Ginobili Regaining Form in Time for Free Agency Summer

ORLANDO -- Regardless of what happens to the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs this spring, Manu Ginobili can't lose if he continues to play like he has the last four weeks.

Free agency should be very, very good to him.

The Spurs were dealt their worst loss in two years, 110-84 to the Magic Wednesday night, but Ginobili continued his climb back to the status he once held, which will make him an attractive target for all those teams with salary cap space that strike out on the biggest stars.

After LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer and Amar'e Stoudemire are gone -- and most likely will re-sign with their current teams -- Ginobili will be the next one standing in line.

"I'm feeling great. I'm confident, attacking the rim. I'm getting around people again. I'm better than ever at finding my teammates,'' he said after Wednesday night's loss. "Something has clicked.''

Ginobili, 32, struggled through much of the first half this season, raising red flags after he ended last season early with a stress fracture of his right ankle. The summer before, he sustained a bad ankle sprain at the Olympics.

Until the All-Star break, he was looking like damaged goods, which wasn't a good sign in his contract year. He is making $10.7 million this season.

"I think I've showed everybody now that I'm healthy again,'' he said. "And I can still play.''

Until coach Gregg Popovich pulled the plug early Wednesday when it was obvious this would be no contest -- Tim Duncan was horrible and the Spurs had played the night before in Miami -- Ginobili was in vintage form, shooting, driving, making things happen, playing like he did in the championship years. In 24 minutes, he hit eight of 13 shots for 18 points, three assists and three rebounds.

"Manu is Manu again,'' said Popovich. "One of the big reasons we won championships (2003, '05, '07) is Manu. In the last few weeks, he's returned to his normal form.''

In the 15 games since the All-Star break, Ginobili has scored at least 20 points seven times, including a season-high 38 points against Cleveland. In that game, he also had seven rebounds and five assists. In Tuesday night's victory in Miami, he had 22 points. He had 28 points in a victory against the Knicks last week.

Although he has thrived in a sixth-man role with the Spurs, he was moved into the starting lineup when Tony Parker was sidelined earlier this month with broken hand.

The Spurs have given every indication that they will try and re-sign him -- and they could sign him to an extension before the season ends -- but like everyone else, they wanted to see how healthy he was. And at 32, there is a big question of how many years he will get.

With so many teams expected to come up empty in their chase of the biggest stars in free agency, there will plenty of money for the next tier of players.

"I'm feeling really good right now,'' Ginobili said. "Hopefully, this will continue for a few more months.''