트레이닝 캠프 시작되면 그냥 화끈하게 파커랑 포포비치와 던컨이랑 함께 서로 크로스 카운터를 주고받으면서 화해하는게 제일 좋을듯.
This is an interview TP gave to Basket News a french basketball weekly. There is no link as there is no web site. Here is the best translation I can offer you.
-Why did you wait so long for telling that you didn’t want to play with Jason Kidd ?
I didn’t want to create problems and distractions in a team on the way to a NBA title. And also deep down inside I never thought that the Spurs would go after Kidd. I thought that if we won the title it would be impossible. And when we won, I had the feeling i proved enough during these 2 years for the Spurs to trust me. But the Kidd talking get louder.
-You could have expressed Popovich your displeasure during the dinner you had before your camp in Italy.
I didn’t want to spoil our relationship. I wanted to be diplomatic... I have nothing against Kidd, i like him, but I don’t want to play with him. I want to be the Spurs only PG. I had half the team on the phone and they agree with me.
-During this last dinner did you realize that Kidd was the Spurs number 1 priority this offseason ?
No I didn’t thought they wanted him. I really realized it these last days (interview was published on 07/16) when Pop called me and told me how bad he wanted Kidd. It’s the same day my agent called me in panic and we talked about what we could do.
-It’s the same day you told Popovich you were against Kidd’s arival ?
Yes and he answered me I was selfish.He said think about it and call me back in 48 hours to tell me if you want Kidd or not. After that I couldn’t contact him no more. I left 3 messages and nothing... The Spurs organisation just avoided me.
-In 1997 Jordan threatened to retire if the Bulls traded Pippen for Mac Grady. Did the lack of support from Tim Duncan hurt you ?
Yes. It’s in such situation that real leaders step up to support their teamates. Are you disapointed by his attitude?
He called Bruce Bowen because he knows that we are close in order to know what I really thought and to explain him that he wasn’t a traitor but that he wanted the best for the team. It hurted me, it’s always nice to hear Tim saying that I’ll become one of the best in the NBA and have absolutely no support from him. On the contrary what Malik Rose did went straight to my heart. RC Bufford asked him to have a dinner with Kidd when he came to San Antonio and he answered : “No, I want Tony to stay”. Malik is displeased with Tim and Pop’s attitude and so do Bruce and
-You are clearly angry with the Spurs. Aren’t you afraid to damage your relationship with Popovich ?
The Spurs tried to do me a Derek Anderson. They tried to present me as the bad guy. And after that they tell me that Drob agreed to step back when Tim arrived. But David was already established, he was MVP and he had his money. Moreover when Drob contract was over the Spurs dared to offer him a 2 year 6 million contract, then David threatened to talk to the media to complain, and they gave him a 2 year 20 millions contract otherwise he would have wore a Knicks jersey.
-Do you understand the Spurs frenzy for Jason Kidd ?
No, they told me that our association could be lethal but that implies that i change my position, my game... We are the NBA champs with me playing PG and we lost Drob, we need a big guy not another PG. Moreover if we offer a max contract to Kidd the Spurs won’t be able to keep everyone. Jax will leave and next year it’s a choice between me and Manu. And this year i will be competing for playing time with Manu... honestly, it’s ridiculous.
-But 2 weeks ago you told the New York Daily News to be happy to play shooting guard with Jason Kidd by your side...
I never told that. The journalist took everything out of context. I should have been more careful with the New York medias... After that I didn’t want to talk to anyone, but when i see the article in last Tuesday San Antonio’s newspaper it’s not the journalist talking, it’s RC...
-Do you feel betrayed by the Spurs management?
I’m a calm guy but when my contract expires in 2 years, I’ll remember all this. I was welcomed in the business world of the NBA. It’s a business and the Spurs just reminded me that. And if they decide to trade me I’m not worried.