SAN ANTONIO — There was no noticeable limp when Manu Ginobili walked into the San Antonio Spurs training facility today.

Even better, there was no sign of bad feelings from his teammates.

Ginobili, who had surgery on his left ankle in early September, could miss at least two months of the season. Though off crutches and out of a protective boot, he's still got plenty of rehab.

"It could be a blessing he's gotten operated on, and (surgeons) went in there and cleaned things out," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Had he not hurt it in the Olympics, he probably would have done it 15, 25, 35 games into the season.

"His ankle probably would be in better shape now than it's been in years."

Popovich had advised the 31-year-old Ginobili not to play for Argentina in China after he hurt the ankle during the Western Conference semifinals against New Orleans, then aggravated the injury in the Western finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs have delayed contract extension talks until Ginobili recovers from surgery. The sixth-year guard has two seasons remaining on his contract.

"They told me eight to 12 weeks, so I'm looking for eight," he said. "I would like to make it for the beginning of the season, but I know they are going to be very cautious."

And Ginobili, who helped Argentina to a bronze medal, defended his decision to play. Though Popovich advised him not to play, he did not tell Ginobili he could not play. And he sent a trainer to monitor Ginobili's progress while the national team prepared in Argentina.

"I didn't do anything wrong," Ginobili said. "I did everything the Spurs told me to. They gave me the go-ahead to play, and I did."

Teammates Tim Duncan and Tony Parker recognize the team will have to make adjustments while Ginobili sits.

"Everybody is going to have to step up their game," Parker said.

The Spurs lost Brent Barry to free agency, so Michael Finley might start in Ginobili's place. And the team also added free agent guard Roger Mason Jr., who averaged nearly 10 points per game and started nine games for the Washington Wizards while Gilbert Arenas was out with an injury.