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Hollinger on Manu

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=Surprises-071 113&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fst ory%3fcolumnist%3dhollinger_john%26page%3dSurprises-071113

Manu Ginobili, Spurs
Like I said, it's still early. Really, really early. But just for kicks, let me throw a few questions out there, because we might need to start coming up with answers for them soon: Is it possible for a sixth man to be the MVP? If Ginobili pulls it off, don't we pretty much have to give him Most Improved too? And at what point should Alex English worry about his status as "best second-round draft pick ever" being in jeopardy?

While the media's agreement with the league stipulates that nobody can talk about the Spurs until June, I'm going to break it today, because through seven games, Ginobili has been unbelievable. He leads the league in player efficiency rating by a wide margin while averaging 27.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per 40 minutes. Also, he's seemingly on his way to completing his evolution from slasher to shooter by hitting 42.9 percent of his 3s and taking nearly half his shots from the great beyond.

Especially notable is his recently developed knack for hitting step-back 3s off the dribble going to his left -- a shot that is more or less impossible but one he knocks down routinely. (Seriously, for all you rec league players, try this some time. If you're right-handed, try taking a hard dribble right, stepping back with your right foot, and then launching from distance. Half the time you'll miss the basket by 4 feet).

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Re: Hollinger on Manu
What the hell is he surprised about? Has he not been watching Manu the past 5 seasons? This guy is one of the top 10 players in the world. PERIOD. So he turned 30, big deal, he has at least 3 good seasons in him.
"The road to success is always under construction."

by DennardC on Nov 13, 2007 6:39 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Re: Hollinger on Manu
The point isn't that he's having a good season....he's having a great season.

28/7/6 per 40 minutes is MVP numbers in any season....and Manu is doing it in less than 30 minutes per game off the bench.

by JamesR on Nov 13, 2007 6:58 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Re: Hollinger on Manu
Also, his PER is 4 points higher than the #2 player (Chris Paul)...the other 19 are separated by 6 points. That is INCREDIBLE.

by JamesR on Nov 13, 2007 6:59 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Hollinger on Manu
I'm always suprise by the number under-rated that I read about Manu. But the again, why sould I bother as at the end all Manu does is bangin points after points.

What more could someone ask for from a player who achieved.....

3 NBA Championship
Olympic Gold
plus many more that he had won in Argentina & Europe.

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!! Please visit my blog @ http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com

by sivanjohn on Nov 13, 2007 8:11 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Re: Hollinger on Manu
When I say good seasons, I mean seasons that are similiar to 05, 06, 07. This year he is off the charts, and that doesn't have shit to do with it being early, it's because he is about to have and is having a career season. So Hollinger needs to face up to the fact that he is wrong this time.
"The road to success is always under construction."

by DennardC on Nov 13, 2007 10:10 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

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