Manu Ginobili might be the most popular Spur right now in San Antonio, but Manu is probably one of the most hated players in the NBA.
The whirling Argentinean plays at such a high intensity level and fights for every loose ball like it was for his life. Manu's intangibles make him such a great player and a coaches dream.
As he has shown many times, most notably the 2005 NBA finals, in which he deserved MVP, Manu is a go to guy. At the end of a close Spurs game, Manu always has the ball and things usually turn out positive for the Spurs, whether it's a drive, a three, or a pass.
Yet players and fans around the league hate playing against Manu. I've been to many Spurs games outside of San Antonio and Manu always has a group or section of fan cheering for him, but in arenas like Utah or Phoenix, very seldom can you hear Manu fanatics over loud boos.
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On Sunday, the Spurs visited the Dallas Mavericks and it was a hard fought game. The Spurs started the game shooting terribly and were looking tired.
Up came Ginobili off the bench and ignited a small fuse under the Spurs. Then, in the second half, the Spurs began better than in the first half, but Dallas just seemed like the better team. Again, Manu rose from the bench and this time the fuse was a lit on full blast.
Manu and the Spurs went on a 19-0 run to capture the lead. In the mist of the run Dirk Nowitzki made a good block on Ime Udoka and fell awkwarldy on his left leg.
The Spurs would win the game and Manu would lead all scorers with 26 points along with eight rebounds, six assists and a perfect 11-11 at the free throw line.
I mention this game because at the end of the third quarter Manu boxed out Mavs guard Jerry Stackhouse, who proceeded to grab Manu and throw him to the ground.
When Manu was asked about the situation he called it, "No big deal," and when Stackhouse was asked about it he replied, "Nothing new with him."
Manu has a reputation of getting under players' skin, like in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Utah Jazz in the 2007 playoffs. Manu even got to one of the nicest guys in the NBA, Derek Fisher, and had Jerry Sloan ejected.
George Carl went on a rant about how much he hated Manu Ginobili's game in the '05 playoffs, but once he cooled down he apologized and praised Manu Ginobili.
So while coaches, players, and fans continue to complain about the way Manu plays, he goes right along doing whatever he has to do to win a game. At the end of the day, all whining aside, the man standing tall is Manu Ginobili.
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8 months ago
The amazing thing is that he has a reputation as a really good guy off the court, and its hard to hate him too much after you hear how genuine he sounds in interviews. Let's be honest though, if players like Manu and Bruce Bowen were "soft" on the court, do you really think the Spurs would be able to dominate as they have for such a long time? No way, their physicality allows them to be effective and get under the opponents skin -- and a frusterated team is a team that plays with their emotion instead of their head. With all that flopping brings scrutiny, but must bring rings too. Good read man.
8 months ago
totally agree with you guys, like all sports this is a typical competitive sport, also basketball is getting really international, so my guess is that american players hate him because he brings in that international competitiveness that american players are not used to playing against, like flopping and doing all that other stuff manu makes, plays that get into other players skins, with the purpose to make you loose your head.
I saw jerry stackhouse throw manu to the ground, as soon as he did that, I knew the mavs would loose, as soon as you win him mentally, you win the game, you must be able to control your emotions, how did you think M. Ali won all his fights. All mental.
8 months ago
He's just amazing and if he was on any of the other teams he would be loved! It's because he plays with his whole heart and wills his team to win is why he is hated! They know he usually kills these teams and wins Championships! The fact that the league is not going to suspend Stackhouse is shemeful and ridiculous! Sad day for the NBA if they allow that unsportsmanship to tarnish the leage! When even the ABC announcers said it was a dirty play!
8 months ago
I was thrilled to read this post.
Manu gets such a bad rap for being a flopper and gets little credit for the hungry competitor he is. I may be one of the Argentine's biggest fans and I admit he does flop.
You should blame the refs for allowing it. Credit Manu for having the Savvy to know what works in tight games.
I hear so many people complain that pro athletes lack competitive fire, that they are overpaid idiots who do not care. When Manu locks himself in a hotel room to disparage himself for a game-ending turnover, that stupid theory is rebutted.
It is a privilege to watch Manu Ginobili hustle his ass off every night.
7 months ago
manu is the man...the thing is manu plays with his heart just like every other international player. and u dont even have to blame the refs but teh players. u would think that manu has done it so many times and yet players keep running into his chest.
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