For those who hate Tony and Manu playing summers for their NT's

[mathbzh]

Lionel Messi is the bigges sport global Icon.
When Barcelona denies him to the Argentina National Team we can argue, while he is playing, anyone below him, in importance, will be an exception and not the common rule.

Barcelona can't denie him to the Argentina National Team. In soccer, if a player refuse a selection he can be fined and suspended.

I know the French team used that to "force" Makelele to play with the NT when he wanted to retire from international compe ion.
Back then Mourinho (former Chelsea coach) said "Makelele is not a football player, Makelele is a slave".

[Mel_13]

Lionel Messi is the bigges sport global Icon.
When Barcelona denies him to the Argentina National Team we can argue, while he is playing, anyone below him, in importance, will be an exception and not the common rule.

The reality here is that United States is the only country that believes that their tournaments are more important than International Compe ion, this is a discussion, i think, that has to be within the fans on the states, because it is only a discussion in your society and not worldwide.

smh

Normal procedures in international soccer have nothing, whatsoever, to do with international basketball. This comparison gets brought up every time this subject is raised and it's just completely irrelevant.

[GSH]

The reality here is that United States is the only country that believes that their tournaments are more important than International Compe ion, this is a discussion, i think, that has to be within the fans on the states, because it is only a discussion in your society and not worldwide.

So your point is that you think your opinion is right, and our opinion is wrong.

Once again - your definition of "arrogant" is anyone who won't admit that your way is the correct (and only) way. As in, "The arrogant bas s actually dare to question our superiority".

And about Parker, people should consider that he has won about everything he could in the NBA (rings, finals MVP, All-Star, All-NBA) but has everything to prove with the French NT.

If it's that important to him, he can always retire from the NBA and pursue his passion full-time. Wouldn't that give the French NT the best chance of winning Olympic gold? Let him put his money where his mouth is. If it's really that important, commit to it and pay the price.

This is a cultural thing that obviously isn't going to change. You aren't even equipped to understand the argument that the millions of dollars the players receive should come with some measure of loyalty and commitment on their part. It's like arguing with a ing Martian.

[OoOoOoOoOoO]

It's easy when you play for the USA to go only one or twice to the Olympics or World games. You are almost sure to have the gold medal while playing less than 30 minutes per game

Internationnal players have to play every summer to get a chance to win one gold medal and it's not even sure.
And if they don't go, there is not 30+ other players able to win it all anyway. If they don't go, their NT have no chance at all

And you can talk about job, work etc... but there is a contract and the NBA rules. Players are respecting theirs contracts and the NBA rules

Agreed... plus they're making international basketball more compe ive, and thus making it more popular in other countries. If they feel it's an important thing to do, who are we to judge them?

[patos]

I'm one of the fans who never liked Tony playing.

me neither but i also agree with that durant video that dunk is very good

[mathbzh]

This is a cultural thing that obviously isn't going to change. You aren't even equipped to understand the argument that the millions of dollars the players receive should come with some measure of loyalty and commitment on their part. It's like arguing with a ing Martian.

That's rude

I perfectly understand your argument. Are you equipped to understand mine (don't worry I don't ask you to agree with it)?

I am not even a big fan of international games and somehow I would prefer Manu and Tony to play only in the NBA.

I am just saying that they must not be blamed for that. They are allowed to play in these games and have some good reason to do it.

Now about your argument:
First, the millions of dollars are not given to player. Parker and Ginobili receive about what they would receive playing for any other team in the league. The fact Parker and Ginobili would play for their NT was known by the Spurs when they signed them. It comes as a part of the package and we have nothing to say about it.

Should so much money come with some loyalty and commitment? Certainly!

Still, it worth mentioning the NBA is a league where player can be traded at any time, where a team can be relocated into another city no matter what the fan base says.
I don't know if the Spurs were really shopping Parker. but if they did, would you call them disloyal? Despite everything Parker did for the team, I would not, because this is how the NBA works. The same goes for international play. Player have the right and the motivation to do it... and loyalty has nothing to do with it.

The Martian is done with that tread. No matter what you think the Martian win. Players have the right to play in international compe ion, they will do it and NBA teams will continue to pay them millions.
As Lebron could say: "Because at the end of the day, all the people that were rooting against FIBA, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. "