Last season, I wrote about Manu Ginobili's slow start. Ultimately, he was able to return to form by the 2007 playoffs, offering timely shooting and his usual competitive fire.
This year? Ginobili's reminding everyone what a summer of rest will do for you.
Through five games, Ginobili is averaging a team-high 20.8 points a game in a modest 30 minutes a night. He's shooting 45.8% from the three point line, and perhaps most importantly, getting to the line 9 times (considerably higher than his 5 attempts a game last season). His 5.6 assists and 2.6 steals per a game are also indicative of his do-everything style.
But, as always is the case with Manu, the numbers don't tell the whole story. The fact of the matter is that Ginobili is carrying the Spurs whenever he's on the court. Through 5 games, he's their central playmaker, their best outside shooter, and, above all else, their best competitor. He tears away rebounds from bigger players (like he did against Miami) and steals outlet passes (like he did in Houston, leading to the vicious dunk on Yao). In the embarrassing loss to the Houston Rockets, Ginobili single-handedly kept the Spurs in the game with pure competitiveness.
Against Miami, Ginobili looked like his 2005 self; an unstoppable slasher with an array of floaters, fadeaways, and methods of dribble penetration.
And in case anyone forgot, he's doing it from the bench.
While Duncan quietly struggles to regain form (16 points a game on 47.5% shooting), Parker and Ginobili have carried the load. Bowen, Finley, Barry, and Oberto have all struggled to find their offensive rhythm. Each player is averaging fewer points than last season, and while early, it's obvious that the Spurs need someone to be their go-to-guy while they round into form.
Ginobili is the guy, and if he plays at this level for the next few months, the leading candidate for 6th man of the year may find himself on the All-Star team as well.
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