In his column for La Nacion, Manu Ginobili announced today that he will not be playing in the FIBA World Championships in Turkey this Summer, which kicks off August 28.
According to Cronica Online (through Google translation), Manu listed the arrival of his twin babies, expected in June, and the recent contract extension he signed with the Spurs as reasons for his decision.
Después de unos días de debate interno y poner en la balanza mi familia, la cabeza y el corazón, llegó la hora de tomar una decisión sobre la participación en el Mundial. Siempre creí que lo correcto era decirle al técnico los planes ni bien los tuviera decididos para que arme el equipo sabiendo con quién puede contar y con quién no. Por eso, creo que es el momento de hablar sobre mi futuro con la selección nacional.
He llegado a la dura conclusión de que, hoy por hoy, lo mejor para mí y mi familia, es no jugar el Mundial de Turquía.
After being injured in the 2002 World Championships and 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Manu decided that he could not play three straight years with the Argentine National Team and have enough time to get his body ready for the NBA season.
Manu also said that this decision is also a way of him prioritizing or choosing to keep his body in condition for the 2011 Qualifier and 2012 Olympics.
This is great news for Spurs fans, who have seen a resurgence from Manu since early March. Through the first two games of the playoffs, Manu is averaging a career playoff high 24.5 points, 5 assists 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
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