Manu20
10-29-2005, 12:18 AM
Ginobili may as well wear a bull's-eye since defenses will target him
Web Posted: 10/29/2005 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA102905.1C.BKNspurs.ginobili.7a78623.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Among the perks that come with winning an Olympic gold medal, two NBA championships and making your first All-Star team, all within a head-spinning two-year stretch: You never need dinner reservations in Buenos Aires; everyone knows you're still a Time Warner customer; and you get to listen to Charles Barkley scream your name — Gi-noo- bleeee! — 736 times a year.
There are, of course, also a few drawbacks to realizing NBA fame so quickly.
League officials, to the amusement of your teammates, feature you on their "Embellishment of Contact" instructional video. The Phoenix Suns sign rugged defender Raja Bell after watching you whirl through the lane one too many times in the Western Conference finals. And, if that isn't enough, Indiana's Ron Artest announces his return by bouncing you around in a pair of preseason games.
Welcome to the ranks of the NBA elite, Manu Ginobili. You've earned the respect of your peers. Now they want your success.
"I think there are a lot of guys who are going to want to prove they're as good as Manu," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Part of it is because he is a foreigner. To them, he just came out of the blue. I think there's always going to be people who look at him as the standard they have to meet in the sense of being considered a star.
"But it's going to be difficult for people because he's not just talented. He's innately and purposefully driven. Most players don't have that. They'll talk it, but they don't have it."
Most players also haven't experienced the dream-like run Ginobili has enjoyed the past five years.
In 2001, he led Italy's Kinder Bologna to the Euroleague title.
In 2002, after guiding Argentina past the United States in the World Championships, he finished one controversial call away from winning the gold medal.
In 2003, as an NBA rookie, his energetic play off the bench helped the Spurs win the championship.
In 2004, he jump-started Argentina's Olympic run with a stunning last-second shot against Serbia-Montenegro and ended it by beating Italy for the gold medal.
In 2005, NBA coaches named him to the Western Conference All-Star team. Four months later, he won his second NBA championship, averaging 18.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists against Detroit — a performance many thought warranted at least a share of the Finals MVP trophy.
All of which leaves one question: Now what?
"I've been having great years, and always the next surpasses the previous one," Ginobili said. "I feel like, at this point, that's impossible (to continue). But that's probably what I said when I won the first time here and when I won in Europe."
Ginobili's goal is to build on last season's success. Or, at the least, preserve it.
"A lot of guys come and go," Popovich said. "He had a fantastic year, but his job is to maintain and build in both decision-making on the court and adding to his game."
That, Ginobili said, means improving his rebounding. His defense. His midrange shooting. Reducing his turnovers. Posting up occasionally. Giving his game, what Popovich calls, "a maturity."
"You can always improve a percentage point," Ginobili said. "And I can help the new guys and be more of a leader and talk a little more."
For much of his first two years in the NBA, Ginobili was unsure not only of his place among the team's hierarchy, but also of his communication skills. Although he had a good command of English, he worried about speaking too fast — or not clear enough — when tired or emotional after a game.
Toward the end of last season, Ginobili started to assume more of a leadership role. Tim Duncan's absence from the lineup because of injuries accelerated the process.
"Now I'm feeling better and more confident," he said. "So it's easier for me."
Ginobili's standing has also grown outside his own locker room. Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade and Steve Nash have all publicly complimented him on his fearlessness. Even Denver coach George Karl now claims to like him.
The league's referees also understand his game better, which has translated into him getting more calls. Philadelphia coach Maurice Cheeks, like many around the league, likens Ginobili to Golden State's former left-handed Lithuanian guard, Sarunas Marciulionis. With one exception.
"Ginobili," Cheeks said, "is a better Marciulionis."
"Manu's game is special," said Indiana guard Stephen Jackson, who spent one season as Ginobili's teammate. "You can't imitate it. No one can try to practice like Manu or play like him.
"A lot of guys, you can scout and figure out what they like to do on the court, but it's hard to do that with Manu. He's so unpredictable. He'll try the impossible pass, the impossible play, and 75 percent of the time, he'll make it.
"What I love about him is his heart. He doesn't back down from anybody."
Ginobili didn't always inspire such praise. During a double-overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers early in his second season, he scored 33 points while Duncan and Tony Parker were sidelined with injuries. Gary Payton unsuccessfully tried to rattle Ginobili by barking at him.
Others have tried to do the same.
"They saw a white, skinny boy from Argentina and had no respect at all," Ginobili said. "And I understand that. It's normal. You have to work hard and play tough.
"Respect is earned."
Web Posted: 10/29/2005 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA102905.1C.BKNspurs.ginobili.7a78623.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Among the perks that come with winning an Olympic gold medal, two NBA championships and making your first All-Star team, all within a head-spinning two-year stretch: You never need dinner reservations in Buenos Aires; everyone knows you're still a Time Warner customer; and you get to listen to Charles Barkley scream your name — Gi-noo- bleeee! — 736 times a year.
There are, of course, also a few drawbacks to realizing NBA fame so quickly.
League officials, to the amusement of your teammates, feature you on their "Embellishment of Contact" instructional video. The Phoenix Suns sign rugged defender Raja Bell after watching you whirl through the lane one too many times in the Western Conference finals. And, if that isn't enough, Indiana's Ron Artest announces his return by bouncing you around in a pair of preseason games.
Welcome to the ranks of the NBA elite, Manu Ginobili. You've earned the respect of your peers. Now they want your success.
"I think there are a lot of guys who are going to want to prove they're as good as Manu," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Part of it is because he is a foreigner. To them, he just came out of the blue. I think there's always going to be people who look at him as the standard they have to meet in the sense of being considered a star.
"But it's going to be difficult for people because he's not just talented. He's innately and purposefully driven. Most players don't have that. They'll talk it, but they don't have it."
Most players also haven't experienced the dream-like run Ginobili has enjoyed the past five years.
In 2001, he led Italy's Kinder Bologna to the Euroleague title.
In 2002, after guiding Argentina past the United States in the World Championships, he finished one controversial call away from winning the gold medal.
In 2003, as an NBA rookie, his energetic play off the bench helped the Spurs win the championship.
In 2004, he jump-started Argentina's Olympic run with a stunning last-second shot against Serbia-Montenegro and ended it by beating Italy for the gold medal.
In 2005, NBA coaches named him to the Western Conference All-Star team. Four months later, he won his second NBA championship, averaging 18.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists against Detroit — a performance many thought warranted at least a share of the Finals MVP trophy.
All of which leaves one question: Now what?
"I've been having great years, and always the next surpasses the previous one," Ginobili said. "I feel like, at this point, that's impossible (to continue). But that's probably what I said when I won the first time here and when I won in Europe."
Ginobili's goal is to build on last season's success. Or, at the least, preserve it.
"A lot of guys come and go," Popovich said. "He had a fantastic year, but his job is to maintain and build in both decision-making on the court and adding to his game."
That, Ginobili said, means improving his rebounding. His defense. His midrange shooting. Reducing his turnovers. Posting up occasionally. Giving his game, what Popovich calls, "a maturity."
"You can always improve a percentage point," Ginobili said. "And I can help the new guys and be more of a leader and talk a little more."
For much of his first two years in the NBA, Ginobili was unsure not only of his place among the team's hierarchy, but also of his communication skills. Although he had a good command of English, he worried about speaking too fast — or not clear enough — when tired or emotional after a game.
Toward the end of last season, Ginobili started to assume more of a leadership role. Tim Duncan's absence from the lineup because of injuries accelerated the process.
"Now I'm feeling better and more confident," he said. "So it's easier for me."
Ginobili's standing has also grown outside his own locker room. Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade and Steve Nash have all publicly complimented him on his fearlessness. Even Denver coach George Karl now claims to like him.
The league's referees also understand his game better, which has translated into him getting more calls. Philadelphia coach Maurice Cheeks, like many around the league, likens Ginobili to Golden State's former left-handed Lithuanian guard, Sarunas Marciulionis. With one exception.
"Ginobili," Cheeks said, "is a better Marciulionis."
"Manu's game is special," said Indiana guard Stephen Jackson, who spent one season as Ginobili's teammate. "You can't imitate it. No one can try to practice like Manu or play like him.
"A lot of guys, you can scout and figure out what they like to do on the court, but it's hard to do that with Manu. He's so unpredictable. He'll try the impossible pass, the impossible play, and 75 percent of the time, he'll make it.
"What I love about him is his heart. He doesn't back down from anybody."
Ginobili didn't always inspire such praise. During a double-overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers early in his second season, he scored 33 points while Duncan and Tony Parker were sidelined with injuries. Gary Payton unsuccessfully tried to rattle Ginobili by barking at him.
Others have tried to do the same.
"They saw a white, skinny boy from Argentina and had no respect at all," Ginobili said. "And I understand that. It's normal. You have to work hard and play tough.
"Respect is earned."