Truth & Rumors > NBA

Spurs want Manu out of Olympics

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If an MRI expected to be taken soon doesn't show improvement in Manu Ginobili's ankle, expect the Spurs to ask him not to play in the Olympics, even though he will be Argentina's flag bearer during the opening ceremonies. And considering that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is a former USA Basketball assistant who loves the international game, Ginobili would have to be in bad shape for the Spurs to suggest he sit.

Boston Globe

Manu Ginobili, Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Manu Ginobili, Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
July 7, 2008  07:45 AM ET

i want wade out of the olympics

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July 7, 2008  07:58 AM ET

Good idea. He looked hobbled in the playoffs

July 7, 2008  08:00 AM ET

I don't blame them. This has been argued to ad nauseum but teams are playing these guys big money to play for them. People's jobs are tied into the success of the basketball franchise and they are fcuked if these guys get hurt.

July 7, 2008  08:07 AM ET

The Spurs can't do anything about it. Manu loves to play for Argentina, and that is his country. There is no way Manu backs out.

July 7, 2008  08:35 AM ET

I like it! NBA is helping the USA win Gold!

July 7, 2008  08:35 AM ET

If Manu plays in the Olympics, this should show Pop what Manu thinks of the Spurs. This would be very unprofessional and I think the Spurs should shop him on the trading block. He is regressing anyway, so the Spurs should try to get something for him while they can.

July 7, 2008  08:37 AM ET

Wow. Somebody is agreeing w/ Cuban only if their stars are playing. That's being hypocrete for Pops. You can't take both sides. It's either you are for the Olympics or for your professional team. This is why Cuban required his players to have insurance before he plays for his country.

July 7, 2008  08:44 AM ET

Let Manu play in the Olympics....if Agrintina agrees to pay his salery should he get hurt during the games or reaggervates the ankle injury due to not resting. Cuban was right the NBA owners are the ones who have much to risk. Add in the next barganing agreement that should a player get hurt during the Olympics or aggervate an injury due to not enough rest that year of the contract is not payable. If these guys are willing to risk their pay for their love of their country then let them put their money where their mouth is. That is the true test of patriotism if there ever was one. love of your country or love of the money? Which one pays the bills?

July 7, 2008  08:56 AM ET

He should definately not play -

The olympics in 2008 is a MONEY MAKING EXIBITION
His JOB is an NBA basketball player.
- no way should he risk not being healthy for the LONG season by playing

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July 7, 2008  09:34 AM ET

i think if you live in america and make american money you shouldnt be able to play for another country then the us look at sharapova in tennis left russion when she was 4 has gone back doesnt speak russain but yet will play for russia weird

July 7, 2008  09:42 AM ET

Let Manu play in the Olympics....if Agrintina agrees to pay his salery should he get hurt during the games or reaggervates the ankle injury due to not resting. Cuban was right the NBA owners are the ones who have much to risk. Add in the next barganing agreement that should a player get hurt during the Olympics or aggervate an injury due to not enough rest that year of the contract is not payable. If these guys are willing to risk their pay for their love of their country then let them put their money where their mouth is. That is the true test of patriotism if there ever was one. love of your country or love of the money? Which one pays the bills?
vaughn9 | 07/07/08, 08:44 AM
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Great idea. Let's outlaw them playing in the back yard with their sons now too. How about riding a bike, driving a car, flying during the off season? Lord forbid something happen during the off season in anything other than Olympic basketball. It sounds like owners like Cuban and others want to put players in a coma in between seasons. They own them as an NBA player but not their entire life.

July 7, 2008  09:48 AM ET

If Manu were healthy, it would be a different matter. The Spurs are paying Manu $10 million to play for them. If he can't play for them, he shouldn't be allowed to play anywhere else without forfeiting his salary.

July 7, 2008  09:52 AM ET

If Manu were healthy, it would be a different matter. The Spurs are paying Manu $10 million to play for them. If he can't play for them, he shouldn't be allowed to play anywhere else without forfeiting his salary.
Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 07/07/08, 09:48 AM
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Now this I can agree with. If a player isn't healthy then he should devote 100% of his time to rehab of the injury. I'm not saying for players to throw common sense out the window but in general they should be able to play for the olympics just as if they went out and played some yard ball with the guys.

July 7, 2008  10:04 AM ET

manu's old enough to think for himself if he wants to play no one can do anything about it...

July 7, 2008  10:15 AM ET

" It sounds like owners like Cuban and others want to put players in a coma in between seasons. They own them as an NBA player but not their entire life"

I read your reply Duke-
and I think we are all on the same page-

But they have massive investment in these players-
& playing in the backyard is different than major competition
- if the NBA'ers want to play with his buddies.....he should quit the NBA and all it's vast riches and work in Burger King for minimum wage.

He's also 30+
if he were a kid, he'd heal faster- it'd be different
but he's got major miles under his belt-
especially from the LONG postseason runs SA has had

July 7, 2008  10:19 AM ET

this to me is another reason that pro athletes have no business in the olympics. it creates too much conflict and $$ talk. i agree that manu should just sit out.

July 7, 2008  10:34 AM ET

- - -The Spurs can't do anything about it. Manu loves to play for Argentina, and that is his country. There is no way Manu backs out.

Denis24: Earl Calloway- - -

Don't forget, it might also be his last chance to play for his country. That might something to do with it as well.

 
July 7, 2008  10:45 AM ET

Of course Manu should play! He's already got plenty of $$$ and 2 rings. What does he have to lose? Let him represent his country. He's got every right to, and he deserves it. I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina outdoes the US again. It's a shame the US players don't have the same dedication. Instead, their stuck with whiners like Carmello and Boozer.

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