Today, I don't think so. People are taking Ginobili seriously as a potential MVP and a Sixth Man awardee.
He was underrated last year though, I can say that.
This is the reason why, after Manu retires, NBA will logate a new stat called MANUS. This stat will count those intangible plays Manu does.
FG, FA, FT, 3pt%, Assists, Rebounds, Manus.....
Not really. Bowen CONSTANTLY gets props as being the best defender in the league. When they call you the best at a major aspect of the game you're not being underrated.
First ballot? Seriously? I know Ginobili had a great international career before even coming to the NBA but I don't know if that's enough for first ballot or even second. Give me a good comparison of someone that's already in the Hall with a resume similar to Ginobili's.
Agree'd
Manu is not under rated in AZ. The fans hate him here, because they fear him. Any time a player generates that much hate ( I've talked to people here who actually want him to drop dead) they understand what a great player he is.
I'm telling you this guy is protected from up on high by the Prince of ing Darkness. As far as comparison, sir I thumb my nose at you, because I can't think of any mortal man whose accomplished what he has accomplished without selling his soul to the devil. He is Keyser Soze.
True dat, the guy has been snubbed by the media/league undeservedly for the last few yrs, when it comes to winning the DPOY le.
And he's snubbed by bandwagoner Spurs fans who can't appreciate his defensive role in this team.
Underrated?
Ginobili's super as a sub for the Spurs
By TOM ENLUND [email protected]
Posted: Nov. 17, 2007
Center Andrew Bogut had one question in mind after the Milwaukee Bucks had gotten clobbered by the San Antonio Spurs last week.
"What did (Manu) Ginobili shoot . . . 100%?" said Bogut.
No, Ginobili didn't make every one of his shots against the Bucks, it only seemed that way.
Actually, Ginobili made 6 of 9 shots against Milwaukee, including 3 three-pointers, and all six of his free throws for a team-high 21 points. He broke the game open by scoring 18 points in 11 first-half minutes.
"He came off the bench and gave a great spark for them," said Bogut. "He was the one that broke the game. It was a 10-point game and he came in and made it 25 in a matter of minutes. In three or four minutes he just blew the game open."
Funny thing about Ginobili, though, he's been doing that to a lot of teams this season in leading San Antonio to seven victories in their first nine games. Even in last week's loss to Dallas, Ginobili was one of the team's few bright spots, finishing with 25 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Through the first nine games, Ginobili was averaging a team-high 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists.
And, he's doing his damage off the bench, which means that coach Gregg Popovich is once again facing that annual question:
Why not start Ginobili?
Former University of Wisconsin star Michael Finley starts at shooting guard for the Spurs and some think that starting Ginobili would provide San Antonio with a bit more offensive punch. Popovich, though, doesn't want to sacrifice the spark that Ginobili provides off the bench. After all, Ginobili came off the bench throughout last season's playoffs and that worked out pretty well for San Antonio.
"It gives us a longer bench, it gives us energy," said Popovich. "When Tim (Duncan) and Tony (Parker) are off the court, it's good to have Manu on the court. It makes us all better."
Said Bogut, "To his credit, he's doing a good job and not complaining that he's coming of the bench because he could be a starter for any other team in the NBA. He's doing a great job for them."
Ginobili's spirited play so far is being credited to a summer of relative inactivity. He was not involved with the Argentine national team last summer and didn't touch a basketball in July and August.
With Ginobili leading the way, there already have been indications that San Antonio's bench could be even better than it was last season when it was the best, statistically, in the league. Popovich has the enviable problem of trying to figure out how to divide up the minutes and in some games he's played 11 or 12 players.
Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak pointed out that it's virtually impossible to zero in on Ginobili or any of the other Spurs defensively because they have so many weapons.
"When you look at the top 30 scorers in the NBA, you don't see anybody from San Antonio," he said. "It's a real balanced attack with all of those guys . . . different people being on each night. I think there's something to be said for that."
Said Popovich, "They coach each other more than I coach them. It's always a good situation when you get to that point."
Scout's honor
Even though he claims to be computer illiterate, Popovich admits to trying to keep tabs on the Kobe Bryant trade rumors. He asks the team's front office staff if the Spurs have been mentioned in any of the rumors and is told every day that they have not. Popovich isn't surprised.
"People just have this image of us," he said. "We're pigeon-holed, like we wouldn't bring anybody in who smacked of any sort of controversy whatsoever. They all have to have their 4-H and their Boy Scout badge before they can come and prove that their house is green and they recycle or we wouldn't dare bring them into San Antonio."
POWER RANKINGS
Last week
1. San Antonio Spurs 1
Ginobili thrives as super-sub.
2. Boston Celtics 5
Big Three finding a groove.
3. Dallas Mavericks 3
Harris wins battle with Spurs' Parker.
4. Detroit Pistons 4
Murray starts with Billups out.
5. Utah Jazz 6
Defense puts clamps on Raptors.
6. Houston Rockets 2
McGrady injury not too serious.
7. New Orleans Hornets 7
Great start, but is anyone watching?
8. Orlando Magic 10
Howard has monster game in Cleveland.
9. Phoenix Suns 11
Barbosa simply a blur.
10. Denver Nuggets 13
Karl gives Wilks a chance.
11. Los Angeles Lakers 10
Kobe set to face Bucks this time.
12. Los Angeles Clippers 8
Kaman doubles fun vs. Knicks.
13. New Jersey Nets 9
Carter injury clearly hurts.
14. Toronto Raptors 19
Moon makes most of starting role.
15. Cleveland Cavaliers 14
LeBron can't do it all, can he?
Last week
16. Milwaukee Bucks 16
Mo drops 12 dimes on Grizzlies.
17. Atlanta Hawks 17
Williams finding way in third year.
18. Portland Trail Blazers 27
Young team plays well at home.
19. Charlotte Bobcats 23
Richardson brings 3-point threat.
20. Washington Wizards 26
Ending 10-game home losing streak.
21. Memphis Grizzlies 22
Gay shows a versatile game.
22. Philadelphia 76ers 21
Iguodala 2 for 15 vs. Hornets.
23. Chicago Bulls 18
No joking on this circus trip.
24. Indiana Pacers 15
Crashing back to reality.
25. Sacramento Kings 25
Miller's return helps cause.
26. New York Knicks 20
Marbury adds to soap opera.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves 29
McCants leads way to first victory.
28. Seattle SuperSonics 30
Durant finds a 'W' in Miami.
29. Miami Heat 24
Riley rants over horrible start.
30. Golden State Warriors 28
Jackson's return much needed.
Ginobili is playing amazingly.. He could be an MVP player if he wanted to and if POP would let him.
I certainly don't think he's underrated. I think the Spurs go nowhere w/o him. While I'm a big fan of Jason Terry, he is not at the same level as Ginobli. I think Ginobli is EASILY the player the Mavs fear the most on the Spurs. They certainly voice their concerns about him much more than the other players. He's definitely who I fear the most as Duncan is going to be Duncan and get his. Harris does a decent enough job slowing down Parker but no one seems to be able to handle Ginobli.
Manu is getting more recognition this year than in years past... but overall, the media has never given Manu his due.
People who don't watch Ginobili play on a regular basis have no idea what kind of impact the guy has on the game. Even though -as Barkley pointed out- Mabu could easily be a 25 PPG player... you can't sum up his worth merely in PPG, which is all most fans and media seem to want to measure a star player by. Just as total number of blocks and rebounds seem to be the only thing people look at for DPOY.
OutOfTownSpursFan brings up a good point. It may be difficult for people in San Antonio to realize how few casual NBA fans oustide of SA even know Manu Ginobili's name.
I REALLY want to see a stat on number of fouls drawn by a player. Does that stat exist somewhere???
That's a HUGE part of Ginobili's game (putting the other team in foul trouble). And it doesn't have anything to do with "flopping". It's the way he moves in the lane... he just gets fouled as much as anyone with the rock in his hands.
Yeah, a case could certainly be made for Bowen being the most underrated. I think it's a travesty that Bowen still hasn't been awarded DPOY honors. Again... proof of stat fixation on the part of the media. Blocks and rebounds are apparently the only thing that matters when considering candidates for this award (with the exception of the one recent year they gave the award to Artest... what a joke).Bowen is the most underrated Spurs.
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