Kori Ellis
06-05-2005, 01:51 AM
Comment: Manu brings back passion to game
Web Posted: 06/05/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Kevin Prather
Special to the Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/stories/MYSA060505.5H.prathercomment.2d5d7789e.html
I have followed the Spurs since they arrived in San Antonio, back in the days of the ABA — short shorts, big hair and the noisy, smoke-filled arena where George Gervin, Larry Kennon and James Silas worked their magic.
I've stuck with the Spurs through the highs and lows — admiring the dignity, professionalism, character and example of David Robinson, grimacing during the brief Dennis Rodman era and enjoying the beauty of watching Tim Duncan execute the fundamentals of basketball with such incredible efficiency.
We have seen many players come through this town and make contributions to the community and the game, and our city has embraced as family most who have played here for any length of time.
And then there is Manu.
While Tim is the foundation of the team, it has been a privilege from a fan's vantage point to watch the development of Manu Ginobili as a player and, even more amazing, to consider what he is becoming.
Manu is like no one we have seen. Yes, Tim is the cornerstone of the team, but Ginobili is the heart and soul of this Spurs unit. Without Ginobili, the Spurs would be just a good team. With him? Well, the story is still being written.
After Larry Bird retired, the NBA anointed many players as the "next" Larry Bird. When Magic Johnson retired, the NBA once more anticipated a "second coming" of sorts. And now, of course, various players are being labeled the "next" Michael Jordan.
The NBA and many fans have missed the point. There will never be another Bird, Johnson or Jordan. Each possessed specific qualities that made his game so remarkable and fascinating to watch: Bird's intensity, competitiveness and focus; Johnson's creativity, competitiveness and court vision; Jordan's sheer will, athleticism, heart and complete game — all worthy of admiration from an athletic standpoint.
But Ginobili? He is a first, a breath of fresh air. This wonderful mixture of pure passion for the game, relentlessness, selflessness, artistry and the way he makes every possession seem as if it is the most important play of the season is something the league desperately needs.
The league has been looking for a positive example in this age of self-indulgent millionaires playing at half-speed through the regular season and then "turning it up a notch" in the playoffs — and then there is Ginobili, the antithesis of such players. It is almost as if he doesn't know that a highly paid NBA player is supposed to coast from time to time.
I heard someone refer to Manu as "Obi-Wan Ginobili," the basketball equivalent of the Jedi Master — seemingly able to defy the laws of gravity, time and space that other "mere mortals" in the league simply cannot.
Over the past six to seven years, I have found myself becoming somewhat disillusioned with the NBA because of some of the players it promoted as the "face of the game." In my 40s now, I simply don't connect with the chest-thumping, trash-talking, me-first stars the league heralds as the next big thing. The great ones don't need PR machines to convince us of their greatness — they simply emerge, as has Manu.
He may never lead the league in scoring or be the MVP, but he brings so much to the game and has reintroduced so much that has been forgotten that he cannot and should not be overlooked. He is a category unto himself.
Thank you, Manu, for bringing back the passion the game has been missing since Jordan retired, for bringing back that creativity that was lost when Magic left the game and for bringing back the respect for the game that seemed to wane when Bird hung up his jersey. Thank you for reminding us of what basketball should and could be.
San Antonio, enjoy and appreciate Manu while he is with us. We may not see his like again. The way he plays with such intensity and fearlessness is punishing on a physical level and could shorten his career. He is like a streaking comet, shining brightly as it bursts across the night sky. Watch closely while he is still visible — and enjoy. Basketball is fun again.
Web Posted: 06/05/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Kevin Prather
Special to the Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/stories/MYSA060505.5H.prathercomment.2d5d7789e.html
I have followed the Spurs since they arrived in San Antonio, back in the days of the ABA — short shorts, big hair and the noisy, smoke-filled arena where George Gervin, Larry Kennon and James Silas worked their magic.
I've stuck with the Spurs through the highs and lows — admiring the dignity, professionalism, character and example of David Robinson, grimacing during the brief Dennis Rodman era and enjoying the beauty of watching Tim Duncan execute the fundamentals of basketball with such incredible efficiency.
We have seen many players come through this town and make contributions to the community and the game, and our city has embraced as family most who have played here for any length of time.
And then there is Manu.
While Tim is the foundation of the team, it has been a privilege from a fan's vantage point to watch the development of Manu Ginobili as a player and, even more amazing, to consider what he is becoming.
Manu is like no one we have seen. Yes, Tim is the cornerstone of the team, but Ginobili is the heart and soul of this Spurs unit. Without Ginobili, the Spurs would be just a good team. With him? Well, the story is still being written.
After Larry Bird retired, the NBA anointed many players as the "next" Larry Bird. When Magic Johnson retired, the NBA once more anticipated a "second coming" of sorts. And now, of course, various players are being labeled the "next" Michael Jordan.
The NBA and many fans have missed the point. There will never be another Bird, Johnson or Jordan. Each possessed specific qualities that made his game so remarkable and fascinating to watch: Bird's intensity, competitiveness and focus; Johnson's creativity, competitiveness and court vision; Jordan's sheer will, athleticism, heart and complete game — all worthy of admiration from an athletic standpoint.
But Ginobili? He is a first, a breath of fresh air. This wonderful mixture of pure passion for the game, relentlessness, selflessness, artistry and the way he makes every possession seem as if it is the most important play of the season is something the league desperately needs.
The league has been looking for a positive example in this age of self-indulgent millionaires playing at half-speed through the regular season and then "turning it up a notch" in the playoffs — and then there is Ginobili, the antithesis of such players. It is almost as if he doesn't know that a highly paid NBA player is supposed to coast from time to time.
I heard someone refer to Manu as "Obi-Wan Ginobili," the basketball equivalent of the Jedi Master — seemingly able to defy the laws of gravity, time and space that other "mere mortals" in the league simply cannot.
Over the past six to seven years, I have found myself becoming somewhat disillusioned with the NBA because of some of the players it promoted as the "face of the game." In my 40s now, I simply don't connect with the chest-thumping, trash-talking, me-first stars the league heralds as the next big thing. The great ones don't need PR machines to convince us of their greatness — they simply emerge, as has Manu.
He may never lead the league in scoring or be the MVP, but he brings so much to the game and has reintroduced so much that has been forgotten that he cannot and should not be overlooked. He is a category unto himself.
Thank you, Manu, for bringing back the passion the game has been missing since Jordan retired, for bringing back that creativity that was lost when Magic left the game and for bringing back the respect for the game that seemed to wane when Bird hung up his jersey. Thank you for reminding us of what basketball should and could be.
San Antonio, enjoy and appreciate Manu while he is with us. We may not see his like again. The way he plays with such intensity and fearlessness is punishing on a physical level and could shorten his career. He is like a streaking comet, shining brightly as it bursts across the night sky. Watch closely while he is still visible — and enjoy. Basketball is fun again.