Tonight will be the San Antonio Spurs’ second game without injured all-star guard Manu Ginobili.
Ginobili, who had successful surgery this morning, leaves the Spurs searching for another player or group of players who will step up in his absence.
After winning against Golden State last night, the Spurs face the defending champion Dallas Mavericks tonight.
I talked to a new addition to the Mavericks, Delonte West, about the adjustments both team will have to make with Ginobili out.
“Oh man, you said Manu’s not playing,” West said jokingly. “Does coach know.”
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was definitely aware, made obvious by the team’s whiteboard showing the starting lineup change.
“He’s such a great player, but that’s why it’s a team game,” West said. “The Spurs with the coaching staff they have over there, they prepare well.”
The Spurs have had the misfortune of losing not just Ginobili, but Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and other key players during crucial times in the past several years.
“Over the years that I’ve been in the league, they prepare well for guys going down and they played in the past without some of their big three,” West said. “They just keep playing. They’ve always been a professional team and you can’t never count them out (sic).”
The Spurs hope to go 2-0 without Ginobili when the Spurs and Mavericks tipoff in just 10 minutes.
Be sure to follow more game coverage tomorrow morning on Project Spurs.
