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It’s been a while but the San Antonio Spurs were once the most dominant and powerful team in the NBA.

In fact, for much of the early 2000s, there were few teams able to take down the Spurs and their squad of superstars.

There were many great players on the team but one of the best was definitely Manu Ginobili.

Ginobili signed with the Spurs 20 years ago this week after being a second-round pick in the draft.

During his time with the team, he was a two-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA player, Sixth Man of the Year, and four-time champion.

He might not have looked like it but Ginobili was one of the most skilled shooters and players in the league.

Ginobili Getting It

Some people didn’t know what to expect when Ginobili first entered the league.

In many ways, he didn’t look like a typical basketball player and it wasn’t clear how he’d fit into the Spurs’ rotation.

But that’s exactly what he did and he quickly showed the rest of the world just how unpredictable he could be.

He was a master at switching up on opponents, keeping them on their toes, and knocking them on their backsides.

Ginobili was an athlete unlike any other and he found ways to find great, difficult shots and move with incredible speed.

In 2003, 2005, 2007, and then 2014, Ginobili was able to help his team win the NBA Finals.

Throughout his career, he averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

He is now a Hall of Famer and a beloved figure in the city of San Antonio.

Ginobili was a huge, pleasant surprise for Spurs fans and remains an important part of the team’s history.

This article first appeared on The Cold Wire and was syndicated with permission.

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