Olympics threatening NBA assets...

[Cherry]

The Spurs had been out in front of international scouting for years and these players had been playing for their NT long before they came to the NBA. IMO, the Spurs knew, or should have known, what they were getting into when they signed Manu and Tony. Manu is clearly done with international play, but Tony still has a few years left to play with France. Are we going to be having these same conversations about him next summer?

Yes

If you're going to pick up an international player, you'll have to live with the benefits and the risks.

The Spurs got Manu on the cheap most likely because he is an international player. A US born and bred version of Manu would be costing in the $15+ million range. So the Spurs saved a fortune because Manu is a foreigner, they'll have to live with the fact that alot of foreign players consider the Olympics as the height of their life, not the NBA.

Even Tony Parker is somewhat "cheap" considering he's one of the top PGs in the NBA.

The Spurs have made a championship team over the years with 3 foreign starters (Manu is a "starter") and one of the lowest payrolls in the NBA. Now, the risky side of that business is starting to show up, Spur fans have to accept that is ALSO part of the deal.

San Antonio is a small market, Manu sign a contract because he believe SA is the best place to win a Championship (not the best market to make money), he's coming off the bench (as a starter) and help to win 3 rings in 7 years, all for the same price. All for help the team.

But, if Money is all that matters:
-he should play for Panathinaikos instread Bologna
-he should play for Denver instread San Antonio
-he should play the Euroligue (Euros) instread the NBA (Dollars)

His work is the NBA but his spirit is the National Team ...Injuries can happen anytime and everywere (you like it or not, playing or not, resting or not, in the NBA, the olymplics, the parking lot, etc)
Loyalty and money are not the same thing for Manu. That's why San Antonio´s small market will never be THAT lucky again with a big steal in the 57Th pick for less money.