tekdragon
06-14-2005, 05:01 PM
from usatoday.com: (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/2005-06-13-manu-mark_x.htm)
Manu making his mark in Finals
By David DuPree, USA TODAY
TROY, Mich. — The NBA Finals have quickly become much ado about Manu.
San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili has dazzled fans throughout the playoffs with his acrobatic moves, daring drives and frenetic mile-a-minute style, but his performance through the first two games of the Finals has been nothing short of spectacular. (Related item: Ginobili does it better)
He's been the catalyst in both wins as the Spurs have taken a 2-0 lead against the Detroit Pistons in the best-of-seven series.
"Manu," Spurs forward Tim Duncan says, "has been awesome."
Indeed he has, averaging 26.5 points, six rebounds, 4.5 assists and two steals against the defensive-minded Pistons. His aggressiveness has gotten him to the free throw line, where he has taken and made more shots (15-for-17) than anyone in the series.
Detroit has not had an answer for Ginobili. When the Pistons try to take his penetration away, he makes jump shots or becomes a playmaker. When they leave the lane open, he attacks the goal.
He is the perfect complement to the quiet leadership style of Duncan and the boyish charm of point guard Tony Parker. Ginobili provides the flair and dash of pizazz that help set the Spurs apart.
Not only is Ginobili Argentina's biggest sports hero, but he is so big in San Antonio that he appears on billboards and fans have even taken to naming their newborns Manu. One couple recently took it a step further and named their son Ginobili.
"That's really something," said Ginobili, who led Argentina to the Olympic basketball gold medal last summer. "I wonder what they were thinking."
Probably the same thing teammates and opponents think when he is on the court.
"Everything he does surprises me," Duncan added. "Even playing with him, when he gets in a rhythm, it's like you want to sit there and watch him play. You get mesmerized by what he's doing."
Pistons coach Larry Brown shakes his head when the subject of Ginobili comes up. "They should be talking about (him) like everybody is talking about Dwyane Wade," Brown said.
Fans at SBC Center sometimes chant "MVP, MVP" when Ginobili steps to the free throw line.
"Of course, you appreciate it," said Ginobili, who gave U.S. fans a glimpse of things to come during the 2002 world championships in Indiana. "But it's something you can't think about, because it can take you out of your main goal, which is making your teammates better and playing well."
Ginobili does it better
Manu Ginobili has become the star of the NBA Finals, doing what Dwyane Wade, Reggie Miller and Allen Iverson couldn't — shooting better than 50% against the vaunted Detroit Pistons defense.
Name FG%. 3-pt. FG%. PPG
NBA Finals: Ginobili 66.7% 66.7% (6-9) 26.5
Conf. finals: Wade 44% 0% (0-4) 25.8
Conf. semifinals: Miller 45.5% 28.1 (9-32) 14.0
First round: Iverson 46.8% 41.4% (12-29) 31.2
DuPree's Game 3 glance
The event: Game 3 (9 ET Tuesday, ABC) of the best-of-seven NBA Finals — the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The series: Spurs lead 2-0.
Who's hot: Pistons: Chauncey Billups is averaging 19 points and shooting 50% from the field, but he has had to work awfully hard as the set offense has broken down. Antonio McDyess was big off the bench in Game 2, scoring 15 points, the most of any reserve on either team in the series. He also had seven rebounds, three of them offensive. Spurs: Manu Ginobili leads the series in scoring (26.5) and is tied with Billups for the lead in assists (4.5). Tim Duncan is averaging 21 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots.
Who's not: Pistons: Tayshaun Prince has not only had trouble containing Ginobili, but offensively as well, averaging seven points and shooting 26.3%. Richard Hamilton is averaging 14 points and shooting 33.3%. Spurs: Brent Barry hasn't scored as Ginobili's primary backup. In 36 minutes, he is 0-for-4 from the field and has three turnovers.
What Pistons have to do: Detroit needs to get some sort of offensive rhythm by moving the basketball, and the Pistons need to quit complaining about the officiating and just play. Rasheed Wallace has to be more aggressive offensively by demanding the ball inside and making Duncan work. They have to put more pressure on Ginobili and force him into mistakes. Maybe it's time to try someone other than Prince on him, maybe even Billups.
What Spurs have to do: They need to keep on doing what they are doing but not get overconfident. All they have really done is protect their home court. Detroit will be more aggressive at both ends, and the Spurs have to maintain their poise and continue to play at their pace. They also have to be prepared for the Pistons to be a lot more physical with Ginobili and Parker, but they can't get intimidated.
Manu making his mark in Finals
By David DuPree, USA TODAY
TROY, Mich. — The NBA Finals have quickly become much ado about Manu.
San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili has dazzled fans throughout the playoffs with his acrobatic moves, daring drives and frenetic mile-a-minute style, but his performance through the first two games of the Finals has been nothing short of spectacular. (Related item: Ginobili does it better)
He's been the catalyst in both wins as the Spurs have taken a 2-0 lead against the Detroit Pistons in the best-of-seven series.
"Manu," Spurs forward Tim Duncan says, "has been awesome."
Indeed he has, averaging 26.5 points, six rebounds, 4.5 assists and two steals against the defensive-minded Pistons. His aggressiveness has gotten him to the free throw line, where he has taken and made more shots (15-for-17) than anyone in the series.
Detroit has not had an answer for Ginobili. When the Pistons try to take his penetration away, he makes jump shots or becomes a playmaker. When they leave the lane open, he attacks the goal.
He is the perfect complement to the quiet leadership style of Duncan and the boyish charm of point guard Tony Parker. Ginobili provides the flair and dash of pizazz that help set the Spurs apart.
Not only is Ginobili Argentina's biggest sports hero, but he is so big in San Antonio that he appears on billboards and fans have even taken to naming their newborns Manu. One couple recently took it a step further and named their son Ginobili.
"That's really something," said Ginobili, who led Argentina to the Olympic basketball gold medal last summer. "I wonder what they were thinking."
Probably the same thing teammates and opponents think when he is on the court.
"Everything he does surprises me," Duncan added. "Even playing with him, when he gets in a rhythm, it's like you want to sit there and watch him play. You get mesmerized by what he's doing."
Pistons coach Larry Brown shakes his head when the subject of Ginobili comes up. "They should be talking about (him) like everybody is talking about Dwyane Wade," Brown said.
Fans at SBC Center sometimes chant "MVP, MVP" when Ginobili steps to the free throw line.
"Of course, you appreciate it," said Ginobili, who gave U.S. fans a glimpse of things to come during the 2002 world championships in Indiana. "But it's something you can't think about, because it can take you out of your main goal, which is making your teammates better and playing well."
Ginobili does it better
Manu Ginobili has become the star of the NBA Finals, doing what Dwyane Wade, Reggie Miller and Allen Iverson couldn't — shooting better than 50% against the vaunted Detroit Pistons defense.
Name FG%. 3-pt. FG%. PPG
NBA Finals: Ginobili 66.7% 66.7% (6-9) 26.5
Conf. finals: Wade 44% 0% (0-4) 25.8
Conf. semifinals: Miller 45.5% 28.1 (9-32) 14.0
First round: Iverson 46.8% 41.4% (12-29) 31.2
DuPree's Game 3 glance
The event: Game 3 (9 ET Tuesday, ABC) of the best-of-seven NBA Finals — the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The series: Spurs lead 2-0.
Who's hot: Pistons: Chauncey Billups is averaging 19 points and shooting 50% from the field, but he has had to work awfully hard as the set offense has broken down. Antonio McDyess was big off the bench in Game 2, scoring 15 points, the most of any reserve on either team in the series. He also had seven rebounds, three of them offensive. Spurs: Manu Ginobili leads the series in scoring (26.5) and is tied with Billups for the lead in assists (4.5). Tim Duncan is averaging 21 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots.
Who's not: Pistons: Tayshaun Prince has not only had trouble containing Ginobili, but offensively as well, averaging seven points and shooting 26.3%. Richard Hamilton is averaging 14 points and shooting 33.3%. Spurs: Brent Barry hasn't scored as Ginobili's primary backup. In 36 minutes, he is 0-for-4 from the field and has three turnovers.
What Pistons have to do: Detroit needs to get some sort of offensive rhythm by moving the basketball, and the Pistons need to quit complaining about the officiating and just play. Rasheed Wallace has to be more aggressive offensively by demanding the ball inside and making Duncan work. They have to put more pressure on Ginobili and force him into mistakes. Maybe it's time to try someone other than Prince on him, maybe even Billups.
What Spurs have to do: They need to keep on doing what they are doing but not get overconfident. All they have really done is protect their home court. Detroit will be more aggressive at both ends, and the Spurs have to maintain their poise and continue to play at their pace. They also have to be prepared for the Pistons to be a lot more physical with Ginobili and Parker, but they can't get intimidated.