When Tim Duncan and Matt Bonner retired last summer, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker became the last two Spurs players linked to the old championship squads of the 2000s. When Parker went down with an injury in Game 3 vs. the Rockets, it was down to Manu. He’s the last memory of an era of glory left standing.
The legend of Manu Ginobili grows
Good morning. We have that and more in Wednesday’s NBA newsletter.
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He made sure to stretch that glory out a little bit with a vintage performance.
Ginobili blocked James Harden’s game-tying three-pointer with a second left in overtime to seal a crucial 110-107 Spurs win, putting them up 3-2 in the series. San Antonio won despite losing Kawhi Leonard to an ankle sprain late -- he didn’t play at all in OT.
It wasn’t all Manu: Jonathon Simmons took over primary defensive duties on Harden in Kawhi’s stead, and did a wonderful job. Harden, who does not have a record of excelling in the clutch or in big playoff games, collapsed down the stretch. Without him hitting shots, Houston struggled to score.
Spurs fans went through the emotional ringer. But it was worth it.
The Spurs had a chance to win in regulation, but Patty Mills’ three-pointer was a hair too late. Gregg Popovich was furious.
Look at this Patrick Beverley airborne rebound-assist.
Wednesday’s schedule:
Wizards at Celtics, 8 p.m. ET, TNT (Series tied 2-2)
Jackie MacMullan went to Cameroon for a lovely story on the path to the NBA crafted by Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and followed by Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam.
Keep your eye on the Raptors. Head honcho Masai Ujiri told the media Toronto needs a “culture reset” this offseason. That probably means a coaching change and serious personnel movement.
We have a new skirmish in the War Over Whether Kelly Olynyk Is Dirty, I can report. Isaiah Thomas, Olynyk’s teammate, questioned Draymond Green’s hypocrisy in calling Olynyk a dirty player. So Draymond subtweeted I.T. about Boston’s inability to move on to the next round. Sheesh!
Marvin Bagley III could be the future of basketball. But he’s had a very strange amateur career, one where winning has not necessarily been a big part of the equation.
Chris Herring on Draymond Green’s masterful playoff defense.
Tim Kawakami is right: this is the best Warriors team ever, and it’s getting better. That doesn’t guarantee a championship, but it’s worth recognizing.
According to Marc Stein, we have another new D-League team joining up next season: the Agua Caliente Clippers, who will play in Ontario (east of L.A.). Agua Caliente isn’t a town: it’s a casino and resort in Coachella Valley. Said casino and resort is a huge Clippers sponsor. They basically bought the team name. Interesting!
I broke down Big Baby Davis cringing through a segment with Doc Rivers for no other reason than it cracks me up.
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