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Let’s get right to it:
Manu Ginobili sidelined three to four weeks with a strained hamstring.
After sitting out in San Antonio’s 88-86 loss to the Miami Heat last night, Manu Ginobili has been diagnosed with a strained hamstring that will likely prevent him from returning to action until the postseason. Ginobili is no stranger to injuries, hence his nickname “El Contusion.” He played in only 34 games last season after suffering from back pain and a strained oblique. This season, Ginobili had been playing in limited action (23 mninutes per game). Now, as the regular season ends on April 17th, San Antonio will have to face the prospect of competing in the playoffs without their third-leading scorer. San Antonio currently leads the Western Conference by 1½ games over Oklahoma City and went 6-2 in Tony Parker’s absence last month. More on Ginobili’s injury here.
Keyon Dooling announces that he will sign with the Memphis Grizzlies in time for the playoffs.
Veteran Keyon Dooling announced on Twitter that he would be signing with the Memphis Grizzlies for the remainder of the season. From an objective basketball analyst’s standpoint, this move makes perfect sense for Memphis. After all, the Grizzlies lack depth in the backcourt and Dooling was extremely instrumental in Boston’s deep playoff run last season. From a subjective fan’s perspective, Dooling’s return to the NBA is nice to see. Dooling retired from the NBA abruptly last September. However, shortly after announcing his retirement, he found himself hallucinating. His wife later checked him into a mental hospital where it was revealed that he had been suppressing memories of sexual abuse from his childhood. Today off the court, Dooling speaks as a vocal advocate for sexual abuse awareness across the country. On the court, Dooling figures to add perimeter defense and 3-point shooting to Memphis just in time for the postseason. He would have signed with the Celtics, but NBA rules prevent a coach from signing as a player.
Brandon Roy is aiming to return to the Timberwolves before the season’s end.
According to Charley Walters at Pioneerpress.com, Brandon Roy has been practicing for two weeks and says that he is starting to feel comfortable with his tender right knee. Roy is apparently looking to return to the court and will ask Rick Adelman about playing before the season’s end. Roy came out of retirement last summer after hanging up his sneakers due to degenerative knees that forced him to retire at 26. Roy, a former All Star in Portland, was signed for one year at $5 million last summer by Minnesota who hoped he could return to his All Star form. The gamble has not paid off as Roy played in only five games in the early season before reinjuring his right knee. On January 31st, a frustrated Roy told CSNNW.com’s Chris Haynes that if he could not get his knee back into playing shape by the season’s end, he would likely be forced to retire again.
