Manu Ginobili: unknown, too 'European'... Greatest Sixth Man Ever

Manu Ginobili finished his Hall of Fame career with impressive numbers but stats can’t properly define his greatness. He’ll be remembered as the eccentric hooper with magical moves who helped bring the Euro step to the NBA... even though he’s Argentinian. A pivotal part of the San Antonio Spurs Big Three. Most notoriously, we know Manu as arguably the greatest sixth man in NBA history.

But before we knew Manu as just… Manu, he was a mostly unknown international prospect with a long shot of succeeding in the NBA. A hooper who didn’t appear fit for the league. A guy who was in Popovich’s eyes uncoachable. Let’s meet these versions of Manu Ginobili in the Prism.

Written and produced by: Joe Ali
Directed and edited by: Charlotte Atkinson

[ilikeflour]

something that manu and the spurs aren’t credited enough for is the rise of international basketball players in the nba. they had so many international players on that roster!

[gremcilia_immermurin]

There's a reason Manu is the most beloved player in San Antonio. Guy's motor was just always at 110%. He'd hustle, dive, and sacrifice for every possession like it was his last.

[GinkgoPete]

The only Argentinian to ever be too european.
True legend.

[thetexanshurtme]

I will always admire Manu for his selflessness. He was willing to put his stats aside in favor of team success, and that is ultimately the reason our dynasty lasted so long.

[TheJuanivitale]

Here in Argentina we were obviously aware of Manu being drafted to the Spurs because he was the first ever argentinian to be drafted to the NBA. As NBA/MJ/Space Jam fan 90s kid and junior hooper I just couldn't believe it was even possible. Just like Manu himself...

It is very common here in Argentina to make a hyperbole of one of us "making it" in the US. In any medium. Maybe an argentinian actor gets a role as an extra in a hollywood movie and we get headlines like "The argentinian who makes it in Hollywood". With Manu it began just like that. "The argentinian player who GOT DRAFTED to the NBA". That already was huge shocking news to us...

The craziest part of Manu story is that it took just a couple of years until we didn't even need to "exaggerate" anything about him. From being an argentinian who just "got drafted" he started to actually get minutes. Then he became a starter. Then part of an historical big three, just like Jordan, Pippen and Rodman, just like LeBron, Wade and Bosh. Then he became a champion (both for the NBA and for our national team). Then again. Then Again and then again, and he retired a freaking hall of famer. He went from being THE greatest argentinian basketball player of all time to one of the greatest basketball players of all time, period.

As an argentinian basketball fan, saying we are "proud" of Manu is a gigantic understatement. There are just no words.

[M_Lev]

Manu's always been the man. His half-court game winner to help Argentina advance during the 2004 Olympics (and eventually win gold), is still to this day the greatest shot I've ever seen.

[stratcaster]

That dunk on Chris Bosh during the finals will be forever remembered. I cried so hard seeing a freaking 37 yrs old Manu pull that off.
He brought that spark of craziness and inspiration into the Spurs' franchise culture, and he also had that Mamba mentality. Can't love enough about him.

[Riles]

As a Laker fan, especially in the Shaq and Kobe era, I couldn’t stand Manu Ginobili. But as I got older, I began to really understand and appreciate his value. He’s on the very short list of most underrated players in NBA history. I really don’t think a lot of NBA fans outside of San Antonio Texas, really understand how great and how important Ginobli was to those San Antonio teams from 2003-2017. If Duncan was the franchise #1 of the team, Ginobli was the heart and soul of the team.

[workaccount]

Manu slapping that bat out of mid air is the all time Manu highlight

[drezbrown]

Even though the Spurs may not look like a very fascinating team on the surface, I do feel like they would be great for a Last Dance-style of docu-series

[redghost]

This brotha… Shattered my dreams of the Pistons winning another back to back he was 100% the 2005 finals MVP

[KillBillVaggeli]

The golden generation of Argentina was one of favourite basketball teams to watch. Their ethos their passion was unmatchable. As Greek it was always a pain that we lost to them. Also ginobili was so huge in Europe. It's players like him or stojakovich that made me Watch the NBA in the first place.

[SwagnerCountsThings]

As a skinny kid who moved to San Antonio the same time Manu did, all my new friends said i was him when we played pickup ball on the playground. So I modeled my entire game after my favorite player. I am forever grateful he stayed in San Antonio. Gracias Manu

[Cardb]

This video is absolutely amazing. Thank you for making a tribute to a truly underrated player. This guy could've left for a max contract somewhere else, scored 25+ a night and got all the sponsorships that come with being a superstar but he chose to sacrifice for the sake of the teams success and come off the bench. This wasn't just the case of a guy being a microwave scorer who's better off being a 6th man like a Jamal Crawford or Lou Will. Both were phenomenal players but their style was best coming off the bench, microwave scorers who weren't good defenders but could drop 20 off the bench and give your team a lift when struggling offensively but Ginobili was different. He was capable of being a starter, an All-Star and get paid like one but he chose to sacrifice and come off the bench for the Spurs. It paid off with Manu winning 4x NBA Championships, a 6th Man Award (Should've won more), a Gold Medal and the hearts of so many with his beautiful play. I was 11 years old in 2005 and guys like Manu are why I became a Spurs fan and still am at almost 30 years old.

[icetredotnet]

Messi, Maradona, and Manu 🇦🇷
Argentina’s finest.

[joerenteria]

I’ve played ball since I was five. I never modeled my game after mj or kobe. Manu was the one I studied. In my eyes, he’s the greatest all around basketball player

[NickPR]

My first memory of Manu is him balling like crazy on that 2002 World Cup tournament with Nocioni, Scola and Pepe Sanchez. I had no clue who he was or that he would be so successful in the NBA, but he definitely had a playing style that was unique from everyone else. I'm sure he would have been a superstar elsewhere, but the commitment to the Spurs and his unselfish attitude towards being a 6th man is what makes him not only an all-time NBA great, but an international basketball great!

[jovenjoshuagallardo]

Still one of my favorite 2 guard. He was just that competitive and great both in Argentina and the Spurs. He had some amazing plays in big moments.

[Nr]

Manu is the most competitive basketball player I ever got to watch during my time being an NBA fan (Kobe being a close second). The way he absolutely fearlessly cut to the rim, contorting his aging body to score against players twice his size and half his age was absolutely jaw-dropping, as was his fierce defending, jumping after every lose ball etc. And he did all of this until the ripe age of 41 !

[Cynsham]

Manu was always one of my favorite players and was ALWAYS underrated in how important his role on the Spurs was. Great player, great person, national treasure.