duncan228
03-20-2009, 02:14 AM
Ginobili practices, but won't play against Celtics (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Ginobili_practices_but_wont_play_against_Celtics.h tml)
Jeff McDonald
For the better part of the past month, Manu Ginobili has been the Spurs' version of Sasquatch.
Reports of his existence were legendary, but unsubstantiated. Some folks of dubious reliability had claimed to have seen him. Occasionally, there would materialize a grainy video of him pedaling a stationary bike, but nothing conclusive.
That is, until Thursday, when there was a bona fide Manu sighting at the Spurs' practice facility.
For the first time in his glacially paced recovery from a sore right ankle, Ginobili emerged from his behind-the-scenes rehabilitation regimen for a substantial on-court practice session, huffing and puffing though a full team workout and reaffirming his being to a skeptical world.
“It's the next step in him getting back to whole,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
It was a D-Day of sorts for Ginobili, who has missed 16 games and counting with a stress reaction in his distal right fibula.
Popovich had said that if Ginobili were not up and about on the practice floor by Thursday, he would officially begin to worry about the star guard's availability for the start of the playoffs.
Ginobili met that deadline, going through some one-on-one and scripted drills as the Spurs prepared for tonight's home game against Boston.
At one point, he punctuated a drill with a left-handed power dunk.
“He looked like he was moving around pretty good,” Matt Bonner said. “It was good to see him back out there.”
Still, it would be premature to expect Ginobili back in all his glory anytime soon. His gait was a bit tentative at times Thursday, and he was sucking wind by the end of full-court drills.
Ginobili has not played since Feb. 11. Popovich says it will be “at least a week” before he will consider ending Ginobili's hiatus.
“When he's able to play without fear of making it worse, that's when he'll play,” Popovich said.
Ginobili's return to the practice court Thursday threatened to obscure a visit from the defending NBA champions — or what's left of them anyway.
Like the Spurs, who are expected to get Tim Duncan back from a one-game sabbatical to rest his sore knees, Boston comes to town tonight with a medical staff on the verge of burnout.
Kevin Garnett has missed 14 games with a right knee strain. Ray Allen is day-to-day with a hyperextended right elbow. Tony Allen (left thumb), Leon Powe (right knee) and Brian Scalabrine (concussion) have been ruled out.
That's not to mention Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis and Eddie House, all of whom are playing through various bumps and bruises.
“The good thing about it is that these guys are going to be fresh,” said Paul Pierce, Boston's last All-Star standing Wednesday in Miami. “Maybe it could be a blessing in disguise that these guys got some time off, especially Kevin.”
The Spurs so far have survived their latest Ginobili-less stretch, going 11-5 and clinging to a slim lead in the Southwest Division.
The Celtics have not been as lucky. The injury epidemic likely has cost them the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They have lost four of their past six, and six of 11.
“Every team suffers a little bit when they have key injuries to people, so I don't think it's amazing they've dropped a couple games here and there,” Popovich said. “When they're healthy, you still have to count them as the best team in the NBA until somebody has proven differently.”
There is strong speculation the Celtics could get Garnett back tonight. It will be awhile until the Spurs get Ginobili back.
Still, Thursday's practice session — and others like it to come — will go a long way toward helping the Spurs' medical staff clarify a timetable for Ginobili's return.
“You can tell if someone is ready or not,” Popovich said. “The court is what gives us those answers. For him to finally get on the court today, and play a little of both offense and defense, it starts to make a picture for us to at least look at.”
The Spurs just hope what they've captured on film is their Sasquatch, at long last ready to emerge from hibernation.
Jeff McDonald
For the better part of the past month, Manu Ginobili has been the Spurs' version of Sasquatch.
Reports of his existence were legendary, but unsubstantiated. Some folks of dubious reliability had claimed to have seen him. Occasionally, there would materialize a grainy video of him pedaling a stationary bike, but nothing conclusive.
That is, until Thursday, when there was a bona fide Manu sighting at the Spurs' practice facility.
For the first time in his glacially paced recovery from a sore right ankle, Ginobili emerged from his behind-the-scenes rehabilitation regimen for a substantial on-court practice session, huffing and puffing though a full team workout and reaffirming his being to a skeptical world.
“It's the next step in him getting back to whole,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
It was a D-Day of sorts for Ginobili, who has missed 16 games and counting with a stress reaction in his distal right fibula.
Popovich had said that if Ginobili were not up and about on the practice floor by Thursday, he would officially begin to worry about the star guard's availability for the start of the playoffs.
Ginobili met that deadline, going through some one-on-one and scripted drills as the Spurs prepared for tonight's home game against Boston.
At one point, he punctuated a drill with a left-handed power dunk.
“He looked like he was moving around pretty good,” Matt Bonner said. “It was good to see him back out there.”
Still, it would be premature to expect Ginobili back in all his glory anytime soon. His gait was a bit tentative at times Thursday, and he was sucking wind by the end of full-court drills.
Ginobili has not played since Feb. 11. Popovich says it will be “at least a week” before he will consider ending Ginobili's hiatus.
“When he's able to play without fear of making it worse, that's when he'll play,” Popovich said.
Ginobili's return to the practice court Thursday threatened to obscure a visit from the defending NBA champions — or what's left of them anyway.
Like the Spurs, who are expected to get Tim Duncan back from a one-game sabbatical to rest his sore knees, Boston comes to town tonight with a medical staff on the verge of burnout.
Kevin Garnett has missed 14 games with a right knee strain. Ray Allen is day-to-day with a hyperextended right elbow. Tony Allen (left thumb), Leon Powe (right knee) and Brian Scalabrine (concussion) have been ruled out.
That's not to mention Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis and Eddie House, all of whom are playing through various bumps and bruises.
“The good thing about it is that these guys are going to be fresh,” said Paul Pierce, Boston's last All-Star standing Wednesday in Miami. “Maybe it could be a blessing in disguise that these guys got some time off, especially Kevin.”
The Spurs so far have survived their latest Ginobili-less stretch, going 11-5 and clinging to a slim lead in the Southwest Division.
The Celtics have not been as lucky. The injury epidemic likely has cost them the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They have lost four of their past six, and six of 11.
“Every team suffers a little bit when they have key injuries to people, so I don't think it's amazing they've dropped a couple games here and there,” Popovich said. “When they're healthy, you still have to count them as the best team in the NBA until somebody has proven differently.”
There is strong speculation the Celtics could get Garnett back tonight. It will be awhile until the Spurs get Ginobili back.
Still, Thursday's practice session — and others like it to come — will go a long way toward helping the Spurs' medical staff clarify a timetable for Ginobili's return.
“You can tell if someone is ready or not,” Popovich said. “The court is what gives us those answers. For him to finally get on the court today, and play a little of both offense and defense, it starts to make a picture for us to at least look at.”
The Spurs just hope what they've captured on film is their Sasquatch, at long last ready to emerge from hibernation.