Parker Won’t Play…

by

Or maybe he will.

Reversing course on an earlier statement, Tony Parker is apparently reconsidering whether he will play for the French national team this summer. Before it was yes, now it’s no-ish.

Jeff McDonald has the scoop.

Elsewhere, Spurs.com has a helpful mailbag with Gregg Popovich. Coach Pop addresses many of our recent talking points: Michael Finley, small-ball, adjusted plus minus…

  • Hobson13

    Thank God! We need him to be fresh and ready for next year. With all the doom and gloom we’ve talked about, the Spurs could still have a bright future. Hill, Blair, Parker, and hopefully Splitter make up a solid young core.

    Next year I would like to see Manu come back (at a reduced salary of course) Hairston be slotted into the lineup, and the Spurs making a nice trade over the summer for a good young player with RJ being the bait. I’ve heard recently that Andre Igoudala will be on the trading block this offseason and I think he would be a great pickup.

    If this scenario were to take place (longshot I know), I believe the Spurs would be a formidable team especially late in the year after they’ve had time to gell. Even if this specific scenario doesn’t take place, this will be a busy summer for the Spurs as we only have 7 players under contract for next season. I think we have some good things to look forward to even after a very disappointing season like this one.

  • grego

    Hopefully he doesn’t do play. He should know based on past history with Duncan and Manu that it usually hurts more than it helps, especially if you are going into the summer injured (like Manu not too long ago).

    He didn’t rest last summer and 2 straight summers is tough on the body, especially if you aren’t even 100% healthy. The only way to get rid of plantar fasciitis is by resting.

  • SilverAndBlack

    He needs to rest…Manu rested this past offseason, and seems to be looking like the player of two seasons ago…maybe he’s taking note??

    And a side, I’ve been watching the ever-so venerable Bruce Bowens on his most recent ESPN gig…is it me, or does it seem like every time this guy talks he wants to strangle the cameraman?? I mean, this was one heck of a player in his heyday, but man I gotta admit, it’s kinda painful to listen to him stammer his way through his critiques (as it almost seems like he wants to strangle all the hecklers watching him). Just found it a little amusing from one of our all-time greats.~~oh, and need i mention the bow tie…tho, it is classy.

  • SilverAndBlack

    Tho, I’ve gotta add in I like Tony’s perspective on the upcoming, tough schedule…staying in touch with reality, as always–just go out, have some fun and just go do what you do.

  • Rip Wiley

    Off topic, but it was great having a chance to watch the practice going on in the background. I enjoyed seeing shot after shot rain in and through behind TP’s head. I know they are uncontested (apart from against the paddle blockers late on), but it has to be good for confidence and muscle memory. It also shows why any NBA player must feel like any time they miss a shot they are really unlucky, where most amateurs feel 50/50 about their shot. When you get the tiny ‘success’ endorphin hit 95% of the time during the millions of practice shots you take over the years, you are conditioned to feel pretty good about your shot at game time.

  • buns

    Uhuh didn’t I say so?
    If he wants a summer break, this is THE year. DeColo and Beaubois can run the point and get some experience this summer at the world championship, with team France still being a force.
    Like I said, TP’s main goal is the 2012 Olympics, with an end to his career with Les Bleus after that. And to go to London, you got to do something in the 2011 Euro. Not in 2010.

    This is the most logical for him eather from a pro standpoint (meaning his employer), for his self (resting his body, lengthen his career), and for team France (he keeps is fire for the years after). And considering the guy is smart, I firmly believe he’ll rest this summer.

  • Jonathan

    He said, “I still want to play because I still want to go to the Olympics, but I think after 30 it’ll be tough…”

    Sounds to me like he’s still planning to play the next two years.

  • buns

    If he wants to go to the Olympics (and he does), France has to do good in 2011 (Euro championships). So he may choose to rest in 2010, but you can expect him to play in 2011 and 2012, indeed.

  • junierizzle

    I think he’ll rest.
    He can’t risk getting injured before his contract year.

    MANU said he might rest too. HE doesn’t want to get injured and kill a new contract.

    There is always a possibility though. Playing for their country is HUGE.

  • Jim Miller (jimjule)

    With the style of play that Tony plays, he may have fewer years left than the average point guard. Getting knocked to the floor many times per game can take its toll. He needs the rest. PS: I don’t think we’ll ever see Tiago Splitter in a Spurs uniform. The big bucks for him will be in Spain. The Spurs really need to draft well, 2010, at the end of this season. If they get a 20 or higher pick they can get some help on the boards. The point and two guard slots are solid and TD has a year or two left, but he needs help.