The die-hard Spurs aficionados saw the worst of it—repeated screaming sessions from Popovich, declarations from the coach that Parker would never win a starting spot on a championship roster, and about everything else you can imagine that might destroy a player's confidence.

But Parker didn't fold, like Beno Udrih. He took Popovich's lofty expectations as a challenge he could conquer and has spent each summer bettering himself. The ESPN crew asked Avery Johnson which point guard was tougher to keep out of the paint, Chris Paul or Parker—and Johnson answered "Tony Parker" without hesitation.

How's this for two opposites—Popovich once remarked to Buford after watching a video of Parker that "this kid cannot finish a layup to save his life." In Game Three of the New Orleans series, he ducked under two defenders for a spectacular finish that kissed the glass and seduced the net.

Or another—in a 2001 contest, I think against the Atlanta Hawks, Parker threw the ball into the stands and Popovich punished him with bench relegation. The coach glared at him constantly and walked over a few times to cuss him out.

In Game Two of the New Orleans series, Parker threw a similarly awful pass at the popcorn vendor. Popovich called Parker over, chatted for a minute, then patted him on the back and said, "it's your game baby."

SG: Manu Ginobili (1999-?)

Ginobili lost the ball at the end of a tight playoff contest against the Sacramento Kings in 2006, and cost the Spurs a chance at a commanding series lead. He then locked his hotel room door the next day so he could berate himself for the mistake.

After the Spurs bowed to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in May, he blamed his team's shortcomings on himself.

That is why I love Manu. Losing and underperforming destroy him. Winning completes him.

Jon Barry describes Ginobili best—"a daredevil with a little bit of Pistol Pete."

Few other players in today's game have earned such respect from their coach. He may put jet fuel on an errant pass, commit a silly foul or shoot prematurely. Popovich always responds by putting the ball back in his hands. That's because Ginobili's one-speed freneticism has produced mind-boggling results to offset the blunders.

When Ginobili locks and loads, he is second only to Kobe Bryant in the list of explosive shooting guards. Like Parker, he has risen from a low draft spot to craft a Hall of Fame resume.

Olympic gold medalist, European champion, three-time NBA champion and the most talented player coming off the pine each season? That is Manu Ginobili. En las palabras de mis amigos en Argentina, 'es un idolo.'

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