Monroe: Ginobili Unable To Get On Court; Return On Hold

[duncan228]

Ginobili unable to get on court; return on hold (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Ginobili_unable_to_get_on_court_return_on_hold.htm l)
Mike Monroe

It appears that Manu Ginobili will be on the far end of the two-to-three-week projection on his recovery from a stress reaction in his right ankle.

Thursday marked two weeks since the Spurs guard was diagnosed with the injury and told he would miss two to three weeks.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Ginobili's recovery has still not reached the point where he can do anything on the court.

“He's on the bike for the next three, four or five days,” Popovich said, “and we'll see how that goes and test him along the way, see how sore he is and see how that feels, but he's definitely not on the floor yet.”

Ginobili has not played since Feb. 11.

Cautious approach: Popovich said new Spurs forward Drew Gooden, who was signed to a contract on Thursday, won't suit up for about a week to make certain his strained groin is fully healed.

“We're going to take our time and make sure his groin is totally in good shape,” Popovich said, “which may take as much as another week. We want to make sure he's in shape and solid that way.

“Of course, we think he brings us professionalism and good shooting. Obviously, he's a good scorer. He's got a good body and he's not afraid to use it, so it gives us good added depth by playoff time.”

On the wall: Gooden already has his photo hanging on the wall in the hallway that leads to the Spurs' locker room, but he's not wearing silver and black.

Gooden is depicted in the background in two shots from the 2007 Finals in which the Spurs swept his Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0.

Gooden's memories of those Finals are bittersweet.

“I just remember finally making it to the pinnacle of basketball, the NBA Finals, and having the opportunity to play in the Finals,” he said. “And even though we got swept, I left everything out on that court all those four games. I left it out there.”

[lefty]

As long as he is ok for the playoffs

No need to rush a comeback

[Amuseddaysleeper]

*sigh*

As long as Ginobili can come back as healthy as possible. Hopefully we can continue to hang on to the #2 seed until then.

[m33p0]

one more week. manu and gooden will probably return on the same game.

[timvp]

The title of that article was misleading. It's basically status quo.

[duncan228]

The title of that article was misleading. It's basically status quo.

I agree.

I always use the headline the articles come with, but I was tempted to alter this one.

[Spurs Brazil]

Updated

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Ginobili_unable_to_get_on_court_return_on_hold.htm

By Mike Monroe - Express-News That two-to-three week projection for Manu Ginobili’s return from a stress reaction in his right ankle likely will be extended.

The injured Spurs star continues to be limited to off-the-court rehabilitation work, and it appears unlikely he will return until mid-March.

Thursday marked two weeks since the Spurs guard was diagnosed with the injury and told he would miss two to three weeks.

“He’s on the bike for the next three, four or five days,” coach Gregg Popovich said before the Spurs defeated the Washington Wizards 100-78, at the AT&T Center, “and we’ll see how that goes and test him along the way, see how sore he is and see how that feels. But he’s definitely not on the floor yet.”

Ginobili has not played since Feb. 11, when he scored 32 points in the Spurs’ final game before the All-Star break, a 91-89 loss at Toronto.

Taking a cautious approach: Popovich said new Spurs forward Drew Gooden, who was signed to a contract Thursday, won’t suit up for about a week to make certain his strained groin is fully healed.

“We want to make sure he’s in shape and solid that way,” Popovich said.

Gooden had declared himself ready to play when he met the media Thursday afternoon. He soon discovered the Spurs are one of the NBA’s more cautious teams when it comes to dealing with injuries.

“It’s a little bit of everything: getting acclimated and the injury,” Gooden said. “I’ve been on some teams where, when I’ve been traded to them, they wanted me to play right off the bat. I was always up for that, but I think the smart thing to do is take some time here and let me get really comfortable and test out this injury and get in shape with the team and see where I am then.”

Gooden tweaked his groin Feb. 25 against the Charlotte Bobcats. The injury occurred in the only game he played for the Sacramento Kings following a Feb. 18 trade from the Chicago Bulls.

“I feel a whole lot better than I did last week,” he said. “That’s a great sign. I’m looking forward to practice tomorrow as much as I can.”

Gooden enjoyed watching his new teammates in their easy victory over the Wizards.

“First time I’ve won by that amount in a long while,” he said. “When Timmy (Duncan) has the numbers he had tonight (five points and five rebounds), and you still win, that says something about your team.”

Popovich, finally breaking his silence about Gooden, gave his scouting report on his new player: “He brings us professionalism and good shooting. Obviously, he’s a good scorer. He’s got a good body and he’s not afraid to use it, so it gives us good added depth by playoff time.”
l

[Bruno]

I'm sure Spurs will be really careful with Manu's injury. If he comes back too quickly, he will have a stress fracture and be out for the season (see what happened to Martell Webster this year).

[Marcus Bryant]

The Spurs have managed well without Manu...and those few games without TD. Will need him back at as close to full strength as possible in the postseason. As for Gooden, seems like the sensible thing to do.

[ALAMO-DEFENSE]

I really don't care how long Manu is out.....as long as he comes back 200% healthy for playoff time. So Manu: rest, take care, be easy, prepare yourself, and come back like a beast because real bball is played during May and June.

[polandprzem]

10 days bro huh?

[completely deck]

:bike: <-manu

[TheManFromAcme]

Hope Manu gets better. Darn dude is a warrior.
I personally think that Manu is now officially Injury prone.
Hopefully not. He's the only guy on your team that I see plays with pure passion.
Manu is cool.

[SenorSpur]

The only concern I would have is having "BOTH" these guys back healthy and playing before the end of the regular season. The best path for playoff success is for the team, as a whole, to be playing well and rolling with momentum as they head into the playoffs.

[MarHill]

The only concern I would have is having "BOTH" these guys back healthy and playing before the end of the regular season. The best path for playoff success is for the team, as a whole, to be playing well and rolling with momentum as they head into the playoffs.

I agree, Senor Spur!

I hope they both can come back by next week or the following week. Because they both need to play some games and get in rhythm before the playoffs begin.

[SenorSpur]

I agree, Senor Spur!

I hope they both can come back by next week or the following week. Because they both need to play some games and get in rhythm before the playoffs begin.

Exactly. :toast

[polandprzem]

Exactly. :toast

Well Manu was getting into the rhythm almost all year (half season).
It will be tough.

But putting manu into a war situation, umm there is where he gets his rhythm.

All in all it's not good at all.
Many ifs and unknows righ now in spurs camp. :(

[hater]

all going as planned



Re: Manu return date?

Friday March 20, 2009

vs. Boston Celtics

[m33p0]

:bike: <-manu
:lol i wonder what the odometer would read.

[Harry Callahan]

Mid March would be three weeks on a 2-3 window. As TIMVP said, status quo.

This years team is better equipped to handle Manu missing time than last years team. Mason and Hill (not to mention Bonner up front) should be able to keep the wins coming.

All hands on deck is a must in the playoffs this year, so the cautious approach is best.

[Thomas82]

mid march would be three weeks on a 2-3 window. As timvp said, status quo.

This years team is better equipped to handle manu missing time than last years team. Mason and hill (not to mention bonner up front) should be able to keep the wins coming.

All hands on deck is a must in the playoffs this year, so the cautious approach is best.


+1

[Marcus Bryant]

Making it back a month before the postseason should hopefully be enough time for Manu to get back to something close to normal.

As for Gooden, hopefully he will be able to fit in the team defense. I think offensively he shouldn't have a hard time figuring out what he has to do.

Hopefully the playoff schedule is a little more favorable for the Spurs this year.

[TMTTRIO]

He was still limping pretty good walking at the game last night so I'm not surprised. Hopefully he's patient with this and gets 100% before coming back.

[crc21209]

Manu will be back in 1-2 weeks. So between 7-14 days I expect him to be back. Don't rush it too much. At first I thought maybe the Laker game but I'm not so sure now, maybe one more week from Thursday and we'll be in business.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

all of my sources agree that Manu will be back vs. the Lakers.

Your "sources"?

[temujin]

Excellent news.

The later, the better.

[Ghazi]

I blame Argentina.

[janieannie]

He was still limping pretty good walking at the game last night so I'm not surprised. Hopefully he's patient with this and gets 100% before coming back.

I was at the game, sitting behind the bench a few rows up. I did not notice a limp. The last time I noticed him limping was at the Mavericks game on Feb. 24. The next game against Portland he did not appear to be limping.

[ducks]

one think with gooden on hold
he can watch lots of film and hopefully learn what spurs run
plus watch the spurs live in games and see what pop expects on d

[Slippy]

I was at the game, sitting behind the bench a few rows up. I did not notice a limp. The last time I noticed him limping was at the Mavericks game on Feb. 24. The next game against Portland he did not appear to be limping.

Still limping can't be a good sign. There was supposed to be a second MRI to look for improvement. IF they sticking him to only bike duties then i don't think it's gotten better or progressing as well as they wanted. We need more details.

[timvp]

What sucks to think about is if Manu's next MRI doesn't show enough bone healing. :td

[mookie2001]

What sucks to think about is if Manu's next MRI doesn't show enough bone healing. :td
oh then he would be REALLY fragile and everyone would scoff him!

[BlackSwordsMan]

oden and manu are made from the same mold

[Mr Bones]

It appears that Manu Ginobili will be on the far end of the two-to-three-week projection on his recovery from a stress reaction in his right ankle.

Thursday marked two weeks since the Spurs guard was diagnosed with the injury and told he would miss two to three weeks.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Ginobili's recovery has still not reached the point where he can do anything on the court.

“He's on the bike for the next three, four or five days,” Popovich said, “and we'll see how that goes and test him along the way, see how sore he is and see how that feels, but he's definitely not on the floor yet.”

Ginobili has not played since Feb. 11.


It's strange that with this injury, Manu is riding an exercise bike. That motion would still put stress on the leg and ankle, no matter how lightly he pedals. It just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. If he wants to stay in shape while keeping pressure off of his leg, he should be swimming.

[Spursmania]

The Spurs organization have an excellent medical and training staff. Surely, these professionals are prescribing what is best for his recovery. I trust they will bring Manu back when he is ready either Thursday or Friday. Again, if he is not ready, I think we would all like to see him healthy rather than have him return too early and reinjure himslef.

I miss Manu and his awesome helter skelter moves and cannot wait for his return.:hat

[ducks]

I would rather not manu play against lakers first game
lakers do not need to know mentally they beat the spurs with manu on the court even if manu is quite rusty

[roycrikside]

The Spurs organization have an excellent medical and training staff. Surely, these professionals are prescribing what is best for his recovery. I trust they will bring Manu back when he is ready either Thursday or Friday. Again, if he is not ready, I think we would all like to see him healthy rather than have him return too early and reinjure himslef.

I miss Manu and his awesome helter skelter moves and cannot wait for his return.:hat

I'm not sure how much Manu trusts the trainers and medical people in SA. Didn't they badly misdiagnose his injury during the end of last season? He said the stuff he was doing rehabbing the injury in April was like a big waste of time and the injections or whatever made it worse.

[raspsa]

oden and manu are made from the same mold

Manu has thousands of miles on his BB odometer playing his go-for-broke style of play while Oden is really a BB virgin.. absolutely no comparing the two.

[WalterBenitez]

I see Manu coming in the last 5 games or so, just to be focused and shped for playoffs

[raspsa]

When is Manu's next MRI?

[Chieflion]

I hope Ginobili gets better soon.

[Jiangnuobili]

Nothing But Hope...

[ducks]

looks like mason might have to prove himself to spur fans in the postseason with a 50% manu if at all

[roycrikside]

looks like mason might have to prove himself to spur fans in the postseason with a 50% manu if at all

That's premature. A bone injury is different than a ligament injury and has a much better chance of healing completely.

[WalterBenitez]

It's strange that with this injury, Manu is riding an exercise bike. That motion would still put stress on the leg and ankle, no matter how lightly he pedals. It just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. If he wants to stay in shape while keeping pressure off of his leg, he should be swimming.

Manu would stress than bone even playing at Wii

[MaNu4Tres]

I kind of hope Pop just rests Manu til April.

[Josepatches_]

I would give him more rest.
For us it's more important Manu's ankle than to be 2nd or 3rd or even 4th in the final standings

[mytespurs]

I hope they don't put Manu in until he's declared ready to go....the Spurs are not going to catch the Lakers so Pop might as well have a healthy team,if possible, go into the playoffs...once the tournament starts, anything can happen! :hat

[duncan228]

Pop, post game today.


On Manu Ginobili’s status - “Probably another one-to-two weeks. When he’s ready, he’ll play.”

[Manufan909]

Hope Ime can continue to step up as well as Mason/Hill/Hairston(whenever he gets PT)/Fin. TP is also carrying alot of the load, and he is looking great.

[kace]

let's face it. As good Mason and Hill can be sometimes, Manu is the only other offensive creator beside Tony.

Tim can generate offense from his low post game, asking the double team, but Tony and Manu are the two who can run the show.

I'm thrilled with Mason play and clutch plays as much as with Hill defense and good attitude. but none of them can generate offense.

[Duncan74]

I can't wait to have Manu back!!

[2Cleva]

1-2 more weeks? Sounds like they had another MRI but don't want to make it public and instead want to keep hope up among the team and fans.

I recall it well with Bynum last year.

[raspsa]

Manu watch: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said the wait for Manu Ginobili's return from a right ankle injury may last another two weeks.

When Ginobili was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right ankle on Feb. 16, the team's medical staff said he would miss two to three weeks.

Popovich said team doctors took another look at the ankle recently and determined his recovery period will extend beyond the three weeks.

“Another week to two weeks,” Popovich said. “When he's ready, he will play.”

Don't expect manu back anytime soon. Knowing how conservative Pop is whenit comes to injuries, expect manu to be out a minimum of 2 weeks.. and possibly longer if Pop has the slightest doubt re his fitness to play. We'll see Gooden play long before Manu IMO.

[Spursmania]

I'm glad Pop is conservative. He knows damn well health is the most important thing for these guys down the stretch. Spurs will be unstoppable once they all play together and are all healthy. It is only a matter of time...
But the wait is killing me.:wakeup