He often zags when he should zig. He eats humble pie . . . for breakfast. His other car is a bandwagon.
He is . . . the most interesting Manu in the world.
But is he a lock for the basketball Hall of Fame?
Now that he is done knifing through the Oklahoma City Thunder defense in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili has inspired another round of inspection regarding his place in the basketball world.
The question at hand is whether he'll find an eventual place at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
It should be pointed out that the venue is not referred to as the NBA Hall of Fame. Although you can make a really strong case for Ginobili's inclusion even if that were a specialized category, Manu's body of work abroad should excise any doubt.
We're just not sure if another player will be standing at the dais before Ginobili is summoned to come in and finish the induction process. OK, Ginobili probably won't have to sub in during his own ceremony, but he has arrived from the bench in more than half of his games with the Spurs.
This extended willingness to sublimate ego — and a precious playing time — for San Antonio's greater good is the main reason Ginobili is a Hall of Fame-caliber player. The 6-foot-6 lefty shooting guard from Argentina simply checks in as one of the most competitive, relentless and selfless players this writer has ever seen.
Embracing the Spurs' team concept and making the appropriate play helps define why Ginobili is working toward his fourth NBA championship. He certainly has had considerable help from high-level teammates playing within Gregg Popovich's system, but his improvisation within that structure sets Ginobili apart.
Making the right play could be represented by splitting defenders to either set up a teammate for an open shot or Euro-step his way to a tricky-angle layup. Or making the right play could be something as simple as drilling an open 3-point shot or, in frustratingly plucky fashion, drawing a charging foul.
The numbers — career averages of 15 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game — aren't staggering. But they're slightly better during the playoffs, which should resonate with anyone paying attention to just how more difficult it is to thrive during the postseason.
Although the pick-and-roll defense provided by Thunder center Kendrick Perkins could make almost anyone seem like a superstar, Ginobili's surgical slicing to the rim in Game 1 was nothing new. His overall performance — 26 points, 9-of-14 shooting from the field, etc. — kept San Antonio alive when OKC was threatening to pull away. And Ginobili carried the Spurs home in the fourth quarter, making all three of his shots from the field and all five of his free throws to finish the period with 11 points.
And while many paid basketball observers like to suggest that this second-round draft pick has become extraordinary with relatively ordinary skills, please don't believe it.
Manu has an extremely quick, calculated and efficient first step that is abetted by outstanding leverage. Despite his frequent-faller miles (some of which, admittedly, should come with an Oscar nomination), Ginobili uses outstanding balance and footwork to change direction during his trips into the lane.
His ability to downshift or accelerate tempo off the dribble certainly should be considered an elite skill, as should his vision and delivery as a passer.
With his 35th birthday fast approaching, Ginobili might not possess the level of bounce he had upon his arrival in San Antonio. But he did win the Italian League's A1 All-Star Game dunk contest in 2001 — he probably wasn't competing against shot putters — and has demonstrated swell explosiveness when needed through his years with the Spurs.
He simply has been smart enough to pick his spots.
Ginobili's a bit skinny, too, and isn't the best in the world at any one aspect of basketball. But he's pretty good at everything, and he's very good when it really matters.
That includes his work during Argentina's Olympic gold-medal run in 2004 and for Kinder Bologna's Euro League championship.
For all-around context, a consultation with basketball-reference.com shows that Ginobili is registered No. 32 on the website's all-time player-efficiency-ratings list. His 21.77 puts him slightly behind John Stockton and a little ahead of George "Ice Man" Gervin.
That's pretty good company.
Players a little lower on the list include Paul Pierce and Steve Nash.
Sure, numbers don't always tell the entire story, an essential NBA truth that defines what Ginobili has meant to a wildly successful franchise.
All he does is play hard, play smart, play extremely well and win.
I have no idea how many ballots it might take, but if that isn't worthy of Springfield, the property is priced way too high.
