ARG/USA/FRA – Spurs count their blessings over Manu

SAN ANTONIO (Olympics/NBA) – As unusual as it may sound for San Antonio Spurs fans, the ankle injury that knocked Manu Ginobili out in the first quarter of Argentina’s Olympic semi-final against the United States was probably a blessing in disguise for the NBA team.

While the injury kept Argentina’s most dangerous player off the floor at the worst possible time in Beijing, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich freely admitted this week: “Had he not hurt it in the Olympics, he probably would have done it 15, 25, 35 games into the season.”

Popovich, who was speaking to the San Antonio Express Newspaper, added: “It could be a blessing that he's gotten operated on. They've gone in there and cleaned things out. His ankle will be in better shape than it's been in years, I would imagine.”

Popovich said that Ginobili, who originally hurt his ankle in last season’s NBA play-offs, would be out of action until mid-December at the latest.

The Argentina superstar has been told to walk with crutches. As for physical activity, Ginobili is allowed to lift weights and swim.

San Antonio’s promising French center Ian Mahinmi, meanwhile, is out of the first several days of training camp due to a sprained ankle.

Mahinmi spent the majority of last season in the NBDL. In 45 games with San Antonio’s development team, the Austin Toros, he averaged 17.1 points and 9.2 rebounds.

ARG – Argentina job is Hernandez’s to keep if he wants it

BUENOS AIRES (CABB) - Argentina are hoping that Sergio Hernandez will remain in charge of the national side after leading the Albiceleste to an Olympic bronze medal.

The South Americans won the gold at the Athens Games four years ago under Ruben Magnano and this summer they overcame the loss of star guard Manu Ginobili to injury in their semi-final against Team USA and a troublesome knee that hobbled Andres Nocioni to beat Lithuania and clinch third place.

"We knew it wasn´t an easy process and Sergio did a very good job,” Argentina Basketball Federation vice president German Vaccaro said.

“In a world were results count, there is nothing to discuss. That is why we have offered him the chance to continue in charge of the national team."

Hernandez led Argentina to silver at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship while in 2006, he guided the team to the semi-finals of the FIBA World Championship in Japan.