SAN ANTONIO, 28 May 2005 — The way things have been going for Argentine star Manu Ginobili and the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA playoffs lately, anything seems possible. His baseball-like pass that set up a series-winning shot with 0.5 seconds left was gutsy.
The 52-foot (15.6-meter) bank shot in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals was impressive. The behind-the-back reverse layup in the closing minutes of Game 2 was mind-boggling.
Those great plays, all in the last week, belong on Ginobili’s personal highlight film but teammate Tony Parker of France has seen one that tops them all.
“When he kicked it with his foot from halfcourt,” Parker said, smiling, “that was better.”
That didn’t happen in a game, of course. At least, not yet. San Antonio leads the Phoenix Suns 2-0 in the conference finals on the strength of two incredible fourth-quarter rallies, with Ginobili in the thick of the action. The series shifts to San Antonio for games today and Monday.
Ginobili said he’s ready “to feel those goosebumps they make you feel.” Funny thing is, San Antonio fans say the same thing about him.
Ginobili is averaging 21.8 points 5.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists this postseason, despite coming off the bench for eight games. He became a super sub after the Spurs lost their playoff opener, then returned to the lineup and scored 39 points four games ago. San Antonio is 4-0 since the change.
“He has been great for us,” Tim Duncan said.
Coach Gregg Popovich likes having the ball in Ginobili’s hands, especially in crunch time, because he knows the 6-foot-6 (1.98-meter) forward can do so many things — hit a long jumper, drive to the basket, draw fouls or make a smart pass. Their relationship has evolved since Ginobili arrived three seasons ago. It’s no coincidence the Spurs have, too. This year, with Ginobili starting for the first time, San Antonio is two wins from returning to the Finals with an offense that’s cracked 100 points in seven of 10 playoff wins. Ginobili was rewarded last summer with a $52 million, six-year contract. Since then, he’s led Argentina to a gold medal at the Olympics and made his first All-Star team.
