Emanuel transmission

Ginobili sets the tone for Spurs' win in Game 1

When the Spurs needed a lift, they got it from their two-time MVP.

No, not Tim Duncan.

Emanuel Ginobili -- MVP of the Italian League in 2001 and '02 -- was the unsung hero for San Antonio in its Game 1 victory Monday over the Lakers.

Duncan might have held up the Maurice Podoloff Trophy for the NBA MVP in a ceremony before the game, but it was "Manu" who was The Man.

After all, Duncan’s 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists were expected.

But few would have guessed that Ginobili, a 6-foot-6 rookie shooting guard, would make such a big impact in this series right away.

21 Points by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant's supporting cast. Derek Fisher was the only other Laker with more than four points. "I know it's his Most Valuable Player night, but really, that's ridiculous." -- Phil Jackson, lamenting that San Antonio's Tim Duncan took more foul shots than his entire Laker team in Game 1. With Rick Fox already gone, how will the Lakers compensate for the loss of Devean George?

Like a jolt of espresso, the 25-year-old former star of Virtus Bologna in the Italian League came off the bench and invigorated the Spurs. He had 15 points, six rebounds, four steals and hit a clutch 3-pointer late to help squelch a Lakers comeback. He also played a big part in a stellar defensive effort that limited L.A. to 39.5 percent shooting with 19 turnovers.

Ginobili, who actually hails from Argentina, even executed a nasty reverse baseline dunk over Mark Madsen in the fourth quarter.

Stand back, Buenos Aires!

Going into the series, the Spurs knew they needed somebody besides point guard Tony Parker to complement Duncan. They had several candidates in Ginobili, Stephen Jackson and Speedy Claxton, but none was a proven postseason commodity. Even Ginobili, with his vast international experience, had only played in six NBA playoff games.

But while Jackson gagged on a bagel (0-for-6), Ginobili rode to the rescue like an Italian (League) Stallion. From stripping Brian Shaw in the second quarter to burying his killer treys in the second half, he kept making plays.

This is just the reason Spurs coach Gregg Popovich signed Ginobili, originally a second-round pick of the club in 1999, to a free-agent contract this past summer. With Ginobili's lightning-fast hands and springy athleticism, the Spurs hoped he could provide a dimension the team lacked in its previous playoff flameouts against the Lakers.

Ginobili can get up on his man and pressure the ball. He can use his quick first step to blow past aging Laker defenders. He also has a soft left-handed 3-point shooting stroke that can make L.A. pay for sagging on Duncan.

With Lakers forward Devean George suffering what appears to be a severe ankle injury in Game 1, Ginobili could become an even bigger problem for L.A. Rick Fox is already out with an injured foot, meaning the Lakers are running out of athletic bodies to match up with him. Meanwhile, Ginobili’s confidence has to be as high as the Andes Mountains.

Don’t cry for me, Argentina?

The Lakers might need a whole box of Kleenex pretty soon if they don’t get a handle on this guy.

	Allen Einstein/NBAE/Getty Images Stud: Paul Pierce, G, Celtics His team lost and he committed eight turnovers, but Pierce was obviously the best player on the court on Game 1. He got to the line 20 times, cashing in 15, and his 34-point effort singlehandedly kept Boston in the game.		D. Clarke Evans/NBAE/Getty Images Dud: Stephen Jackson, F, Spurs The Spurs won the series opener, but don't credit Jackson. His listless performance included zero points on 0-for-6 shooting and four turnovers, botching countless 2-on-1 breaks in the process.

The Spurs’ decision to play Shaq and Kobe straight up most of Game 1 paid off handsomely. The Lakers duo combined for 61 points, but the role players never got off. In fact, Shaq and Kobe accounted for a whopping 58 of L.A.’s 86 field-goal attempts. Look for the Sixers to go after Detroit’s Chauncey Billups when he puts the ball on the floor Tuesday in Game 1. Philly loves to strip and claw for steals, especially against players such as Billups who aren’t natural point guards. The Mavs might be a little tired after their grueling series with the Blazers, but at least they are in rhythm heading into Tuesday’s Game 1 against the Kings. Sacramento has been sitting around for six days and could be rusty at the start.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

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