duncan228
12-24-2008, 01:21 AM
Ginobili's grimace, ankle grab momentarily alarm Popovich (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Ginobilis_grimace_ankle_grab_momentarily_alarm_Pop ovich.html)
By Mike Monroe
Watching Manu Ginobili grimace as he reached down to grab his surgically repaired left ankle in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's game at the AT&T Center gave Spurs coach Gregg Popovich a momentary Beijing flashback.
This time, it appears the pain Ginobili felt with just less than five minutes left in the Spurs' 99-93 victory over Minnesota also was momentary. Popovich pulled his star guard at the first opportunity, but when Ginobili got to the bench, he waved off head trainer Will Sevening, insisting he was all right.
Ginobili returned to the game with 2:16 left and played until just 15 seconds remained and the Spurs' victory was in hand.
Popovich acknowledged fearing the worst. The last time he had seen Ginobili grabbing his ankle was in Argentina's Olympic semifinal game against the United States, in Beijing, China. The result of that injury, described as an ankle impingement, was September surgery that cost Ginobili all of training camp and the first 12 games of the regular season.
“Well, of course,” Popovich said of his initial fears. “He's in there talking to the doctors now, just to see what that was. I'm hoping maybe it's just scar tissue, or something like that. Those things are going to happen to him while he's recovering, but we'll find out.”
A team spokesperson called Ginobili's visit with the team's medical staff routine. No X-rays or further exams were required.
Green days: Popovich recently posited that Tim Duncan would have been an ideal member of the great Boston Celtics teams of the 1980s.
“He plays a little like (Larry) Bird and (Kevin) McHale played,” Popovich said. “He has an innate understanding of the game and spatial relationships, what teammates are going to do and what's needed at a certain time. Never in a hurry. Always a patient, skillful player who understands the situation.
“I think that's how Kevin played, that's how Larry played. He's almost an anachronism. He's a throwback. He'd have been a great Celtic with those guys.”
McHale, now coaching the Timberwolves, agreed wholeheartedly.
“There's guys that transcend whenever you play, and he's one of those guys,” McHale said. “He could have played in the 1960s, '70s or '80s ... the '90s, 2000s, 2020, 2030.
“He's a very gifted, smart basketball player, and if you take the gifts you're blessed with and put some intelligence on top of that, which he's done, the game becomes very simple.”
McHale said he is especially impressed with Duncan's efficiency on the court.
“He doesn't move around a lot. He's very efficient. Conversely, our young guys move around like chickens with their heads cut off and don't get much accomplished. Then, they don't understand why they're tired and Tim is not.
“He's the wise old vet, and it takes some time to get there. Some guys aren't blessed with both the mental and physical capabilities of great stuff. Tim has them, and that's what makes him so effective.”
By Mike Monroe
Watching Manu Ginobili grimace as he reached down to grab his surgically repaired left ankle in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's game at the AT&T Center gave Spurs coach Gregg Popovich a momentary Beijing flashback.
This time, it appears the pain Ginobili felt with just less than five minutes left in the Spurs' 99-93 victory over Minnesota also was momentary. Popovich pulled his star guard at the first opportunity, but when Ginobili got to the bench, he waved off head trainer Will Sevening, insisting he was all right.
Ginobili returned to the game with 2:16 left and played until just 15 seconds remained and the Spurs' victory was in hand.
Popovich acknowledged fearing the worst. The last time he had seen Ginobili grabbing his ankle was in Argentina's Olympic semifinal game against the United States, in Beijing, China. The result of that injury, described as an ankle impingement, was September surgery that cost Ginobili all of training camp and the first 12 games of the regular season.
“Well, of course,” Popovich said of his initial fears. “He's in there talking to the doctors now, just to see what that was. I'm hoping maybe it's just scar tissue, or something like that. Those things are going to happen to him while he's recovering, but we'll find out.”
A team spokesperson called Ginobili's visit with the team's medical staff routine. No X-rays or further exams were required.
Green days: Popovich recently posited that Tim Duncan would have been an ideal member of the great Boston Celtics teams of the 1980s.
“He plays a little like (Larry) Bird and (Kevin) McHale played,” Popovich said. “He has an innate understanding of the game and spatial relationships, what teammates are going to do and what's needed at a certain time. Never in a hurry. Always a patient, skillful player who understands the situation.
“I think that's how Kevin played, that's how Larry played. He's almost an anachronism. He's a throwback. He'd have been a great Celtic with those guys.”
McHale, now coaching the Timberwolves, agreed wholeheartedly.
“There's guys that transcend whenever you play, and he's one of those guys,” McHale said. “He could have played in the 1960s, '70s or '80s ... the '90s, 2000s, 2020, 2030.
“He's a very gifted, smart basketball player, and if you take the gifts you're blessed with and put some intelligence on top of that, which he's done, the game becomes very simple.”
McHale said he is especially impressed with Duncan's efficiency on the court.
“He doesn't move around a lot. He's very efficient. Conversely, our young guys move around like chickens with their heads cut off and don't get much accomplished. Then, they don't understand why they're tired and Tim is not.
“He's the wise old vet, and it takes some time to get there. Some guys aren't blessed with both the mental and physical capabilities of great stuff. Tim has them, and that's what makes him so effective.”