My View: Ginobili Out Until December Print E-mail
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Written by Ben Weixlmann   
Sunday, 12 October 2008
My View: Ginobili Out Until December


Tim Duncan might be the lead pilot on the San Antonio Spurs’ plane, but Manu Ginobili is pushing Duncan for co-pilot honors. Problem is, Ginobili won’t get to show off his All-World form until December.

A left ankle injury limited his mobility in the 2008 NBA Playoffs, but Ginobili’s re-aggravation of the ankle during the Olympics was what prompted the team to seek surgery as a likely option. Although the surgery was successful, the Argentine swingman will miss almost a quarter of the Spurs’ season. 

He was an absolutely integral piece of the Spurs’ proverbial puzzle last year, averaging 19.5 points per game.

As a diehard Spurs fan, I’m pretty worried about this situation. I respect Manu’s wishes to play for his country in the Olympics, but knowing his play is crucial to the Spurs’ success, I’m not so sure why he played aggressively on an already-injured left ankle.

Don’t get me wrong, Duncan is my favorite player in the NBA, but even I’ll admit it: he’s getting old. Duncan will be entering his 12th season in the NBA, and looks slower and less conditioned than in recent years.

That’s not to say that I’ve lost all hope for this team, because I certainly haven’t. The dynasty that they sculpted during the between the years of 1999-2007 hasn’t broken up just yet, as proven by the playoffs last year.

This season, though, with a healthy Andrew Bynum back in L.A. Lakers’ gold and purple, they’re surely the team to beat. The Houston Rockets with a healthy Yao Ming make me very worried for the Spurs come playoff time. The Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz are perennial contenders, and with other big names switching teams in the West, you never know how it will shake out.

Without Ginobili for 25 percent of a season, the production has to be picked up by someone else. I think it’s a pretty safe bet that All-Star point guard Tony Parker will step up his offensive role in the absence of Manu. It is guys like Bruce Bowen and Fabricio Oberto, not to mention the aging Michael Finley, who will need to improve their offensive game.

Lest we not forget Ginobili’s excellent defense and hustle, either. Bowen and Duncan are arguably two of the finest defenders in the NBA, but no matter how well Finley contributes when the Spurs have the ball, Finley’s lack of defensive intensity will shine through.

As one of the best South American-born players ever to hit the hardwood, Ginobili must show that he can come back with vengeance and help his Spurs’ squad to yet another Western Conference playoff berth.



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