"For months, Richard Jefferson tried in vain to block out the criticism. He heard the grumblings about a disappointing season, about failing to live up to expectations, about a career at a crossroads.

Looking back, Jefferson can't believe what people were saying about Manu Ginobili.

"He missed half the season last year, didn't do much in the summer to rest his ankle — you'd think it might take him 40 games to get back into it," said Jefferson, the Spurs small forward. "But that doesn't make much of a story."

Of course, Jefferson has dealt with his own share of criticism, too. For a while during January and February, his name was cursed more often around these parts than Santa Anna's.

Just as Ginobili struggled to find his form after offseason ankle surgery, Jefferson struggled to find his place after arriving in an offseason trade from Milwaukee.

With the season down to its final 16 games beginning tonight against Golden State, and with playoff positioning still far from decided, the Spurs are hopeful the frustrations of their two most talented wing players are things of the past. The signs have been encouraging.

In 15 games since the All-Star break, Ginobili is averaging 19.3 points and 5.2 assists while shooting 49 percent. Jefferson, meanwhile, has been stuck in attack mode for four games since returning to the starting lineup after a 10-game demotion, averaging 18 points and eight rebounds."