:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24417747/20131013_sal_ai1_076.0.jpg)
[This is a translation of Manu's column, written for Argentine newspaper La Nación.]
Everything has come to a halt here. Not only in Orlando, where we are playing tonight; everywhere in the U.S. Almost no one worked yesterday and all the flights were fully booked. You couldn't cross paths with anyone without hearing them say "happy Thanksgiving." It's just such an important holiday here, kind of like Christmas for us. You celebrate, cook a lot and overeat.
There's starting to be a debate about it, however, as shops are opening on the day, the last Thursday of November, which didn't use to happen. We got together for dinner. But being such and international crew - three French, two Australians, one Canadian, one Italian, a Brazilian and I - we don't really care about it that much, to tell you the truth, since we didn't grow up with it.
What we do care about is the record we have this season. The day before yesterday, against Oklahoma, we lost a game that was considered losable. But it was a great first month for San Antonio, overall. And that's essential to keep spirits up, for everyone in the rotation to be content.
I'm satisfied with my individual performance. The team doing well helps me do well. I started cold in terms of shooting but I started to right the ship over the last few days. Last season was hard for me because the multiple injuries affected my ability to enjoy the game. But I've changed mindsets and my goal now is to enjoy myself, have fun on the court and be calmer. When I play poorly I still get in a bad mood but I really value being healthy and on the court with my teammates, competing. Usually when you are doing well, like we are now with our [now 15-3] record, the mood in the locker room is the best, the coaches are relaxed, the front office is happy. The reality is we've never had a bad regular season since I've been here, so we are used to this type of success. But at least in my eyes, this year is going better than ever.
I'm a part of what is called "the second unit" here and all of us are really getting along, playing well, moving the ball, making shots. Patty Mills, Marco Belinelli and I really understand each other and it's showing. I've known Marco, one of the new guys, since he was 15 and now we are having fun being on the court together. And while I have him here, I get to practice my Italian, which was decaying fast.
The other teams also play, of course, and the contenders are steadily hanging there. It's too early to make any definitive judgments but, except Brooklyn, which is under-performing, the others are at the level we thought they would be. Of course, Rose's injury decreases Chicago's chances. Out West, Oklahoma City, the Clippers, Houston and us are going to be at the top. Golden State and Memphis won't be far behind.
One of the topics that gets a lot of attention here is Kobe Bryant's recovery, since he hasn't played since his Achilles' tendon injury but has already re-signed with the Lakers for two more seasons. If there's anyone out there that can return at age 35 and still be an impact player, a fearsome scorer, that's him. His competitiveness is way above the mean, he loves to be out there, competing. It's not easy to come back from that injury at 35 and still be your old self. It's a huge challenge but he lives for that stuff.
As for the other Argentines, their situations are very different. Luifa [Luis Scola]has been flawless. He plays for a great team in Indiana [Pacers] and started out in a good rhythm. He's doing great in a slightly different role than he is used to, but the team is [16-2] and he's playing, so his situation is ideal. At this age the most important thing is to win, so this is great timing for Luis.
Pablo's [Prigioni] situation is the exact opposite. New York [Knicks] didn't start as well as expected, have lost a lot of games and have suffered a lot of injuries. It's still very early - only a month in - but when teams play poorly and under perform they start making changes and that's not good for Pablo. He's the type of player that thrives on a solid team, not on one that keeps experimenting.
And Carlos' [Delfino] situation is delicate. He's who I worry about the most. He had a setback with his injury and that's the worst thing that can happen to an athlete. My thoughts are with him. I want him to heal, to bounce back and be out there on the court again. I empathize with him. To a lesser degree, I went through something like that and I don't wish that on anyone. The good thing is he's still young and has a lot of years left to play.
Finally, I'd like to tell you about my third son, who is on the way. We are happy. We found out the first day after we arrived in San Antonio. When the test read positive we couldn't believe it, we were overjoyed. We know the house is going to be a mess with three boys. The twins will be four when the third arrives. We are really looking forward to his birth but we are also enjoying the pregnancy. We were very lucky with the twins, because everything went smoothly and there were no complications for Many. Fortunately, things are unfolding the same way this time as well.
My family is thrilled and my wife and I are happy, looking forward to it and hoping everything goes well. The only difference will be that we'll finally get to see how it is to have only one baby! I have a feeling it will be easier! I'll keep you posted!
