Kori Ellis
05-11-2005, 02:16 AM
Buck Harvey: Ginobili vs. his opposite: Manu a mano
Web Posted: 05/11/2005 01:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA051105.1C.COL.BKNharvey.2617a9e28.html
Quit wondering about Ray Allen and Bruce Bowen.
Start wondering about Ray Allen and Manu Ginobili.
Start wondering which off-guard is better. Start wondering how money fits into the equation — and it does for every NBA general manager — and which player is a better value. And start wondering if a classic, smooth shooter is really more valuable than someone who seemingly always finds a way.
Start?
When Ginobili doesn't?
That's one reason this argument sounds ridiculous, especially to those in Seattle. Ginobili has been coming off the bench to begin games since the playoff opener against Denver, and no one could imagine Allen in a similar role.
The numbers show the contrast, too. Allen averaged 23.9 points this season, his sixth-straight season with at least an average of 20, and Ginobili averaged a career-high 16 this season.
Allen also is a star who couples as a character guy, though the SBC Center fans didn't seem to grasp that; Allen was booed nearly as loudly and as often as Ginobili was in Denver. And Allen doesn't have teammates named Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
As for Ginobili's berth in the All-Star Game: Allen has been an All-Star five times, and this year he received some MVP consideration.
Add it up, and isn't Allen worth the massive contract he's looking for this summer? Isn't he several notches ahead of Ginobili?
Truth is, more than one GM sees Allen as an expensive piece, and some in the Seattle organization have reservations about giving Allen what he wants this summer. The last offer on the table from the Sonics was a 5-year deal worth over $70 million.
That's a lot of money for a guard who will be 30 in July. But that's also a big chunk in the salary cap for someone who doesn't play much defense, and is not known for grabbing a rebound or a loose ball.
George Karl spent the last series slapping his forehead over Ginobili, as well as becoming the first human on record to say he didn't like watching Ginobili play.
But a few years ago, in a Sports Illustrated article, Karl said a few things about Allen, too. Karl would later regret those comments, since he was coaching Allen in Milwaukee at the time, but they summed up his view.
"I call him Barbie Doll because he wants to be pretty," Karl said then. "He's a great player, but he cares too much about having style, making highlights and being cool."
For those looking for a contrast: Isn't Ginobili the opposite of Barbie?
Allen wowed Tuesday night with several jumpers and drives, and he played with a sore ankle nagging at him. But how many times did he go to the floor? Maybe once?
Ginobili can't count how many times he stands up feeling the next bruise. He sacrifices his body because he knows it's the way to get to the line, and he did twice late in the fourth quarter. Then he leaped to the rim, drawing hard fouls.
That's why Nate McMillan says Ginobili is the kind of athlete who will need a hip replacement when he's 50 years old. The way Ginobili is going this spring, he might need one by June.
On this night, though, Ginobili started with Allen's 3-point touch. Ginobili ended with 28 points while missing only two shots. But more telling is a move he made late in the first half.
After the Sonics pulled within nine points, Ginobili caught a pass at the top of the 3-point circle. He was open, and most others — such as Allen — would have stroked up another jumper.
Ginobili instead drove down the middle of the Seattle defense, earning a hard foul and another two free throws, because that was the percentage play.
"I never know what he does," Tim Duncan said later, smiling. "He puts his head down and he goes, and we pray for the best."
The Spurs usually get the best, and for a price that most in the league see as a bargain. The Spurs signed Ginobili — a guard still in his 20s — for $52 million over six years.
So which player would teams rather have?
Start wondering what happens Thursday in Seattle, with the crowd loud, and with Allen ready to bring the Sonics back.
The last time Ginobili came off the bench for a Game 3 on the road?
He carried the Spurs, in Denver, with 32 points.
Web Posted: 05/11/2005 01:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA051105.1C.COL.BKNharvey.2617a9e28.html
Quit wondering about Ray Allen and Bruce Bowen.
Start wondering about Ray Allen and Manu Ginobili.
Start wondering which off-guard is better. Start wondering how money fits into the equation — and it does for every NBA general manager — and which player is a better value. And start wondering if a classic, smooth shooter is really more valuable than someone who seemingly always finds a way.
Start?
When Ginobili doesn't?
That's one reason this argument sounds ridiculous, especially to those in Seattle. Ginobili has been coming off the bench to begin games since the playoff opener against Denver, and no one could imagine Allen in a similar role.
The numbers show the contrast, too. Allen averaged 23.9 points this season, his sixth-straight season with at least an average of 20, and Ginobili averaged a career-high 16 this season.
Allen also is a star who couples as a character guy, though the SBC Center fans didn't seem to grasp that; Allen was booed nearly as loudly and as often as Ginobili was in Denver. And Allen doesn't have teammates named Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
As for Ginobili's berth in the All-Star Game: Allen has been an All-Star five times, and this year he received some MVP consideration.
Add it up, and isn't Allen worth the massive contract he's looking for this summer? Isn't he several notches ahead of Ginobili?
Truth is, more than one GM sees Allen as an expensive piece, and some in the Seattle organization have reservations about giving Allen what he wants this summer. The last offer on the table from the Sonics was a 5-year deal worth over $70 million.
That's a lot of money for a guard who will be 30 in July. But that's also a big chunk in the salary cap for someone who doesn't play much defense, and is not known for grabbing a rebound or a loose ball.
George Karl spent the last series slapping his forehead over Ginobili, as well as becoming the first human on record to say he didn't like watching Ginobili play.
But a few years ago, in a Sports Illustrated article, Karl said a few things about Allen, too. Karl would later regret those comments, since he was coaching Allen in Milwaukee at the time, but they summed up his view.
"I call him Barbie Doll because he wants to be pretty," Karl said then. "He's a great player, but he cares too much about having style, making highlights and being cool."
For those looking for a contrast: Isn't Ginobili the opposite of Barbie?
Allen wowed Tuesday night with several jumpers and drives, and he played with a sore ankle nagging at him. But how many times did he go to the floor? Maybe once?
Ginobili can't count how many times he stands up feeling the next bruise. He sacrifices his body because he knows it's the way to get to the line, and he did twice late in the fourth quarter. Then he leaped to the rim, drawing hard fouls.
That's why Nate McMillan says Ginobili is the kind of athlete who will need a hip replacement when he's 50 years old. The way Ginobili is going this spring, he might need one by June.
On this night, though, Ginobili started with Allen's 3-point touch. Ginobili ended with 28 points while missing only two shots. But more telling is a move he made late in the first half.
After the Sonics pulled within nine points, Ginobili caught a pass at the top of the 3-point circle. He was open, and most others — such as Allen — would have stroked up another jumper.
Ginobili instead drove down the middle of the Seattle defense, earning a hard foul and another two free throws, because that was the percentage play.
"I never know what he does," Tim Duncan said later, smiling. "He puts his head down and he goes, and we pray for the best."
The Spurs usually get the best, and for a price that most in the league see as a bargain. The Spurs signed Ginobili — a guard still in his 20s — for $52 million over six years.
So which player would teams rather have?
Start wondering what happens Thursday in Seattle, with the crowd loud, and with Allen ready to bring the Sonics back.
The last time Ginobili came off the bench for a Game 3 on the road?
He carried the Spurs, in Denver, with 32 points.