Dirk and the 2011 European Championship

by Fjodor on Jun 20, 2011 8:06 AM CDT

From 31.08.2011 until 18.09.2011 Lithuania will host the 37th FIBA European Basketball Championship.The event will be massive, including 24 countries for the final stage, and being a qualifying opportunity for the 2012 Olympic games many NBA players have confirmed their presence.Pau Gasol,Tony Parker,Danillo Gallinari,Andrea Bargnani are some of the names.Joakim Noah is also expected to play for France.

Dirk has also expressed the desire to participate in the event some months ago,explaining that all will depend on how far his team will go in the playoffs.The german national coach Dirk Bauermann was optimistic in the media even after the Lakers series that Dirk will answer his call.The other NBA player who plays for Germany,Chris Kaman has already made it clear long time ago that he will play, if Dirk will be there too.We all know that Kaman,being a champion all his life has a hard time to deal with losses lol

Dirk and Kaman were in the german team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics that finished 10th out 12 teams losing against the likes of Angola and China.Also at the 2010 FIBA World Championship (no Dirk and no Kaman), one year ago, they finished 17th out of 24 teams.

After wining the trophy this year I think Dirk will take some rest and pass but he hasn't addressed nothing yet about it.Sending his country to the 2008 Olympic games was a fulfilled dream for him...

What do you all think about it?

Poll

What do you think about Dirk playing in Lithuania?

I think he will decide to play, and I want him to play

23 votes

I think he will decide to play, and I don't want him to play

8 votes

I think he will decide to not play, and I want him to play

3 votes

I think he will decide to not play, and I don't want him to play

9 votes

43 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

We all know what happened to Roddy when he played for France.

So due to that, I hope Dirk doesn’t play not only for rest, but to be safe of injuries.

by OJ ATM on Jun 20, 2011 9:47 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Most of all

I want some fresh legs to make another run for the championship.Also,he should stay out of potential injuries because he is not 20yrs old anymore and a bad injury could be a hammer for his career at this point.Thirdly…Germany sucks anyway lol..so it’s not worthy.Can be frustrating for him playing lights out and see him team still lose.Gasol will lead Spain to that championship and redeem himself a little bit :D

by Fjodor on Jun 20, 2011 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed. Agreed. Agreed.

by OJ ATM on Jun 20, 2011 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions

which gasol?

J.UST E.NJOY T.HIS S.HIT

by big_p.a.w.z. on Jun 20, 2011 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Pau

He has already confirmed via twiter

by Fjodor on Jun 21, 2011 5:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Marc will be there too

just like Calderon, Rudy Fernandez and Ricky Rubio

by Fjodor on Jun 21, 2011 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope Rubio gets a season ending injury so Minnessota has to wait another year because I'm sick like that :D

by OJ ATM on Jun 21, 2011 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL

by Fjodor on Jun 21, 2011 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

will play, want him to

first of all, there’s going to be a longer lockout, caused by greed.
second of all, if he plays this year, there’s a great chance germany could qualify (top2)
third of all, if he doesn’t play this year, germany will fail to secure a quali-spot and has to play next summer again, trying to win a similar tourney (olympic qualifier)
fourth of all, if he doesn’t play this year, he won’t play next year or ever again for the national team. (Age, connection)
fifth of all, we all know what happened when Dirk played in the Finals (torn tendon, fever). So due to that, i hope Dirk doesn’t play in the Finals again, not only for Rest in June, but be safe of injuries.
(Srsly, guys…)

"Mais put… Il est fou ce gars!" - French Jesus about Jewish Ice-T

by DOH on Jun 21, 2011 12:39 PM CDT reply actions

I'm wondering if you are german...

because only a german homer can be so high on their chances to finish top2! Spain,Lithuania,Serbia,Turkey,Greece,France,Russia, just to name some, have all better teams than Germany! Can they pull the upset? Well,everything can happen, but NO WAY Germany is a serious candidate to take the 2 first spots.
About the your last argument, I’m shocked how can you put in the same sentence a injury at the NBA Finals with a injury at the euro championship.

by Fjodor on Jun 21, 2011 1:11 PM CDT reply actions

meh

replyto: their chances are not much higher with Dirk (and ergo Kaman) than the Mavs chances were at a Ring before this postseason. So yeah, i like them chances…

as for the last one…

injuries are injuries. part of the sport. doesn’t matter if you’re trippin’ over a bag (hi Carlos), cut yourself with the appleknive (’sup Derrick) or blow your knee out (racine)