After having testicular surgery following a win over the Pelicans on Feb. 3, Manu Ginobili missed the next 13 games of San Antonio’s season. Sure, they went 12-1 in that time, but they still missed him. (You can say the same thing to an even bigger degree about Blake Griffin’s absence in L.A.) But Manu’s return to the lineup against the Kings on Saturday night provided more than a couple unique examples why we missed the 38-year-old’s wily game.
Watch him pretend to set a back pick on Rondo, only to cut to the rim for a tricky layup past DeMarcus Cousins.
Or the way he curls expertly around this Boban screen for the layup in traffic.
This is a testament to Patty Mills’ vision more so than anything Manu did, but Ginboli back cut at the perfect time and found that sliver of space where he could catch and get a shot up before either vivisected Kings player could react.
And then there’s the deft touch on the entry pass to Boban after running the pick and roll.
That’s really hard to do, just like all of the plays we’ve highlighted here. But the polished way Manu carries himself on the court makes every complex cut, or backdoor look seem unhurried and all-to-easy. It’s not, of course, but Manu is just that experienced and in tune with the game.
At the end of the third quarter, the Spurs lead 86-67 and Manu has a game-high 22 points in just a little over 15 minutes of action. Missed you Manu.
