Tag: France

Parker bruised in France’s win

By Nesha Starcevic
Associated Press

SIAULIAI, Lithuania — Despite playing for stretches without Tony Parker, France rallied with a big fourth quarter to beat Italy 91-84 Sunday night to advance to the second round of the European basketball championship.

The Spurs guard was kneed in the left thigh by Andrea Bargnani on the second play of the game, struggled through the first half and part of the third quarter before leaving the game for good.

“I am going to have treatment on it tonight and see if I can play (Monday against Serbia),” Parker said. “The doctor said I should not take a risk in the fourth quarter.”

Italy fell to 1-3 despite leading by seven at the end of the third quarter. But France outscored Italy 31-17 in the fourth, with Boris Diaw of the Charlotte Bobcats getting 21 points.

Nicolas Batum of the Portland Trail Blazers added 20. France got 28 of its points from bench players.

In another game, Juan Carlos Navarro scored 22 points and defending champion Spain swept aside host Lithuania 91-79, an outcome that allowed Serbia and Germany to advance to the second round even before their later match.

Russia and Slovenia also advanced — the top three teams from each of the four groups do so.

Serbia, which lost in the final to Spain two years ago, joined France with a perfect 4-0 record in Group B by overcoming 25 points from Dirk Nowitzki to beat Germany 75-64. Germany is 2-2.

Joseph drawing compliments in Canada

With Manu Ginobili playing for Argentina, Tony Parker for France and , first-round pick Cory Joseph has been the forgotten Spurs player in this summer’s round of international competition.

Drafted 29th by the Spurs in June, the newly turned 20-year-old Cory Joseph is drawing good reviews from his Canadian teammates since joining the team late last month. Joseph, a point guard and Toronto native, has impressed with his approach and work ethic,

“I’ve been most impressed with his attitude, not having a sense of entitlement (from being a first round selection),” Canadian forward Levon Kendall told the newspaper. “He understands guys have been here (a while), he’s got to prove himself before he gets that respect. He has to earn it to a certain extent so that’s what I’ve been most surprised (about). It’s nice to see that.”

No doubt that attitude will serve Joseph well once he’s finally able to join the Spurs, who — you might have heard — feature a few players even more accomplished than the Canadian national team.

Poll: Since there is a lockout, is it OK for NBA players to play for national teams?

Without insurance from the NBA during the lockout, international players and their country’s teams have been working to clear the path for play this summer.

Those issues have been cleared for Tony Parker to play for France this summer. Argentina is still working on fixing things for Manu Ginobili.

How do Spurs Nation readers feel about international play? Has the NBA lockout changed your mind?

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