17 Months After Placing Manu Ginobili in Special Category, 47 YO Celtics Legend Salutes “Complete” Year From the Hall of Famer

Argentine icon Manu Ginobili might be the most successful international star in NBA history. From NBA championships to Olympic Golds, there wasn’t much the San Antonio Spurs legend didn’t win. Whether it was his athleticism or the tricky parts of the game, he stepped into the realm of basketball and changed it for the better. A Boston Celtics legend, who went up against Ginobili numerous times, took to social media to appreciate 4x NBA champion’s legacy.

This comes months after he applauded Ginobili for his performance.

15x NBA All-Star appreciates Manu Ginobili’s legacy

While there were many false perceptions of the international athletes in the league, former players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, and Tony Parker are largely responsible for making people see the true version. However, Ginobili was probably the biggest star outside of the US at the time. Former Celtics star Kevin Garnett recently liked a clip on Instagram that chronicled Ginobili’s ‘complete’ year.

The clip was shared by ‘Forgotten Seasons’ and focussed on how the 46-year-old rose from his 2004 success and continued to create history. The caption read, “Manu Ginobili had one of the most complete one-year stretches in basketball history.”  

The statement is directed toward Ginobili’s Olympic Gold medal-winning performance with Argentina in 2004 in Athens. What followed with the San Antonio Spurs is also notable. He earned his 1st All-Star selection that season. However, that wasn’t it.

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The Spurs won the 2004-05 championship with Ginobili playing a pivotal role in the Playoffs. Undeniably, the league saw the best of him in 2004-05, even though he was certainly great throughout his 16-year NBA career. With Garnett being a part of the Minnesota Timberwolves at the time, he must have been sick to watch Manu ball with the Spurs. No wonder he is always full of praise for the Argentine.

Manu Ginobili-led Argentina defeated Team USA

There is indeed a reason why Garnett called him one of the best European players. Back in 2004, he led Argentina to a historic Olympic Gold. However, it was during the Semi-Final that he became a national hero. Despite facing one of the best basketball teams, Argentina was able to defeat the USA 89-81 in the semis. However, that was the 2nd time Ginobili beat the US.

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Back in 2002, the USA faced its first defeat in international competition since 1992. Even if Argentina led by Ginobili lost to Yugoslavia in the final of the FIBA World Championship, the team shocked the world as they beat the USA by 87-80 in the earlier rounds.

Garnett in his book, ‘Kg: A to Z’, named Ginobili as one of the best international players ever. A quick stroll through the Argentine icon’s storied career proves that to the public. Do you agree with Garnett? Let us know in the comments below.