Grantland: The Foreign Legion in San Antonio

[ElNono]

The Foreign Legion in San Antonio
How the Spurs built an internationally renowned bench and one of the best teams in the NBA

BY KIRK GOLDSBERRY ON JUNE 2, 2014

http://grantland.com/features/san-antonio-spurs-bench-international-manu-ginobili-rc-buford/

[ElNono]

But Belinelli is quick to point out that having Ginobili around is particularly helpful.

“For me, playing with him is a dream,” Belinelli says. “He helps me a lot in my transition to becoming a better player. He can speak Italian with me and I can understand certain things a little bit better if we are speaking in Italian. Manu is a big part of my improvements here.”

Belinelli also describes what it’s like to play for the best passing team in the league: “I really love to play with guys that love to move the ball, like Boris and Manu. And the system that we play is all about ball movement and giving up good shots for great shots.”

It's good to hear Marco acknowledge Manu saved his career, tbh, as it's been said over here many times before.

Hopefully Marco can go back to his 8-9 ppt average in the Blazers series for these Finals, we could certainly use that.

[DAF86]

Although no one knew it at the time, “Emanuel” Ginobili would go down as one of the best second-round picks ever. Emanuel quickly became Manu and won over the hearts and minds of Spurs fans with his brand of play, which foreshadowed the future of NBA play; he was James Harden before James Harden. Ginobili is an attack-minded slasher who loves 3s, rim attacks, and free throws; he hated midrange shots before it was cool to hate them. Oh, and he brought the NBA the Eurostep, which early on in his career was often called a travel by NBA officials who didn’t know what to make of Ginobili’s signature move.

But he will get to the Hall only because of what he did outside of the NBA. :cry

[Baam]

Article is pretty shitty for anyone who really knows the team, lol at Buford patting himself on the back for sticking with Beli :lmao...

[Baam]

Also the quote about not shortening the rotation at the first sign of adversity is retarded when Spo played a longer rotation in game 7 with Battier who hadn't played much up to that point and co, getting fresher guys in there while the mastermind overplayed our tosb...

[Old School 44]

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o518/tcatz/SAForeignLegion_zps109dd11e.jpg

[BillMc]

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o518/tcatz/SAForeignLegion_zps109dd11e.jpg

Great picture. And by their expressions it looks like everyone is ready for battle except Baynes, who just saw an incoming shell. :lol

[BillMc]

I dig the map:

http://espngrantland.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/mapfixed1152.png?w=773

Though I guess Daye and Ayres are not "map-worthy"

[Old School 44]

:lol
Great picture. And by their expressions it looks like everyone is ready for battle except Baynes, who just saw an incoming shell.

:lol:toast

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6RsbU0pmsY&feature=youtu.be

[Darius Bieber]

Seems like those four have better chemistry than guys on our team now. Also, I thought Tiago was in line to get an office position with the Spurs?

[Play Boban]

I hate what this team has become.