duncan228
11-25-2008, 02:15 PM
Jeff McDonald: A new H-O-R-S-E champion (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/archives/2008/11/jeff_mcdonald_a_16.html)
An amusing Manu Ginobili-inspired anecdote from Monday in Memphis that didn't quite make all the dead tree editions of the Express-News ...
After shootaround Monday morning, just minutes after the gathered media (read: me and another dude) learned Ginobili would be making his season debut that night against the Grizz, Manu found himself in the fight of his life.
He was playing H-O-R-S-E with Blake Ahearn. And losing.
It was a fascinating turn of events: Ginobili, unofficially regarded as the H-O-R-S-E champion of the NBA, locked in a white-knuckle battle with a guy who had all of 15 games on his NBA resume.
The two traded bank shots off the shot clock, and another silly one that Ahearn invented, spinning the ball on his finger for about 30 seconds before bumping it into the hoop. Ginobili scored points by head-butting the ball into the hoop from about 8 feet out.
"That Argentine soccer stuff," Ahearn grumbled later.
But here Ahearn was, poised to knock Ginobili out. And he did, burying a 15-footer from his knees that Ginobili couldn't match. Game over. We have a new H-O-R-S-E champion.
After once seeing Ginobili nonchalantly toss a ball underhanded into the basket from 50 feet away, we were surprised to see him eliminated on a relatively simple shot.
"I must be a little rusty," Ginobili said.
Ahearn was still glowing about his victory seven hours later in the pre-game locker room. He realized his glory would probably be short-lived.
"He's probably going to want a rematch," Ahearn said.
One suggestion for the Spurs: If there is such a rematch, sell tickets.
An amusing Manu Ginobili-inspired anecdote from Monday in Memphis that didn't quite make all the dead tree editions of the Express-News ...
After shootaround Monday morning, just minutes after the gathered media (read: me and another dude) learned Ginobili would be making his season debut that night against the Grizz, Manu found himself in the fight of his life.
He was playing H-O-R-S-E with Blake Ahearn. And losing.
It was a fascinating turn of events: Ginobili, unofficially regarded as the H-O-R-S-E champion of the NBA, locked in a white-knuckle battle with a guy who had all of 15 games on his NBA resume.
The two traded bank shots off the shot clock, and another silly one that Ahearn invented, spinning the ball on his finger for about 30 seconds before bumping it into the hoop. Ginobili scored points by head-butting the ball into the hoop from about 8 feet out.
"That Argentine soccer stuff," Ahearn grumbled later.
But here Ahearn was, poised to knock Ginobili out. And he did, burying a 15-footer from his knees that Ginobili couldn't match. Game over. We have a new H-O-R-S-E champion.
After once seeing Ginobili nonchalantly toss a ball underhanded into the basket from 50 feet away, we were surprised to see him eliminated on a relatively simple shot.
"I must be a little rusty," Ginobili said.
Ahearn was still glowing about his victory seven hours later in the pre-game locker room. He realized his glory would probably be short-lived.
"He's probably going to want a rematch," Ahearn said.
One suggestion for the Spurs: If there is such a rematch, sell tickets.