Ginobili, Splitter to miss tomorrow's game in New Orleans

[Uriel]

Buck Harvey ‏ @Buck_SA
Not on the charter to New Orleans, according to those who know: Splitter and Ginobili. Less about injuries than the 5 games in six nights.

http://twitter.com/#!/Buck_SA/status/183408351575683072

I guess that implies Duncan and Parker may play against the Hornets tomorrow.

[housious]

I figured Manu would rest. Would be nice to have Parker back.

[Mel_13]

Buck Harvey ‏ @Buck_SA Close
Not on the charter to New Orleans, according to those who know: Splitter and Ginobili. Less about injuries than the 5 games in six nights.

http://twitter.com/#!/Buck_SA/status/183408351575683072

I guess that implies Duncan and Parker may play against the Hornets tomorrow.

And that Duncan won't play on Sunday v. Philly.

[Redshadows]

Manu got hurt or just have a rest?

[GSH]

This is really starting to feel like another playoff run without a healthy Manu.

[100%duncan]

Manu won't play b2b right. Don't overreact

[Dex]

Less about injuries than the 5 games in six nights.

Reading is fundamental, ya'll.

Ginobili is fine.

[crc21209]

Manu just isnt in sync yet. That's fine, just get him back into the flow slowly but surely. The Spurs can take New Orleans tomorrow with TP, Green, Leonard, TD, Blair, Jackson, Neal, Diaw, and Bonner....

[roycrikside]

This is really starting to feel like another playoff run without a healthy Manu.

He's still working his way up to full health and he wants to peak for the playoffs instead of fading for them. He got 28 minutes today and a lot of PG time the last two games, so that's a good sign. Also, he was more active defensively/rebounding today, so that's a positive.

I think by the time April starts, they'll start letting him play back-to-backs. As long as he plays in the Philly game, I wouldn't worry.

[timvp]

I'm surprised Duncan went on the plane, tbh.

[GSH]

Reading is fundamental, ya'll.

Ginobili is fine.

I read the part about him not being on the plane. Usually if a player is healthy, they are at the game. I know it doesn't have to be that way, but it's a pretty good sign.

It also says LESS about injuries - like maybe their injuries aren't that bad. Doesn't mean they don't have them. And Manu has had a lot of them this year. Thus the comment.

[Sean Cagney]

No biggie tonight is the game I wanted, hopefully tomorrow they can get that win without some but man tonight was sweet. Sunday I aim for mostly though, have to get that one and try to steal tomorrow lol.

[roycrikside]

I'm surprised Duncan went on the plane, tbh.

If he plays, then I have to say I LOVE the strategy by Pop of going for wins in all three games, trying to earn that 1 seed.

This is the only way we can play 2 of the big 3 in all three games, and that's the best way to win all 3.

Let Tim rest the last game against Philly, a small ball team. Tony can play these next two games and Manu plays the 1st and 3rd.

[crc21209]

I'm surprised Duncan went on the plane, tbh.

I like it. Try and win the 2 division games, and rest him on Sunday...

[roycrikside]

I'm surprised Duncan went on the plane, tbh.

Maybe the original plan called for Tim to not go, but Tiago's injury changed that and they need more bigs. My concern is things like this will cause Pop to bench Splitter in the stretch because he'll think he can't trust him and he's too soft.

[Spursmania]

And Duncan, holding up better than his teammates. He probably needs the rest more but his teammates seem to more fragile than he is. Sucks...

[Dex]

I read the part about him not being on the plane. Usually if a player is healthy, they are at the game. I know it doesn't have to be that way, but it's a pretty good sign.

It also says LESS about injuries - like maybe their injuries aren't that bad. Doesn't mean they don't have them. And Manu has had a lot of them this year. Thus the comment.

Agreed that a player usually travels with the team, but the team usually isn't playing three games in three nights either, which is probably why he's making the exception this time. No need to make the guy go through the trouble of traveling if he's not going to play: let him stay home and rest, and be here and ready for Sunday night.

I'm no psychic, so who knows how Ginobili is really feeling. But I don't think this report is much to get worked up about. If anything, people should be more concerned about Splitter.

[JsnSA]

Yeah, I figured it would be Tim and Manu out tomorrow. I wonder what the deal is with Tiago's back spasm's ? Any potential to be lingering???

[Spurs da champs]

Well he's the only center on the team besides Splitter's weak ass, so what do you expect?

[Trainwreck2100]

so pop is working it so each game has 2 of the big 3, interesting

[rasho8]

Tim works tomorrow. Tiago works Sunday. Gives you one real big and let's Diaw have a lot of minutes.

Good plan.

[TE]

This thing with Tiago is starting to worry me.

[Richie]

Tim shouldn't play after 30+ tonight

[TE]

Anybody know how severe his back spasms are as they have been do ented so far?

[GSH]

Agreed that a player usually travels with the team, but the team usually isn't playing three games in three nights either, which is probably why he's making the exception this time. No need to make the guy go through the trouble of traveling if he's not going to play: let him stay home and rest, and be here and ready for Sunday night.

I'm no psychic, so who knows how Ginobili is really feeling. But I don't think think this report is much to get worked up about. If anything, people should be more concerned about Splitter.

I probably should have phrased it differently. It's starting to feel like we won't have a 100% Manu for the playoffs this year. Does that make more sense? (For the record, I don't attend CoP or CoM. They're both essential.) After the hand injury, there was a lot of talk about him getting fully back into shape before the playoffs. That's tough when you're not in games. And you have to admit that something looked wrong the last couple of games.

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have an 80% Manu than none at all. I just see the regular season winding down, and it just feels like there are little delays. I hope you're 100% right, and Manu is 100% healthy for the post-season. I know that's the idea. The good news is that with the recent personnel moves, I feel like 80% Manu might be enough.