” I, my priority is my career. (…) The France team is a great experience, but it has never been my priority. “
This time, we can not blame Joakim Noah to tack. In an interview published Wednesday in Team , the pivot of the Chicago Bulls seem prepare the ground for a new failure for France during Euro Basketball (September 4-20), whose phases finals will be held in Lille.
NBA players have something of a curse for the France team basketball. Titan physical experience of the highest level, ability to pack a match, but also intermittent presence makes illusory the formation of a group over time. Each year, the framing of trying to convince his Blues “Americans” to participate in international competitions. But face four types of obstacles:
- Those seeking a contract in NBA
The majority of eleven French playing in the NBA are not major players in their club or in the North American League: their situation is precarious. When they arrive in the final year of the contract, they are in a situation of “free agent”. They prefer to stay while in the United States to convince their franchise and keep them for fear of injury. The following summer was no different: they can be required to participate in training camps in the summer to get noticed or to convince their club to keep them. In 2014, Ronny Turiaf, out of contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, had assumed not to participate in the World Cup, saying:
“I want to focus my goals, my career take full hands and take care of my body and me this summer. “
As Kevin Seraphin explained in 2013: ” They do not really tell you the stuff, but it does understand you. “ To which Vincent Collet replied: ” Seraphin said he did not come because he wants to work. As if we were not working. “ The French Federation must also itself take care of the insurance of these players, to protect them in case of injury.
- Those who are a little injured
NBA franchises are particularly touchy about the players working tool paid over a million euros per year. Internship Preparation Team France are often disrupted by round trips to the United States of players that employers ask to return exams, their trust in French medicine is often very relative. This has often been the case of Tony Parker.
A knee whines like Ronny Turiaf in 2010, or finger that threatens to break, like Tony Parker in 2006, are generally sufficient reasons for the US employer asks the player to not play international matches. Often with the consent of the Federation, who knows she will never see his player if the injury worse during the summer competition.
- Those selected by their employer
In the NBA, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and distinguish themselves by their interest in international basketball. They do not feel that their player loses his fight time when international competition, which often helped Tony Parker to free the summer and, conversely, contributed to loyalty to French the Texas franchise.
Other teams, like the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks (by which passed five French players) often refuse to release players for fear of injury and lack of interest in this different basketball. In 2009, Joakim Noah had played some preparation matches before returning to Illinois reluctantly. This attitude is less common on the part of NBA franchises, more forward abroad today than ten years ago.
- Those who have no real reason
Joakim Noah assumes, including interviews with the American press, be more of a “citizen of the world” a player of the team of France. Iconoclastic position that earned him a certain disenchantment in France, where the 30-year-old has never lived, but has the advantage of being sincere.
Some international power have sometimes found unconvincing excuses. So Alexis Ajinça who in 2014 refused the selection because of the birth of his wife planned during the competition that the Federation has offered to “possible adjustments” . In 2013, the pivot of the Indiana Pacers, Ian Mahinmi, declined protesting against an alleged lack of communication from the staff of the France team.
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