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San Antonio Spurs: Top 10 moments of Manu Ginobili’s career

By Jerran Anderson

SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 18: The jersey of Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs is seen during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 18, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 18: The jersey of Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs is seen during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 18, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images
Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images /

10. Argentina wins the 2004 Olympic gold

International players haven’t always gotten the respect they deserved, especially from the likes of Team USA. When it comes to Olympic competition, Team USA has won 15 of the total 19 gold medals in competitive play. All that changed, at least in 2004, when the Argentina national team showed up with Manu Ginobili.

Ginobili led the charge in his Olympic debut as Argentina would go on to win its first gold medal. The Argentinans upset Team USA, 89-81, as he poured in 29 points to crown a new winner in the games for the first time since 1988.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtopNCH5-qY&feature=youtu.be

The Argentinians shot 54 percent from the floor and drained 11 3-pointers en route to their first-ever gold medal. It marked the first time a Latin American country has won a gold medal, showing just how special Manu was for his squad.

In 2002, they also upset Team USA during the FIBA World Championships in Indianapolis. NBA superstars Reggie Miller, Paul Pierce and Ben Wallace were surprised in the group stage by Argentina and Ginobili. An 87-80 upset gave them the wakeup call they needed, but still, Manu would go on to lead his Argentina squad to a gold medal in 2004 as well.

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