ARGENTINA: BASKETBALL - Argentina's Manu Ginobili optimistic despite stress fracture

Record ID: 449163

  • Title: ARGENTINA: BASKETBALL - Argentina's Manu Ginobili optimistic despite stress fracture
  • Date: 4th July 2014
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (JULY 4, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ARGENTINE BASKETBALL STAR MANU GINOBILI ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE WITH NBA TROPHY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MANU GINOBILI SAYING: "I have a small stress fracture on my tibia, above the right ankle in the exact same place as 2009 but much less serious so I have to wait until the 25th when we meet up [Argentine basketball team] to repeat the tests. I think that four weeks after having them done in San Antonio they could be much better than they were when I had them done this Monday. After I will just have to wait, I am an optimist and I think that it is going to heal because four weeks is enough." GINOBILI REFLECTED IN TROPHY THAT HE WON WITH SAN ANTONIO SPURS GINOBILI IN NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MANU GINOBILI SAYING: "I want to play in the World Cup, I am going to be 37 years old in a few weeks and as I said after London, I still don't feel like an ex-player from the national team and for this reason I want to be here. I know that if I don't play this year it is going to be very difficult to start playing again and I didn't want the farewell to be this way. I have to be responsible, I have to respect my body as well and if I am not healthy, I am not going to play." GINOBILI IN NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MANU GINOBILI SAYING: "We think there are two teams that are above the rest and they are Spain and the United States. The rest are in a group in which any one could beat the other so you have to be prepared. You have to play the game well you have to get it in and well, regarding the question of getting to a semifinal with Spain which is the host and the favourite from the one side, anything can happen but I don't think we will be far behind anyone." GINOBILI WITH JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MANU GINOBILI SAYING: "I know that I represent a lot of people that support me and want to see me there too and I think that I can help out a bit from what I've learned this year in San Antonio, so I am enthusiastic - I want to play and I want to play in good shape." VARIOUS OF GINOBILI POSING FOR PICTURES HOLDING NBA TROPHY
  • Embargoed: 19th July 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAC9SXED1MH0YV1ZU0L39BVFWFZ
  • Story Text: San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili arrived in his native Argentina on Friday (July 4) where he spoke to journalists about a stress fracture on his right leg and what it means for the upcoming FIBA World Cup that kicks off at the end of August.
    "I have a small stress fracture on my tibia, above the right ankle in the exact same place as 2009 but much less serious so I have to wait until the 25th when we meet up [Argentine basketball team] to repeat the tests. I think that four weeks after having them done in San Antonio they could be much better than they were when I had them done this Monday. After I will just have to wait, I am an optimist and I think that it is going to heal because four weeks is enough," he said during the news conference in Buenos Aires.
    Ginobili apparently unknowingly played with the injury during the NBA Finals. The 36-year-old still performed at a high level against the Miami Heat, averaging 14.4 points and 4.4 assists as the Spurs won in five games. Ginobili scored 19 in the clinching game.
    "I want to play in the World Cup, I am going to be 37 years old in a few weeks and as I said after London, I still don't feel like an ex-player from the national team and for this reason I want to be here. I know that if I don't play this year it is going to be very difficult to start playing again and I didn't want the farewell to be this way. I have to be responsible, I have to respect my body as well and if I am not healthy I'm not going to play," said Ginobili.
    Team doctors discovered the stress fracture during a postseason physical, according to reports. Pending a second opinion, Ginobili could be out about two months. The FIBA World Cup begins August 30 in Spain.
    Ginobili listed Spain and the United States as the teams to watch out for in the tournament, but said he was confident about Argentina's level.
    "We think there are two teams that are above the rest and they are Spain and the United States. The rest are in a group in which any one could beat the other so you have to be prepared. You have to play the game well you have to get it in and well, regarding the question of getting to a semifinal with Spain which is the host and the favourite from the one side, anything can happen but I don't think we will be far behind anyone," he said.
    The scoring sensation, who holds both Argentine and Italian citizenship, said that he knows his fans are behind him.
    "I know that I represent a lot of people that support me and want to see me there too and I think that I can help out a bit from what I've learned this year in San Antonio, so I am enthusiastic - I want to play and I want to play in good shape," added Ginobili.
    While his presence in the fast-approaching World Cup is yet to be seen, with rest and recovery, Ginobili should have no trouble being ready for the Spurs' training camp in late September as he returns for his 13th season in San Antonio. He averaged 12.3 points per game last season and has averaged 14.7 points for his career.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register