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I agree with JVG.
Don't count on Olympics hangover for NBA stars
By Chris Colston
Now that Team USA has won Olympic gold for the first time since 2000, players can turn their attention to the NBA season, which tips off Oct. 28.
They will get a respite until training camps begin next month. But it's natural to wonder how the Olympic experience will affect the league's stars.
The wear and tear has sometimes led to Olympians breaking down the following NBA season. In 2004-05, Richard Jefferson played in just 31 games because of injury. In 1996-97, Charles Barkley played 53 games in an injury-plagued season. And following the 2006 world championships in Japan, LeBron James, Elton Brand, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade struggled with various ailments.
But often, Olympians who logged the most minutes have gone on to productive years:
•In 2004-05, Allen Iverson led the NBA in scoring; (30.7 points per game) and that same season, Stephon Marbury started all 82 games for the first time in his career.
•In 2000-01, Vince Carter finished with his highest career scoring average (27.6), Gary Payton averaged 41.1 minutes played, and Jason Kidd led the league in assists.
•In 1996-97, Payton, Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone started 82 games. Reggie Miller started 81.
•In 1992-93, Michael Jordan led the league in scoring (32.6 points per game), Barkley was league MVP and Malone started 82 games.
"I think it's one of the misnomers of the Olympics that the players will somehow be physically fatigued," says ABC/ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy. "If you look at their minutes played per game, it's certainly not tiring. They would probably be more tired if they went through a normal workout getting ready for the season."
NBA coaches can thank Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski for distributing playing time across the roster. Ten players averaged at least 11 minutes per game. James led the USA with an average of 24.8 minutes played.
Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry notes James has trained and played for USA Basketball the past few years. "Overall, LeBron's recovery after each of these cycles has been pretty remarkable," Ferry says. "Regardless, over the next several weeks we will get a good feel for where his body is and make a plan accordingly."
Van Gundy coached Olympian Allan Houston after the 2000 Games, and the guard played 78 games the following season. Van Gundy says the mental fatigue of a lengthy overseas trip could be a bigger factor.
For players nursing injuries, however, Van Gundy says the Olympics could have a larger impact. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant put off surgery on his finger to participate in Beijing, and San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili recently had surgery on his left ankle — for an injury he re-aggravated playing for Argentina.
"I'm not one to judge. But it's a fact — Ginobili putting off the inevitable surgery has put his team at a stark disadvantage," Van Gundy says. "He's certainly going to miss a good part of training camp, if not all of it, and he could miss some games."
Lakers spokesman John Black said Bryant expects to make a decision on when to have surgery soon.
But for most players, the Olympic experience is a benefit. "Staying in shape is critical," Van Gundy says, "and playing against good compe ion helps. Where would you rather get a run in, at UCLA or against the best the world has to offer?"
Last edited by duncan228; 09-05-2008 at 01:30 AM.
I agree with JVG.
At least it's from a compulsion to serve his country in the Olympics and not in wartime.
Hall of Famer Ted Williams lost 5 years of his baseball career to military service.
And then of course there was this guy...
Sad & True. But sometimes it's the perfect time for the team to discover players with potentials."I'm not one to judge. But it's a fact — Ginobili putting off the inevitable surgery has put his team at a stark disadvantage,"
Like for instance Boris Diaw when Amare rested for 1 season.
Manu will be ready for the playoffs, hopefully.
Well. In all my ing, at least my Topps Finest rookie of his will increase in value over his bronze.
Manu will not be in shape for playoffs, that's what JVG meant..
He would not have played enough games for him to be in shape for the grueling demands of playoffs.. which means that he could be a non-factor..
Without Manu, there is no chance of Spurs winning championship.. that's the bottomline..
I think we all know, that Manu backstabbed his coach,teammates and the city of San Antonio. When it comes to the San Antonio Spurs, I can go back and remember keys through out the years that made or broke us. Its time to move on. With or without Manu.
Are you serious?
Even by the worst prediction, Manu will have played 3 months of basketball before the playoffs.
He will be ready.
I'd like to know where some people are getting their crystal balls. They seem pretty certain that their looks into the future are 100% accurate. I'd like to use them for some more important things, like who is going to win the election or what is the economy going to look like in a year.
I can't wait for Manu to come back with a vengeance and prove all the debbie downers wrong.
Lets move on..Manu already played the Olympics and already done the surgery..now its time to hope for the best...instead of going back and forth...
I don't think that is at all what he meant. I think he is assuming the spurs will not have their starters healthy at the start of the season and it will take them longer to gain that ever important team chemistry. I think the disadvantage part is simply in reference to them losing games early in the season in an incredibly tough western conference. manu will be more than ready for the playoffs, he may not even miss any games.
Manu Ginobili and his wobbly ankle.
so when exactly did the spurs say "you need to have surgery ASAP" and manu answered "screw you i'm going to china"?
because all i remember was "it's probably better if you dont go" followed by "let me see what the doctors say" followed by "ok you can go, but be careful and be honest if there is a problem" followed by "of course" followed by "i'm feeling good" followed by "i tweaked it therefore i'm sitting out immediately"
this revisionist "i told you so" crap is really annoying, especially in an article that acknowledges that there is no discernible correlation between playing in the olympics and suffering injury. the risk is always there for athletes, olympics or not. last season was the clearest example. No international play in the summer followed by injury in the playoffs followed by the spurs losing. in fact, the 06 year was largely the same. manu didnt play the summer after 04-05, then in 05-06 he had nagging little injuries in the middle of the season and didnt really find his groove until it was too late. If anything, the 3 seasons the spurs won with manu were years he played intl ball the summer prior to that.
where is the article blasting monta ellis for putting GS at a stark disadvantage by working out in the summer?
At least it's from a compulsion to serve his country in the Olympics and not in wartime.
Hall of Famer Ted Williams lost 5 years of his baseball career to military service.
paul arizin lost 2 seasons because of the military service
There was also a possibility that Admiral would go on the "Desert Storm"
My concern is a little more than whether Manu will miss a few games at the beginning of the season.
Anything that is serious enough for surgery is serious enough to pose a risk that the surgery, even if 'successful', will not enable Manu to come back to 100% of the old Manu.
It happens.
nooo ! can you see the crystal ball too?
Last edited by Cherry; 09-05-2008 at 11:02 AM.
JVG with a scoop
Seriously....
Remember Clyde Drexler: he played injured in the 92 olympics, then missed a lot of games in the 92-93 season.
I remeber a game Spurs lost to the Blazers during the 92-93 season; he played the first 5 minutes and then left the game
Manu will be fine. I expect him to return by about the All-Star Break in fine form ready to contribute if not earlier.
Certainly... because the last few summers that Manu played international ball the Spurs were doomed the following season....
oh wait....
Van Gundy is a ing genius.
I disagree with JVG....well if you look from NBA spectacles which ego and money oriented Manu is making a stupid move, but Olympic is an event which came every four years not to mention his country is a defending champion. I dont know if this kindda things registered in a citizen's heart such as JVG, but to be a ble to represent your country and carrying the flag in opening ceremony is an honour that money can not buy. It does come with an expense though. Kobe said Olympic gold medal worth more than NBA rings. We, Americans always think everything according to our measure whether its NBA, MLB or anything else. To be able to represent your country and chosen above millions of other citizens is a lifetime experience, even if it cost Manu couple games off, training and risk of reinjured. Manu made his decision..and last time I remember Spurs is a repeat contender. I guess one player decision did make an impact on a team, but that man is NOT WRONG, HIS DECISION IS RIGHT ACCORDING TO HIS HEART not financial contract calculation or NBA measurement. I guess some people never understand this and only think of themselves and their small team and tiny neighbourhood. Team vs your country..u can decide which one is smaller
good thing ducks did not post this article
I can see Manu's side playing for his country, if it was me, I probably would have done the same thing. I used to be quite a good track runner and my main goal was to make the Olympics, that would have been the ultimate. Of course, I never made the cut...not really close, just too many good runners out there. The Olympics are just the ultimate for an athlete.
That said, I've never been paid millions to pay basketball so with that does come some responsibility, although I probably still wouldn't have turned down the Olympics
Are the Spurs screwed? Probably. Teams in the West aren't that far from each other, you really have to be on top of your game to get out in the West. I don't have a crystal ball but if you only have 2 good players in the West, you probably won't make it very far.
Spurs only have TP and Tim to carry the load for a couple of months, I don't think that will be enough and still leave some to make a deep run if they make the Playoffs.
Wishing for a speedy recovery for Manu but ankle surgeries take a long time to heal, then you have to "trust" your ankle again and that takes a while longer.
People are throughing around "a couple of months", or "until the the AS break" as if some expert has already opined on the subject.
Can somebody with some level of knowledge on the subject chime in?
That's the thing - we can't just move on. Ginobili himself said that he would do it again if he had the chance. Brushing it under the carpet won't do anything to prevent future problems from happening. People who encouraged his participation in the Olympics kept steady in their beliefs while others insisted that it was only a matter of time before he seriously hurt himself. Unfortunately, the latter group was 100% correct.
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