Manu Ginobili Had Successful Ankle Surgery

The 31-year-old San Antonio basketball player Manu Ginobili was hospitalized this week in order to have a repair surgery for his left ankle. Previous to his final decision the player had been struggling with the injury and despite the therapy and rehabilitation his doctors advised, his ankle kept bothering him.

Ginobili, who is an Argentinean-Italian born has played in the NBA since 2002 when he signed with the Spurs and ever since he has played a total of six season with the San Antonio team. Manu is also part of the Argentinean national team and he played during the Olympics games in Beijing, his talent as a guard was of extreme aid to the team as they achieved the bronze medal but it was made clear his efforts triggered the injury again which became a more serious concern for the basketball player. Even Ginobili himself stated that he would have wanted to be part of the final game Argentina played during the tournament but he knew he could not put more stress on his condition.

Spurs' doctors had previously made some tests to his injury but there was no sign of improvement, reason why both the doctors and Ginobili decided to have the surgery.

"They're going to perform a surgery on me. Now, the thing is, the injury is not worse but it's not better either, and it seems like the only way to repair it completely is arthroscopic surgery." indicated the player to the Argentina's La Nacion newspaper.

Manu's surgery was performed by Dr. Richard Ferkel in a Los Angeles hospital and it was announced that it was a complete success. Ginobili will have to walk with crutches for more less three weeks but right after that he will be able to begin his regular therapy and he could then think basketball going back to play for his team which could be in the first weeks of the new season.

There is no doubt that Ginobili will be missed by the Spurs since for the 2008-09 season he was expected to be a leading man in the team, and especially after last season's performance averaging more assists, points and rebounds as to his input during the playoffs where the Spurs wiped off teams like the Suns, the Cavaliers, and the Nuggets

As the surgery was only done a few days ago, there is no time frame established for his comeback as he will need to be monitored by his doctors and there should be signs of improvements, otherwise neither the Spurs nor the player will risk going back to the arena. The latest news state Ginobili's absence will be of two or three months but let's just hope for the best that he will be able to get back on his feet again sooner so that we - NBA fans - will enjoy watching this incredible basketball player leading the Spurs to another conference title as he did last year.

Claudia Beckford provides outstanding and current content to sports enthusiast in the NBA sports industry. http://www.instantactionsports.com

Why Players Fail at Defense

I've seen many players who have got basketball offensive skills and should be proud to have such amazing skills. They're the envy of many players. Some players are even cocky enough to show off and taunt the other players. But I honestly could say, that many of those players could have a real touch up on their defense.

Why do players have so much trouble on their defense? Well there are several reasons:

• Too lazy to move their feet quickly
• Uncoordinated
• Think that their teammates can pick up their slack
• Defense is useless to them
• The believe that offense is more important than defense

The last point is probably the most common excuse I've heard. I was talking to a bunch of my friends who play basketball and they kept on talking about how they need to fix their shot, or how many points they scored in a game, and I never hear my friends mention anything about how they played defense. Now, I know that defense isn't the greatest part of the game, and it can be the most boring part to some people, but if you shine at defense, people will start appreciating at how you play the game.

If laziness is your issue, then you have to start realizing that defense is as important, or even more important than offense. If you tell yourself that, then your laziness may fade away since you actually want to play defense.

If you are uncoordinated, then it's not entirely your fault since you can be born uncoordinated. Try improving your balance since this could be the main reason if you are uncoordinated and slow on your feet.

If you think that your teammates can pick up your slack or if you think that defense is the least important part of the game, then you have got a completely wrong mindset to the game. Your goal in basketball is to give your best effort and help your teammates out, not let them work for you. And every part of the game is essential to succeed, so you have to start realizing that defense is important.

Balanced Skills One of the biggest things I hate to see is somebody thrive at one part of basketball, but fail miserably at another part. Keep in mind that you should be improving your overall basketball skill, not just one set of skills. It's kind of like when you are weight training. Don't lift weights on just one side of your basketball or just a certain muscle group, because you will grow muscles in one area of your body, and in another part you'll be weak.

For more great basketball tips, check out JM NBA Source

Ways to Jump Higher Fast

I'm going to show you ways to jump higher fast. This is one of the best things you can invest time in if you're a basketball player. When you're able to improve on your jumping, you increase your importance greatly. Most people assume that dunking the ball is the big benefit, but in reality there is so much more than that. You are able to become a better defender. You're able to get to rebounds before other people and lastly, you can shoot the ball far better. There are a ton of benefits for basketball on this and if you stick basketball it, you can have great results. That's why I'm going to show you ways to jump higher.

My first exercise will help you remain springy, like an elastic. Too many people focus on power, which is important, but without springiness you're going to get no where. Try to walk around on the tips of your toes for 30 minutes. It sounds easy when you read it, but after about 10 minutes, you should be in pain. If you happen to be one of those gifted people that find this easy, try doing it while walking around backwards.

Of course this springiness exercise needs to be balanced with strength. This is one of the best ways to jump higher and it's the squat. Most people neglect it because they assume it focuses on the upper legs, rather than the important muscles that make the jump. Look closely and you'll see that a squat is a slow motion jump.

Learn more about these Jump Higher Exercises

The Memphis Grizzlies Roar Into Action Every NBA Game

Though the Memphis Grizzlies are cubs in the NBA, they have begun to growl. Though they have only been in the NBA since 2001, the Grizzlies have already advanced to the playoffs during three seasons. The Grizzlies moved to Memphis before the 2001-2002 season, after playing in Vancouver for six years. Interestingly, the Grizzlies were not the basketball professional basketball team that Memphis has hosted. The Memphis Pros/Tams/Sounds was an ABA team that played in the city from 1970-1975.

Where did the name "Grizzlies" originate? In fact, the first name the franchise chose was the "Mounties." However, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police objected to the name, as Mounties was a nickname for their police force. Thus, the franchise selected the alternate team, the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies lost their first NBA game to the Detroit Pistons, 90-80.

Eventually, they would finish their season with a disappointing 23-59 record.

Two seasons later, the Grizzlies made some bold trades, and ended the season with an outstanding 50-32 basketball Their number of wins was nearly double their previous highest total as a franchise. The Grizzlies coach, Hubie Brown, became the NBA Coach of the Year. However, the Grizzlies received a tough draw for the playoffs. The defending NBA Champs, the San Antonio Spurs, swept the Grizzlies in the latter's first playoff series.

In the following year, the Grizzlies started playing at the new FedEx Forum, hoping to build upon their previous season's success. The Grizzlies earned a 45-37 record, and captured the final playoff position in their conference. Unfortunately, they would face another powerhouse squad. This time, it was the run-and-gun Phoenix Suns. Additionally, once again the opposing team swept the Grizzlies in the playoffs.

In the 2005-2006 season, the Grizzlies earned third place in their division (49-33), behind those two teams. In the playoffs, the Grizzlies again drew a tough competitor and one that they were quite familiar with: the Dallas Mavericks. For the third consecutive year, the opposite team swept the Grizzlies.

Though the Grizzlies are a young team, some individuals in their franchise have received prestigious awards:

Hubie Brown: Coach of the Year: (204)

Brown won the NBA's Coach of the Year award with the Atlanta Hawks (1977-1978), before winning it with the Grizzlies. In addition, in 1975 Brown coached the ABA's Kentucky Colonels to a championship.

Pau Gasol: Rookie of the Year (2002)

A native of Spain, Gasol first played in Spain's ACB League, before playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. In 2006, Gasol played in the NBA All-Star game, as the game's first Grizzlies player and first Spaniard. Gasol is also a member of the Spanish national basketball team.

Mike Miller: 6th Man (2006)

Before playing in the NBA, Miller participated in the NCAA basketball championship, in 2000. Miller holds the Memphis Grizzlies' team record, for scoring the most points in a single game. He scored 45 points against the Golden State Warriors, on February 21, 2007.

The Memphis Grizzlies are new, but have promise. Use Memphis Grizzlies merchandise to cheer on the big bears!

Rick Grantham is an avid sports fan. Most of Rick's articles focus on memphis grizzlies merchandise. Many articles are related to nba memorabilia and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village.

Do you Know the Origin of Basketball?

Do you know the origin of basketball?

The origins of the game of basketball can be traced back to a gentleman by the name of Dr. James Naismith. In 1861, Naismith was born in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. During his early school days, Naismith would play a game called duck on a rock whereby the child would endeavor to knock the duck off the top of the rock with a toss of another rock.

Later on, Naismith would go on to McGill University in Montreal and would later become McGill University's Athletic Director. He would subsequently move on to YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts and in 1891, the game of basketball began.

Given the cold Massachusetts winters, Naismith needed to find a recreational activity that could be played indoors and he preferred a sport that would develop skill and one that was not exclusively relying on strength. The first game was played with two peach baskets for goals and a soccer ball.

Further to his credit, Naismith became a medical doctor specializing in sports physiology and a Presbyterian minister. Naismith was able to see his beloved sport of basketball, gain acceptance in numerous countries through the YMCA since 1893. As well, the sport of basketball was brought forth at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. As we speak, the game of basketball has become a very popular professional sport.

Catherine Kenyeres is a successful author and publisher for http://www.best-4u-tickets.com. Catherine has written numerous articles for the sports enthusiast.

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