Hurt Ginobili tried to play in bronze game

Hurt Ginobili tried to play in bronze game
By Gelu Sulugiuc

BEIJING, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Argentina guard Manu Ginobili said he tried to play in the bronze medal match against Lithuania at the Olympics on Sunday but his ankle injury was too painful.

"I wasn't able to run," he told reporters. "I can walk, I can jog even, but running like you run in a game like this I couldn't. I didn't try to be a hero, I just preferred for the guys that are healthy and in good condition to play."

Despite playing without their top scorer, Argentina won the game 87-75.

"They've shown a lot of character," Ginobili said of his team mates. "What they've done today is one of the best performances I've seen. I'm really proud. Winning the bronze is not the same as going home empty-handed."

Ginobili aggravated an old injury in the first quarter of Argentina's semi-final loss to the United States.

"In the morning he was very quiet and didn't say anything to anybody," said Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez. "Only the doctor told me he would try his best to play. He felt great pain so you know he was hurt if he couldn't play in this match."

Ginobili said he did not know if he would be ready for training camp with his NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs.

"I'm going to San Antonio now and after some (tests) we'll see," he said. "It's the same ligament injury I suffered against the Lakers. I'll be fine."

Ginobili suffered a swollen ligament in his left ankle in the NBA playoffs this year and the Spurs had tried to convince him to skip the Olympics so he could rest.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/feedarticle/7748333

great! all i need is oberto to hurt his back in a chuck person-style accident on the plane home

Anyone that is that much of a competitor would of tried to play... can't fault him for that

Manu thread!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI

Anyone that is that much of a competitor would of tried to play... can't fault him for that

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I disagree. He went to the Olympics to win the Gold. Once that chance was gone, he should of locked it down no questions asked. To try to play is just stupid.

"I can't walk, but I want to play!"


Manu is a competitor but he needs to learn to take a step back.

call manu stupid for trying to play while hurt. he did that during the lakers game- he is such a fierce competitor. that's the reason why the spurs got him. that's the reason why true spurs fan like him. he is just being manu. and i admire him for that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dynasty

"I can't walk, but I want to play!"


Manu is a competitor but he needs to learn to take a step back.

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:tu

Being a competitor is all fine, but taking unnecessary risks with an existing injury is quite another.

he's on tv... walkin for the medals SOMEONE GET HIM A WHEELCHAIR!

Walking with a noticeable limp. At least he's walking.

Dude still needs a wheelchair or maybe even a cane. Hell, if Oberto was any kind of teammate, he would've carrier Manu out on his shoulders.

Now get your ass back to S.A and keep it there!

I'm having Monty Python flashbacks starring Manu as the Black Knight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dynasty

"I can't walk, but I want to play!"


Manu is a competitor but he needs to learn to take a step back.

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according to the article, he said he could walk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spurs_fan_in_exile

I'm having Monty Python flashbacks starring Manu as the Black Knight.

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I've got one leg two arms.

I shoot behind 3 point line fine!!!!

Coach Hernández: "Silently, Manu started to dress up for the game. No one, neither me or the players, said anything. He then went on and started with the warm up shooting on the court. After 10 minutes, he came back to the locker room and started to cry."

I watched Argentina's bronze medal game, which I am so delighted they won. Congrats to Gino and Fabbs, especially. Great going guys.

I saw Gino walk on court for a timeout. He was limping but did not look in anywhere near the bad shape that local news broadcasts seemed to speculate.

I am not at all surprised Gino tried to play in the game, nor do I blame him.
I wish he could have played, at least the final few minutes and could have been on court when the buzzer finalized Argentina's win.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AnotherArgie

Coach Hernández: "Silently, Manu started to dress up for the game. No one, neither me or the players, said anything. He then went on and started with the warm up shooting on the court. After 10 minutes, he came back to the locker room and started to cry."

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Sucks :td

But hopefully Ginobili is happy now. A bronze medal considering Manu and Nocioni were hurt and Pepe didn't show up is a hell of an accomplishment.

Manu being upbeat going forward is important, especially if he has to do any type of long rehab. The Spurs can't afford to have Depressed Manu going forward.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AnotherArgie

Coach Hernández: "Silently, Manu started to dress up for the game. No one, neither me or the players, said anything. He then went on and started with the warm up shooting on the court. After 10 minutes, he came back to the locker room and started to cry."

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:whine

Ok, now that this Olympic basketball gold is over. Im gonna say this. Bad Manu, bad bad bad Manu.

Of course he tried to play, he is Manu Ginobili, he will try to play as long as he has two legs and the capacity to breathe. You know Manu will be the one dude in the park hustling for a game well into his 60's. :lol

Fearless Manu...Good thing he didn't forced it :downspin:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AnotherArgie

Coach Hernández: "Silently, Manu started to dress up for the game. No one, neither me or the players, said anything. He then went on and started with the warm up shooting on the court. After 10 minutes, he came back to the locker room and started to cry."

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Who's running the show down there? There's no way any of the coaches/trainers and staff should ever have allowed him to even put on a uniform and try to warm up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

Who's running the show down there?

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Sounds like Manu is. :)

No one would stop him on the ANT because today was their last day together as a group in all likelihood. No one would tell him (especially the "doctors") to go sit on the bench.

ARG – Ginobili ends up just as happy as if he’d played

BEIJING (Olympics) – Manu Ginobili laced up his high-tops and tried to play for Argentina on Sunday in the bronze medal game against Lithuania but felt too much pain in his ankle and had to watch from the bench.

Ginobili suffered a recurrence of the ankle injury that nearly knocked him out of the Olympics in the first quarter of his team’s semi-final defeat to the United States.

Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez revealed after his team’s 87-75 victory over Lithuania that Ginobili became emotional after the pre-game warm-ups.

"We came in this morning knowing Manu would not play but then we saw him putting the uniform in the locker room, silently as Manu is,” Hernandez said.

“He put his bandages in his foot and no-one said anything. He joined his team-mates in a warm-up and he tried out his foot for 10 minutes but he felt pain and he went back to the locker room, got changed and started crying.

“For us, the thing that struck us was how Manu felt he had failed and that just was a further motivation for us to play hard, and to play with double the effort.

“Manu is not irresponsible, he is under contract (with San Antonio) and he wouldn't play if he was injured as this was the case.”

Close friend and teammate Luis Scola said that the entire team had been inspired by Ginobili.

"It touched us all that Manu tried to the last minute to play with us,” Scola said.

“But we as a team trust the team. Those who don't know us think that without Manu we cannot do anything but that is not true.

“Of course, I could I would always like to have Manu playing alongside me but I think what makes a good team is the fact that other players are able to step up in these situations."

In his absence, Leo Gutierrez and Paolo Quinteros each had 11 points.

Manu Ginobili, who watched the game wearing a pair of jeans and an Argentina polo shirt, spoke to FIBA.com after the game.

"I'm very happy,” he said.

“It's not the same thing going home with a medal than empty handed.

“I think my team pulled off a show of unique basketball, of temperament, of unity and character.

“I am really proud of what my team-mates did, of the game they played.

“It's not always easy to play for third place but they did an incredible job.

“They were perfect.”

Indeed, the medal takes away all the pain.

“I tried to play but it was not possible,” Ginobili said.

“I've been more hurt from an emotional level than a physical one not to be able to play before.

“But now, I am as happy as if I would have.
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/...News_arti.html

Manu is a warrior.

I hope he's ready to go when the season start

I'm sure there are going to be people bitching and moaning about this. Calling Manu irresponsible, stupid, etc. The funny thing is if he had done this for the Spurs, everyone in here would be calling it heroic. Think about that.

This is something that was monumentally important for Manu. I mean, when the hell was the last time people heard about Manu crying? If you can understand that, then there should be no reason why people here can't get over the accidental injury.

Manu cried helplessly when he finally decided not to play.

I really understand,though I'm not from Argentina
love you forever MANU GINOBILI
get well soon
always be along with you

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MaNuMaNiAc

I'm sure there are going to be people bitching and moaning about this. Calling Manu irresponsible, stupid, etc. The funny thing is if he had done this for the Spurs, everyone in here would be calling it heroic. Think about that.

This is something that was monumentally important for Manu. I mean, when the hell was the last time people heard about Manu crying? If you can understand that, then there should be no reason why people here can't get over the accidental injury.

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ofcourse they would. they are spur fans, not fans of argentina. Anyways I am happy for Manu that he at least got to play most of the games, except the last game to win the bronze. He should be proud and happy for himself and the team. He's a very passionate person so I see why he would want to play even though he physically couldn't. That same passion is the same force that helps drive the Spurs. Love you Manu, now getting ready for the NBA season.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MaNuMaNiAc

I'm sure there are going to be people bitching and moaning about this. Calling Manu irresponsible, stupid, etc. The funny thing is if he had done this for the Spurs, everyone in here would be calling it heroic. Think about that.

This is something that was monumentally important for Manu. I mean, when the hell was the last time people heard about Manu crying? If you can understand that, then there should be no reason why people here can't get over the accidental injury.

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Not everyone...I don't even think he should have been playing in those playoff games in the Lakers series. No one benefits from a hurt Manu playing...not him and not us. He has got to learn to listen to his body more as he starts moving past his prime years. I understand the importance...but is it worth sustaining an injury that might be the end of Manu as we know him?

I also worry about him saying he will be fine, seeings how that ligament went three weeks after the WCF and it was still swollen, and it obviously still wasn't right during the Olympics. I really hope he sits long enough to make a full recovery.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spursfan09

ofcourse they would. they are spur fans, not fans of argentina. Anyways I am happy for Manu that he at least got to play most of the games, except the last game to win the bronze. He should be proud and happy for himself and the team. He's a very passionate person so I see why he would want to play even though he physically couldn't. That same passion is the same force that helps drive the Spurs. Love you Manu, now getting ready for the NBA season.

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I would disagree. I am a Spurs fan yes but I don't fault Manu for wanting to play for his country. To me, representing your country is still one of the greatest honors a person can have. I hate that he got hurt but I don't begrudge him for it.

This sucks, I'm sure this isn't the way Manu wanted to leave his International team days behind.

That being said, not many teams (outside of USA) over the years have won a Gold Medal and then came back the following Olympics and still won a medal. The fact that they've now ended in the top 3 for the past 2 Olympics is something. Ginobili just needs a little perspective :)

That being said, this injury better not be serious. At least it happened now and he can get the rest he needs. What if he ended up reinjuring it in a couple months when the Spurs will be deep into the regular season?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by samikeyp

I would disagree. I am a Spurs fan yes but I don't fault Manu for wanting to play for his country. To me, representing your country is still one of the greatest honors a person can have. I hate that he got hurt but I don't begrudge him for it.

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yeah but I can understand why Spur fans are just upset at this whole situation. I don't fault Manu for wanting to play. I see why manu wanted to play, but he was hurt to begin with. Now he is hurt probably worse because he played. Now we Spurs fans have to suffer without him for a while until he recovers at the beginning of the season. And that is just a hope that he recovers at the beginning. Hopefully this does not linger on all season. I want a healthy Manu for the playoffs next year. Because a healthy Manu can make all the difference. And I can honestly say that If Manu didn't play in these olympics I would have been happy. Does that make me a bad person? I don't think so. It justs maks me a Spurs fan. :lol So basically I understand why he played for Argentina, it just sucks he got hurt.

TRADE MANU !!!!




To Houston.

;)

Glad to hear he is alright.
D
D

http://www.spurschick.com/510.jpg

http://www.spurschick.com/103.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

Ginobili just needs a little perspective :)

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Oh, he has more than enough. :) This team was realistic from the start. They knew winning the gold would be difficult, and were aiming for a medal. Manu said afterwards that while bronze isn't gold, it's infinitely better than leaving the Games empty-handed.

It was fun watching his reactions from the bench today. He was as much a fan as the other 18,000 people there. Though his jumping on one leg probably gave Pop a heart attack. :lol

Oh, and I love Chapu's response whether his injury bothered him during the game: “At the end, it was killing me, but who cares?” he said. :lol

Well they got the bronze congrats!

their coach is worse then french coach

trying to dress him
I wonder if the coach asked him to dress.......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smeagol

Manu cried helplessly when he finally decided not to play.

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I hope he did not tell kobe there is no crying in basketball

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7...d7f0e88oe2.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

Manu is a warrior.

I hope he's ready to go when the season start

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manu is warrior
but he makes you wonder how much drugs he was on to play on

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ducks

their coach is worse then french coach

trying to dress him
I wonder if the coach asked him to dress.......

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well if you didn't have a reading comprehension problem, you'd know the answer to that question.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ducks

manu is warrior
but he makes you wonder how much drugs he was on to play on

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What is it ducks? you can't refrain from posting stupid shit? is that it? stfu already

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/anexos/fotos/35/879335.jpg

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/1724/879296di1.jpg

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/anexos/fotos/40/879340.jpg

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/anexos/fotos/26/879326.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MaNuMaNiAc

What is it ducks? you can't refrain from posting stupid shit? is that it? stfu already

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if he could not walk the day before
he was on lots of drugs so he could try to play

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MaNuMaNiAc

What is it ducks? you can't refrain from posting stupid shit? is that it? stfu already

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It's the only language he knows. Let him be. :lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ducks

if he could not walk the day before
he was on lots of drugs so he could try to play

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Quote:

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"We came in this morning knowing Manu would not play but then we saw him putting the uniform in the locker room, silently as Manu is,” Hernandez said.

“He put his bandages in his foot and no-one said anything. He joined his team-mates in a warm-up and he tried out his foot for 10 minutes but he felt pain and he went back to the locker room, got changed and started crying.

---

Does that sound like someone pumped up full of drugs? I imagine he did have some pain killers, but no one was forcing him to play, he suited up because he just wanted to try out his foot. Turns out it still hurt, and he realized he couldn't play and went back to the locker room.

The Spurs need to bite the bullet and do whatever it takes to get Manu back to 100% even if it means an operation that will keep him out this season. No sense him breaking down again in the playoffs and you know you can't slow him down. Without him this season we will be lucky to make the playoffs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MaNuMaNiAc

Does that sound like someone pumped up full of drugs? I imagine he did have some pain killers, but no one was forcing him to play, he suited up because he just wanted to try out his foot. Turns out it still hurt, and he realized he couldn't play and went back to the locker room.

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It's Manu. Do you think ducks cares? Manu could die for him tomorrow and ducks will complain about the inconvenience of reporting the situation. :rollin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spurs_fan_in_exile

I'm having Monty Python flashbacks starring Manu as the Black Knight.

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"It's only a flesh wound!" :lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by benefactor

Not everyone...I don't even think he should have been playing in those playoff games in the Lakers series. No one benefits from a hurt Manu playing...not him and not us. He has got to learn to listen to his body more as he starts moving past his prime years. I understand the importance...but is it worth sustaining an injury that might be the end of Manu as we know him?

I also worry about him saying he will be fine, seeings how that ligament went three weeks after the WCF and it was still swollen, and it obviously still wasn't right during the Olympics. I really hope he sits long enough to make a full recovery.

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He'll be Ok. Don't worry

another story for this UNIQUE team... Manu on the lockeroom crying gave the whole team that competitive edge to play as hard as they did

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timvp

Sucks :td

But hopefully Ginobili is happy now. A bronze medal considering Manu and Nocioni were hurt and Pepe didn't show up is a hell of an accomplishment.

Manu being upbeat going forward is important, especially if he has to do any type of long rehab. The Spurs can't afford to have Depressed Manu going forward.

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nice thoughts... i agree with this... manu will have the right spirit and i am guessing the Spurs will keep him inActive until the all star game... to have a Monster Manu came playoff time... That's be awesome :toast

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cherry

He'll be Ok. Don't worry

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I hope you are right...I am trying my hardest to stay optimistic, but with this on top of everything else this offseason its becoming more and more challenging.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by benefactor

I hope you are right...I am trying my hardest to stay optimistic, but with this on top of everything else this offseason its becoming more and more challenging.

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Look at the bright side. If Manu need surgery, he will be rested for the 2nd part of the season. :eyebrows

I think the Spurs should look into trading him for someone who is healthy. Enough of this shit.

:lmao

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/anexos/fotos/35/879335.jpg
Manu:"Hallelujah, praise the lord, I'm healed!

Quote:

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Look at the bright side. If Manu need surgery, he will be rested for the 2nd part of the season.

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I'm kind of wondering if Manu would've needed surgery anyways even if he did sit out and rest this summer (I think I read that he said that surgery looks like it's going to be the option right now but that he'll just have to wait and see). I think it's better to get it fixed now then to wait until part of the regular season when he's playing for the Spurs and find out that it's still not right and have to do the surgery then.

Damn, I've never seen a team so happy to win....the Bronze. :lol

Because the only other team you've seen win the Bronze is the USA and they all threw there medals in some lake I heard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

Damn, I've never seen a team so happy to win....the Bronze. :lol

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for them it means being a Top 3 team in the world stage for the last decade :toast

Quote:

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Originally Posted by E20

Because the only other team you've seen win the Bronze is the USA and they all threw there medals in some lake I heard.

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:lol Or claimed "FIBA sucks"......and then threw their medal in the lake.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spurschick

http://www.spurschick.com/510.jpg

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Great trade, Spurs, great trade.


















:pctoss

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timvp

Great trade, Spurs, Great trade.





:pctoss

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Cue ChumpDumper, TPark, and others.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

:tu

Being a competitor is all fine, but taking unnecessary risks with an existing injury is quite another.

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---> Well , if you can call the way he gave up everything to represent his country an "unnecessar risk" then you will never understand Manu`s actions.

ducks, I beg you, try to post only on SR. You're a disgrace.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TMTTRIO

I'm kind of wondering if Manu would've needed surgery anyways even if he did sit out and rest this summer (I think I read that he said that surgery looks like it's going to be the option right now but that he'll just have to wait and see). I think it's better to get it fixed now then to wait until part of the regular season when he's playing for the Spurs and find out that it's still not right and have to do the surgery then.

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Surgery was the best option from the beginning or he injury will happen again and again.

Manu say he's ready for an Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows a physician to treat a damaged or problem knee without making a large incision on the outer skin, which protects the knee joint.
Alternatives to arthroscopy are anti-inflammatory pills, injections, observation, physical therapy, tolerating the problem, total joint replacement, osteotomies, etc. Alternatives will vary based on age and symptoms.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smeagol

ducks, I beg you, try to post only on SR. You're a disgrace.

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I am not the only poster to go both places
mostly only post here and if you know I go there you must have to:lmao:lmao

Quote:

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Originally Posted by century

I think the Spurs should look into trading him for someone who is healthy. Enough of this shit.

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Enough of this shit. we will never get another manu- his leadership, his competitiveness, his will to win. who is this player you want to trade for manu-who has the same value as him? Nada, none.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cherry

Surgery was the best option from the beginning or he injury will happen again and again.

Manu say he's ready for an Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows a physician to treat a damaged or problem knee without making a large incision on the outer skin, which protects the knee joint.
Alternatives to arthroscopy are anti-inflammatory pills, injections, observation, physical therapy, tolerating the problem, total joint replacement, osteotomies, etc. Alternatives will vary based on age and symptoms.

---

first, it's his ankle which is injured, not the knees. 2nd, surgery is always not the first option in this kind of injury-it's usually treated conservatively,meaning no surgery. Surgery always carry risks, so it's not always the 1st option. it depends on the severity of the injury.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timvp

Hurt Ginobili tried to play in bronze game
By Gelu Sulugiuc

BEIJING, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Argentina guard Manu Ginobili said he tried to play in the bronze medal match against Lithuania at the Olympics on Sunday but his ankle injury was too painful.

"I wasn't able to run," he told reporters. "I can walk, I can jog even, but running like you run in a game like this I couldn't. I didn't try to be a hero, I just preferred for the guys that are healthy and in good condition to play."

Despite playing without their top scorer, Argentina won the game 87-75.

"They've shown a lot of character," Ginobili said of his team mates. "What they've done today is one of the best performances I've seen. I'm really proud. Winning the bronze is not the same as going home empty-handed."

Ginobili aggravated an old injury in the first quarter of Argentina's semi-final loss to the United States.

"In the morning he was very quiet and didn't say anything to anybody," said Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez. "Only the doctor told me he would try his best to play. He felt great pain so you know he was hurt if he couldn't play in this match."

Ginobili said he did not know if he would be ready for training camp with his NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs.

"I'm going to San Antonio now and after some (tests) we'll see," he said. "It's the same ligament injury I suffered against the Lakers. I'll be fine."

Ginobili suffered a swollen ligament in his left ankle in the NBA playoffs this year and the Spurs had tried to convince him to skip the Olympics so he could rest.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/feedarticle/7748333

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SELFISH, MORON, STUPID, STUBBORN, SHOW OFF, TRYING TO BE A HERO, LACK OF COMMON SENSE, DICK HEAD, PATHETIC, PITIFULL, DISGRACEFULL.

SERIOUSLY IT WAS A BRONZE MEDAL MATCH, 3RD PLACE IS UP FOR GRABS,WHY WOULD HE EVEN CONSIDER IT. COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU IT'S NOT EVEN WORTH IT. :pctoss:pctoss

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AC#21_TD ERA

SELFISH, MORON, STUPID, STUBBORN, SHOW OFF, TRYING TO BE A HERO, LACK OF COMMON SENSE, DICK HEAD, PATHETIC, PITIFULL, DISGRACEFULL.

SERIOUSLY IT WAS A BRONZE MEDAL MATCH, 3RD PLACE IS UP FOR GRABS,WHY WOULD HE EVEN CONSIDER IT. COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU IT'S NOT EVEN WORTH IT. :pctoss:pctoss

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This post just reinforces the idea that there should be a minimum IQ requirement for people to even be able to go online.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Manu-of-steel

first, it's his ankle which is injured, not the knees. 2nd, surgery is always not the first option in this kind of injury-it's usually treated conservatively,meaning no surgery. Surgery always carry risks, so it's not always the 1st option. it depends on the severity of the injury.

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Ok, read this:

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1042853

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

Damn, I've never seen a team so happy to win....the Bronze. :lol

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Winning a bronze medal for any Argentine athlete is a great honor . . . maybe with the exception of soccer (futbol).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ducks

mostly only post here and if you know I go there you must have to:lmao:lmao

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It took me quite some time figure out what the fuck you were trying to say.

I haven't been to SR in more than two years. I simply remeber you post there.

Bottom line is that you posts have gotten more retarded than what they used to be . . .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

Damn, I've never seen a team so happy to win....the Bronze. :lol

---

This is someone who has never been in any athletic competition. There are very very few who will be disappointed if they don't place first. For everyone else, just placing is a great achievement. In the US, qualifying in the Olympic trials is a great achievement.

A boy of seven practices basketball moves on a makeshift court while others his age play soccer.

For whatever reason, this boy stays up into the wee hours, watching a telecast, from a Country a world away, playing a game that's so alien it might as well come from outer space.. mesmerized by what he sees. Something in his soul is moved. He knows this is how he wants to spend the life he was given.

Imagine that boy is you, but now a man, playing in your last Olympics.

The best player on your team, the one who Proudly carried the nations flag at its President request..
That you are injured for the last game.

In your heart you know you cannot play and help the team.

But you will never have this moment again. With this group of brothers you have shared your life with. Your joy and sorrows.

So even though the pain in your foot is overwhelming... you close it off somewhere in your will, for as long as you can.

You stare at the colors, feel the fabric.. put on that Uniform, which reperesents your life'swork. Your love. Your country, your family. Not what you do, but Who You Are.

Silently you take the court with your teamates. Look at their faces, search their eyes. Treasuring this time recording the seconds in your mind.

So many flashbacks, so many obstacles over come, so many happy memories. One more time you can warm up with these guys, your boys.

And for a few minutes you are happy again, before the pain comes roaring back...


Peace.

Yeah, I read Manu cried like a baby because he couldn't help his team in the bronze game. He tried to hide his tears but some teammates saw it and they got even more fired up.

Chapu Nocioni is one of them and he was on one leg himself. Then after the game they all dedicated the victory to manu. now that's a team

Manu has a huge heart, but it affects his brain. As a fan, the Spurs come first, so anything that Manu does to hurt the Spurs chances is enough reason to ship his butt out. It's too late though, so we're stuck with damaged goods. In the best interest of the team I'm stuck with supporting Manu 100% from here on out, but I can't hide the fact I'm pretty pissed off at the dude.

Last year injured players who played in the Olympics:

Dwane Wade
Yao Ming
Jorge Garbajosa
Manu Ginobili

Is not only Manu, there are some players, who played with Injuries

Caledron, Nocioni,

There are some Franchise players who played too, and for his team is a very high risk, too high than Manu´s Spurs

Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, Dwigth Howard, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, between others