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01-08-2008, 03:43 AM
Spurs notebook: Ginobili's physical therapist gets assist
Web Posted: 01/08/2008 01:19 AM CST
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
OAKLAND, Calif. — Spurs guard Manu Ginobili made his return this week from the injured list after missing five games with a sprained left index finger. For that, he can thank his physical therapist and a pliable piece of space-age plastic.
Looking for some sort of splint to keep Ginobili's finger protected but maneuverable, the Spurs medical staff turned to Sylvia Davila, a hand therapist at the Texas Center for Athletes in San Antonio.
"We needed a way to protect his finger, but keep it flexible enough that he can move it," Spurs trainer Will Sevening said.
It took some trial and error, but Davila helped design a plastic splint custom molded to Ginobili's hand that would allow him just enough movement in the digit to be able to shoot and handle a ball.
Ginobili played his second game in the splint Monday night at Golden State. The Spurs trainers would like Ginobili to keep using it throughout January.
For his part, Ginobili is thankful for any device that allowed him to get back on the floor. He's still trying to grow accustomed to the splint, which especially bothers his ball-handling.
"But I'm getting used to it," he says.
Swingmen cut: In a move that wasn't wholly unexpected, the Spurs waived swingmen DerMarr Johnson and Keith Langford on Monday, returning them to the NBDL's Austin Toros.
Johnson and Langford were signed and called up a little more than a week ago, when Ginobili and Brent Barry were sidelined with injuries.
With Ginobili back and Barry nearing a return, Johnson and Langford became expendable.
If the two players remained on the roster by Wednesday, the Spurs would have been required, by league rule, to guarantee their contracts.
Jersey swap: The Spurs wore their white home jerseys instead of the traditional away black in Monday's game at Oracle Arena.
The Warriors chose to wear dark throwback jerseys instead of their home whites.
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LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA010808.05D.BKNspurs.notebook.3278e3b.html
Web Posted: 01/08/2008 01:19 AM CST
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
OAKLAND, Calif. — Spurs guard Manu Ginobili made his return this week from the injured list after missing five games with a sprained left index finger. For that, he can thank his physical therapist and a pliable piece of space-age plastic.
Looking for some sort of splint to keep Ginobili's finger protected but maneuverable, the Spurs medical staff turned to Sylvia Davila, a hand therapist at the Texas Center for Athletes in San Antonio.
"We needed a way to protect his finger, but keep it flexible enough that he can move it," Spurs trainer Will Sevening said.
It took some trial and error, but Davila helped design a plastic splint custom molded to Ginobili's hand that would allow him just enough movement in the digit to be able to shoot and handle a ball.
Ginobili played his second game in the splint Monday night at Golden State. The Spurs trainers would like Ginobili to keep using it throughout January.
For his part, Ginobili is thankful for any device that allowed him to get back on the floor. He's still trying to grow accustomed to the splint, which especially bothers his ball-handling.
"But I'm getting used to it," he says.
Swingmen cut: In a move that wasn't wholly unexpected, the Spurs waived swingmen DerMarr Johnson and Keith Langford on Monday, returning them to the NBDL's Austin Toros.
Johnson and Langford were signed and called up a little more than a week ago, when Ginobili and Brent Barry were sidelined with injuries.
With Ginobili back and Barry nearing a return, Johnson and Langford became expendable.
If the two players remained on the roster by Wednesday, the Spurs would have been required, by league rule, to guarantee their contracts.
Jersey swap: The Spurs wore their white home jerseys instead of the traditional away black in Monday's game at Oracle Arena.
The Warriors chose to wear dark throwback jerseys instead of their home whites.
[email protected]
LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA010808.05D.BKNspurs.notebook.3278e3b.html