Popovich moving closer to worrying about Ginobili
Jeff McDonald
HOUSTON — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says he isn't yet concerned at the relatively slow nature of Manu Ginobili's rehabilitation from his latest ankle injury.
Popovich, however, does have a timetable for becoming concerned.
“This coming Thursday will be four weeks since he's off the crutches,” Popovich said before Saturday's game against the Rockets. “At that point, we hope that he's on the floor working out. If he's not, we'll be concerned.”
Ginobili, battling a stress reaction in his right ankle, missed his 14th consecutive game Saturday. He watched from behind the bench as the Spurs outlasted Houston 88-85.
Popovich says Ginobili should return “in a week or two.” He is aware that is the same prognosis he gave at this time last week.
“I keep saying a week or two,” Popovich said. “It's like the stimulus package — pretty soon, it's going to start having an effect.”
Ginobili's rehab continued in Houston. He and similarly injury-plagued forward Ian Mahinmi stayed late after Saturday morning's shootaround to test their bad ankles for the team's strength and conditioning staff.
Ginobili's workout included more shooting, with movement, a regimen he began last week.
Gooden, Take 2: Consider Saturday's game Drew Gooden's silver and black coming out party.
After a four-minute cameo in Thursday's loss to the Lakers, Gooden logged 15 minutes, 12 seconds off the bench against the Rockets and scored 13 points. Afterward, he pronounced himself ready for more duty, if needed.
“I think I'm ready,” Gooden said. “I spent about a week on plays — sidelines out of bounds, baseline out of bounds, half-court sets. I think I've got a good grasp of everything.”
One player happy to see Gooden in uniform? Tim Duncan. Gooden's presence gives the Spurs their most potent scoring threat in the post, perhaps since David Robinson retired.
On Saturday, the Spurs used Gooden as a post-up threat while Duncan rested.
“We were in a little bit of a slump there, and he came in and gave us some offense,” Duncan said. “That's something we're going to expect from him. If he can give it to us, he'll be a big boost to us.”
Traveling men: This is the first road trip Ginobili has made since before the All-Star break. It is the first road trip Mahinmi has made since November.
Popovich, however, says one should not read too much into that. He traveled Ginobili because he was afraid for the guard's health.
“I brought Manu so he won't jump off a building,” Popovich joked. “He's going stir crazy.”
As for Mahinmi, who has struggled with ankle issues all season, most recently undergoing surgery for removal of a bone spur in January?
“Ianny is starting work out on the floor a little bit,” Popovich said. “Being with the team is kind of a reward for him.”
"Ianny"?
At any rate, I really hope this doesn't turn into what it was last year.
You know for how well the spurs play I keep forgetting Manu is out... when he comes back..
“I keep saying a week or two,” Popovich said. “It's like the stimulus package — pretty soon, it's going to start having an effect.”
stimulus package.
Don't want to start the Olympic debate up again, but if he could get out there and give it a whirl last summer, he should be able to suit up for the playoffs....unless there is something structurally wrong.
Ianny
Regarding Ginobili, I'm now just hoping he gets to play in the final five games. Anything more would be gravy.
Spurs fans can be assured he will play come playoff time. Not even Pop will stop him.
“I brought Manu so he won't jump off a building,” Popovich joked. “He's going stir crazy.”
Yanni?
McDonald should hang himself for putting Gooden and Admiral in the same sentence.
isn't ian's name pronounced "yawn"? so yawny?
I think hes always called him Ianny. Its pronounced Yahn, rather than Ee-an. So i guess 'Ianni' doesnt sound that re ed.
Ianny sounds so funny. also hope gino gets well soon
Ianni, Mattie, Timmy, Tony, Fabie....
I'm sensing a pattern here. (Pop and the boys sure know how to coach and play the game, but no one ever accused them of being marketing geniuses.lol)
No perhaps about it.Gooden's presence gives the Spurs their most potent scoring threat in the post, perhaps since David Robinson retired.
In fact, I'll even go as far as saying, the best Post-threat he's ever played with.
Granted, there's no contest in terms of Gooden and Big Dave in terms of overall player/dominance, but Dave was never a great back-to-the-basket player offensively.
Whether Gooden puts the Spurs over the top this year or not, he's still one of a pickup when you consider he was aquired for nothing. He might just turn out to be the type of player the Pistons had in Williamson, when he came off the bench awhile back to win the 6th Man of the Year award.
Ianny... Brucie... Georgie...
Seriously ?
Toughness at his best !
That team need a new nickname specialist, NOW !
if Manu can come back in the first few days of April, I'll be happy..
Ian travels with the team? I never knew it. I guess he's that guy that's always suited up sitting next to Ginobili or whomever.
"It is the first road trip Mahinmi has made since November."
I thought that Ian and Manu testing their ankles mean that they were close to return. I was wrong.
Tim's and Manu's injury are quite worrisome. Tim struggle to play at a high level with his bum knees and Manu recovery is significantly slower than expected.
Umm which building?
--------
And yup, this is definatley too long Ginobili has been out of the programme.
Like lj said Gino needs AT LEAST 5 games b4 the playoffs.
: still this team is not very femiliar with playing with Ginobili in the rotation. So even if Gino will come back the team will have to adjust real fast. There is no time for adapting.
this is the year of the injury. gaddammit!
It only gets worse...Ianny... Brucie... Georgie...
Seriously ?
Toughness at his best !
That team need a new nickname specialist, NOW !
Drewie
Imeie
Jacquie
manuie
Kurtie
Rogie
will we have Drewy ?
Let's not stop here, let's take it all the way..
Greggy
Reecey (RC)
Petie (Holt)
Icey (Gervin)
Davey (DROB)
Mikey
Timmy
Rogie, Jr.
Tony
Kurtie
Imy
Brucey
Drew Bob
Georgie
Jackie
Fabby
and Ianny,
meenie, minnie and mo
The fear we will strike into the hearts of the NBA. Let us mutually agree to never speak of such things again.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
