manuginobili.com | Emanuel Ginobili Official Website | 2009-2010
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We have to respect everybody
2009-12-17 / by Manu
After spending two and a half hours inside the plane at the Los Angeles airport (we played the Clippers) waiting for a fix to a mechanical problem, we're here in Phoenix a little bit tired but ready to face the Suns.
I had a little time to read about the drawing for the Turkey World Championship. I think the group we're on is not the hardest or the easiest, although it's early to make a profound analysis because everything depends on how every team arrives to the competition. As usual, the most important is to be number 1 or 2 in Group A to avoid an early match against a better team of Group B, although if we analyze who is going to end up below the United States, it's not clear cut who's the preferable team. Slovenia, Croatia and Brazil are complicated and dangerous. The first game after the group stage is going to be very tough.
As far as the rivals in our group, Serbia is the runner up of the European championship, they have young and very hungry players, and they have a lot of potential. Milos Teodosic is their star, an amazing player, but they have a very talented roster overall. There's a reason they reached the Euro 2009 finals in Poland, where they lost to Spain. Besides, they have a very tough and strict coach in Dusan Ivkovic.
Australia we know well. They have a lot of size and good players in the paint, like David Andersen, Andrew Bogut and Matt Nielsen.. They might not be the most talented team, but they're strong physically and they can complicate us.
Now, Germany is one team with Dirk Nowitzki and another team without him. If the Dallas player can head out to the Worlds, we're probably going to have to be extremely careful and most likely double team him every time he catches the ball. I know Nowitzki quite a lot from playing in the national teams and the four times we play annually on the NBA, in the Texas showdown.
Angola is a very athletic team, with agile, quick and somewhat talented players, but without an actual structure on defense and offense. I can't say much about Jordan, who is debuting in the Worlds, because I haven't seen them play, but there has to be a reason they made it this far. We're going to have to look at them in the tournament to see their style and virtues.
At any rate, we have to respect everybody. We have to come out focused the first 10 or 15 minutes and try to get a good advantage on the scoreboard so the bench can play more minutes and the tournament can be a little more light for the starters. They're long tournaments, almost 10 games and the physical conditioning is key.
Also, our chances will depend on the roster we're going to have, including health and contract situation of each player. A lot can happen in the next six to seven months.
I don't know if I will have my contract renewed with San Antonio, or if I'll be negotiating with a new franchise in June 2010. And the player that has no contract can't risk to play or train because if you get injured you might lose the entire year. And for me, at 33 years old, that would be terrible. We even have to consider it's not Many and me anymore. Around that time we're going to be four. And it's just not as easy to move around as before. Luckily, now that I'm talking about it, I can tell you the twins are very well and Many too. We entered week 15 of the pregnancy and she's feeling well. Everything is going great.
All this, plus the fact I want to feel well and confident with the Spurs after the difficult year I had with the injuries, makes me forget a bit about the Worlds. The reality is that I paid attention to it now because of the drawing, but it's not a priority. Sure, i'd love to play the tournament and it would be an honor for all of us to play together again, but you can't guarantee anything with so much time left.
On a side note, I would love to visit Turkey. I've been told it's a wonderful country. I've been to Istanbul twice when I played for Kinder Bologna in the Euroleague, but all I got to see was the airport, hotel and stadium. I didn't see or visit anything. My friend Hedo Turkoglu (the guy from turkey that played in the Spurs 3 years ago) always talks to me about his country and another very big fan of the country is Gregg Popovich, who every year or two goes there to visit. I know there's a good mix of different cultures there and that they have fantastic places to see. So, I'll get to know Turkey, either next year or later on, but I won't miss it.
MANU
