For the first time since San Antonio won their last championship in 2007, Manu Ginobili begun the playoffs fully healthy.
"I always feel better going into the playoffs when Manu is healthy" said coach Popovic before Game 1.
The playoffs didn't start very well for the Spurs, with a loss on Game 1 against Dallas Mavericks. However, despite the final score, Manu showed his worth with 26 points scored, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.
Three nights later San Antonio got their revenge, holding off the Mavericks, 102-88, to even their Western Conference quarterfinal series. As usual Manu made a big difference, scoring 23 points, catching 5 boards and dishing out 4 assists.
But it was on Game 3 that the Argentinian proved his value when in the third quarter, Ginobili caught an errant elbow from Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki and headed to the locker room leaving a trail of blood. He returned later in the period and scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to push the Spurs to a 94-90 victory and a 2-1 series lead. However his biggest contributions came with his energy and with his playmaking ability. The seven assists carried the day.
That nose is broken, but Ginobili's spirit is far from it. On game 4 he returned and played with a bandage over his nose, pushing the Mavericks to the brink of NBA elimination. Manu scored 17 points, sanking 8- of-9 foul shots and also dished out seven assists as the Spurs won despite missing all seven of their three-point shots.
Ginobili is playing through one the most dazzling stretches of his eight-year career. The 32-year-old is averaging 21.4 points since the All-Star break, eight points better than the first half of the season. Manu's play since February forced the Spurs to sign him to a 3-year extension.
With one more win, these Spurs, led by their battered guard, will be smelling another title run.