haha classic pop
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....17301382.html
Spurs: Ginobili might miss Olympics with ankle injury
Web Posted: 06/18/2008 04:12 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
For the first time, Spurs officials have expressed grave concern about injured guard Manu Ginobili’s plan to help Argentina defend its Olympic gold medal in Beijing later this summer.
Ginobili, who was hobbled by a jammed ankle during the Spurs’ playoff ouster against the Lakers in the Western Conference finals last month, has not seen much improvement in the joint since the season ended three weeks ago.
For that reason, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Wednesday he hopes Ginobili will give serious thought to sitting out the Summer Games.
“My concern is that it’s going to get worse,” Popovich said. “He’s got to seriously consider his health.”
Speaking to media in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, Ginobili acknowledged the injury was worse than previously believed, casting his ability to play in Beijing in doubt.
“I believe this puts in danger my chances at playing in the Olympic Games,” he told reporters there.
An MRI taken during the playoffs revealed a ligament in Ginobili’s left heel swollen to four to five times its normal size. Another MRI taken Monday revealed the swelling had not subsided, even though Ginobili had been off the ankle for nearly 21 days.
Ginobili will spend the next three weeks in a plastic boot meant to immobilize the ankle. If his condition hasn’t improved by the time it comes off, Ginobili will have a decision to make regarding his participation in the Olympics.
That decision rests with Ginobili alone. Under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, the Spurs cannot order Ginobili to skip the Olympics.
Easily the top basketball player in Argentina’s history, Ginobili said he hasn’t surrendered hope of healing in time to participate.
The Argentine team is slated to begin workouts July 4. The Olympic basketball compe ion is scheduled to open Aug. 9.“I am going to do everything possible, because I want to play,” Ginobili said.
Popovich, long a proponent of the international game, said he was sympathetic to Ginobili’s dilemma.
“He’s got to go back and live there (in Argentina) some day,” Popovich said. “But his bills get paid by his performance with the Spurs.”
Lay down the bleeping law and tell him NOT TO FREAKING GO ALREADY!!He’s got to go back and live there (in Argentina) some day,” Popovich said. “But his bills get paid by his performance with the Spurs.”
What poor excuse to say he is injured during the WCF. He was not injured. That is a pretty weak ailment to nail an injury on.
/Laker fans
This is sad news.
If they'r revealed that info during the playoffs, Manu would have become even more of a target by the opponents, but it would have shown just how gritty a performance he was putting on.
this sux... watch he will not be 100% healed, but will be well enough to go and since he is not 100% healed he will injure himself more... he should be frigg'n resting.
If this is a lingering injury through training camp, I guarantee Pop won't use him until 2009..
Manu you must not play in the olympics period.
I guess this stops all the talk about how Manu wasn't really injured during the playoffs. And that his ankle issues weren't as big of a deal as a ton of people here were saying. I remember reading other members say stuff like, "if he's really hurt, he'd say so."
Now he might miss the Olympics. It has been weeks since he hasn't played, and the ankle is still a problem.
If it still hurts by the time the Olympics come, I think he should skip it. I know that he really wants to play, but I don't know how he can even be productive if the ankle isn't fully healed anyway.
Is his kind of injury best treated with rest/medication only or is surgery a possibility. Its worrisome that the swelling has not subsided with several weeks gone by. He should take a cue from Parker's experience last off-season.
DAMN!!!!!!!
please Manu, pleeeeeeeeeaaaseee take good care of yourself !
We love you no matter what and will always be thankfull for all the things you achieved with the national team and the Spurs.
Just don't play in the Olympics. I really wish Ginobili wouldn't.
“He’s got to go back and live there (in Argentina) some day,” Popovich said. “But his bills get paid by his performance with the Spurs.”
OUCH
I may eat my words later but...
Blessing in disguise?
Players over 29 have a finite amount of fuel left in the tank for their career. One less Olympics could mean that many more games he can play at the end of his tenure with the Spurs, not to mention the aggregate fatigue. IR him until January if you have to, just let the injury never return once he is healed. Has that "nasty looking" (quoting Kobe) fingernail started growing back yet?
Sherlock: HA!
Last edited by taps; 06-18-2008 at 06:27 PM. Reason: Just a couple of tweaks
I really hope he doesn't play in the Olympics. It would be nice to see the big 3 get some rest for a summer.
Is there a difference in the Spurs not allowed to force Manu to sit out, and the Cavs being allowed to force Ilgauskas to sit out?
I don't like this at all. Someone needs to email a picture of Grant Hill to Manu and tell him to sit this one out.
this is really really sad
manu please please take care of yourself
sometimes you need to let go first before you could gain...![]()
Last edited by porscha; 06-18-2008 at 07:33 PM.
does anyone know which play in game one or two he got hurt? i dont recall him rolling it or anything?
if I remember correctly.. he had the ankle problem just about the playoff starts or before and he rolls it again at the game 2 vs suns...
Last edited by porscha; 06-18-2008 at 08:50 PM.
Ginobili's injury-and subsequent performance cost the Spurs a championship this season. If he makes matters worse, the Spurs number 1 priority this summer needs to be liquidating Ginobili and getting the best possible return on their investment.
Let's bottom line it folks; no need to sugarcoat. The window is closing, we can't rely on 30-something 2 guards that can't handle playing 30 minutes a game. If Manu chooses his country and he has every right to, Spurs need to say goodbye.
-Walton.
I don't think people realize that Manu hurt his ankle way before the playoffs. His game completely changed which is remarkable. He started shooting more perimeter shots (3pters specifically).
Maybe he was hurting and did it subconsciously but there was definitely a point where he stopped getting up and slamming the ball. He looked fantastic early in the season. He dunked on Yao, dunked on the Mavs..
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