Watching the Spurs Just Isn't The Same Without Manu

Manu Ginobili, you are sorely missed by this San Antonio Spurs fan.

Since you're last game played against the Toronto Raptors on February 11th, I have faithfully watched the Spurs, but I have to admit, I don't enjoy watching the games quite as much without you in the lineup.

The last game you played before the All-Star break was filled with excitement and energy from your play, albeit in an 89-91 loss to the Raptors. 

The 33:36 minutes played, 12-23 shot from the field, and 32 points was the kind of performance that led me to believe you were back and better than before.

The day before you were officially diagnosed on February 19th with the ankle injury, I had replaced my computer wallpaper with a beautiful artistic design of you dunking that was the "wallpaper of the week" created by a Spurs fan on Spurs.com.

Since then, I have faithfully kept the wallpaper on my computer, and patiently been waiting for your return.

Although the Spurs have done okay without you, 5-3 since your injury, your unorthodox style of play, explosiveness, slashing drives to the basket, and energy you bring off the bench that the Spurs have lacked without you, leaves me in a state of "Ginobili withdrawal."

One may say that I don't have a life if I miss seeing you play that much, but my life is full, it's just my free-time on game night that I treasure watching you and the Spurs is what is suffering immensely.

I realize that it is a good thing that Gregg Popovich is the kind of coach he is, and that he will cautiously bring you back, possibly as early as March 8th vs. Phoenix.

The last thing in the world I want to see is for you to come back too soon, and re-injure your ankle again.

You are spending plenty of time in the pool, running on treadmills, but the last report I read is that you aren't ready to resume practicing yet.

Get well soon Manu, I can't wait to watch you play again, but I hope you come back completely healthy and ready to make a run in the playoffs and contend for another NBA Championship.

In my humble opinion, I find it extremely hard to believe that the Spurs will have any success during the playoffs in the West without your presence.

The Spurs just aren't the same without you.

The glory days of playoff runs and your spectacular performances that I watched during the 2003, 2005, and 2007 Championship years are exactly what I hope to see again this year when you come back.

But for now, I can only watch highlights and "Ginobili Mixes" on YouTube to satisfy my hunger for the passion you play the game with night after night. There is no player out there like you Manu, and that is what I like about your game.

I can imagine that missing games and watching the rest of the Spurs play while injured is agonizing for you, so please get well, and I hope to see you playing like your remarkable self again soon.