Injury Update: Manu Ginobili Questionable (Back), Everyone Else Okay

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

I think we all know how this is going to end. He's not going to play tonight, he'll be day to day, he'll come back relatively soon, then as soon as he's on the precipice of being in game shape/rhythm, he'll have another setback and this time they'll shut him down long term. He'll miss weeks, maybe even months and whether they'll have him back in time at all (let alone in game shape/rhythm) for the playoffs will be in question. And if he does end up playing, it'll be like '08 or '11 all over again, where he's clearly not right. Then we'll look back at the playoff run and think, if only he were healthy. Same thing, different year. This is why last season was more than likely their last shot.

I see the logic but I think your overreacting and jumping the gun on this one.

[crc21209]

I don't like the sound of this, but to me it sounds like it could be a day-to-day thing for quite awhile. Not good news...

[siraulo23]

I think we all know how this is going to end. He's not going to play tonight, he'll be day to day, he'll come back relatively soon, then as soon as he's on the precipice of being in game shape/rhythm, he'll have another setback and this time they'll shut him down long term. He'll miss weeks, maybe even months and whether they'll have him back in time at all (let alone in game shape/rhythm) for the playoffs will be in question. And if he does end up playing, it'll be like '08 or '11 all over again, where he's clearly not right. Then we'll look back at the playoff run and think, if only he were healthy. Same thing, different year. This is why last season was more than likely their last shot.

huh, cant say i disagree tbh

im hoping it's not the case this year

[Johnny RIngo]

He's an expiring contract, right? Could be useful for a future trade....

[Seventyniner]

Yup Nando+Neal could be good if Nando handles the ball, would only make Neal deadlier to be able to play off the ball.

I actually see this as a potential trade scenario for the Spurs. If Nando + Neal works out well enough, the Spurs could actually trade Danny Green and start Manu. Green + Bonner (mostly unguaranteed next year) + Mills (assuming Neal can become anything better than an atrocious defender) can bring back up to $11M in salary if my numbers are right. It's a relatively enticing package for a team trying to shed salary.

[superjames1992]

Maybe we should shut down Manu for a solid amount of time. We don't really need him at this point in the season and we need his back to be okay long-term for the playoffs.

I don't know; it makes me sad to see him struggle with injuries over the last few years.

[CGD]

$14,107,492

Meh, Spurs got a of a deal early on in his career.

[Uriel]

The notion that this could be Manu's last season with the team is becoming more and more realistic. That would no doubt be a difficult reality for Spurs fans to swallow. But even though Manu at his best can still be a game changer, it cannot be denied that with the sheer depth of this team, going forward, he isn't nearly as valuable as he once was.

[Kidd K]

Well, so much for another 2-3 years before we start to suck. Looks like it might start now.

Yeah, Ginobili's always hurt, but we won't win without him. Nobody on the team can carry enough load to help Tony and Timmy. Tim's too old to dominate the way he used to, and Tony's never really been an MVP type guy, just a great wingman.

If this back this is truly a career-ending type thing, we're basically just a better version of what the Hawks were for years. We'll win 50. . .but it won't mean come playoff time. We're 2nd round team at best without Manu. I hope this stuff about his injury being that significant is just doomsaying nonsense, and not entirely founded in reality.

[timvp]

Tbh, I think it's good news that Ginobili is questionable and not definitely out. I don't expect him to play (I'd be shocked if he did play) but there's still hope this is just a minor thing that keeps flaring up.

At least I hope it is. There's simply no way that the Spurs can do much in the playoffs without Ginobili.

[superjames1992]

Perhaps Manu can develop into more of a perimeter shooter like Brent Berry did late in his career.

Once Manu (and Timmy) retires, the Spurs won't be the same. Makes me sad. It's been amazing that we've been able to keep those two and Tony together on one team for so long. Not many teams these days can say that.

Yeah, who do you think is going to carry the team in the playoffs together with Tim and Tony?... Neal? De Colo?. Good luck with that

Bonner.

[racm]

Tbh, I think it's good news that Ginobili is questionable and not definitely out. I don't expect him to play (I'd be shocked if he did play) but there's still hope this is just a minor thing that keeps flaring up.

At least I hope it is. There's simply no way that the Spurs can do much in the playoffs without Ginobili.

Better him being out now than in April, tbh...

Also at all the meltdowns - I swear some of you just do it to repeat a tired shtick.

[Stabula]

Well, so much for another 2-3 years before we start to suck. Looks like it might start now.

Tim's too old to dominate the way he used to

Not so fast...

[superbigtime]

Poor Manu, he must be very frustrated. He did make alot of slashing moves and twists to the basket vs Portalnd, that would rack up anyone else's back. I think shutting him down for a few games and/or limiting him to home games for a couple weeks may be the right thing. Who knows though. Typical scenario of him being tantalizingly close to returning to form. Hope this doesn't turn out to be a scenario like it was for Peja Stojakovic a couple years ago, always out with back spasms (he was on my fantasy team lol). Honestly as long as Manu's ankles are okay, he will be playing when it counts. He'll play with his head ripped off.

[jon123spurs]

Ric Renner (@RicRenFSSW) tweeted at 8:13 PM on Tue, Nov 13, 2012:
Spurs are at 100% tonite..Knicks are up big on Orlando in the closing moments..so, NYK will come into ATT Thurs as the NBA's only Undefeated. Maybe manu is playing.

[intlspurshk]

SPURS have to shallow some losses to develop the young players like Mill and Nando, maybe CJ as well. It also helps to move up in the draft. It's not like SPURS will be a contender for this season when the team's big 3 become big 1.5 whereas other contenders have legitmate big 3 or even big 3.5.

[racm]

SPURS have to shallow some losses to develop the young players like Mill and Nando, maybe CJ as well. It also helps to move up in the draft. It's not like SPURS will be a contender for this season when the team's big 3 become big 1.5 whereas other contenders have legitmate big 3 or even big 3.5.

You'd seriously blow Tim Duncan's final contract on a tanking session?

The Spurs could use moving up in the draft but they've done their best with late first rounders. See George Hill (26th) compared to James Anderson (20th).

[HI-FI]

guess I'll go back to tempering my playoff hopes. I suppose it's better to have this stuff happen now before we resign him to a new deal, just so the FO has a more complete picture. He certainly hasn't been Capt. Reliable the past few years. I know he's a unique player but are there any Ginobli-esque guys out there?

[ElNono]

Non-Issue

[Spursfan092120]

WE'RE 6 AND ING 1!!! Either jump off the cliff or come back to reality. Settle down. Manu hasn't been healthy for any game yet, and we're 6 and 1.

[jestersmash]

The NBATV on court reporter said Ginobili took about 20-30 practice shots but was "grimacing" throughout. He stretched before and after.

[HI-FI]

Non-Issue

Let's pay him a lot and sign him long term, plus trade Bonner
/El Nnono

[ElNono]

Let's pay him a lot and sign him long term, plus trade Bonner
/El Nnono

Not a lot... If Tim gets $10m/season in his twilight, Manu for $8m/season if he wants to continue for 2 more seasons is reasonable.

Bonner has to go though.

[spectator]

man, this does not look good for poor manu. if he continues to struggle with his back, will the spurs try to sign him again? will they afford a max-type contract?

[Kidd K]

Not so fast...

lol, true true.

But I mean like. . .if we assume Manu's gone (hypothetically), we would need at least 2007 Duncan to win. Maybe een 2005 Duncan. Don't think we'd quite need the 2002 or 2003 Super Duncan, but basically right now we have 2010 Duncan. . .which as nice as that is, won't be enough since the rest of the team won't be able to overcome all these super teams we're seein now.