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The 25 Greatest Sixth Men Of All Time

By Carter Johnson

Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Manu Ginobili played with a stress fracture in the NBA playoffs. Now he might not be able to go for Argentina at the Basketball World Cup next month. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Manu Ginobili played with a stress fracture in the NBA playoffs. Now he might not be able to go for Argentina at the Basketball World Cup next month. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs

13.6 PPG, 4.0 APG,  4.2 RPG in 10 seasons as 6th Man

Accolades: 2nd Team All-Rookie (2002-03), 1X Sixth Man of the Year (2007-08), 1X All-Third Team (2007-08), 3X NBA Champion (2003, 2007, 2014) 

When one thinks about the San Antonio Spurs, the faces that usually come to mind are those of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

While Duncan and, to a lesser degree, Parker receive more praise and credit for being the franchise players, there may not have been a more essential player to the Spurs’ championship runs than Ginobili.

As arguably the most prolific basketball player in South America’s history, Ginobili already boasted a decorated international career in 2002 when he finally joined the team that drafted him.

However, the Argentinian checked his ego at the door from day one and dedicated himself to being the leader of the second unit and, at times, the team’s deadliest scorer.

Ginobili proved crucial in the team’s 2005 championship run, averaging 20.8 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game throughout the playoffs and coming in second in the Finals MVP voting to Duncan.

He was an essential factor on the 2007 championship squad as well, this time averaging 16.7 points per game with 5.5 boards and 3.7 assists a night during their run to the title.

Ginobili’s most impressive display, however, came during the team’s 2014 championship season.

Now 36 years old and coming off of a hamstring injury at the end of the season, Ginobili would step up once again, posting 14.4 points a night on a ridiculous shooting split of .500/.417/.875 and serving as the team’s second leading facilitator to help the Spurs defeat the Big 3 of the Miami Heat in five games.

Ginobili’s dual threat ability as a scorer and facilitator have proved crucial and beneficial for the Spurs throughout the years and because of that, he has helped to build a dynasty and is one third of the winningest trio in NBA history along with Parker and Duncan.

Next: The Torture Chamber