Manu couldn't sleep and wrote an article (need translation)

[WalterBenitez]

"Hay que ponerse el chaleco salvavidas y empezar a remar"
Por Manu Ginóbili
Para LA NACION

SAN ANTONIO, EE.UU.- 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15. No, no estoy proponiendo un problema a resolver tipo Adrián Paenza; ningún acertijo ni nada para romperse la cabeza: simplemente hice referencia a los días que nos tocó jugar en la primera mitad de marzo. ¡Diez juegos en 15 días! No sé si ando desmemoriado, pero no recuerdo un calendario así desde que estoy en la NBA. No hubiera sido tan duro si al menos de esos 10 juegos seis o siete eran en casa, pero fue todo lo opuesto, sólo tres en San Antonio y el resto deambulando por distintas ciudades. ¡Una locura total!, pero mucho no se puede hacer. Hay que ponerse el chaleco salvavidas y empezar a remar.

¿Con esto quiero decir que estoy tranquilo esperando que la racha cambie? ¡No!, para nada... Nunca fui de poner excusas, y el hecho de jugar muchos partidos no lo es tampoco. Estoy enojado, un poco triste y con muchas ganas de revertir la situación. Después de un partido como el último con Boston, uno piensa mil veces en lo que pasó, los tiros que erró, los que metió el rival, las jugadas hechas, las que podríamos haber hecho, decisiones equivocadas y muchas otras cosas más. ¿Seremos todos así los jugadores? La verdad es que no lo creo, a veces veo compañeros o rivales muy relajados, tranquilos y sonrientes después de las derrotas y pienso: ¿por qué no puedo ser así? Al fin y al cabo son sólo un par de partidos más dentro de los 82 que tiene la temporada regular, ¿no? No, no hay caso, soy así y me molesta perder, debe estar en los genes.

Lamentablemente estamos pasando por un momento difícil. No creo que sea una crisis irrecuperable ni mucho menos, pero con la paridad que hay en la conferencia Oeste, cada partido que se pierde es un paso más lejos de tener ventaja deportiva en los playoffs. ¡Pensar que hace una semana estábamos primeros! Perdimos dos juegos y pasamos al 3ro y ahora al 6to.

Entonces ¿puede ser que pasemos de ser tan buenos a tan malos en tan poco tiempo? ¿O de jugar tan mal a tan bien? No, muy poco cambió. En los 11 partidos que ganamos seguidos no jugamos impecablemente. Simplemente cerramos mejor algunos juegos, metimos un poco más y otros fueron con rivales de menor jerarquía que los de este mes. Vale la pena recordar que les ganamos a Milwaukee, Minnesota y New York, equipos que no jugarán los playoffs, con conversiones en los últimos segundos de cada juego. Tampoco se había jugado bien, sólo que mucha gente se olvida porque al lado de esos juegos ahora hay una G (ganado) en lugar de una P (perdido). No éramos tan buenos ahí ni somos tan malos ahora, eso lo tenemos claro.

¿Lo bueno de todo esto? Que faltan aún 15 juegos, tenemos mucho por mejorar y estamos a tres triunfos de la punta. ¿Lo malo? Que faltan nada más que 15 partidos, no estamos jugando bien y quedamos a tres encuentros de estar fuera de los playoffs. Increíble, ¿no?

Cambiando de tema, creo que merece un párrafo aparte la racha de Luis y sus Rockets. En realidad merecerían una columna entera, pero son nuestros rivales y posiblemente nos crucemos en playoffs, por lo que mi ego no permite hablar mucho de ellos. De todas maneras sí voy a decir que es admirable lo que están haciendo: 22 partidos seguidos, segunda racha de victorias consecutivas en la historia de la NBA, ¿qué tal? Eso demuestra con creces lo difícil que es de lograr. Ni los Bulls de las 70 victorias llegaron a una racha así. Alcanzar las 10 pasa bastante seguido, pero a partir de ahí se hace cuesta arriba porque uno tiende involuntariamente a sentirse satisfecho y bajar la guardia, agrandarse como le dicen los pibes en el barrio, pero a ellos no les pasó, ni siquiera parecen estar heridos después de la lamentable noticia de la lesión de Yao Ming, un all star y jugador decisivo en su esquema, y también, en menor medida, de la de Carl Landry, un jugador que les estaba dando minutos de calidad y agresividad desde el banco. ¡Clap, clap! Mis respetos a los Rockets, que de estar décimos antes de arrancar la seguidilla pasaron al primer lugar y de forma solitaria, también obviamente a nuestro querido Luis Alberto Scola, que está teniendo una tremenda temporada y no sólo se ha convertido en pieza clave de su equipo, sino que seguramente en uno de los mejores tres debutantes de la temporada. Si su equipo y él siguen así, sus acciones continuarán en alza y tendrá grandes posibilidades de ser nombrado "Rookie of the Year", galardón reservado a sólo unos pocos. ¡Luifa, querido! ¡Tenés mi voto! Aunque lamentablemente nosotros no votamos.

www.manuginobili.com

Sin poder dormir

Porque no podía conciliar el sueño tras la derrota ante Boston, Manu Ginóbili escribió esta columna a las 4 de la mañana de ayer, desde su casa en San Antonio.

[WalterBenitez]

My ultra super condensed summary ...

"1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15 ... days of march we played... 10 games in 15 days... don't rememeber anything like that in my NBA career... mostly of them on the road"

"I am upset (?), little sad... after Boston games I thought hundred of times what happened, shots I missed, the ones that Boston made, plays made... Are all players the same? I don’t think so, sometimes I see my team mates and/or rivals relaxed, calm and smiling after losing a game ... I am not like that ... I don’t like to lose."

"In the last 11 win streak, we didn’t play well (?)"

"Anything good about this situation? We still have 15 games ahead."

--------------
PS:

1. Used (?) when I don't know the exact word in english...

2. It is partial translation, later Manu talks about Houston and Luis Scola, since many sensitive fans can read this I will avoid that part

[Southwest Texas Fan]

I read the article and wow Manu losing sleep over the smallest details. If the team gets it together come playoff time I love our chances against any team with Manu on our side. This guy does not like to lose. And props to him for giving Luis and his team tons of kudos. Great article.

[1Parker1]

Are all players the same? I don’t think so, sometimes I see my team mates and/or rivals relaxed, calm and smiling after losing a game

Uh-oh...wonder who he's talking about on the team....

[urunobili]

“You have to put on the life vest and start swimming”

By Manu Ginobili

San Antonio, USA. - 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15. No, I am not proposing a math challenge like Adrian Paenza, no crosswords nor anything to think too much: I simply referred to the days we had to play on March’s first half. 10 games in 15 days! I don’t know if it is my memory failing, but I don’t remember a calendar like this since I am in the NBA. It wouldn’t have been this hard if it wasn’t that from those 10 games, 6 or 7 were played at home, but it actually was the opposite, just 3 in San Antonio and the rest going through different cities. Totally Crazy!, but there’s not much you can do, you have to put on your life vest and start swimming.

With all this i am meaning that i am waiting for the streak to change itself? NO way! Not at all… I am a guy that never used excuses, and the fact that we played lots of matches is not one of them. I am angry, a little sad and willing fiercely to revert this situation. After a match like the one against Boston, I think a thousand times what happened, the shots I missed, the ones they made, the plays we set, the ones we could have done, the wrong choices and many other things. Are all players like this? Truth is I don’t think so, I sometimes see some colleagues or rivals very relaxed, easy and smiling after the losses and I think: why I can’t be that way? At the end of the day, they are only a couple of games of the 82 that the regular season have, aren’t them?. No, there’s nothing I could do, I am this way and it really bothers me to lose, it must be on the genes.

Unfortunately we are going through a difficult moment. I do not think it is a crisis we cannot get over of, nor something less, but with the parity that the west conference has, each game that you lose, is a step further from having home court advantage in the playoffs. I can’t believe last week we were first! Then we lost 2 games and were third and now 6th!!!

Anyhow, how could it be that we go from being so good to be so bad in such a short period of time? Or from playing so bad to do so very good? No, little has changed. On those 11 games in a row we won, we didn’t play impeccable. We simple close on a better way some games, the ball was falling in more and the rivals we faced were not as good as the ones we faced this month. It is good to remember that we defeated, Milwaukee, Minnesota and New York, teams that will not play the playoffs, with last second shots. We didn’t play great either; it is just that many people forget about that because next to those games there was a W instead of a L. We were not that good then, and we are not that bad nowadays, that we have clear.

The good thing about this? We still have 15 games left, we have a lot to work on and we are just 3 W’s from leading the conference. The bad thing? That we only have 15 games, we are not playing well and we are just 3 games from being out of the playoffs. Incredible isn’t it?

Changing subject, I think that Luis’s Rockets streak deserve its own paragraph. They actually deserved a whole column, but they are our rivals and possibly we will meet in the playoffs, so my ego does not let me talk about them. Anyhow I do think it is admirable what they are doing, 22 games in a row, second best in NBA’s history. How about that? That shows how difficult it is to make it happen. Not even the Bulls on their 70 wins season did something like that. Reach 10 happens often but from there on it is really tough because you get to feel complacency and get your guard down, you get that at ude that you are more than what you actually are as the kids in the hood’ say, but it didn’t happen to them. They don’t even look hurt after they lost Yao Ming, an All Star and decisive player in their system and also in a lesser way Carl Landry’s, a player that was giving them quality minutes and aggressiveness from the bench. Clap, Clap! My respects to the Rockets, from being 10th before the streak to first place and play on an unselfish way and also obviously to our beloved Luis Scola, that is having a great season and not only becoming a key piece in their team, but surely one of the best 3 rookies of the season. If his team and him continue this way, his stock will be on the rise and will have great chances of being named ROY, prize reserved only to a few. Luifa Friend! You have my vote! But we players don’t vote though.

www.manuginobili.com

Without being able to sleep due to the loss against Boston, Manu Ginobili wrote this column 4am in the morning yesterday from his house in San Antonio.

[gospursgojas]

Are all players like this? Truth is I don’t think so, I sometimes see some colleagues or rivals very relaxed, easy and smiling after the losses and I think: why I can’t be that way? At the end of the day, they are only a couple of games of the 82 that the regular season have, aren’t them?. No, there’s nothing I could do, I am this way and it really bothers me to lose, it must be on the genes.

Manu's a in G

[Phenomanul]

Awesome read...

My favorite line:

Are all players the same after a loss [fretting about every last detail of the game]? Truth is, I don’t think so, sometimes I see my teammates and/or rivals relaxed, calm and smiling after a loss... Why can't I be like that?... At the end of the day, these losses are only a couple of games in the 82 lot bunch played out during the regular season, aren’t they?. No, there’s nothing I can do about it, I am this way and losing really upsets me, it must be the genes.

[Streakyshooter08]

Thanks for the translation urunobili!

[Kamnik]

Manu G is f***** awsome.

One of the best players in the world!

[diego]

full translation

"We've got to put on our lifevests and start rowing" (argie expression for "get to work")
Por Manu Ginóbili
Para LA NACION

SAN ANTONIO, EE.UU.- 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15. No, I'm not making a puzzle nor riddle: just listing the days we've had to play in march so far. ¡10 games in 15 days! I don't know if I'm being forgetful, but i don't remember a schedule like that since playing in the NBA. It wouldn't have been that tough if 6-7 of the 10 were at home, but quite the contrary, only three in San Antonio and the rest scattered in other cities. ¡Craziness!, but there isnt much to do about it. Just put on our lifevests and start rowing.

¿With this am I trying to say i'm calm waiting for our streak to change? ¡No!, not at all... I've never been the type to make excuses, and playing a lot of games is not an excuse. I'm angry, a little sad and want to turn things around badly. After a game like our last with Boston, you think about what happened 1000 times, the shots that went out, the ones the rival made, the succesful plays, the plays we could have tried, bad decisions and many other things. ¿Are all players like that? I dont think so, sometimes i see teammates or rivals very relazed, calm and smiling after a loss and think: ¿why cant I be like that? In the end, its only a game out of 82 in the regular season, ¿right? No, I cant help it, I'm this way and i can't stand losing, it must be in the genes.

Unfortunately we're going through a difficult moment. I don't think it's an fatal crisis or anything of the sort, but with the parity in the west, each game lost is a step back from compe ive advantage in the playoffs. ¡To think we were first a week ago! We lost 2 games and fell to 3rd and now to 6th.

So ¿can it be we went from being that good to that bad that fast? ¿or from playing that bad to that good? No, very little changes. We werent perfect in the 11 game win streak. We just closed out some games better, tried a little harder and had some games against inferior rivals compared to those this month. Remember we beat Milwaukee, Minnesota and New York, teams that wont play the playoffs, with baskets at the last second. We didnt play well then, it's just that people forget because now next to those games there is a W instead of a L. We werent that great then and we arent that bad now, that is clear to us.

¿The good in all this? There are still 15 games left, we have much to improve and are 3 wins back from the top. ¿The bad? There are only 15 games left, we arent playing well and we are 3 losses away from missing the playoffs. Unbelievable, ¿no?

Changing topics, Luis and his Rockets' steak deserve a separate paragraph. Actually an entire column, but they are our rivals and we might meet in the playoffs, so my ego won't allow me to talk too much about them. I will say their accomplishment is admirable: 22 in a row, 2nd longest winning streak in NBA history, ¿how about that? (manu is looking at you, whottt!) That shows how difficult that is to achieve. Not even the 70 win bulls hit a streak like that. Reaching 10 is fairly common, but from there it gets more difficult because you involuntarily tend to get satisfied and lower your guard, get big-headed like the kids say in the neighborhood, but it didnt happen to them, they dont even seem hurt after the regretable loss of yao ming, an all star and decisive player in their system, and also, to a lesser extent, the loss of Carl Landry, a player that was giving them quality minutes and aggressiveness from the bench. ¡Clap, clap! My respects to the Rockets, who went from being 10th before the streak to alone at the top, and also obviously to our dear Luis Alberto Scola, who is having a tremendous season and not only becoming a key player on his team, but surely one of the top 3 rookies of his class. If him and his team continue this way, his stock will continue to rise as will his chances of winning "Rookie of the Year", an award reserved for few players. ¡Luifa, brother! (actually say darling, but here is more the equivalent of bro/homie/etc) ¡you got my vote! Although unfortunately we dont vote.

www.manuginobili.com

Unable to sleep
Becuase he couldnt sleep after the boston game, manu wrote this at 4am from his house in san antonio.

[angel_luv]

“You have to put on the life vest and start swimming”

Well said Gino.

I need to read that, and not about the Spurs.

I know they'll get it together.

[diego]

haha urunobili beat me to it, good job

[kuato]

Even Manu wants an Scola thread!! ahahaha, that sadness after loose a match is comming from his argentinian soccer culture, every match counts for the championship le.

[Radiosparks]

Excellent read! Thank you once again for the translation and allowing us to read some of Manu's thoughts.

Manu is a very passionate person, who is zoned in and I'm glad he is on our side.

[sassystriker]

This just shows how meticulous Manu really is. I really like Manu's character!!

[MoSpur]

Very good find. Wow! Manu is so passionate about winning. I am so glad that this guy is on the Spurs.

[urunobili]

haha urunobili beat me to it, good job

your translation is really good! we could split paragraphs next time!

[Kermit]

Manu's a deacon in the Chruch of Scola.

[stéphane]

Have to love the at ude of Manu. He's a winner. Glad he's on the spurs roster.

[ducks]

urunobili
translation WalterBenitez does not have this in it
sometimes I see my team mates and/or rivals relaxed, calm and smiling after losing a game

[Cherry]

¿The good in all this? There are still 15 games left, we have much to improve and are 3 wins back from the top. ¿The bad? There are only 15 games left, we arent playing well and we are 3 losses away from missing the playoffs. Unbelievable, ¿no?

My god: only 15 games! GO SPURS

[angel_luv]

¿The good in all this? There are still 15 games left, we have much to improve and are 3 wins back from the top. ¿The bad? There are only 15 games left, we arent playing well and we are 3 losses away from missing the playoffs. Unbelievable, ¿no?

Better work it out, my Spurs!

I want to, see you guys repeat, take my raise all the way through June, and celebrate it all with another parade.

Go Spurs Go!

[WalterBenitez]

Even Manu wants an Scola thread!! ahahaha, that sadness after loose a match is comming from his argentinian soccer culture, every match counts for the championship le.

He also said that miss whottt's post in Scola's thread

[some_user86]

Man, Manu has really taken over as the voice of the Spurs this season. Impressive improvement in leadership skills.

[smeagol]

I remember whottt, in his ever-present Scola hate, hinted at some point that Manu and Scola did not get along