As the playoffs approach and the NBA heads into its debate season for individual awards, we sometimes forget that this is still about entertainment. With that in mind, here are my picks for the all-entertainment team -- the five most fun players to watch:
The Spurs' Manu Ginobili heads the list.
He has led, won and excited on every international stage -- Europe, the Olympics and the NBA. Now, the man isn't smooth. He doesn't glide and is all elbows and knees when he goes to the basket, yet he is one of the most difficult players in the league against whom to play. He throws around his body with abandon and is just awkward enough to keep all defenders confused. The fact that he is left-handed, yet uses his right hand almost as often, gives him even more advantages.
He's also a great free-throw shooter and a deadly three-point shooter. Ginobili can get in the lane against any defender, and once there, has a barrelful of moves to get off acrobatic and creative shots in traffic and over bigger defenders. He will flop in a heartbeat, but that doesn't mean he isn't tough. You knock him down, he gets right back up and comes back at you just as hard the next time. (The 6-foot-6, 205-pound guard is just as fearless on defense. He is one of the best in the league at drawing charges and just being annoying and bothersome.) He probably takes as much punishment as any player, yet seldom loses his cool or lets opponents think they got the best of him.
If the NBA had a one-on-one tournament and everyone participated, he'd make the final four, for sure. And it isn't blasphemous to think he could challenge Kobe Bryant or LeBron James for the le.
Sure, he's out of control at times and often drives coach Gregg Popovich crazy, but that's just who and what he is.
Reply With Quote
Bravo, Manu! 
