FIBA | Argentina coach visits players in USA

Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez has traveled to the United States to meet with his players that are based in the NBA.

Hernandez isn’t expecting to receive confirmations, however, as to which players will represent the national team this year. Manu Ginobili of San Antonio, Luis Scola of Houston, Carlos Delfino of Milwaukee, Andres Nocioni of Sacramento and Fabricio Oberto of Washington are all players Hernandez want to have in Turkey, where his team will face Serbia, Australia, Germany, Angola and Jordan in Group A.

“I am convinced they will not give me an answer on this trip," said Hernandez, who watched Oberto’s Wizards take on Scola’s Rockets on Tuesday. He spoke to both players. “If if was that easy, they would have already told me,” Hernandez said. “From there, I will go to Charlotte to see Carlos Delfino, who we hope will play.”

Delfino on Saturday had to be stretchered off the floor in Milwaukee when his Bucks were taking on the Miami Heat. Miami big man Udonis Haslem accidentally stepped on Delfino’s neck, but the Argentinian appears to be fine. “Then I travel to Los Angeles to watch the Lakers against San Antonio, and meet Manu. And I will then go to Sacramento, where incidentally Manu will play again, but I will meet Chapu (Nocioni). Then I will return." Hernandez is maintaining an even keel on this trip.

"I always act in the same manner, whether it's with the national team or with my club, or with everything else,” Hernandez said. “The expectations are simply to have a chat with them, tell them we are planning the preparations, know their feelings, how they feel, how they see themselves and their possible participation in the team or not. “At times when one has doubts , you talk about the aims and the dates that can help them answer those doubts. “I don't expect them to say yes or no. I will speak to them and see them and spend time with them."

Courtesy FIBA