Spurs fans, I don't mean to sound insensitive to your plight, but I'm a San Antonio fan, too. After the initial shock of learning about Manu Ginobili's season-ending leg injury, I realized that not all is lost in the long run, depending on what kind of moves the Spurs make.
The off-season of 2009 will be a good time for the franchise to get younger - and Manu to get some real rehab and rest.
Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Michael Finley are basically as good as done. After doing some research, I'm convinced that some savvy, versatile players at the Spurs' need positions like Danny Green, DeMarre Carroll and Goran Suton will not be drafted high, they will be serviceable NBA players. These are the types of ballers the Spurs can go for this off-season if they are serious about shoring up their youth corps.
Also, given that Manu hasn't had a chance to rest his broken down body since April of last year, his being shut down is a good opportunity for him to mend. Looking at the way his lower extremities are betraying him, he may not get to break the ankles of defenders until he's 40, but anyone who has seen Manu over the years knows that he has been evolving into a shooter whose once daredevil forays to the basket are becoming slicker and slicker. I'm not so pessimistic that a continued progression along with proper medical attention won't cut the Argentine great's career short.
Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, this is the Spurs' time to audition potential successors to Manu's two guard role. Roger Mason is a good ballplayer, but he's more of the guy for the now; the Spurs need a young guy, 24 or younger, whom they can groom to be their franchise wing for the next decade.
If I were San Antonio, I'd try to swing a trade for Manu's ethnic cousin Marco Belinelli of the Golden State Warriors. The guy is only 23, and is capable of seemlessly handling both shooting and point guard duties. With Belinelli's being overshadowed by his more heralded teammate Monta Ellis, it's time for the Spurs to exploit the situation.
Original Story:
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