Okay guys, so as some of you know, this is actually right up my professional alley: I'm a professor at U of M: my specialty, Argentine literature and culture. So I've taken the liberty of doing a translation (fairly literal) of the original article from _Clarin_ (which is one of the two major dailies in Buenos Aires, the capital of the country).

For now, I'll just give you the translation: maybe later I'll give you my gloss (but I can't resist saying this: if i'd only read the original article in Clarin, I really wouldn't see what the fuss was. everything he says seems like the most natural thing in the world for someone in his position to be saying.)

Here's my rendering of the interview into English:

“To play I’d have to be more selfish”

Delfino believes that to get more minutes, he should shoot and score more. At the same time, he suffers a contradiction: “I’m privileged, though I need to play. I’m okay, but I don’t want another year like this.”

Julian Mozo jmozo@ole.com.ar

Both feelings live within him. After a weak rookie campaign, with an injury that required two operations and a conflict with head coach Larry Brown, Carlos Delfino needed to feel healthy and valued. And he achieved that this season in Detroit. His level of play when he got into games has even been enough to generate debate among fans and journalists about why the forward doesn’t play more. On that side of things, the kid feels content. He knows he is privileged, that he is in the NBA and, no less, on last year’s second place team and the favorite for this year’s title. But, at the same time, he’s 23 years old, plays only a little (10 minutes) and hasn’t succeeded in winning the confidence of Flip Saunders because he is only sometimes part of the rotation (he’s the 10th man). And the contradiction appears in every response he gives to Olé and if it is true that he doesn’t want to sound bitter or polemical, his sincerity reveals the truth.

---What’s the bottom line?

---It’s positive. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so good physically. I’ve no more soreness and I’m calm. And even if I haven’t played much, I have played.

---But…

---And… I’m not desperate, but I’m not having fun. I play for that, and for now I can’t. But even so, I’m okay.

---There are people and journalists that want you to play more. Why isn’t it happening?

---this head coach is very offensive minded. So much so that we forget a little bit about defense… Saunders pays a lot of attention to the attack, to points. I’d have to come in and shoot more, but it’s hard for me to get into that selfish mindset that is so common here. I prefer to pass the ball and it should be the opposite. Here, if you come in for 4 or 5 minutes, and you don’t make any baskets, you come out…

---I’ve read that Saunders has more confidence in Maurice Evans, whom he asked for.

---No. Until Tony Delk arrived, we both played. But Delk was added and they put him as a shooting guard. And there are fewer minutes left.

---Saunders asked you to shoot more. Didn’t that turn out? Is that why Delk arrived?

---No. Delk arrived as a reserve guard, as part of the trade for Arroyo. They weren’t looking for a shooter. But it is true that I’m not comfortable as a shooter, being on the wing waiting for the last three seconds of the possession. I’m not a shooter, I don’t feel it. I don’t play comfortably, they know that my thing is the ball, penetrating, and dishing. But I make an effort and I adapt, I always help in whatever way I can. And I’m trying not to mess up the rhythm

---It’s an apprenticeship as a professional, no?

---One always learns something. These things make you tougher and a better professional. One knows how to handle oneself.

--What’s do you need to do for Saunders to play you more?

--Nothing. I give a 100 %, but it is difficult without continuity. I have a good game and then I go three games without playing. He tells me “be ready, today you’ll play,” and nothing. I know that I have to be ready but it’s not so easy to deliver when he expects it.

---How would you analyze your performance in 2005-06?

---It was good. Though I didn’t have a lot of minutes, every time I got in, I tried hard to deliver.

--In what ways?

---On defense. Larry Brown stuck me with the “no defense” label, and I think I shed that. On the team, when they are looking for a perimeter defender, there’s Prince, Hamilton, and me. I’ve defended well against guys like Prince and Wade. And they have recognized that change.

---I read that the front office wanted to see you play more. Did Dumars tell you that?

---There’s a lot of talk about the subject, as about every thing that occurs on the team. Here they are looking for perfection and nothing is acceptable short of being champions. Dumars always says that wants me here. In fact, there were two teams interested in a trade and he turned them down. He asked me and I told him that I wanted to finish the season here and then see during the off season. I’m looking for a chance, to be a champion here. That for sure, another year like this: I don’t want….

---For now, you are tolerating it.

---For now, yes. I know that I’m young and I’m living a dream. I’m in a position that everyone wants and I’m still learning. That keeps me going, waiting for my chance because I think I still haven’t gotten it.

----Do you think the chance will come with the Pistons?

---I’d bet yes, let’s hope…. Here I don’t feel devalued (disrespected) or as extra, I see that they have confidence in me, but I also say that I want to play.

---You don’t see yourself sa the new Milicic?

---I don’t think so. Darko was never in the rotation. Still, I still believe in what they tell me here, I’m optimistic. I hope to be a starter on Detroit, the future will decide.