"Its one of the best moments of my life" -Manu

[nkdlunch]

"Es uno de los mejores momentos de mi vida"
El bahiense habló sobre su gran presente en la NBA



Es la gran figura del deporte argentino en la actualidad. Su presente lo transforma en ídolo en San Antonio y en una de las grandes atraciones de la liga de basquetbol más importante del mundo, la NBA. Emanuel Ginóbili atraviesa "uno de los mejores momentos de su vida", pero planea mejorarlo. "Mi plan es llegar a la final", dice un Manu auténtico y ganador.

¿Cómo ha sido esta serie frente a Denver?

-Muy difícil, no tuvimos el primer juego ideal y ha sido complicada. Ellos tienen un gran equipo y necesitamos seguir mejorando para salir vencedores en esta serie.

¿Qué se necesita para que los Spurs ganen esta primera rueda?

-Tenemos que mejorar nuestro juego y ser más fuertes. Tendremos que seguir siendo agresivos porque ellos también lo han sido. Tenemos que sumar más rebotes y perder menos el balón, simplemente ser más agresivos.

¿Cómo es tu experiencia en estos NBA Playoffs comparada con la del año anterior?

-Es algo similar porque cada técnico y jugador sabe que las oportunidades de fallar son menores. Ya cometimos varios errores en el primer juego y no lo queremos repetir. La única diferencia a mi favor es que estoy más acostumbrado a la liga, más establecido y se qué esperar de mí y me siento muy cómodo.

¿Cuáles son tus sensaciones al jugar en los Playoffs?

-Es algo único, me encanta y cada jugador debe vivir esto. Me siento muy satisfecho de lograr participar en esta postemporada, me gusta el ambiente, la adrenalina, la presión y creo que estoy pasando uno de los mejores momentos de mi vida. Mi plan es llegar a las finales.

¿Se puede comparar la intensidad de los Playoffs con la intensidad de otros torneos como los Juegos Olímpicos?

-Hay mucha adrenalina en estos torneos también. Pero en los Olímpicos es más complicado porque sólo tienes una oportunidad. Sólo puedes tener un mal partido y no te puedes permitir el tener errores. El margen de error es mínimo comparado con los Playoffs.

¿Cómo está San Antonio para los Playoffs?

-Creo que estamos en una buena forma. Entendemos los errores que hemos cometido y tendremos que mantener nuestro nivel y demostrar el porqué estamos acá. Este es un gran equipo, creo que podemos llegar al final y pelearemos esto.

¿Y tus compañeros?

-Creo que todo el equipo está en una gran condición física y anímica. Tuvimos algunas preocupaciones por la salud de Tim (Duncan) el mes pasado. Estábamos jugando muy bien pero cuando tu jugador estelar está lesionado de alguna manera todo el grupo lo siente. Él se preocupa y tratamos de animarlo y creo que esa fue de alguna manera la razón por la cual descendimos nuestro nivel al final de la temporada regular.

¿Qué opinas de la presencia de otro argentino esté en los Playoffs?

-Es muy triste que Carlos (Delfino) no haya quedado en la lista porque es una oportunidad muy importante el participar en los NBA Playoffs. Pero él ha tenido muchos problemas con su rodilla y es normal que no lo hayan incluido en el plantel de los Playoffs. Por otra parte estoy muy feliz porque Andrés (Nocioni) tuvo un gran primer juego y espero que siga así durante toda la serie. Además hace parte de uno de los equipos sorpresas de la liga en la presente temporada. Los Chicago Bulls han tenido una gran campaña y ya veremos qué tan lejos llegan con un plantel tan joven.

¿Cuál es tu opinión del récord de jugadores latinos participando en los Playoffs?

-Delfíno y (Anderson) Varejao estuvieron muy cerca de llegar pero creo que este número seguirá creciendo cada año y no tengo duda de esto. He escuchado de varios chicos brasileros pueden llegar a la liga pronto yestoy muy optimista de que un par de argentinos nos acompañen también. El nivel del baloncesto en Latinoamérica está creciendo y por esto veremos cada vez más latinos en la NBA.

[nkdlunch]

"It's one of the best moments of my life"
Manu spoke about his great present in the NBA


He is the main figure in today's Argentinian Sport. He is presently an idol in
San Antonio and one of the great attractions in the most important league in the world, the NBA. Emanuel Ginobili is going through "one of the best moments of his life", but plans to improve it. "My plan is to get to the finals", says Manu always authentic and a winner.

How has this series against Denver been?

-Very difficult, we didn't have the ideal first game and its been complicated. They have a great team and we need to keep getting better to come out winners of this series.

What is needed of the Spurs for them to come out winners of this round?

-We need to better our game and be stronger. We need to keep being aggressive because they have been aggressive. We need to add more rebounds and less turnovers, simply be more agressive.


How is your experience in this year's playoffs compared to last year's?

-It's similar because each coach and player knows the chances of failure are less. We've already committed various errors in the first game and we don't want to repeat them. The only difference at my advantage is that I'm more accustomed to the league, more established and know what to expect from me and am very comfortable.

What are your feelings when playing in the Playoffs?

-It's something unique, I love it and every player should experience it. I feel very satisfied of being able to compete in this postseason, I love the environment, adrenaline, pressure and I think I'm living one of the best moments of my life. My plan is to reach the finals.

Can you compare the intensity of the Playoffs with the intensity of other tournaments like the Olympics?

-There's a lot of adrenaline in this tournaments too. But in the Olympics its more complicated because you only have one chance. You only can have one bad game and you can't commit any mistakes. The margin of error is minimal compared to the Playoffs.

How ready is San Antonio for these Playoffs?

-I think we are in good shape. We understand that some mistakes we made and we'll have to maintain our level and show why we're here. This is a great team, I think we can reach the finals and we'll fight for this.

And your teammates?

-I think the whole team is in great physical and mental shape. We had some worries for Tim's health last month. We were playing great but when your star player is injured the whole team feels it. He was worried and we tried to comfort him and that in some way was the reason why we lowered our level in the regular season.


What do you think of the presense of another Argentinian in the Playoffs?

-It's very sad that Delfino wasn't on the playoff roster because its a very important opportunity for him. But he's had many problems with his knee and it's normal not to include him. On the other hand I'm very happy for Nocioni's great first game and home he maintains it the whole series. Plus he is being part of one of the surprise teams in the season. The Bulls have had a great campaign and we'll see how far they can go with such a young team.

What's your oppinion on the record number of latin players in the Playoffs?

-Delfino and Varejao were very close of reaching the Playoffs but I think the number of players will keep growing every year and have no doubt about it. I've heard there are various brazilian kids that can reach the league soon and am hopeful a couple of argentinians can accompany them too. The level of basketball in LatinAmerica is growing and thus we'll see more and more latins in the NBA.

[duncan2k5]

i really wish there were college scouts for high school players in the Virgin Islands. there are some really good players there, but many dont get the chance to get chosen by a college unless they do everything by themselves or go to a states high school to get recognized. many colleges are missing out on some serious talent. i know how manu feels about his hometown people making it in the NBA because its a proud feeling. i even feel proud when some of us make it to D1 colleges to play. and i think people back home (i dont mean to offend anyone) play ball more seriously than states people. many times i play up here and people are doing all kinds of AND1 moves all the time and all these gimmicks and tricks to impress girls and stuff. back home people do that when they are just having fun, but when we are playing streetball or anything like that they dont do all that dribbling on people's head craziness. its annoing when im trying to play a serious game in states and people are dancing on the court with the ball trying to make girls laugh. dont get me wrong. there are many dedicated states people when it comes to ball, but i think there are relatively just as many back home that need to be given a chance. if timmy didn't go states no one but us back home would ever know the talent he has. sorry for the long rant

[samikeyp]

"George Karl es el Maricon"

[LilMissSPURfect]

i really wish there were college scouts for high school players in the Virgin Islands. there are some really good players there, but many dont get the chance to get chosen by a college unless they do everything by themselves or go to a states high school to get recognized. many colleges are missing out on some serious talent. i know how manu feels about his hometown people making it in the NBA because its a proud feeling. i even feel proud when some of us make it to D1 colleges to play. and i think people back home (i dont mean to offend anyone) play ball more seriously than states people. many times i play up here and people are doing all kinds of AND1 moves all the time and all these gimmicks and tricks to impress girls and stuff. back home people do that when they are just having fun, but when we are playing streetball or anything like that they dont do all that dribbling on people's head craziness. its annoing when im trying to play a serious game in states and people are dancing on the court with the ball trying to make girls laugh. dont get me wrong. there are many dedicated states people when it comes to ball, but i think there are relatively just as many back home that need to be given a chance. if timmy didn't go states no one but us back home would ever know the talent he has. sorry for the long rant

Luckily for us Timmy indeed came to the states!

[drivanroca]

I agree with Flash gordon

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Let me try my hand at translating:


"It's one of the best moments of my life"
Manu spoke about how freaking great he is.


How has this series against Denver been?

-Very difficult, we hit the crapper during the fourth quarter of the first game and gave these morons hope. They have limited offensive weapons and a proven playoff loser as a coach, but thanks to that first game meltdown we need to keep getting better to come out winners of this series.

What is needed of the Spurs for them to come out winners of this round?

Didn't I just answer this question? What are you. . .deaf?! Next question.

How is your experience in this year's playoffs compared to last year's?

-I'm a freaking all-star this year! That's the primary difference. And see this gold medal hanging around my neck??? All I can say is scoreboard mutha fvckers!

What are your feelings when playing in the Playoffs?

-It's something unique, I love it and every player should experience it. Occassionally my nerves act up and I have to pee right before pregame introductions, but I hold it in until halftime. Other than that it's pretty much the usual, usual for me. Score points, win games, yada yada yada. My plan is to reach the finals, of course, because I am, as they say in my country, Numero Uno!

Can you compare the intensity of the Playoffs with the intensity of other tournaments like the Olympics?

-The Playoffs last a lot longer than the Olympics, and the cheerleaders are hotter. The fact that I receive a big fat paycheck versus a gold medallion is not a bad NBA perk either. The Olympics basically wore me out for this never-ending post season created to make the owners rich, but I'm going to get through it because I am, as they say in my country, Numero Uno!

How ready is San Antonio for these Playoffs?

-For a banged up hodge-podge of international and aging local talent taking orders from a pock-marked militeristic control freak we're in pretty good shape. This is a great team, especially considering our salary base, I think we can reach the finals and as usual we'll fight for the best seats on the team's charter.

And your teammates?

-What the fvck do you keep asking me the same questions over and over for? Did you prescript your questions and now are too stupid to deviate from your little notepad? You're a moron! Next question. Fvck!

What do you think of the presense of another Argentinian in the Playoffs?

-One guy's got a bum knee and another plays on a team with no chance of reaching the finals. For what it's worth I'm happy for them, I guess. But, as I like to say in my country, I am Numero Uno! So who gives a fvck about those other guys.

What's your oppinion on the record number of latin players in the Playoffs?

-WTF? You are one racist muther fvcker. When my Spurs win the le there will be only one latin player that matters. . .me! Numero Uno! I'll have the NBA trophy to put next to my gold medal! This interview is officially over. Get out of my face!






I think that's how it went if I'm not mistaken, my spanish is a little rusty.

[nkdlunch]

^^

[Samr]

To go along with what he said about more and more foreign players, I love it how the Spurs are going Moah's-Ark on the league and getting players in pairs. Beno and Rasho from Slovenia, Manu and (soon to be) Scola from Argentina. The Spurs have a legitimate shot at snagging Tony's younger brother, T.J. when he enters the upcomming draft as well.

I hope they get T.J. He's raw, but I think playing with his brother will really help his game, and confidence, improve. I am just worried that the Mad Chemist (Pop) will avoid getting T.J. because of sibling rivalry.

[Kori Ellis]

The Spurs have a legitimate shot at snagging Tony's younger brother, T.J. when he enters the upcomming draft as well.

I hope they get T.J. He's raw, but I think playing with his brother will really help his game, and confidence, improve. I am just worried that the Mad Chemist (Pop) will avoid getting T.J. because of sibling rivalry.

TJ is not even close to being skilled enough to make the NBA. He'll likely end up playing in Europe this upcoming season, but many people close to him don't even think he has the talent to make a decent Euro team.

[T Park]

TJ Parker stinks.

[Dre_7]

Yeah, hes pretty bad!

Living in Madison Wi, I see him play quite a bit. Not an NBA caliber player.

[Dre_7]

Or is it another Parker brother that plays for NW?

Cant member.

Does he have another brother?

[Rick Von Braun]

Let me try my hand at translating:


"It's one of the best moments of my life"
Manu spoke about how freaking great he is.


How has this series against Denver been?

-Very difficult, we hit the crapper during the fourth quarter of the first game and gave these morons hope. They have limited offensive weapons and a proven playoff loser as a coach, but thanks to that first game meltdown we need to keep getting better to come out winners of this series.

What is needed of the Spurs for them to come out winners of this round?

Didn't I just answer this question? What are you. . .deaf?! Next question.

How is your experience in this year's playoffs compared to last year's?

-I'm a freaking all-star this year! That's the primary difference. And see this gold medal hanging around my neck??? All I can say is scoreboard mutha fvckers!

What are your feelings when playing in the Playoffs?

-It's something unique, I love it and every player should experience it. Occassionally my nerves act up and I have to pee right before pregame introductions, but I hold it in until halftime. Other than that it's pretty much the usual, usual for me. Score points, win games, yada yada yada. My plan is to reach the finals, of course, because I am, as they say in my country, Numero Uno!

Can you compare the intensity of the Playoffs with the intensity of other tournaments like the Olympics?

-The Playoffs last a lot longer than the Olympics, and the cheerleaders are hotter. The fact that I receive a big fat paycheck versus a gold medallion is not a bad NBA perk either. The Olympics basically wore me out for this never-ending post season created to make the owners rich, but I'm going to get through it because I am, as they say in my country, Numero Uno!

How ready is San Antonio for these Playoffs?

-For a banged up hodge-podge of international and aging local talent taking orders from a pock-marked militeristic control freak we're in pretty good shape. This is a great team, especially considering our salary base, I think we can reach the finals and as usual we'll fight for the best seats on the team's charter.

And your teammates?

-What the fvck do you keep asking me the same questions over and over for? Did you prescript your questions and now are too stupid to deviate from your little notepad? You're a moron! Next question. Fvck!

What do you think of the presense of another Argentinian in the Playoffs?

-One guy's got a bum knee and another plays on a team with no chance of reaching the finals. For what it's worth I'm happy for them, I guess. But, as I like to say in my country, I am Numero Uno! So who gives a fvck about those other guys.

What's your oppinion on the record number of latin players in the Playoffs?

-WTF? You are one racist muther fvcker. When my Spurs win the le there will be only one latin player that matters. . .me! Numero Uno! I'll have the NBA trophy to put next to my gold medal! This interview is officially over. Get out of my face!






I think that's how it went if I'm not mistaken, my spanish is a little rusty.

[GoSpurs21]

Let me try my hand at translating:

Your translation sounded more like something the illiterate jackasses of the league would say. Kenyon came to mind while reading your translation. I would hope a Spurs never sounded that stupid.