Family tradition
Following — and at times annoying — in the footsteps of his father and two older brothers, all of whom played professionally in Argentina, Manu practiced by himself on the sidelines while his brothers took part in organized practices. As the family’s youngest, Manu lost more than his share in early competitions. Losing upset him very much, but it also drove him back to the court.

He became a gym rat, in part because the Ginobili men were always at the gym in their hometown of Bahia Blanca, a city located 350 miles southwest of Buenos Aires and dubbed the unofficial capital of basketball in soccer-mad Argentina, but also because “my mother never wanted a hoop in the back yard,” said Manu’s brother, Leandro Ginobili, via telephone from Bahia Blanca.

Success did not come quickly to Manu. He wasn’t the best player on his youth teams, and given his slight build at the time, coaches encouraged him — ultimately without success — to stay away from the basket, where taller and stronger players did their work. Hence, his shooting touch developed first.

But it was the poster of Michael Jordan on his bedroom wall that gave a glimpse of the style Ginobili wanted to play: relentless, punishing drives, into and around any and all defenders, often with angles difficult to plot even with a protractor.

“Once he picks up the ball, Manu, like a lot of international players, does a really nice job of not running in straight lines,” Thorpe said. “He kind of takes two steps in different directions to go around opponents setting up for charges. I call it the ‘Ginobili Move.’”

Ginobili’s passion and determination never wavered, but a growth spurt and that innate ability to continually add elements to his game paid huge dividends. At age 19, he was named rookie of the year with a professional club in Argentina. He was on his way.

Douglas C. Pizac / AP As Utah's Deron Williams found out in a game earlier this month, Ginobili can play a little defense, too.

Ginobili’s long journey from South America to stardom in Europe and now the NBA has been dotted with two constants: his dynamic style of play, and winning.

Since Ginobili arrived in San Antonio for the 2002-03 season, the Spurs have won three championships. In the years they didn’t win, it took Derek Fisher’s catch-and-turn buzzer-beater in 2004 and a Game 7 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in 2006 to derail them, the latter of which included both good and bad Manu in the final minute of the fourth quarter: his tie-breaking 3-point shot and his ill-advised foul on Dirk Nowitzki’s drive that gave the Mavericks a 3-point play. Dallas won in overtime.

In the off-season, Ginobili poured in 29 points in Argentina’s upset of Duncan, Allen Iverson, LeBron James and the rest of Team USA in the 2004 Olympic semifinals. Argentina went on to win the gold medal.

All of Ginobili’s success in the NBA and the Olympics have made him a hero in Argentina, where his image appears on billboards. He is also followed by adoring fans, autograph seekers and paparazzi, making it difficult for him to go out in public.

“We are a soccer country, but with the arrival of Manu to the NBA a lot of people begin to see him and see the sport. Manu now is like an icon,” said Leandro Ginobili, who added that the family-and-friend gatherings in Argentina to watch NBA Finals games on television are “ceremonies.”

His wish
Duncan once described Ginobili’s style as controlled chaos, and indeed the flair-and-dare game is a perfect fit for the playoffs, a time of year when the timid retreat. For his career, Ginobili’s minutes (27.8 regular season, 30.4 playoffs) and scoring average (14.7, 15.6) both increase in the postseason.

“He’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever been involved with on any level,” Carlesimo said. “He’s one of, if not the best, competitors I’ve ever coached or ever seen. He’s just a very, very special guy, one who doesn’t come along very much.”

Eric Gay / AP The importance of Ginobili to the Spurs is sometimes lost in the spotlight of teammates Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.

Following a pre-game workout at a mid-season road stop in Seattle, a short interview with Ginobili reveals two things: one, he is noticeably polite, humble and soft-spoken, the complete opposite of the attack mode displayed on the court; and two, his nose, the subject of teasing as a child, is not only large, it’s crooked.

But like a big chrome bumper on a classic 1950s automobile, it has served its purpose of protecting the interior — for the most part. And with the curtain about to go up on what Ginobili, San Antonio and Argentina hope will be a dynamite run to the Finals, family members are eager for more celebrations but also amazed.

“We never thought this,” Leandro Ginobili said. “The family think he plays really good in Europe, but never in the NBA, the level that he plays. We are really surprised with all the things Manu does with his career in the United States.”

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

Manu, meanwhile, knows this is where his game belongs. He marveled at the longevity of teammate Robert Horry, who is 37 and in his 16th NBA season.

Does Ginobili think he will play as long as Horry?

“Ahh, in my case it’s gonna be a little harder. It’s going to be harder.

“I wish.”

Hardships and wishes. It’s a formula that’s served Ginobili so far.

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