting his family. (Not that he isn't already wealthy)

If you are suggesting that this could be a negotiating tactic to get the Spurs to extend him, I'm inclined to agree with the possibility.

**ElNono** · 03-12-2010

Originally Posted by DPG21920

That is his point. Manu gets paid no matter what.

The Spurs get paid back too, that's exactly what I meant by the money not being the issue.

Originally Posted by DPG21920

If Manu had to choose, between the millions and his country, that would be an easy choice.

He's a good enough basketball player where he doesn't need to make that kind of choice. He just needs to find which team is going to pay him and also don't make an issue when he wants to play for his NT. Plenty of teams in the league that do that.

Originally Posted by DPG21920

The Spurs are the ones stuck in the bad spot when Manu goes down. They pay everything and lose "the unseen" value, which is their team suffering.

They certainly doesn't lose paying his salary, which is what I was pointing to. But yeah, I agree that when any player goes down, the team loses in more ways than one.

**ducks** · 03-12-2010

Originally Posted by Mel_13

Manu covers all his bases here, but makes one thing clear. If the Spurs sign him to an extension, it will come without any public pronouncement or private assurance as to his decision on playing in Turkey.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/new...8896/arti.html

ARG - Manu hopeful of playing in Turkey

SAN ANTONIO (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Argentina's basketball icon Manu Ginobili is back to full fitness and playing a pivotal role for the play-off chasing San Antonio Spurs.

Injuries have hindered him in international compe ion in recent years but his performances of late with the Spurs have fuelled hopes that he will play for his country at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

"The tournament in Turkey is coming soon and as it gets closer, I am more and more looking forward to playing it," Ginobili said.

"It would be a strange feeling not to be part of the World Championship, it's inevitable."

Ginobili was outstanding at the 2002 FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis when Argentina won a silver medal, and he was terrific at the 2006 event in Japan when Argentina reached the Semi-Finals before a last-second defeat to eventual champions Spain.

The veteran guard's wife, however, is going to be giving birth to twins.

"As I said many times, there are things that come into play," Ginobili said in the Argentinian media.

"First and foremost, my twins, who will be a few months old by then and it will not be easy to leave them alone with their mother."

Ginobili is also uncertain about his NBA future as he will be out of contract at the end of the season.

"Secondly, I don't have a team just yet and I don't know what I will do," Ginobili said.

"Also my fitness condition also counts. In previous tournaments, this affected me.

"This is a complicated decision and whatever I decide, it will be a difficult choice."

Ginobili is so important to Argentina that coach Sergio Hernandez might consider allowing him to miss the bulk of the team's preparations.

"I wouldn't want to go to a World Championship without a warm-up tour, even if Sergio Hernandez would allow me to do so," Ginobili said.

"That would be a lack of respect and besides, I need time to re-adapt to FIBA rules and to my national teammates so it's not that easy."

Argentina will play in the Preliminary Round in Group A against Serbia, Australia, Germany, Jordan and Angola.

so he is a fa he still wants to play
he is being more stupid then tp

**ducks** · 03-12-2010

Originally Posted by Johnny RIngo

If Spurs don't make it out of the first round(or even miss the playoffs) I could see him playing the summer.

then he will not ever be a spur unless he signs for less then the mle

**raspsa** · 03-12-2010

If the Spurs win the championship, he can play in the WC.. otherwise, no way.

**baseline bum** · 03-13-2010

Originally Posted by Phenomanul

Settle down cleetus... I wasn't making that argument, I was simply pointing to the fact that others can't use it against him either... Way to read between the lines.

I'm one of few people who think Ginobili could have been an effective NBA player since the end of the year 2000... instead the FO waited and brought him over for the 2002-2003 season, one in which he was hampered by the aformentioned injury, but one that ultimately resulted in him being a factor at the end.... This was because Ginobili was already that good.

Much of his inconsistency that season however stemmed more from Popovich not yet realizing that the Ginobili package came with boneheaded plays... and understanding that this same Ginobili was still just as capable of winning the game for you if only given playing time... Popovich didn't have this epiphany 'til the end of the 2004 season after failing to properly maintain Turkoglu's confidence at Ginobili's expense...

That's why that Gold Medal run was as important to Ginobili's confidence as it was to Pop's use of his talents. It would be silly to claim otherwise given his use before that tournament.

One that was sustained while overcompensating for the injury he suffered while playing for the Spurs the season before. I already suggested that he should have taken that summer off to nurse his injury... I'm not arguing in favor of his decision to play in Beijing.

This time around (knock on wood) he is perfectly healthy. The choice is his. That said, he realizes that more factors than just health need to be considered.

The "Top of the Key play" that no one seems to stop when Ginobili is "on" (even though they know it's coming) wasn't a go-to play 'til after his Gold medal run... not before...

I was at that 2OT game you cited... we knew he was special then. And yet Pop still deferred to Hedo for most of that season.

Ginobili started the 04-05 season on a tear.... enough to garner him his only all-star selection, despite having played that summer. He didn't run out of gas either (a common strawman around here) because his particular post-season run that season was one for the ages... 2005 Playoff Ginobili is the long-haired version of the Ginobili we envision when people suggest "he's back"...

Cleetus? Go clean the sand out your vagina son.