Is San Antonio in trouble???

For those of us who follow the Spurs, we have received some very distressing news with regards to the upcoming season. One of our stars is likely NOT going to be suiting up this year because of surgery to repair his ankle, and that star would be Manu Ginobli. I know many of us would have rather seen him resting on a lounge chair letting his ankle heal, but the Manu we all know and love simply loves to play the sport of basketball. So, when given an opportunity to represent his home country in the Olympic Games in Beijing, he of course was there in a New York minute, even though he likely was advised against playing by several sports trainers from the Spurs staff. Hindsight is always 20/20, and many of us are now shaking our heads and saying "I told you so." Perhaps some of us are blaming the staff or even Greg Popovich for what happened. We say, "You shouldn't have let him go play in the Olympics." Yet, I personally believe NOT letting Ginobli go play would have been like trying to keep a golden retriever out of the water when you go to the lake. It's not likely going to happen. Ginobli is an all or nothing player. He gives 110% every time he is on the floor, and many times he ends up on the floor because he takes the charge, causing the opposing players extreme frustration. I cannot think of any game I have seen where I saw half-hearted effort from him. So, his decision to play did not surprise me one bit. As a Spurs fan, I am very disheartened by the images of Manu grabbing his ankle and wincing in pain, but I cannot fault a man who went out and did what he enjoys so much. Some fans might even be tempted to call him selfish or say that he was not thinking about the team, but as difficult as it is to say, I support Manu Ginobli 100%. Basketball is his passion, and I believe his decision to play for Argentina was not a selfish decision on his part, but rather it was an unselfish one. A decision that is in keeping with his character, and one of the main reasons he has endeared himself to Spurs fans. Manu is one of the most humble and unselfish players on the team, even though he is one of their stars. Manu, I hope we will see you again soon back on the court because that's where you belong.