Argentina NT 2010

[TalkBasket]

[size="4"]Manu hopeful of playing in Turkey[/size]



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 competition 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.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/la.../arti.html

[TalkBasket]

[size="4"]Nocioni can't wait for Turkey, Ginobili close to new deal[/size]



Argentina forward Andres Nocioni has confirmed he will take part in the FIBA World Championship in Turkey this summer.



Nocioni met up with the President of Argentina's Basketball Federation (CAB, Dr Germain Luis Vaccaro, as well as national team head coach Sergio Hernandez and told them that he was very eager to wear the national uniform once again.



The Sacramento Kings forward said he will return to his home country once the NBA regular season comes to an end in less than two weeks time. He plans on resting up and spending time with his family for about a month before undertaking a serious and rigorous training regiment in the lead-up to Turkey.



"I want to train. Physically I feel fine. With a rest and a good set-up, I will get to July in great shape and begin the road towards Turkey," the 2004 Olympic gold medallist enthused.



"We should be aiming for a spot on the podium," he answered when asked what Argentina's goal will be at the tournament.



There may be more good news for Argentina as superstar guard Manu Ginobili looks to be very close to signing a contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs.



ESPN has reported that a three-year deal worth an estimated $39 million has already been agreed while other media outlets suggest it has not been finalised just yet.



"There are small things to take care of, numbers to crunch, but I'm optimistic," Ginobili told the San Antonio Express-News on Wednesday prior to his team's game against the Phoenix Suns.



"It's closer than it's ever been. I feel good about it."



If the 32-year-old guard can reach an agreement in the coming days, he will avoid the frenzy of this summer's NBA free agency. That, in turn, could drastically improve the likelihood of him being part of Hernandez's team this summer.



Ginobili had previously explained he would like nothing better than to play for Argentina in Turkey this summer, but that he would have to know where his long-term NBA future lies before he can do so.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/la.../arti.html

[Sagenas]

I have read today that Argentina published a list of candidates. IMHO, list is quite poor, especially guards. <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[TalkBasket]

I must agree the list doesn't seem to be very impressive. Here's the list:



Pablo Prigioni

Paolo Quinteros

Juan Manuel Fernandez

Juan Pablo Figueroa

Juan Pablo Cantero

Carlos Delfino

Andres Nocioni

Hernan Jasen

Matias Sandes

Federico Kammerichs

Marcos Mata

Luis Scola

Fabricio Oberto

Leonardo Gutierrez

Roman Gonzalez

Juan Pedro Gutierezz

[forum troll]

It's still a strong team. It's strong enough to challenge for the semifinals.

[Black Urum]

Via [url="http://www.talkbasket.net/news/oberto-ready-to-help-argentina-in-wc-3136.html"]TalkBasket[/url]

Oberto ready to help Argentina in WC



Argentine NBA star Fabricio Oberto has been given the go ahead by his doctors after facing heart problems during last season (irregular heartbeat). But after being pronounced fit he will be joining the rest of the Argentines in Turkey.





Argentina National Team coach Sergio Hernandez was delighted, naturally, and said that although he was sure Oberto would make it, it was a relief to know officially know it and that he looks up to him to cover for Manu Ginobili's absence.



Oberto averaged 11 minutes in 57 NBA games with Washngton Wizards. Argentina is in the same group with Serbia, Germany, Australia, Jordan and Angola.