duncan228
11-23-2007, 10:59 AM
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2007-11-22-westnotes-nba_N.htm
After summer off, Ginobili has more bounce
By David DuPree, USA TODAY
With Manu Ginobili bounding around the court and taking over games at critical times, the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, at 10-2, are tied with Phoenix for the Western Conference's best record.
Ginobili, the captain of Argentina's defending Olympic championship team, took the summer off for the first time in a long time, let his banged-up body heal and is feeling better than ever. It shows in his play.
•Playing only 29.2 minutes a game, he is the Spurs' leading scorer with a career-best 20.5 average.
•He is averaging career-bests with 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.1 steals and shooting 48.6% from the field and 43.1% from three-point range, both career-highs as well.
•He is the only non-starter in the league to lead his team in scoring and average 20 points.
His summer off obviously helped him," point guard Tony Parker says. "It looks like he's got a lot more energy. He's being very aggressive and shooting the ball very well."
Coach Gregg Popovich likes having his most explosive scorer sitting on the bench when the game starts, ready to go in at any time.
"It gives us a longer bench; it gives us energy," Popovich says. "When Tim (Duncan) and Tony are off the court, it's good to have Manu on the court."
It is rare that a reserve makes the All-Star team, but the way Ginobili is playing, it will be difficult to keep him off the West squad.
In previous seasons, Popovich experimented with Ginobili as a starter and reserve but has brought him off the bench exclusively since midway through last season. "He understood it was better for the team if he comes off the bench," Popovich says. "We're fortunate enough that he's willing to do that. A selfish player wouldn't do that."
After summer off, Ginobili has more bounce
By David DuPree, USA TODAY
With Manu Ginobili bounding around the court and taking over games at critical times, the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, at 10-2, are tied with Phoenix for the Western Conference's best record.
Ginobili, the captain of Argentina's defending Olympic championship team, took the summer off for the first time in a long time, let his banged-up body heal and is feeling better than ever. It shows in his play.
•Playing only 29.2 minutes a game, he is the Spurs' leading scorer with a career-best 20.5 average.
•He is averaging career-bests with 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.1 steals and shooting 48.6% from the field and 43.1% from three-point range, both career-highs as well.
•He is the only non-starter in the league to lead his team in scoring and average 20 points.
His summer off obviously helped him," point guard Tony Parker says. "It looks like he's got a lot more energy. He's being very aggressive and shooting the ball very well."
Coach Gregg Popovich likes having his most explosive scorer sitting on the bench when the game starts, ready to go in at any time.
"It gives us a longer bench; it gives us energy," Popovich says. "When Tim (Duncan) and Tony are off the court, it's good to have Manu on the court."
It is rare that a reserve makes the All-Star team, but the way Ginobili is playing, it will be difficult to keep him off the West squad.
In previous seasons, Popovich experimented with Ginobili as a starter and reserve but has brought him off the bench exclusively since midway through last season. "He understood it was better for the team if he comes off the bench," Popovich says. "We're fortunate enough that he's willing to do that. A selfish player wouldn't do that."