Rick Von Braun
01-26-2005, 11:00 PM
http://www.nba.com/spurs/blanks/050124.html
Filling In The Blanks: Manu The Magician
by Lance Blanks, Spurs Director of Scouting and TV Analyst
San Antonio Spurs fans who witnessed the Silver and Black in this past weekend's game against the Phoenix Suns may have seen the single most impressive performance by a Spurs perimeter player in the New Millennium.
In case you missed it, Manu Ginobili put on one of those unforgettable performances. He left Spurs fans with something to talk about for years to come. When the final buzzer sounded around 1:00 am CST, Manu had tallied 48 points on only 22 shots. He unselfishly scored a career high in the midst of NBA overtime game excitement.
I found myself rooting for Manu along with the rest of the team. He made play after play in what should be considered one of the great NBA "classic" games. He brought out his "bag of tricks" and displayed each one on national television.
His performance could not have been more timely with the NBA's All-Star game voting coming to an end on Sunday January 23rd. At last count, it looked like Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant would be the starters for the west in this year's All-Star game.
The attention will now shift to the coaches and where they will place their votes for the remaining seven spots. I can't imagine why Manu wouldn't be a part of the 12-man roster.
1. He is currently 5th in voting among the West's guards
2. He scored 48 points against one of the top teams in the West (Phoenix)
3. He scored 29 points against the team with the best record in the East (Miami)
4. He is arguably one of the top 10 most exciting players to watch in the NBA
5. He plays as hard as anyone in the NBA every single night
Watching Manu play is like riding a roller coaster at a theme park -- the perfect style for an All-Star game setting. One minute you are gasping for air and the next minute your eyes and mouth are wide open because you're in disbelief about what you just witnessed. I can't imagine what he might try with the All-Star "bright lights" shining on him.
Since last spring, Manu has been playing well enough to be given one of those special NBA nicknames -- maybe something like "Magic Manu?" After all he is a magician at times. Or maybe the "Rubber Band Man" because of the flexibility that he shows when he goes to the rim. What about the "Human Pretzel" because he can contort his body into positions that resemble the toasted treats. For now, I think NBA legend Charles Barkley has the most fitting nickname of them all for Manu: "GINOBILIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!"
http://www.nba.com/media/spurs/ginobili_200w_050124.jpg
Manu Ginobili on one of his roller coaster rides.
(Chris Birk/NBAE/Getty)
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smismokin.gif
Filling In The Blanks: Manu The Magician
by Lance Blanks, Spurs Director of Scouting and TV Analyst
San Antonio Spurs fans who witnessed the Silver and Black in this past weekend's game against the Phoenix Suns may have seen the single most impressive performance by a Spurs perimeter player in the New Millennium.
In case you missed it, Manu Ginobili put on one of those unforgettable performances. He left Spurs fans with something to talk about for years to come. When the final buzzer sounded around 1:00 am CST, Manu had tallied 48 points on only 22 shots. He unselfishly scored a career high in the midst of NBA overtime game excitement.
I found myself rooting for Manu along with the rest of the team. He made play after play in what should be considered one of the great NBA "classic" games. He brought out his "bag of tricks" and displayed each one on national television.
His performance could not have been more timely with the NBA's All-Star game voting coming to an end on Sunday January 23rd. At last count, it looked like Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant would be the starters for the west in this year's All-Star game.
The attention will now shift to the coaches and where they will place their votes for the remaining seven spots. I can't imagine why Manu wouldn't be a part of the 12-man roster.
1. He is currently 5th in voting among the West's guards
2. He scored 48 points against one of the top teams in the West (Phoenix)
3. He scored 29 points against the team with the best record in the East (Miami)
4. He is arguably one of the top 10 most exciting players to watch in the NBA
5. He plays as hard as anyone in the NBA every single night
Watching Manu play is like riding a roller coaster at a theme park -- the perfect style for an All-Star game setting. One minute you are gasping for air and the next minute your eyes and mouth are wide open because you're in disbelief about what you just witnessed. I can't imagine what he might try with the All-Star "bright lights" shining on him.
Since last spring, Manu has been playing well enough to be given one of those special NBA nicknames -- maybe something like "Magic Manu?" After all he is a magician at times. Or maybe the "Rubber Band Man" because of the flexibility that he shows when he goes to the rim. What about the "Human Pretzel" because he can contort his body into positions that resemble the toasted treats. For now, I think NBA legend Charles Barkley has the most fitting nickname of them all for Manu: "GINOBILIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!"
http://www.nba.com/media/spurs/ginobili_200w_050124.jpg
Manu Ginobili on one of his roller coaster rides.
(Chris Birk/NBAE/Getty)
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smismokin.gif