Ginobili Hopeful Over Olympics

[Manufan909]

What the is the matter with him?? He already has a gold medal, he was so hurt he played like in the playoffs and his ankle is still not even close to right and he wants to play in the Olympics. Where is this guys committment to the Spurs?? He is going to come into camp with a cain the way he is going. This is where Manu is too compe ive for his own good. He 100% should not be playing this summer.

Ok, this post is a summary of everything wrong about American Spurs fans, we can be ing idiots sometimes, sorry ATX. I think Manu has loyalty to both, and I believe if he's around 85% good, than he should go represent his country. And let's not pretend that there aren't 40+ head coaches in the NBA that wouldn't jump at getting Manu.

He has three NBA rings he actually contributed to getting, an Olympic Gold, he's a one-time All-star, just got the Sixth Man award, he should've been an All-Stare this year considering they thought him the 3rd BEST SG IN ENTIRE THE NBA at the end of the season( ing dumbasses), as well as the top 10th player in MVP voting(even though he lives in Duncan's shadow). Just play him 20-24min in the first 30 games, and have someone other than Finley/Barry taking his minutes.

[Manufan909]

So you want him to do the "right" thing, or what would be best for you? I'm going to guess it's the second. Because for you, the correct choice means he's going to all over his country, especially if he's healthy enough to play, you'd still rather he sit it out. I think he should wait for that MRI, and trust his gut. I really don't think Pop would be dumb enough to trade him, but he'll probably shorten the out of his playing time especially if he makes it far into the Olympics, which is almost certain if he goes. Hopefully Scola and Oberto can take over.

[ElNono]

I don't give a if it's loyalty to his country. I'm a Spurs fan and I want him healthy and rested playing FOR THE SPURS. They pay him, too-a load of money that most people don't even aquire over their 80 year long life. If the team wants him not to play he needs to honor that IMO. He was injured in the playoffs and he needs to remember that it was a big reason why we lost that series in 5 games. The Spurs can't win with only two scorers.

Because being healthy and rested, like last season, means he won't get injured.... oh wait

[diego]

no takers for the bet

why am i not surprised.

NO BALLS

you know who you are...

[spursfan09]

this is the sentiment that i just cant understand. manu risked his career for the spurs just over a month ago, jeapordizing his olympic dream, and people are suggesting that he only brings it for argentina and that he sits out games for the spurs.

if manu had that kind of mentality he'd be beno udrih, taking two weeks off for every bruise and sprain. he'd have accomplished nothing and all us argie homers wouldnt even be here!

I know he was injured when he played for us, thats one of the main reasons we lost. If he is still injured he should not play for the olympics, but instead rest for the NBA season. He is getting paid to play for the Spurs. Something has got to give. If he proves me wrong than so be it. But if he's hurt he shouldn't play the olympics. simple as that.

[v2freak]

Because being healthy and rested, like last season, means he won't get injured.... oh wait

I'm not sure who is arguing that if he rests this summer, he'll become Iron Man next season. What people are saying is that the likelihood of him getting injured this summer is high because of a.) the nature of basketball and b.) the nature of the way he plays. Some people don't think it's worth the risk. This year, there is one more variable. In previous years, Ginobili had never gone into the summer as visibly injured. He claims that he won't play if he's not up to it, but when has he ever been the face of great judgement? His desire to compete sometimes clouds his ability to make decisions. Like Diego said, he did risk his career for the Spurs by playing the WCF, when I really wish he hadn't. It is not worth it to either Ginobili or the Spurs.

[Bruno]

Manu playing this summer will hurt Spurs next year but there is no way Spurs should forbid Manu to play for Argentina this summer.

[ElNono]

I'm not sure who is arguing that if he rests this summer, he'll become Iron Man next season. What people are saying is that the likelihood of him getting injured this summer is high because of a.) the nature of basketball and b.) the nature of the way he plays. Some people don't think it's worth the risk. This year, there is one more variable. In previous years, Ginobili had never gone into the summer as visibly injured. He claims that he won't play if he's not up to it, but when has he ever been the face of great judgement? His desire to compete sometimes clouds his ability to make decisions. Like Diego said, he did risk his career for the Spurs by playing the WCF, when I really wish he hadn't. It is not worth it to either Ginobili or the Spurs.

Injuries are more random than what most people think. There are players that have not missed a game in years. There are players that can't stay healthy. There are players that were injured over and over again, then come back and play full seasons without problems. Manu might not play the Olympics, and then he gets injured the first game of the season. There's no rhyme or reason to it. Manu actually has played great for the Spurs after playing in International compe ions. All 3 championships he won with the Spurs were after playing some sort of International tournament the summer before. And playing injured in the WCF (actually, every playoff game after the Suns) has more to do with a joint decision between Pop and him. I have to believe Pop knew what was going on, considering that Manu had MRI's done while the playoffs were going on. The final word is on Pop, not Manu.

At the end of the day, he's having his studies done in San Antonio in 2 weeks. I'm sure that if he has not healed, he simply won't play. If he has healed, I don't see why he shouldn't play.

[Nbadan]

Whatever Manu decides to do the simple fact remains that the Spurs only have 2 or 3 great years left in Tim Duncan, so if Manu comes back at less than 100% after this offseason that really sets the team back, especially considering how important home-court advantage is to reaching their objective - another NBA championship...for that reason alone, if Manu decides to play this summer, my thoughts are that the Spurs would be prefectly justified in putting him on the active trading block for a impact player(s). Does that mean he automatically gets traded? No, but if there is a team out there that is willing to give up a player, or team of players, that would put the Spurs over the top then the Spurs would owe no further loyalty to Ginobili, after all, despite his greatness, and I have always been a huge Gino fan, he is in the long scheme of things just a role player on this team.

[v2freak]

Injuries are more random than what most people think. There are players that have not missed a game in years. There are players that can't stay healthy. There are players that were injured over and over again, then come back and play full seasons without problems. Manu might not play the Olympics, and then he gets injured the first game of the season. There's no rhyme or reason to it. Manu actually has played great for the Spurs after playing in International compe ions. All 3 championships he won with the Spurs were after playing some sort of International tournament the summer before. And playing injured in the WCF (actually, every playoff game after the Suns) has more to do with a joint decision between Pop and him. I have to believe Pop knew what was going on, considering that Manu had MRI's done while the playoffs were going on. The final word is on Pop, not Manu.

At the end of the day, he's having his studies done in San Antonio in 2 weeks. I'm sure that if he has not healed, he simply won't play. If he has healed, I don't see why he shouldn't play.

That probably holds truth in some cases - certain players do seem injury-prone, but I refuse to believe that it is 100% of even 50% random. A player's style has everything to do with how much he slows down over the years and whether he gets injured. A player like Bruce Bowen who is not terribly athletic but conditions himself and protects his body can play 500 games in a row, but a guy who dives for balls, takes a ton of hits a game and "embellishes on certain plays regarding physical contact" is gonna get in trouble at one point or another. It's already happened, and if he gets injured again, I'd rather him do so while playing for the Spurs. Call it selfish, but I think most people will agree that he is impetuous at times. 80% healthy may not deter him from playing in the Olympics.

Also, the argument that the Spurs win when Ginobili plays in the summer isn't very convincing to me. There are too many variables in the equation, and to attribute the success of the Spurs in odd years to something like this is ludicrous. 0.4 was a big problem in 2004, as was the foul on Dirk in 2006. Both of those huge plays had nothing to do with Ginobili playing over the summer. He has been integral in all of the le years, but he is not the only piece.

Nbadan, I am also not against trading Ginobili. I wouldn't call anyone untouchable at this point except Duncan.

[Manufan909]

Whatever Manu decides to do the simple fact remains that the Spurs only have 2 or 3 great years left in Tim Duncan, so if Manu comes back at less than 100% after this offseason that really sets the team back, especially considering how important home-court advantage is to reaching their objective - another NBA championship...for that reason alone, if Manu decides to play this summer, my thoughts are that the Spurs would be prefectly justified in putting him on the active trading block for a impact player(s). Does that mean he automatically gets traded? No, but if there is a team out there that is willing to give up a player, or team of players, that would put the Spurs over the top then the Spurs would owe no further loyalty to Ginobili, after all, despite his greatness, and I have always been a huge Gino fan, he is in the long scheme of things just a role player on this team.

God, that better be a joke. Unless his role is to be the heart and fire of the Spurs, and the second(at lowest third) best player on the team. I didn't know role players could get 10th place in MVP voting either.

[v2freak]

I would agree that he's not a role player - the term "big 3" exists for a reason - but I get what Nbadan is saying. There will only be one Duncan, but Ginobili could possibly be replaced.