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"You can't polish a turd, Beavis!" -- Butt-head"If we weren't going to win the gold," Duncan said, "I'm glad Manu did."
Life looks perfect for Spurs' Ginobili
Web Posted: 10/07/2004 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....f47231d2.html
In the span of six weeks this summer, Manu Ginobili got married, signed the third-largest contract in Spurs' history — during his honeymoon, no less — and led Argentina to the Olympic gold medal in basketball. Somewhere in there, he also celebrated his 27th birthday, but who's counting?
"It was a strange summer," Ginobili said, grinning. "But that doesn't mean I didn't love it."
There wasn't much not to love. Ginobili's Olympic victory added to an already impressive résumé that also includes an NBA championship and a Euroleague le.
The only question facing Ginobili as he begins his third season with the Spurs is, what's next?
"Keep winning," Ginobili said. "It's as simple as that.
"You feel satisfied because you work hard, you reach the goal and you want to do it again. You saw what it was like when we won the championship (in 2003). There's no way you don't want to do it again.
"The same with the Olympics. The sensation, the feelings I had for two weeks after, the things people told me, what I read in the papers, it makes you feel so proud and so happy."
The Spurs evidently felt they would have a better chance of winning their second le in three years with Ginobili on their roster. They re-signed him in July to a six-year contract that figures to make him an important piece of the team's long-term future.
And if there were any doubts about Ginobili's role this season, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich eliminated them Tuesday when he said Ginobili will be the team's starting shooting guard. Ginobili also began last season as the starter, but Popovich replaced him in the lineup with Hedo Turkoglu in January in an effort to improve Turkoglu's confidence and add some energy to the team's bench.
Though Ginobili initially was not happy about the change, he accepted it and finished the season as one of the league's most valued reserves. His countrymen, however, saw the move to the bench as a slight. "They were very mad at Pop," Ginobili said. "It was crazy."
"He couldn't have been in a more difficult situation," Popovich said. "Because he is such a hero in Argentina and also really loved here in San Antonio, he probably had to explain to a lot of people what happened. It also was a contract year. You tell me how many guys in the NBA, under those (conditions) would go sit over there, do their job and just do what's best for the team.
"I gained more respect for him through that experience than I did anything he did on the floor basketball-wise."
Basketball-wise, Ginobili admits his shooting can get better. He made 42.5 percent of his shots in his first two seasons, 35.4 percent of his 3-point attempts. Of course, he also wasn't afraid to attempt the most difficult of shots — or passes — so it's little surprise Popovich thinks his decision-making can further improve.
"We already know he can drive, shoot and score," Popovich said. "He's a compe or and he's somebody that knows how to win. He's got the whole package.
"Now it's sort of putting the polish on it and refining that one area, and I think he will be a big-time player."
Ginobili enhanced his reputation as such in the Olympics. In Argentina's first game, he threw in an off-balance runner at the buzzer to beat Serbia and Montenegro. He deprived Popovich and Tim Duncan of an opportunity to win the gold medal when he scored 29 points against the United States in the semifinals.
"If we weren't going to win the gold," Duncan said, "I'm glad Manu did."
Argentina's victory only added to Ginobili's icon status in his native country. Several of Argentina's magazines devoted huge spreads to his wedding. His contract signing made front-page news across the country.
It also attracted some unwanted attention. Shortly after Ginobili agreed to the contract, police in Buenos Aires intercepted a possible kidnapping plot targeting one of his brothers.
Ginobili, who received the news during his honeymoon, has had concerns about his family's safety since he joined the NBA. With Argentina and other countries suffering from a poor economy, kidnappings for ransom are not uncommon in South America. Last month, the mother of Detroit Tigers pitcher Uqueth Urbina was kidnapped from her home in Venezuela.
The security Ginobili has added for his family has put him more at ease.
"I think nothing bad is going to happen, so they're more relaxed now and enjoying everything again," he said.
As for Ginobili, he admits his busy summer has left him fatigued. Popovich has so far held him and Duncan out of contact drills and plans to continue to be careful about not overworking them in training camp.
Ginobili, however, has no worries he will be ready for the start of the season.
"It was a whole different thing when I came two years ago," Ginobili said. "Even though I've always been very confident in myself, it was a whole new world. I didn't know what to expect. I was living in a new community.
"Now I know my teammates, the coach, the city. I feel like I really belong and am important here."
"You can't polish a turd, Beavis!" -- Butt-head"If we weren't going to win the gold," Duncan said, "I'm glad Manu did."
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