San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili to stay off the court for about two months: NBA Update
San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili has been advised to stay off the court by his physician. Ginobili endured an elbow injury during the regular-season while playing against the Phoenix Suns. Some initial examinations at that time revealed that his elbow became hyper extended but the consequent came out to be negative.
Ginobili, who is an Argentinean national and also is a member of the Argentine national team, is looking to join the national squad to prepare for the upcoming FIBA Americas Tournament. During the post season, Ginobili braved through his injury and featured for the Spurs in all but the first game. That ultimately didn’t allow his injury to heal. However, Ginobili is now staying off the court so he’ll get fit in time.
Ginobili said, “I’ve been told not to play hoops for a month, month and a half, two months — not to put pressure on the arm. I notice now that the pain is almost gone. The last time I did MRI, probably around May 16 (or) May 20, they told me that the bone edema that I had was controlling itself, but I still needed a little time to go.”
The player proclaimed that although his little fracture has hailed, he does want to take any chances with his injury. He however is doing light exercise and running regularly and will only start ball practice, once he gets a go ahead by his doctors.
The FIBA Americas Tournament will commence from 30th August 2011 in Mar del Plata, Argentina and if Ginobili recovers quickly, he might just make it to the tournament. He hasn’t given up certainly and is determined to participate not only in the Tournament but the London Olympics as well. If he makes it for the FIBA tournament, it will be the first time Ginobili will play in front of his nation after almost a decade.
The Argentinean squad is one of the strong sides in the FIBA Americas Tournament, as it comprises of some other National Basketball Association stars like Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni and Carlos Delfino. Having his NBA friends on the national team’s roster will make his transition into national colours easy for Ginobili.
Ginobili had an excellent last season in NBA. He played 80 games during the regular-season and scored at an average of 17.4 points per game, dished out 4.9 assists and clutched 3.7 rebounds in per game. In the five games of the postseason, Ginobili tallied 20.6 points, provided 4.2 assists and grasped 4.0 rebounds. All above statistics were way better than his career averages.
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