Ginobili's value isn't lost on the Spurs' faithful

Duncan wins MVP, but fans chant 'Manu'

SAN ANTONIO -- Manu Ginobili had the ball in his hands on nearly every possession late in the San Antonio Spurs' biggest game of the season -- and he didn't drop it once.
The free-wheeling forward from Bahia Blanca, Argentina, capped an amazing five-year run at almost every level of elite basketball with an outstanding performance in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night.

Ginobili scored 23 points in the San Antonio Spurs' 81-74 victory, ending his breakthrough playoff series with another impressive game. He scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, including six in the final minute, and didn't make a turnover as the Spurs held off one last charge by the Detroit Pistons.

"I really didn't feel it that much," Ginobili said of the fourth-quarter pressure. "I was so focused and concentrated on trying to do the right thing that I didn't even know what was going on around me. I just looked at the clock and tried to make the right decision."

At the final buzzer, all the Spurs seemed to be trying to hug Ginobili, who raced across the court and pointed at his family in the stands. He averaged 18.7 points per game in the series, and the few basketball fans who didn't know his scintillating game got a look at Ginobili's best.

"They are kissing each other," he said gesturing toward his family in the stands. "I'd definitely like to be hugging them, too."

Though Tim Duncan was voted the series MVP, there was little doubt Ginobili was the people's choice. The San Antonio crowd chanted "Manu! Manu!" when commissioner David Stern prepared to present the trophy, and there was scattered booing when Duncan's name was about to be announced.

Ginobili has done little wrong in his sport since 2001, when he won the first of two straight championships in the top Italian league. He won his first NBA title as a rookie reserve with the Spurs in 2003.

He then led Argentina to a gold medal in the Athens Olympics, forever endearing himself to his nation -- and every nation whose fans disliked the American dominance of the event. Ginobili wore Argentine shorts on the court after Game 7.

And with the Spurs nursing a lead in the final minutes of the NBA season, Ginobili clearly wasn't intimidated by the stage. With the shot clock winding down with 2:57 to play, he hit a 3-pointer from the right wing and ran back upcourt with both fists clenched.

The crowd exploded when Ginobili scored on a driving layup with 35 seconds left. He then hit two free throws with 22 seconds left, earning a big hug from Duncan -- and two more with 7 seconds to play.

When the buzzer sounded and confetti fell, reserve Sean Marks picked up Ginobili in a reverse bear hug, and he flailed his arms and legs with childlike excitement.

The fans simply love Ginobili, who has become a particular favorite among the vast Hispanic and Latino communities of San Antonio.

But Ginobili is more than a heartthrob: He's a leading icon of Stern's urgent move to globalize the league. With his good looks, flashy game and flashier jewelry, it won't be surprising if Ginobili soon is among the most recognized athletes in the world.

Ginobili put on a show in the first two games of the finals, scoring 53 points and wowing the crowd with countless daredevil drives. But the Pistons wised up when the series moved back to the Detroit suburbs, using several defenders to limit his charges to the basket.

Ginobili was revived back at home in Game 6 with 21 points and 10 rebounds, also playing superb defense -- but he vowed to make up for his tentative play in the fourth quarter of that loss.

"I think we did a whole lot better (in Game 7)," Ginobili said with a grin.

PAST NBA FINALS MVPs

2004 Chauncey Billups, Detroit

2003 Tim Duncan, San Antonio

2002 Shaquille O'Neal, L.A. Lakers

2001 Shaquille O'Neal, L.A. Lakers

2000 Shaquille O'Neal, L.A. Lakers

1999 Tim Duncan, San Antonio

1998 Michael Jordan, Chicago

1997 Michael Jordan, Chicago

1996 Michael Jordan, Chicago

1995 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston

1994 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston

1993 Michael Jordan, Chicago

1992 Michael Jordan, Chicago

1991 Michael Jordan, Chicago

1990 Isiah Thomas, Detroit

1989 Joe Dumars, Detroit

1988 James Worthy, L.A. Lakers

1987 Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers

1986 Larry Bird, Boston

1985 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers

1984 Larry Bird, Boston

1983 Moses Malone, Philadelphia

1982 Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers

1981 Cedric Maxwell, Boston

1980 Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers

1979 Dennis Johnson, Seattle

1978 Wes Unseld, Washington

1977 Bill Walton, Portland

1976 Jo Jo White, Boston

1975 Rick Barry, Golden State

1974 John Havlicek, Boston

1973 Willis Reed, New York

1972 Wilt Chamberlain, L.A. Lakers

1971 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee

1970 Willis Reed, New York

1969 Jerry West, L.A. Lakers

have some patience, Manu's days will come, Next year??? may be........ He has gotten married, won world championip, signed $52 millions contract and now NBA champinship... what else could he asked for???

It's amazing to see 57th overall draftpick could impact a team so much. I hope he will take some rest now so he can ready for next year...

as long as Spurs wins the championship, I don't care who wins the MVP.

And what's up, with the 'World Champion' title given to NBA champion?
This wasn't a world cup. It's like calling US baseball league, World Series.

Yeah, it is very easy to be world champion when you are the only country participating in the championship.

Ignorant or stupid Americans need to think that there are other countries besides US in this world too.

*need to think* should be changed to *need to learn* for better understanding of the sentence

"Billups got smoked, Big Ben got mowed, Prince and Rasheed got stretched and Hamilton got masked. Whose ass got kicked?" I just love saying this. Well deserved victory for the Spurs.

Miami i don't see them any winning trophy any time soon with that team. Shaq doesn't have that mobility and aggression. He's aging out although Wade will wheel them forward. Detroit might come back next time but without Larry it seems bleak. Suns has a promising prospect. They will provide a tough challenge next season. Hey just to early to comment. You know what even Kobe and Jackson could make it there but this time around without The Diesel. Never Know. like i mentioned too early to say anything. Infact the finals just got over.

Shifting gears to the MVP who esle M r Timmy not the Timid Duncan or whatever the media and other people were referring to him. What a character? Simply Unbelievable. Was a man on a mission. He got the Job done so only praises and accolades for him.Well i wanted Manu as the MVP but as long as Timmy gets it there's no argument. He'll get it next year.

Spurs the Champions of 05

Lastly Don't worry Pistons, Heats, Suns there's always next time but not until the three musketeers "Tim, Manu and Tony" say bye bye to the game. There's still more from them i would say atleast 2 or could be more before they hang their boots.

Hope you enjoyed Pistons getting whipped and spanked. Personally i enjoyed every bit of the regular season from the start to the end rooting for the Spurs One Team One Goal.

Manu's days will come" His days are already here. It seems he's accomplished everything like u guys mentioned, the italian league, the mvp in the italian league two in a row,Athen's goldmedal, and now one more trophy with the Spurs. except for that NBA MVP which he will get it sooner or later before the sun has set. This is apparent from the progression he's made from his first season to present. He'll keep gettin better and become one of the best in nba's history. Thumbs up to Manu. He's the Best.