Beale Street Bears
Fansided

Manu Ginobili Made Lasting Impact on Many Memphis Grizzlies’ Lane Drives

By Christian Dudley

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 29: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 29, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX. 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 (Photo by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 29: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 29, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX. 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 (Photo by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Manu Ginobili leaves the game of basketball as a true innovator of one of today’s most popular offensive moves, which is used by many Memphis Grizzlies.

This week has brought the official news of retirement for one of the all-time best international basketball stars. Memphis Grizzlies fans are incredilbly familiar with the famed Argentinian due to five playoff series matchups since 2003 featuring this player’s NBA club.

The name? Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs. One of the most astonishing facts is that Ginobili spent all 16 years of his NBA career with the same single franchise. Though he is an all-time legend on the international circuit, he helped build the Spurs franchise into one of the winningest in league history.

Ginobili was not known only for collecting hardwear no matter what type of competition he was matched against. He did much more than collect wins. He was also an innovator. He introduced one of the most popular legal offensive moves within today’s rules of regulation basketball.

The eurostep. Nowadays, the basketball world refers to it is the “euro.” Not to be confused with the currency, it is undoubtedly a money move, especially when it has been Manu Ginobili demonstrating it. The move was meant to stymie the efforts of defenders in front of the rim as the offensive person makes their way to the hoop.

It is not a travel — at least, if performed to perfection. 30 years ago, you were not seeing this move on the hardwood. Imagine seeing guys like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, or even Michael Jordan eurostepping past defenders. The skill may have added another hint of flare to these legends’ games.

More from Beale Street Bears

In mentioning the Memphis Grizzlies’ record of familiarity with Manu Ginobili and the San Antonio Spurs, there is not much good that came from those hard-fought playoff series. That is, on the Grizzlies’ side of things. However, Memphis will always represent — with pride — the year their eighth-seeded squad upset the top-seeded Spurs in the first round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs. Talk about a magical year in Grizz Nation!

Though Ginobili never helped the Grizzlies, his infamous eurostep will likely be found within the game of basketball for the rest of eternity, especially on the NBA level. For the Memphis Grizzlies’ fan base, every “euro” performed by Mike Conley, Andrew Harrison, Dillon Brooks, and others, Ginobili’s career will always be remembered at those moments.

Don’t believe us? Take a look at Tyreke Evans in his one season with the Memphis Grizzlies. ‘Reke was a frequent flyer when it came to pulling off a perfect euro while dicing through the defense en route to two points (and oftentimes the and-one call).

Though Mike Conley has not appeared in a regular season game for the Grizzlies in nearly one year, a healthy “Captain Clutch” is a frequent user of a textbook euro. It helps him gain leverage when he is up against taller, stronger defenders.

Plus, do not count out Conley’s backup. Andrew Harrison showed tremendous improvement in the 2017-18 season. Within the leaps and bounds displayed, a solid eurostep has been developed by Harrison.

Boom. Boom. Layup. Left foot planted. Right foot planted. Two points for the taking. Wayne Selden has included the euro as part of his offensive game, too.

It is similar to a jump-stop, but with each leg jumping and stopping at different times — all within a split second. Don’t blink!

The game is evolving. Guys like the Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol, a center standing at 7’1,” is chucking over 100 three-pointers per season. Nowadays, it is not so crazy to see frontcourt players adapt to backcourt tendencies. Given this fact, you may very well see the next face of the franchise — Jaren Jackson Jr. — pull off a eurostep or two in his rookie season. After all, he did just that versus Northwestern University during his single collegiate year.

Grizz Nation will not thank Manu Ginobili for the 18 playoff losses he has handed our beloved basketball club since 2004. However, for his contributions to the game of basketball, the fan base does give their thanks. Introducing the eurostep to the NBA will be one of many items that will play in Ginobili’s favor when it comes to a Hall-of-Fame bid.

Many of the current members of the Memphis Grizzlies include this euro skill in their offensive arsenal. As far as the sport is concerned, Manu’s contributions will always live on. Farewell to this interdivisional rival.

Go Grizz!

Home/Grizzlies News