SRB - Krstic, Pavlovic feel heat over reluctance to commit to Blues

BELGRADE (FIBA World Championship) - The Serbo-Montenegrin Basketball Association (KSSCG) has issued a strongly-worded statement criticising a number of unnamed players who have so far failed to commit to playing at this year's FIBA World Championship.

The statement appears to be directed at the likes of New Jersey Nets center Nenad Krstic and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Aleksandar Pavlovic, who have both said they are yet to make a decision about the tournament, which tips off in Japan on August 19.

The statement read: "After the problems at the start of the preparations of our national team, we would like to speak to the public and explain our attitude about the relationship of some of the players with the national squad.

"Despite the fact that we thought the creation of one, new, young generation of players in a new state would be more than enough of a challenge and motivation for all those players called upon, some of them still do not recognise the importance and significance of words like patriotism, homeland, origin, forefathers, and a debt in life that you should pay.

"What has happened in the heads of some of the young players that they cannot perceive the importance of playing for the national team while they are watching the mega-stars at the FIFA World Cup? How they fight, play, mourn or celebrate while they are in a national team jersey, how it is obvious that it is more important to them than any money they've earned or will earn.

"Is it possible they will say `hello' and then talk with a bowed head while they are with stars like (Germany's Dirk) Nowitzki, (France's Tony) Parker, and (Spain's Pau) Gasol, players who - despite being some of the biggest names in basketball - play for their country without question?

"Is it possible they have already forgotten the start of their careers, playing for clubs big and small in this country, and now do they not feel that they must pay back a debt to their clubs and their national organisation which raised them?

"Is it possible that they don't realise that they have a rare privilege to make their nation happy?"

"Dear fans of basketball, in our country, quality basketball will be played, many medals will be won again at big competitions, with the hope that we'll always have great players, but true players whose play and behaviour will be the pattern for many future generations."

Coach Dragan Sakota has faced a series of problems in trying to put together a squad to defend Serbia & Montenegro's title in Japan.

It was already agreed that NBA star Peja Stojakovic should sit out the tournament after an injury-plagued season, but more recently reigning domestic MVP Dejan Milojevic has also pulled out after being diagnosed with knee tendonitis on his move to Spanish side Pamesa.

The KSSCG are still waiting for a decision from both Pavlovic and Krstic, even though Serbian president Boris Tadic has made a personal appeal to the latter to take part.

With his options narrowing, Sakota has added the University of Arizona's Ivan Radenovic and FMP's Zoran Erceg to his provisional squad.

PA Sport
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