Gooshie
12-07-2004, 01:44 AM
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-041206smith,1,4793532.column?coll=cs-home-utility
Ginobili shows global appeal
December 6, 2004
Forget Shaq and Kobe. What's the big deal? We saw them. They're just guys with three NBA championships.
Monday night, Chicago got a look at arguably the most exciting and successful player in the NBA, the Spurs' Manu Ginobili. Not the best player, certainly, but perhaps the one you'd most like to watch.
"He certainly tests my patience," admitted Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who, nevertheless, has adjusted his once staid—if also effective—offense to help suit Ginobili's unpredictable and exhilarating style.
Here's a combination of the worst of Charles Oakley, winging full-court passes into the stands, and the best of Magic Johnson, down the court, through the legs, behind the back and then over the shoulder for a score. Here's a lefty who shoots like Tiny Archibald and seems to have learned the game from Pete Maravich, a national icon on the level of Michael Jordan and a winner reminiscent of Bill Russell.
When Manu comes, you win.
Not necessarily only because of him, since Tim Duncan had something to do with that 2003 NBA title. Ginobili book-ended it with a silver medal in the 2002 world championships after leading Argentina over the U.S. team, and then a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics after conquering the NBA players again. Before that were the Italian league and Euroleague championships, when he was MVP of both.
In Argentina, which favors soccer, Argentine journalists who often follow Ginobili in the U.S. say he is the nation's most popular athlete and one of the most highly regarded of all time. His face is everywhere in endorsements with the combination of the NBA title and Olympic gold. This summer he received a six-year, $52 million deal as a Spurs free agent.
"Winning an NBA championship is the biggest thing that can happen professionally," Ginobili said. "But representing your country with more than 30 million people cheering for you and then seeing you up there on top of the podium ... it's hard to find any words [for] that."
But back on the basketball court, Manu means fun.
"Most of us coaches are to some degree controlling," acknowledged the blunt and candid Popovich. "He tests that. But the real danger is if you try to control him, you reach a point of diminishing returns and don't get what his value is.
"We're playing Dallas earlier this year and he's at the free-throw line, misses a free throw, gets the rebound and runs to the corner, and before I can even get to my feet and start yelling , 'No!' he's hitting a three.
"He tries to make the steal at halfcourt and a guy goes by him for an easy basket. He does those things. But everything he does is to help you win. He gives you an unbelievable effort and is avvy about the game.
"He knows how to take advantage of situations. He understands all the relationships on the floor, the passing lanes, he's clever with the ball, comes up behind and swipes the ball. But he can drive you wacko."
Ginobili scored 13 points and had five rebounds and five assists in the Spurs' 91-75 win Monday night. He came into the game averaging 15.2 points 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He was shooting almost 40 percent on threes and over 48 percent from the field. He is among the league leaders in steals and turnovers.
Ginobili is one of the great success stories of the Spurs.
Of course, it helped to fall into drafting Duncan the one season David Robinson was injured. But the Spurs do a little more.
Popovich, the Olympic assistant to Larry Brown last summer, was at a USA Basketball qualifier with Duncan and was watching Argentina play. He liked the enthusiasm Ginobili showed, the respect he had and the lack of fear against NBA players.
"It was a no-brainer to take him in the 50s," Popovich said of the 1999 draft when the Spurs selected Ginobili.
But this is hardly a brainless organization. In fact, it is the favorite to win the NBA title and the only potential dynasty in sight. The Spurs, with four international players as starters, have the league's best worldwide scouting. Tony Parker was a steal as the 28th pick in 2001, and this season the scouts appear to have come up with another sleeper in Slovenian point guard Beno Udrih, another 28th pick.
But Ginobili is the real gem.
He plays so hard Popovich has to take him out after six-minute segments. He averages 28.7 minutes a game. His Argentine coach sat him out second quarters lest he wear out. Ginobili doesn't understand pace. It's one speed and nothing safe.
It's why Ginobili makes the game so much fun. How many players can you really say that about? Many, like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and LeBron James, are capable of spectacular dunks, and Bryant can be mesmerizing around the basket. But few look so out of control yet so effective.
If the Spurs are the NBA's melting pot, then Ginobili is the flavoring.
"He brings in a personality that's not the norm," Popovich said. "He adds the little bit of spice you need in the pot."
Ginobili shows global appeal
December 6, 2004
Forget Shaq and Kobe. What's the big deal? We saw them. They're just guys with three NBA championships.
Monday night, Chicago got a look at arguably the most exciting and successful player in the NBA, the Spurs' Manu Ginobili. Not the best player, certainly, but perhaps the one you'd most like to watch.
"He certainly tests my patience," admitted Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who, nevertheless, has adjusted his once staid—if also effective—offense to help suit Ginobili's unpredictable and exhilarating style.
Here's a combination of the worst of Charles Oakley, winging full-court passes into the stands, and the best of Magic Johnson, down the court, through the legs, behind the back and then over the shoulder for a score. Here's a lefty who shoots like Tiny Archibald and seems to have learned the game from Pete Maravich, a national icon on the level of Michael Jordan and a winner reminiscent of Bill Russell.
When Manu comes, you win.
Not necessarily only because of him, since Tim Duncan had something to do with that 2003 NBA title. Ginobili book-ended it with a silver medal in the 2002 world championships after leading Argentina over the U.S. team, and then a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics after conquering the NBA players again. Before that were the Italian league and Euroleague championships, when he was MVP of both.
In Argentina, which favors soccer, Argentine journalists who often follow Ginobili in the U.S. say he is the nation's most popular athlete and one of the most highly regarded of all time. His face is everywhere in endorsements with the combination of the NBA title and Olympic gold. This summer he received a six-year, $52 million deal as a Spurs free agent.
"Winning an NBA championship is the biggest thing that can happen professionally," Ginobili said. "But representing your country with more than 30 million people cheering for you and then seeing you up there on top of the podium ... it's hard to find any words [for] that."
But back on the basketball court, Manu means fun.
"Most of us coaches are to some degree controlling," acknowledged the blunt and candid Popovich. "He tests that. But the real danger is if you try to control him, you reach a point of diminishing returns and don't get what his value is.
"We're playing Dallas earlier this year and he's at the free-throw line, misses a free throw, gets the rebound and runs to the corner, and before I can even get to my feet and start yelling , 'No!' he's hitting a three.
"He tries to make the steal at halfcourt and a guy goes by him for an easy basket. He does those things. But everything he does is to help you win. He gives you an unbelievable effort and is avvy about the game.
"He knows how to take advantage of situations. He understands all the relationships on the floor, the passing lanes, he's clever with the ball, comes up behind and swipes the ball. But he can drive you wacko."
Ginobili scored 13 points and had five rebounds and five assists in the Spurs' 91-75 win Monday night. He came into the game averaging 15.2 points 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He was shooting almost 40 percent on threes and over 48 percent from the field. He is among the league leaders in steals and turnovers.
Ginobili is one of the great success stories of the Spurs.
Of course, it helped to fall into drafting Duncan the one season David Robinson was injured. But the Spurs do a little more.
Popovich, the Olympic assistant to Larry Brown last summer, was at a USA Basketball qualifier with Duncan and was watching Argentina play. He liked the enthusiasm Ginobili showed, the respect he had and the lack of fear against NBA players.
"It was a no-brainer to take him in the 50s," Popovich said of the 1999 draft when the Spurs selected Ginobili.
But this is hardly a brainless organization. In fact, it is the favorite to win the NBA title and the only potential dynasty in sight. The Spurs, with four international players as starters, have the league's best worldwide scouting. Tony Parker was a steal as the 28th pick in 2001, and this season the scouts appear to have come up with another sleeper in Slovenian point guard Beno Udrih, another 28th pick.
But Ginobili is the real gem.
He plays so hard Popovich has to take him out after six-minute segments. He averages 28.7 minutes a game. His Argentine coach sat him out second quarters lest he wear out. Ginobili doesn't understand pace. It's one speed and nothing safe.
It's why Ginobili makes the game so much fun. How many players can you really say that about? Many, like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and LeBron James, are capable of spectacular dunks, and Bryant can be mesmerizing around the basket. But few look so out of control yet so effective.
If the Spurs are the NBA's melting pot, then Ginobili is the flavoring.
"He brings in a personality that's not the norm," Popovich said. "He adds the little bit of spice you need in the pot."