Season 50, Game 20
San Antonio 107, Washington 105
16-4, 2nd in the West

There will a come a time, in the not-so-distant future (likely about six or seven months from now), when #20 will no longer be zipping all over the court for the Spurs, pulling plays out of his ass like a magician pulling a rabbit out of his hat. While the loss might not feel quite as profound on the court as that of #21, it might be more devastating emotionally, in that place in our hearts that refuses to listen to reason and empiricism.

If Duncan personifies everything about the Spurs ‘culture’ that we hold as sacrosanct – our superego – then Ginobili is our inner id, the physical embodiment of our fanhood, made flesh and bone and contusion to chase down every loose ball, make every impossible pass, and take charges so devastating (at the age of 38) as to require testicular surgery.

As we all grow older, Manu has less magic to give us on a nightly basis. We don’t fault him for this; we cherish every good game we get. To be honest, he’s running on borrowed time at this point. If you had to bet years ago, you’d probably choose Manu as the first of the Big 3 to age out of the league. (At this point, he might be the last.)

So when we get a Manu performance like we got in the Washington game, we all cheer just a little bit louder. He’ll never put up the gaudy numbers of his prime; but in many ways, what he’s doing now is more remarkable. He’s still hitting impossible buzzer beaters (two in this game); he’s still operating in the pick and roll like a basketball surgeon, passing big men into the easiest layups of their lives (7 assists in the game); he’s still making impossible plays that only the most brilliant of basketball minds (and nimblest of bodies, quickest of reflexes) could make (that save of the half court violation in the second half that I’m still re-watching); he’s still stalking the court like a cat, snatching up any errant pass or loose ball (3 steals). Most importantly, he’s still contributing to winning basketball (a team high +16 in the game).

When we talk about the Spurs’ remarkable bench over this last decade, what we’re really talking about is Ginobili. It’s no accident that the Spurs’ bench always has incredible chemistry, always moves the ball, always plays with energy, and seems to always be a net-positive. This season, the bench is adjusting to more new pieces than the starters, yet it’s the starters who are struggling to figure it out.

Manu let’s Patty be Patty. On any other team, Patty is probably a miscast back-up PG, not quite good enough to run sets, not being able to take advantage of his incredible shooting. Manu is essentially the PG, letting Patty run wild on “O,” but still able to guard opposing PGs on defense.

Manu let’s role playing big men have the most productive seasons of their career. I don’t think there is a big man in the league that Manu couldn’t develop incredible pick and roll chemistry with. Players like Dedmon – written off as offensive busts on other teams – come to the Spurs and suddenly have incredible touch and ability to finish around the rim. Manu spoon feeds them.

Manu lets athletic wings excel at what they do best: run and jump and be more athletic than everybody else. Manu always wants to run and push the advantage, and players like Simmons benefit from that energy and tenacity.

This doesn’t even begin to get into everything he does off the court and in the locker room for this team.

When Manu finally retires, his jersey will rise to the rafters as quickly as Duncan’s. 20 next to 21, a fitting sequence for our two favorite players of the last two decades. (Sorry Tony, this is a race you just can’t win.)

Until then, enjoy every drop of Manu.

A few non-Manu thoughts about the Wizards game:

• The Spurs still don’t look great at home, but we’ll take the win. The defense did look a lot better in the second half, and the offense looked pretty great all game. A win is a win, and they all count equally in the standings. As other top teams stumble a bit recently, it’s good to bank these wins.

• The second unit continues to impress (see the ode to Manu above), and is really saving our bacon in some of these games. (Every bench player was a net-positive, every starter a net-negative in +/-.) Lee, Dedmon, and Bertrans have all been early-season revelations. We know that Dedmon is my favorite role player on the team, but I do love what Lee is bringing, too. It’s nice to see a veteran come in, humbled from his last few seasons, and really buy in to the system and his role.

• Mills continues to be a stone-cold killer shooting the ball. Yes, please.

• Loved the last shot from Kawhi, wish it hadn’t left so much time on the clock.

• Still, it’s nice to see a game come down to the wire because of great execution, not lack of it. Both teams played well down the stretch, and the Spurs did just enough to pull out the win against a hungry Wizards team.

• I’m still not sure what to think of Pau Gasol. Just when you think he’s hurting the team, he’ll hit a huge 3. Then he’ll miss 6 free throws. Then he’ll run a gorgeous pick and pop with Parker. Then he’ll blow a huge defensive assignment and give up an offensive rebound.

• Nicolas Laprovittola played well subbing in for Tony Parker. Rookies with years of international experience are often unafraid of the moment, and Nico stays in his lane, with occasional forays into the exceptional. (Which might be exactly what you want from a 3rd string PG.)

After 20 games, the team is 16-4, the second best record in the league. All else aside, that’s impressive. There seems to be a lot more game-to-game consternation amongst us fans this season, probably due to the absence of Duncan and the feeling that all great things in life are impermanent.

But to be this good already with so much room for improvement? That’s a really great position to be in.

The Spurs go on a 3-game road trip (yay road games!) starting tomorrow in Milwaukee.

Go Spurs Go.