A thank you to the Denver Nuggets killer Manu Ginóbli

The Denver Nuggets have time and time again been defeated by the San Antonio Spurs.

Whether it was by the hands of future Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich and his amazing schemes or by future Hall of Famers Tim Duncan, Tony Parker or David Robinson. Basically, the Spurs always seemed to have the Nugget’s number whenever they were matched up in a high stakes game. However, the biggest Nuggets killer in my time has been their international, sixth man assassin, Manu Ginóbli who is finally calling it a career.

Manu Ginóbli was one of the most frustrating opponents I ever had to watch face-off against the Nuggets during the early 21st century. He was one of the most creative scorers with his penetrating ability and unstoppable euro step. He could knock down the open three consistently and stop on a dime to hit an easy 10-12-foot pull-up jumper. Basically, basketball appeared to child’s play whenever he would be going against the Denver Nuggets.

While he was a frustrating player to watch go against your team on the offensive end, it would never compare to his antics on the defensive end. Manu Ginóbli was never an amazing defender but he consistently getting under the offenses skin with his flopping. Yes, I said it, he is the all-time MVP of flopping and this clip will prove my nomination.

Manu is very lucky that only recently the NBA has been handing out fines to those who flop because his bank account would be quite a bit lower.

Either way, Manu was one of the most electric talents I’ve ever seen and it’s only right I help send him off with one of my least favorite moments he was a part of against the Nuggets.

More from Nugg Love

The 2006/2007 playoffs

The 2006/2007 playoff series was supposed to be different. The team had traded for Allen Iverson and was ready to take the next step. Two all-star scorers with Iverson and Carmelo Anthony was going to be the strategy to get out of the first round. The series started absolutely great as the Nuggets went into San Antonio and upset the Spurs to take Game 1. After that, it was all downhill and the only person I remember being upset with was Manu Ginóbli.

Manu Ginobli came off the bench in each series game just like he had down for the majority of his career. He did what he usually did and shot the ball fairly well from beyond the arc and used his pesky defense to cause turnovers. He played a typical series, but that wasn’t what upset me over the final four games.

What really irked me was Manu’s ability to convert at the free throw line. From Game 2 all the way through the conclusion of the series, Ginobli shot 95% from the free throw line by going 24 of 25 according to BasketballReference. He knew that he was money from that spot so he just attacked and attacked all series long and used his flopping ability to get numerous fouls. I absolutely could not take it and I was getting overly frustrated watching him shoot uncontested free throws all game long. He knew how to beat us, and he followed his strategy perfectly, which ultimately led to the Nugget’s demise.

After years of annoyance and frustration, I finally understand that Ginóbli wasn’t a fluke player who was only successful because of stupid fouls. He was one of the smartest players to ever play in this league. He knew that the Nuggets would reach and/or try to contest his shot and he just made the right play. He beat us in the smartest way possible and I’ve come to respect him for his playing style.

While I will not miss his style going against the Nuggets, I will miss watching him play. There are not very many players who play so technical and passionate as Ginóbli did and I’m going to miss that. So, all I have to say is this.

From a Nuggets fan’s perspective, it’s been an honor to watch you play Manu, thank you for what you’ve done for the game and the league that I love.