Ginobili expected to miss first two months of the season

 The Spurs' versatile guard is expected to miss the first eight to 12 weeks of the NBA season, while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle, performed on September 3 in Los Angeles.

 "They told me eight to 12 weeks, so I'm looking for eight," Ginobili told reporters at media day as the Spurs opened training camp ahead of the October 28 season start.

 "I would like to make it for the beginning of the season, but I know they are going to be very cautious and they want me to get 100 per cent before playing.

 "They (Spurs) have the plan. They talked to the surgeon and they know what they're doing. But we'll see where we're at."

   Ginobili first injured the left ankle in last spring's playoffs against New Orleans and aggravated it against the gold medal US squad as Argentina claimed the bronze at the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

 When he went down, the 31-year-old knew he was headed for the knife.

 "When I felt what I felt," Ginobili said, "I knew surgery was coming."

   The Spurs, however, look at the timing of the surgery as a blessing in disguise.

 "Had he not hurt it in the Olympics, he probably would have done it 15, 25, 35 games into the season again," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, sporting a full gray beard.

 "It could be a blessing that he's gotten operated on. They've gone in there and cleaned things out. His ankle will be in better shape than it's been in years, I would imagine."

   Ginobili agreed: "Injuries happen, but it's a good thing because it could have happened in December," he said. "I know I'll miss a couple of games, but down the stretch it will be good for everybody. It's a win-win situation."

   For the first three weeks of the rehabilitation period, Ginobili said he "basically did nothing."

   However he has made noticeable improvement, trading in his crutches for an ankle brace, as the limp is gone and the swelling has disappeared.

 "I see improvement," he said. "The swelling is not there anymore, walking around feels great."

   The Spurs will miss Ginobili, who averaged 19.2 points per game off the bench and earned the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award honours last season.

 However, they will rely on All-Stars Tim Duncan and Frenchman Tony Parker to carry most of the scoring load.

 Veteran sharpshooter Michael Finley and free-agent acquisition Roger Mason Jr. will be counted on to fill the void until Ginobili is ready to return, sometime in late December.

 "I think it's a great learning time for us," Duncan said. "The minutes are going to be there, because Manu is not going to be in the mix. Obviously, we're going to have to bring people along pretty quickly."

DPA