The confession of an NBA star: “Ginóbili was the first rival to kick my butt”

The admission of Manu Ginóbili to the Basketball Hall of Fame. His legacy goes far beyond the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Athens and the runner-up in the world championship in Indianapolis with the Argentine team, or the four championship rings in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. He left a mark on teammates… And also rivals.

You can attest to it CJ McCollum. The 30-year-old guard, figure of the New Orleans Pelicans, He chose the Argentine as the first rival to “kick his butt” in his landing in the most competitive basketball league in the world, back in 2014.

The 191-centimeter basketball player participated in the cycle of interviews by Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles and already in the first question, he selected Manu as the opponent who made him pay the floor fee (later completed the podium with Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams).

“Ginobili, you saw him play in his time… he talked a lot. First of all, he spoke in another language (Spanish) all the time and you couldn’t cross words. I remember he calls a play which he calls a flat angle at the end of the quarter.”, he prolonged his sports ordeal.

“Then he dribbled halfway down the pitch with his back to me, which I thought was disrespectful (laughs) to have his back to me. Then he turns around and comes at me at full speed, making me a Eurostep and layup ”, narrated the first blow. “Next play, Euro layup, and foul. The other gave a stepback and triple. He scored me seven, nine… He scored almost ten points in a row on me”, He continued with his story, a true basketball lesson for a rookie.

“It was like ‘wow, I couldn’t even play.’ I basically ended up walking out of the match. The coach wanted to tell me something and I replied: ‘He does this to everyone, what do you want me to do?’”, completed his difficult experience with the Bahiense.

From the hand of the aforementioned McCollum, the Pelicans, along with the Atlanta Hawks, were the last classified for the NBA playoffs, instance in which they are measured against the Phoenix Suns. Traded a few months ago from the Portland Trail Blazers,

Faced with the doubts generated by the personal care of Zion Williamsoncalled to be a megastar in the League, and the physical problems of Brandon Ingramemerged as the franchise leader to reach the postseason.

“They needed more leadership, more guidance, but they also needed a guy who could really score regularly. I thought I could fit in perfectly… It was kind of an unexpected blessing. I could get to a place where I was needed, but it is also a place where I could show everything I have to offer, ”she said of his influence, as rescued. NBAmaniacs.

Proof of his evolution and growth, of which a certain Manu Ginóbili was part of a rival, who gave him one of his first great lessons.

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