Buck Harvey: Ginobili’s back as a contrast to business

[Mombear]

Buck Harvey: Ginobili’s back as a contrast to business
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:09 am by Buck Harvey


Manu Ginobili drives between Brazilian big men Anderson Varejao (left) and Alex Garcia in Argentina's 82-77 victory. (Mark Ralston / Getty Images)

LONDON — Tony Parker shook hands with the Spaniards, then made one, final Olympic gesture. He smashed his goggles onto the floor.

A few hours later, near the same spot where pieces of plastic had skidded, Manu Ginobili made a gesture, too. He and his Argentine teammates sang with the crowd, pointing to those in the stands, hugging, almost dancing.

“Doing our thing,” Ginobili said afterward, smiling.

The two were a contrast, but their emotions were also a contrast to what they do in San Antonio. Parker never smashes anything as a Spur when he loses, and Ginobili never sings when he wins, yet they were here, all while playing for free.

And David Stern, who witnessed all of it in the London arena Wednesday, wants to take this away?

We think we know about rivalries in the United States, but Spurs-Mavs is preseason stuff compared to Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Then, there were three games with geographic pride.

Lithuania and Russia went at it 20 years to the day after they first met in a non-Soviet world. Next came France and Spain, with everything but World Metta Peace with an accent.

The highlight came after what has become the traditional groin punch. A Spanish reporter asked the French coach about the low blow, and the French coach wouldn’t answer because the question came from a Spanish reporter.

Parker chose to beat up himself. Knowing he’s missed his one Olympic chance to medal, he looked in shock afterward and said, “It’s on me.”

It’s on his coach, mostly. There was little direction from the bench when Spain went into a zone, and, besides, Parker was exhausted by then. The French coach played Parker all of the second half and 38 minutes in the game.

As Spain is to France, Argentina has been to Brazil. The play that changed the game: With just over three minutes left, Argentina’s lead cut to two points, Ginobili threw his body in front of a Brazilian driver and took a fast-break charge.

Afterward members of the press wanted to talk about the next game, because it will be against the Americans. Ginobili stopped them.

“First of all,” he said, “let me enjoy this.”

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