Apr 23, 2007 6:21 pm US/Central
Spurs' Ginobili To Miss Argentine Qualifying Games
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) ―
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San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili
AP
Manu Ginobili will honor the San Antonio Spurs' request and sit out Argentina's Olympic qualifying in Las Vegas in August.
Ginobili expects Argentina to qualify and hopes to play for the team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and defend the gold medal it won at the 2004 Games.
"I hope you understand my decision," he said to fans on his Web site. "This wasn't easy ... but I believe it's the right decision in the long run."
Ginobili is in the middle of a six-year contract worth $52 million with the Spurs and said coach Gregg Popovich gave "rather understandable arguments" why he should be in top shape next season. The 29-year-old also said he needs a break after playing for Argentina for "nearly 10 years" during the NBA offseason.
"This did not allow me sufficient time to rest," said Ginobili, adding the Spurs want him fully rested next season to ensure "the maximum chances of success."
Walter Herrman of the Charlotte Bobcats has also withdrawn from Argentina's roster for the qualifying tournament. It was unclear whether Fabricio Oberto of the Spurs and Andres Nocioni of the Chicago Bulls would play for Argentina in Las Vegas.
Ginobili, Herrman, Oberto and Nocioni were the core of the gold-medal squad at Athens.
Argentina is in Group A with Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Panama. The United States, Brazil, Venezuela, Canada and the Virgin Islands are in Group B.
Four from each group advance to the second round before two finalists and one repechage berth from the group qualify for the Beijing Games.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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