what could manu have been?

[Spurtatcus]

He was the man for Argentina when they destroyed the Olympics in 2004 including the US team. Ginobili entered the NBA when he was 26, so it's hard to say what he could've been, but as a #1 he definitely would average 25/5/5 or so but he would probably miss 20 games a season

[Frankie23]

Manu has something that no SG has: He makes his teammates better.
Why? Cause he's the best playmaker among SG, he's unselfish and always do things to help his team win (rebounds, steals, charges, intangibles).

So maybe he's not making 25-5-5, but his team would be better..

[Fischella]

Seriously, McGrady, Carter, Wade, Iverson,... all of them where great playmakers as SGs too.

Devin Harris was an All Star just because of Carter.

[DanTown8587]

Completely depends on guys 2-12, but his teams could have been top 3-4 seeds in their confremce and competing for conference championships.

Better cast as a #2 or #3 option of course, but definitely for a time was a top 20 player in the league. He's this generation's McHale or Worthy: successful because they had an all-time great ahead of them but still incredibly talented players.

[I_Socrates]

Seriously, McGrady, Carter, Wade, Iverson,... all of them where great playmakers as SGs too.

Devin Harris was an All Star just because of Carter.

I think I died a little. Manu could have been a great first option, put up big numbers, but what he chose was much greater than what he 'could have' been. His legacy now is greater than what it would be under those circumstances. He is currently the only player to have medals/championships in 4+ competitive leagues and possibly the most clutch 6th man the NBA has ever seen.

[KyletheDingbat]

There were legitimate talks about Manu being nearly as good as Kobe, just with less minutes, circa 2005. He used to be unstoppable. I'd put him at about the same production as Paul Pierce - another player that could sometimes be the best in the league.

[Ito]

Whoa.. Manu is really loved in here.. Ima use that word so I wont say Overrated Lol

Manu was a product of Pop, Parker and Duncan... no way Manu has the skillset to carry a team.. a team with him as the best player wouldnt even make the playoffs... He was put in the perfect situation and made the best of it and now people think he could have been better if he was the man.. Man, stop overrating these players!!

[kingofcomedy]

Whoa.. Manu is really loved in here.. Ima use that word so I wont say Overrated Lol

Manu was a product of Pop, Parker and Duncan... no way Manu has the skillset to carry a team.. a team with him as the best player wouldnt even make the playoffs... He was put in the perfect situation and made the best of it and now people think he could have been better if he was the man.. Man, stop overrating these players!!

So who was he a product of on the Argentina team

[Biz Gilwalker]

He has nice fundamental & real skills, also very smart bball player. If he healthy enough to play extended minutes, i believe he doesnt far away from Kobe, even sometimes in burst i think he is the best player in the game. You guys underrating him.

So Manu jumps from top 60-70 all-time to top 15-20 all-time?

[I_Socrates]

He has nice fundamental & real skills, also very smart bball player. If he healthy enough to play extended minutes, i believe he doesnt far away from Kobe, even sometimes in burst i think he is the best player in the game. You guys underrating him.

So Manu jumps from top 60-70 all-time to top 15-20 all-time?

I wouldn't go that far, but he could definitely have been a top 50 if he went the route the OP suggests. However, I think he's more than happy as it is. He's bound to be in the HOF after he retires, no other player has accomplished as much in basketball, NBA and international combined, than Manu Ginobili. Obviously he never got the MVP's, although its arguable he could have gotten a Finals MVP at least once simply due to his clutch heroics.

[ndnow]

But he isn't a 1st option on a title team.

That's the key right there. There are a lot of players in this league if you put them on a crappy team give them the green light that can score 25ppg.

[sisibilio]

Completely depends on guys 2-12, but his teams could have been top 3-4 seeds in their confremce and competing for conference championships.

I don't think so. With a great 2nd-3rd option, good and cohesive supporting cast and coaching staff he could lead his team to the playoffs, but as a low seed and maybe if they're lucky and get a good match up make it to the second round but that would be it. Basically the Roy-led Blazers without Oden.

[Hawaii]

Manu's had a great career, not really worthy of a "what could have been" situation. He's been an international superstar, and a multiple-ring-winning important piece of his team. Easily a HOF'er.

[HelloBrooklyn]

Manu would've have been exposed if he was a main building block of a team. The guy is a great player for the role he is given in However, I just don't think he has enough talent to put a team on his back to have a winning culture.

[TheToothFairy]

Phoenix would have been great for his. Run and gun and good medical care