‘Mini Manu’ Making an Impact on Spurs
So maybe Stephen Jackson was getting a bit ahead of himself earlier this week when he compared the Spurs’ lone rookie to an All-Star. Then again, Jackson has never been known for his temperance.
Nando De Colo another Manu Ginobili? It’s enough to give coach Gregg Popovich nightmares.
“I remember in a timeout Pop joking,” point guard Tony Parker said. “ ‘I have one Manu. I don’t need two.’ ”
In Wednesday’s 101-99 preseason victory over Atlanta — achieved with Ginobili and the rest of the Big Three out — De Colo proved the value of keeping a spare Manu around.
Not only did he spread around nine assists to go with 11 points and two steals to boot, the 25-year-old Frenchman threw in the tie-breaking basket with 0.6 seconds left.
Playing mostly point guard Wednesday with Parker and Patty Mills out, the rookie had three times as many assists as turnovers.
And then, with the game winding down and Parker calling his number in the timeout huddle, De Colo channeled Ginobili with a game-winner.
“He’s got a long way to be like Manu,” Parker said. “We can say he’s like a poor (man’s) Manu right now.”
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