New Manu article

[Virgil]

Here is the link. Maybe someone more gifted than me in english could translate it better and faster... (Nono, are you there...?)


http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1689439-la-columna-de-manu-ginobili-hasta-ahora-logramos-solo-lo-que-teniamos-que-lograr


SAN ANTONIO.- Acá andamos, a punto de volar hacia Portland para el tercer partido. Todo está impecable. Por lo pronto, mi mujer está haciendo las veces de mamá y papá, porque no estoy colaborando en la manera en que lo hice con los mellis. Ahora estoy jugando día por medio y no puedo estar tan presente como la vez anterior. Es una genia total, está salvándome. Y mi suegra, estando acá, ayuda muchísimo. Luca está en condiciones óptimas, con casi tres semanas. Es grandote, sano... un bebé. Y los hermanos lo recibieron espectacularmente. Nosotros dudábamos, porque por primera vez debían prestar a su mamá... Pero no sufrieron el tema como pensábamos. Van a la escuela y nos ayuda una niñera para entretenerlos. Ellos van, miran al hermanito, lo tocan como si fuera un muñeco, y siguen con sus dinosaurios y superhéroes. Hay paz en el hogar y eso suma...
Pasó Dallas, nomás, en una serie durísima. Recién en el séptimo partido jugamos en nuestro mejor nivel. Ellos hicieron un buen trabajo, cerrándonos la circulación de la pelota. Para Dallas el partido 3 fue clave, con ese triple de Carter que nos complicó. Pero al final ganamos bien, por más que el séptimo partido es una lotería. Tuvimos una combinación espectacular de intensidad, plan táctico y meterla. Fue genial ese partido, con 22 puntos de diferencia en la primera mitad, que nos tranquilizaron.
Y después, casi sin tiempo de descanso, apareció la serie con Portland. Yo terminé golpeado y cansado, y prácticamente no nos entrenamos. Sin embargo, encadenamos tres actuaciones, incluida la última contra Dallas, de las mejores de los últimos meses. En las dos iniciales frente a Portland jugamos muy bien en el ataque y en la defensa. Y ellos tuvieron una mala primera noche, en la que perdieron 20 pelotas. Es cierto que defendemos bien, pero no somos el típico equipo que con su presión causa pérdidas, sino que hacemos que los rivales tiren incómodos. Ese día Tony estuvo recontrainspirado y Belinelli dio una mano grande. En el partido siguiente Portland ya jugó mejor, o embocó más, pero tuvimos un segundo cuarto súper iluminado, con 41 puntos. Nos fuimos al descanso 18 o 19 arriba y eso cambia el juego, se gana una confianza importante. En general hicimos un gran juego de equipo; todos ayudamos con puntos y defensas importantes, y el que entró seis o siete minutos dio una mano y mantuvo la intensidad. Siempre se sueña con algo así.
Pero la verdad es que hasta ahora logramos sólo lo que teníamos que lograr: ganar los dos juegos en casa, nada mágico ni mucho menos. Ahora hay que ganar como visitantes, para tener un cierto aire. Pero no va a ser fácil: ellos van a jugar mejor, van a salir con el cuchillo entre los dientes. En la primera noche sufrieron muchas pérdidas y tiros errados, y por eso mismo tienen mucho potencial de mejora, con 22.000 tipos alentándolos. Y son jóvenes. Van a ser peligrosos, por lo que habrá que jugar igual o mejor que en los primeros dos partidos. Sería fundamental sacar un triunfo allá.
Portland es diferente a Dallas; tiene jugadores de distintas cualidades. Es más atlético y más fuerte, pero tiene menos recambio. Varios son jugadores de 40 minutos por partido y es difícil mantener por tanto tiempo la intensidad. Es un gran equipo, pero depende de los puntos de cuatro o cinco jugadores; Dallas tenía ocho que podían hacer 20 tantos, y su estrategia de aislar a Tony, a Tim y a mí le funcionó bastante bien por seis juegos. Portland es más convencional, pero apuesta a hacer más puntos que el rival con su circulación de balón.
Yo estoy bastante bien. Tuve un par de golpes de los que me costó reponerme, pero me quedan unas cuantas horas para cargar pilas y recuperarme de los machucones. Vengo bárbaro, no puedo quejarme: tengo más minutos, más protagonismo, y estoy sintiéndome importante. Así que todo está más que bien, más allá de unos golpes ante Dallas, propios de una serie dura, de ésas que agotan física y mentalmente. El año pasado le ganamos por 4-0 a Lakers en la primera rueda, tuvimos ocho días de descanso hasta la siguiente y pasamos por menos tensión. Este año está más complicado, pero por ahora va bien.
En estos días se votó al mejor sexto hombre de la NBA. Quedé tercero, pero no pretendía estar más arriba. El premio a Jamal Crawford, de Clippers, fue muy merecido. La rompió toda en un equipo que juega bárbaro.
Y por ahí salió que quedé quinto en cantidad de triples anotados en playoffs en la historia. La verdad es que no lo tomo como un logro individual. Sin ser demagogo, digo que tiene que ver con estar en un equipo que lleva 12 años seguidos en playoffs y casi siempre llegando lejos, es decir, sumando más partidos que el resto, jugando unos 12 o 15 por año. Eso es una gran ventaja: tengo unos 140 o 150 partidos de playoffs, mientras otros jugadores andan por la mitad o menos. Es consecuencia de estar en una franquicia tan especial.
Hace un tiempito un sitio de noticias de acá, Hoopshype, me distinguió como el "tuitero del año" de la NBA. Quedaron cinco candidatos y salí votado. Imagino que algún grupete de seguidores argentinos habrá tomado como desafío hacerme ganar el premio... Fue medio raro, porque tuiteo en español más que nada. Por cierto, no es una de mis prioridades ser el mejor o un gran tuitero, y en playoffs estoy en un completo stand-by hasta que pase un poco el lío éste...
Lo más importante en la liga es, por supuesto, lo deportivo, y estamos entre grandes desempeños de equipo. Esto es lo que somos, lo que logramos toda la temporada. Es un buen aliciente, porque todos se sienten más útiles, más cómodos. Que el goleo sea más repartido y estemos todos jugando bien es positivo para el grupo y genera buen humor.

[Capster]

http://bucket3.clanacion.com.ar/anexos/fotos/08/manu-ginobili-1878108w620.jpg

[ElNono]

I'll do it...

[superjames1992]

Google Translate translation fun, FWIW... :lol


SAN ANTONIO -. walk Here, about to fly to Portland for Game. Everything is spotless. For now, my wife is acting as a mom and dad, because I'm not working in the way I did with mellis. Now I'm playing every other day and I can not be as present as before. Is a total genius, is saving me. And my mother, being here, it helps a lot. Luca is in top condition, almost three weeks. It's big, healthy ... a baby. And the brothers were spectacularly. We doubted, because for the first time should pay her mom ... But the issue did not suffer as we thought. They go to school and helps us to entertain a nanny. They go, look at the little brother, I played like a puppet, and continue with their dinosaurs and superheroes. There is peace in the home and that adds ... Passed Dallas, just, in a rough series. Only in the seventh game we play at our best. They did a good job blocking our movement of the ball. For Dallas it 3 was key, with that triple Carter complicating us. But in the end we won well, though the seventh game is a lottery. We had a great combination of strength, tactical plan and put it. It was great that game with 22 points difference in the first half, which reassured us. And then, almost without rest time, appeared the series with Portland. I ended up beaten and tired, and almost did not train. However, chained three performances, including last against Dallas, the best in recent months. In the first two against Portland played well in attack and defense. And they had a bad first night, in which they lost 20 balls. True, defend well, but we are not your typical team that pressure causes losses but we do throw rivals uncomfortable. That day I was Tony recontrainspirado Belinelli and gave a big hand. In the next game and outplayed Portland, holed or more, but we had a super bright second quarter with 41 points. We went to break 18 or 19 above and that we change the game, an important trust is earned. Overall we did a great team game; all help with important points and defenses, and entered six or seven minutes gave a hand and kept current. Always dreaming of something. But the truth is that so far we only what we had to achieve: win both games at home, nothing much less magical. Now we have to win on the road, to have a certain air. But it will not be easy: they will play better, going out with a knife between his teeth. On the first night suffered many losses and missed shots, and that's why they have so much potential for improvement, encouraging 22,000 types. And they are young. They'll be dangerous, so you have to play well or better than in the first two games. It would remove a major victory there. Portland is different than Dallas; players have different qualities. It is more athletic and stronger, but it has less parts. Several players are 40 minutes per game and is difficult to maintain the intensity for so long. It's a great team, but it depends on the points of four or five players; Dallas could do was eight 20 goals, and strategy to isolate Tony, Tim and me it worked quite well for six games. Portland is more conventional, but bet to make more points than your opponent's ball movement. I'm pretty good. I had a couple of hits of which cost me pull myself together, but I have a few hours to charge batteries and recover from the bruises. Come barbarian, I can not complain: I have more minutes, more prominence, and I'm feeling important. So everything is more than fine, more than a few blows against Dallas, typical of a tough series, from those who physically and mentally exhausted. Last year we beat Lakers 4-0 in the first round, we had eight days until the next break and spent for less tension. This year is more complicated, but for now it's fine. these days was voted the best sixth man in the NBA. I was third, but did not intend to be higher. The reward for Jamal Crawford, Clippers, was well deserved. The team broke all playing a barbarian. And out came that I was fifth in number of three pointers in playoff history. The truth is that I do not take as an individual achievement. Without being a demagogue, I say it has to do with being on a team that has 12 straight years in the playoffs and almost always coming away, ie, adding more games than the rest, playing about 12 or 15 per year. That's a big plus: I have about 140 or 150 playoff games, while other players are out half or less. Is a consequence of being in a special franchise. a little while ago a news site from here, Hoopshype, distinguished me as "tweeters of the year" in the NBA. Were five candidates they voted and left. I imagine that any followers of Argentine grupete will be taken as challenge me win the prize ... It was kind of weird because in Spanish tweeted more than anything. By the way, is not one of my priorities to be the best or great twitterers, playoffs and I'm in a full stand-by to spend a little mess it ... The most important thing in the league is, of course, what athletic, and great performances are among teams. This is what we are, what we accomplished all season. It is a good incentive, because they all feel more useful, more comfortable. The scoring is more divided and we are all playing well is good for the group and generates good humor.

[ElNono]

Excuse any typos... link to the original article on the OP..

We’ve only done what we had to do

SAN ANTONIO.- Here we are, about to fly to Portland for the 3rd game of the series. Everything is impeccable. Right now, my wife is doing the role both of mom and dad, because I’m not currently helping the way I did with the twins. Now we’re playing every other day and I can’t be there as much as I was last time. She’s amazing. And my mother in law, being here, helps a lot. Luca is doing great after almost three weeks. He’s a big, healthy… baby. And his brothers really welcomed him. We had out doubts, because for the first time they had to lend their mom… but they did not complain about the topic like we thought. They go to school and we get help from a babysitter to entertain them. They go, look at the brother, they touch him like he was a toy, and then keep going with their dinosaurs and superheroes. There’s peace at home, and that’s good…

Dallas went by, after all, in a very tough series. Only by the 7th game we played at our best level. They did a great job, closing out our ball circulation. For Dallas, Game 3 was key, with that 3 pointer from Carter that got us in trouble. But at the end we beat them well, even though the 7th game is always a lottery. We had a great combination of intensity, tactical planning and just putting the ball in the basket. That game was great, with a 22 point lead at the half, that allowed us breathe.

And afterwards, almost without time to rest, the series against Portland started. I ended up dinged up and tired, and we basically didn’t practice. Nevertheless, we concatenated three games, including the last game against Dallas, that are the best from our team in the last few months. In the first two against Portland we played very well on offense and defense. And they had a very bad first game, in which they turned it over 20 times. It’s true we defend well, but we’re not your typical team that pressures the ball so much to cause turnovers, we just make them take uncomfortable shots. That day Tony was super inspired and Belinelli gave us a great hand. In the next game Portland played better, or hit more shots, but we had a very bright 2nd quarter, scoring 41 points. We went to halftime with a 18 or 19 point lead and that changes the game, you get some solid confidence. In general we had a great game as a team; we all helped with the scoring and the defense, and whoever walked in for 6 or 7 minutes helped, and kept the team’s intensity. You always dream for stuff like that.

But the reality is that so far we’ve only done what we had to do: win the two games at home, nothing magical. Now we have to go win on the road, to have some room to work with. But it’s not going to be easy: they’ll play better, they’re gonna come out with the knife between their teeth. In the first game they turned it over a lot and missed a lot of shots, and for that reason they have a lot of potential to improve, with 22000 fans supporting them. And they’re young. They’re going to be dangerous, so we’re going to have to play as well or better than the first two games. It would be fundamental to earn a win on the road.

Portland is different from Dallas; their players have different qualities. They’re more athletic and stronger, but they have less depth. A lot of them play 40 minutes per game and it’s difficult to keep the high intensity going for so long. It’s a great team, but they depend on the scoring from four or five players; Dallas had eight that could score 20 points, and their strategy to isolate Tony, Tim and me worked pretty well for them for about six games. Portland is more conventional, but they try to score more points than the opponent with their ball movement.

I’m fairly ok. I had a couple of hits that still hurt, but we still have a bunch of hours to recharge batteries and recover from the pain. I’ve been doing great, I can’t complain: I’m playing more minutes, more leadership and I feel important out there. So everything is more than well, besides the hits during the Dallas series, typical in a physical series, those that wear you down physically and mentally. Last season we beat the Lakers 4-0 in the first round, we had eight days of rest until the next series and there was a lot less tension. This year it’s more complicated, but so far we’re doing well.

A few days ago the NBA voted for the sixth man of the year award. I ended up third, but I didn’t pretend to be any higher. The award to Jamal Crawford, from the Clippers, was well deserved. He played amazing in a team that plays great.

And somewhere around there, it came out that I’m 5th in 3 pointers made in playoffs history. In all honesty, I don’t take it as an individual accomplishment. Without being demagogue, I think it has everything to do with a team that has been in the playoffs for 12 consecutive years and almost always making it far, that is, playing more games than the rest, playing some 12 to 15 playoffs games per season. That’s a huge plus: I have about 140 or 150 playoff games, while other players have about half or less. It’s the consequence of being in such a special franchise.

Also a while back a news site from here, Hoopshype, singled me out as the “twitter player of the year” in the NBA. There were five final candidates and I was voted to win. I imagine that a group of argentine fans took on the challenge to make me win… it was kinda weird, since I tweet mostly in spanish. By the way, it’s not one of my priorities to be the best or a great twitter guy, and during the playoffs I’m on a full standy-by until this whole period passes by…

The most important thing in the league is, of course, the games, and we’re currently performing as a team at a high level. This is who we are, what we achieved throughout the season. It’s a great motivator, because everyone feels more useful, more comfortable. The fact that the scoring is more distributed and everybody is playing well is positive for the group and generates good mood.

[Virgil]

Great work Nono. Maybe I could take english lessons from you sometime. :rollin

[BillMc]

Excuse any typos... link to the original article on the OP..

We’ve only done what we had to do

SAN ANTONIO.- Here we are, about to fly to Portland for the 3rd game of the series. Everything is impeccable. Right now, my wife is doing the role both of mom and dad, because I’m not currently helping the way I did with the twins. Now we’re playing every other day and I can’t be there as much as I was last time. She’s amazing. And my mother in law, being here, helps a lot. Luca is doing great after almost three weeks. He’s a big, healthy… baby. And his brothers really welcomed him. We had out doubts, because for the first time they had to lend their mom… but they did not complain about the topic like we thought. They go to school and we get help from a babysitter to entertain them. They go, look at the brother, they touch him like he was a toy, and then keep going with their dinosaurs and superheroes. There’s peace at home, and that’s good…

Dallas went by, after all, in a very tough series. Only by the 7th game we played at our best level. They did a great job, closing out our ball circulation. For Dallas, Game 3 was key, with that 3 pointer from Carter that got us in trouble. But at the end we beat them well, even though the 7th game is always a lottery. We had a great combination of intensity, tactical planning and just putting the ball in the basket. That game was great, with a 22 point lead at the half, that allowed us breathe.

And afterwards, almost without time to rest, the series against Portland started. I ended up dinged up and tired, and we basically didn’t practice. Nevertheless, we concatenated three games, including the last game against Dallas, that are the best from our team in the last few months. In the first two against Portland we played very well on offense and defense. And they had a very bad first game, in which they turned it over 20 times. It’s true we defend well, but we’re not your typical team that pressures the ball so much to cause turnovers, we just make them take uncomfortable shots. That day Tony was super inspired and Belinelli gave us a great hand. In the next game Portland played better, or hit more shots, but we had a very bright 2nd quarter, scoring 41 points. We went to halftime with a 18 or 19 point lead and that changes the game, you get some solid confidence. In general we had a great game as a team; we all helped with the scoring and the defense, and whoever walked in for 6 or 7 minutes helped, and kept the team’s intensity. You always dream for stuff like that.

But the reality is that so far we’ve only done what we had to do: win the two games at home, nothing magical. Now we have to go win on the road, to have some room to work with. But it’s not going to be easy: they’ll play better, they’re gonna come out with the knife between their teeth. In the first game they turned it over a lot and missed a lot of shots, and for that reason they have a lot of potential to improve, with 22000 fans supporting them. And they’re young. They’re going to be dangerous, so we’re going to have to play as well or better than the first two games. It would be fundamental to earn a win on the road.

Portland is different from Dallas; their players have different qualities. They’re more athletic and stronger, but they have less depth. A lot of them play 40 minutes per game and it’s difficult to keep the high intensity going for so long. It’s a great team, but they depend on the scoring from four or five players; Dallas had eight that could score 20 points, and their strategy to isolate Tony, Time and me worked pretty well for them for about six games. Portland is more conventional, but they try to score more points than the opponent with their ball movement.

I’m fairly ok. I had a couple of hits that still hurt, but we still have a bunch of hours to recharge batteries and recover from the pain. I’m been doing great, I can’t complain: I’m playing more minutes, more leadership and I feel important out there. So everything is more than well, besides the hits during the Dallas series, typical in a physical series, those that wear you down physically and mentally. Last season we beat the Lakers 4-0 in the first round, we had eight days of rest until the next series and there was a lot less tension. This year it’s more complicated, but so far we’re doing well.

A few days ago the NBA voted for the sixth man of the year award. I ended up third, but I didn’t pretend to be any higher. The award to Jamal Crawford, from the Clippers, was well deserved. He played amazing in a team that plays great.

And somewhere around there, it came out that I’m 5th in 3 pointers made in playoffs history. In all honesty, I don’t take it as an individual accomplishment. Without being demagogue, I think it has everything to do with a team that has been in the playoffs for 12 consecutive years and almost always making it far, that is, playing more games than the rest, playing some 12 to 15 playoffs games per season. That’s a huge plus: I have about 140 or 150 playoff games, while other players have about half or less. It’s the consequence of being in such a special franchise.

Also a while back a news site from here, Hoopshype, singled me out as the “twitter player of the year” in the NBA. There were five final candidates and I was voted to win. I imagine that a group of argentine fans took on the challenge to make me win… it was kinda weird, since I tweet mostly in spanish. By the way, it’s not one of my priorities to be the best or a great twitter guy, and during the playoffs I’m on a full standy-by until this whole period passes by…

The most important thing in the league is, of course, the games, and we’re currently performing as a team at a high level. This is who we are, what we achieved throughout the season. It’s a great motivator, because everyone feels more useful, more comfortable. The fact that the scoring is more distributed and everybody is playing well is positive for the group and generates good mood.

Great job. Thanks a lot! :toast

It's interesting to hear him mention several times that he's dinged up from the Dallas series. Another reason to take the Blazers out in 4 if possible.

Also, I didn't know he was 5th all time in playoff 3's made. Cool info.

You gotta like Manu. He's just a class act the way he handles himself.

[EVAY]

Thank you for the translation, Nono. That is very nice of you to do, and as Virgil noted, your English is far better than most folks in most chat rooms by far.

Re: BillMc's comments regarding Manu. Manu has been almost everyone's (including me) favorite player for a long time. Lots of folks mention his spanish as a reason for his popularity, but I think it is just transparent that the guy is an ultimate team player, has the best court vision of anyone on the team with the possible exception of Boris, and is such a clear leader within the team itself that anybody has to work really hard to dislike him. He is the very definition of a warrior.

I know some folks do in fact dislike him, but ya really got work to do that, it seems to me.

I know he really messes up some times, but it doesn't make most of us like him any less.

[silverblackfan]

Thank you Nono. Always good to here from any of the big 3, but Manu always gives a lot more insight. All three give some good quotes without saying anything that can fire up the other team. It's so easy like this team.

[TheyCallMePro]

Like how honest he was about Portland is comparison to Dallas, he basically stated:

-Portland has no depth.

-They're not as physical as Dallas

-Were going to win, and were a little banged up, so we'd like to get this series over with quickly

-And most importantly, we've found ourselves and are playing our best basketball, and are primed for another big run, and I won't have much time for my newborn

[barakz21]

Manu's a really smart dude. I can imagine him being so much smarter if he went to college, not that he's not smart, rather he seems to be the kind of person who's hungry for knowledge. I can just picture him getting a phd if he went to college.

[spurs10]

Thanks Virgil and El Nono! :flag::flag::flag:

[testies]

Like how honest he was about Portland is comparison to Dallas, he basically stated:



-They're not as physical as Dallas

-Were going to win, and were a little banged up, so we'd like to get this series over with quickly

-And most importantly, we've found ourselves and are playing our best basketball, and are primed for another big run, and I won't have much time for my newborn

lol, he didn't state that at all

[ElNono]

Thanks for the kind words. You're all welcome... let's enjoy it while he's still around :toast

[Strange Love]

Excuse any typos... link to the original article on the OP..

We’ve only done what we had to do

SAN ANTONIO.- Here we are, about to fly to Portland for the 3rd game of the series. Everything is impeccable. Right now, my wife is doing the role both of mom and dad, because I’m not currently helping the way I did with the twins. Now we’re playing every other day and I can’t be there as much as I was last time. She’s amazing. And my mother in law, being here, helps a lot. Luca is doing great after almost three weeks. He’s a big, healthy… baby. And his brothers really welcomed him. We had out doubts, because for the first time they had to lend their mom… but they did not complain about the topic like we thought. They go to school and we get help from a babysitter to entertain them. They go, look at the brother, they touch him like he was a toy, and then keep going with their dinosaurs and superheroes. There’s peace at home, and that’s good…

Dallas went by, after all, in a very tough series. Only by the 7th game we played at our best level. They did a great job, closing out our ball circulation. For Dallas, Game 3 was key, with that 3 pointer from Carter that got us in trouble. But at the end we beat them well, even though the 7th game is always a lottery. We had a great combination of intensity, tactical planning and just putting the ball in the basket. That game was great, with a 22 point lead at the half, that allowed us breathe.

And afterwards, almost without time to rest, the series against Portland started. I ended up dinged up and tired, and we basically didn’t practice. Nevertheless, we concatenated three games, including the last game against Dallas, that are the best from our team in the last few months. In the first two against Portland we played very well on offense and defense. And they had a very bad first game, in which they turned it over 20 times. It’s true we defend well, but we’re not your typical team that pressures the ball so much to cause turnovers, we just make them take uncomfortable shots. That day Tony was super inspired and Belinelli gave us a great hand. In the next game Portland played better, or hit more shots, but we had a very bright 2nd quarter, scoring 41 points. We went to halftime with a 18 or 19 point lead and that changes the game, you get some solid confidence. In general we had a great game as a team; we all helped with the scoring and the defense, and whoever walked in for 6 or 7 minutes helped, and kept the team’s intensity. You always dream for stuff like that.

But the reality is that so far we’ve only done what we had to do: win the two games at home, nothing magical. Now we have to go win on the road, to have some room to work with. But it’s not going to be easy: they’ll play better, they’re gonna come out with the knife between their teeth. In the first game they turned it over a lot and missed a lot of shots, and for that reason they have a lot of potential to improve, with 22000 fans supporting them. And they’re young. They’re going to be dangerous, so we’re going to have to play as well or better than the first two games. It would be fundamental to earn a win on the road.

Portland is different from Dallas; their players have different qualities. They’re more athletic and stronger, but they have less depth. A lot of them play 40 minutes per game and it’s difficult to keep the high intensity going for so long. It’s a great team, but they depend on the scoring from four or five players; Dallas had eight that could score 20 points, and their strategy to isolate Tony, Tim and me worked pretty well for them for about six games. Portland is more conventional, but they try to score more points than the opponent with their ball movement.

I’m fairly ok. I had a couple of hits that still hurt, but we still have a bunch of hours to recharge batteries and recover from the pain. I’ve been doing great, I can’t complain: I’m playing more minutes, more leadership and I feel important out there. So everything is more than well, besides the hits during the Dallas series, typical in a physical series, those that wear you down physically and mentally. Last season we beat the Lakers 4-0 in the first round, we had eight days of rest until the next series and there was a lot less tension. This year it’s more complicated, but so far we’re doing well.

A few days ago the NBA voted for the sixth man of the year award. I ended up third, but I didn’t pretend to be any higher. The award to Jamal Crawford, from the Clippers, was well deserved. He played amazing in a team that plays great.

And somewhere around there, it came out that I’m 5th in 3 pointers made in playoffs history. In all honesty, I don’t take it as an individual accomplishment. Without being demagogue, I think it has everything to do with a team that has been in the playoffs for 12 consecutive years and almost always making it far, that is, playing more games than the rest, playing some 12 to 15 playoffs games per season. That’s a huge plus: I have about 140 or 150 playoff games, while other players have about half or less. It’s the consequence of being in such a special franchise.

Also a while back a news site from here, Hoopshype, singled me out as the “twitter player of the year” in the NBA. There were five final candidates and I was voted to win. I imagine that a group of argentine fans took on the challenge to make me win… it was kinda weird, since I tweet mostly in spanish. By the way, it’s not one of my priorities to be the best or a great twitter guy, and during the playoffs I’m on a full standy-by until this whole period passes by…

The most important thing in the league is, of course, the games, and we’re currently performing as a team at a high level. This is who we are, what we achieved throughout the season. It’s a great motivator, because everyone feels more useful, more comfortable. The fact that the scoring is more distributed and everybody is playing well is positive for the group and generates good mood.

:tu

[spurs10]

Thanks for the kind words. You're all welcome... let's enjoy it while he's still around :toastTruth..:toast

[lil'mo]

Manu's a really smart dude. I can imagine him being so much smarter if he went to college, not that he's not smart, rather he seems to be the kind of person who's hungry for knowledge. I can just picture him getting a phd if he went to college.

Haha :lol what???