Ginobili out for weeks, could miss start of the playoffs (Edit: out 3-4 weeks)

[chapnis]

April fools? Back for Orlando?

[dbreiden83080]

Manu still brings important leadership to the team that is unreplaced

That doesn't make him the 3rd best player on the team. He can't handle any physical play anymore without needing an extended vacation. And the palyoffs are very physical..

[superjames1992]

We're absolutely screwed for as long as Pop gifts Manu's minutes to Gary "2 of 8" Neal. Give them to Patty, Nando, ANYONE else.

+10000000000000000.

Assuming Manu can make it to the first round, he should be in rhythm and hopefully playing well by the second round, so we should be fine. Unless he injures himself again, that is...

Considering the plethora of injuries Manu has experienced over the years, he tends to avoid injuries that keep him sidelined in the playoffs. I know he missed the entire 2009 playoffs (and we got prison raped by Dallas, as a result), but I don't think he's ever missed another playoff game aside from that year (correct me if I'm wrong)?

EDIT: As Rob says, Manu missed game 1 vs. the Grizzlies in 2011. We lost that series 4-2 and lost the first game 101-98, which set the series spiraling into disaster.

[Robz4000]

+10000000000000000.

Assuming Manu can make it to the first round, he should be in rhythmic and hopefully playing well by the second round, so we should be fine. Unless he injures himself again, that is...

Considering the plethora of injuries Manu has experienced over the years, he tends to avoid injuries that keep him sidelined in the playoffs. I know he missed the entire 2009 playoffs (and we got prison raped by Dallas, as a result), but I don't think he's ever missed another playoff game aside from that year (correct me if I'm wrong)?

Game 1 against the Grizz in the 2011 Playoffs...

[boutons_deux]

Manu takes so long to get back in rhythm, he's done this season.

[superjames1992]

Game 1 against the Grizz in the 2011 Playoffs...

Damn, I forgot about that one. Granted, I've tried to wipe that sickening playoff series from my memory.

[ElNono]

Game 1 against the Grizz in the 2011 Playoffs...

That would be the game Manu wanted to play but Pop decided to be cautious and sit him out. I'm hoping Pop learned from that one.

[TMTTRIO]

good news is I think Manu will think about retirement now (he said he would wait and see how he's feeling at the end of the season).

[siraulo23]

with ginobili, it's more like 5-6 weeks tbh

[jag]

[ElNono]

Brent Barry saying on NBATV that Pop just gives long estimates so journalists stops asking him about when player X is coming back

[chapnis]

Brent Barry saying on NBATV that Pop just gives long estimates so journalists stops asking him about when player X is coming back

So true, except for Kawhis tendonitis :/

[maverick1948]

With Manu out for a long time, Pop needs to have a talk with De Colo asking him to take more responsibilities offensively.

I think the main reason why De Colo is doing so little offensively is because he just doesn't want to do mistakes that will put him in the doghouse. Pop needs to tell him that he has to do more play-making wise but also that he will lengthen his leash and not bench him at his first mistake. I'm not really sure that Nando can carry a bigger load, but he is Spurs best outside playmaker outside of Tony and Manu.

Nando has carried the load in Europe. He can carry the load here. He will carry the load. Knowing he is going to get good minutes on consistant basis, he will step up. He needs time with the 1st team. He needs time with Timmy, Tony and Splitter. The biggest thing to come out of this is for Danny Green. He will see more minutes with Nando. I see a small drop off for a few games, but Nando will got the confidence he needs to head into the playoffs. Even if Manu returns, he will see more game action.

[kaji157]

Ginobili will be Spurs best player during the playoffs.
Mark it.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

tbh manu will probaby be ready before the playoffs start. this is just pop being overly cautious like always imo.

[therealtruth]

Isn't it ironic when Pop finally decided to stop play around with Ginobili's minutes in '11 he averaged a career high in minutes and stayed healthy? Pop treats Ginobili like a china doll which has prevented him from getting his rhythm and allows him to get these strain type of injuries. Another example is Splitter. Pop messed around with his minutes last year and he had all these injury issues. He finally decides to just play him and he's played every single game.

[freetiago]

Isn't it ironic when Pop finally decided to stop play around with Ginobili's minutes in '11 he averaged a career high in minutes and stayed healthy? Pop treats Ginobili like a china doll which has prevented him from getting his rhythm and allows him to get these strain type of injuries. Another example is Splitter. Pop messed around with his minutes last year and he had all these injury issues. He finally decides to just play him and he's played every single game.

strong username to post content ratio

[maverick1948]

None of those guys are a viable option tbqh.

Gary Neal's a chucker.
Patty's probably the worst defender/playmaker out of all our guards.
Nando is Boris Diaw in a guard's body. Defenders don't have to worry about him because he'll never look to score.

Would you feel better if you had a player who averaged per 36 11 pt 5 reb 5 asst 1.4 steal and only 3 TO's? How about 46% from the field and 41.5% from 3 pt? Those are De Colo's numbers for the year. Not bad after the start he had. I say give him the ball and let him play 25 to 28 mins and see what happens.

[TheGoldStandard]

Would you feel better if you had a player who averaged per 36 11 pt 5 reb 5 asst 1.4 steal and only 3 TO's? How about 46% from the field and 41.5% from 3 pt? Those are De Colo's numbers for the year. Not bad after the start he had. I say give him the ball and let him play 25 to 28 mins and see what happens.

Nah, here you go Gary go get em' and don't let up even if the shots not there.

[kobyz]

That doesn't make him the 3rd best player on the team. He can't handle any physical play anymore without needing an extended vacation. And the palyoffs are very physical..

thats different question, we don't talk whether he could stay healthy or not, we talk how much he's important to the team when he does play and i think he is the 3rd or 4th best player, cause even with his not shining play he still give impact and brings intangibles that make the team better.

[oski1000]

If Manu will be out of playoff the spurs are done in the second round.

[KaiRMD1]

2011 anyone?

[Budkin]

2011 anyone?

Feels like it.

[timtonymanu]

Feels like it.

Could be the same result, but the 2011 Grizzlies are better than any 1st round opponent we are getting this year. Plus this team is more suited for the playoffs than that 2011 fools gold team. The only major downgrade from the current Spurs is Manu Ginobili compared to 2011.

[james evans]

ginobli needs to retire. it's not that he gets hurt a lot, but a lot of times, his flopping leads to him getting hurt.