SI.com: Spurs' Ginobili 'getting better every day'

http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/nba_tracker/posts/23161

Finally, some good news for the depleted, struggling Spurs: Manu Ginobili is traveling with the team and progressing well -- perhaps ahead of schedule -- in his recovery from offseason ankle surgery, according to the San Antonio Express-News:

"I'm getting better every day," said Ginobili, who led the Spurs in scoring at 19.5 points per game last season. "But I still haven't practiced with the team or anything like that."

His rehab has progressed without setback. He can now plant and cut on the repaired ankle. The next stage will be to get him involved in some one-on-one and two-on-two drills.

After that comes conditioning work.

Officially, the timetable for Ginobili's return remains mid-December, with the hope he might be able to play earlier.

Asked Wednesday if there is a chance Ginobili might be able to suit up before the end of the month, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich did not say yes. But he also did not say no.

"I don't want to paint myself into a corner," Popovich said. "When he's ready, he'll play. That's the best way to put it."