'El Contusione': Manu Ginobili's unpredictable, high-energy play often sends him sprawling to the floor, but he won't let a few bruises get in the way of his charge toward a title

ABC analyst Hubie Brown, stunned, says of Ginobili, "You can channel him all you want, but when you channel him, you're giving him a clear lane, and even if he throws up a so-help-me-God driveway shot, he's got a chance of being fouled."

This is a big key to Ginobili's performance this season, especially in the playoffs. He generates points at the foul line. Teammate Tim Duncan admits, "When he starts to the basket, I have no idea what he's going to do." Ginobili is mastering the unpredictable, the "so-help-me-God." Even if his prayers are not answered, there is a good chance he is going to take a hit, sprawl out and wind up with two foul shots. He got to the free throw line 6.0 times per game in the regular season but is getting there 9.0 times per game in the playoffs.

"That makes him so difficult to prepare for," says a Western Conference scout. "You can't say, 'On this play, he likes to do this. On that play, he does that.' He doesn't have tendencies. He completely wings it out there."

Of course, winging it is not a comfortable notion for a coach, and during his first three years in the league, Ginobili's style (as well as that of French point guard Tony Parker) clashed with the structured approach Popovich prefers. But Popovich says he has grown comfortable with the razzmatazz of his backcourt, which is learning to accept the discipline Popovich preaches. "A coining together," is how Popovich describes it.

"It has been gradual, but it has been steady," Ginobili says. "I think he saw I was doing the little things that every team needs. That was the way to gain Pop's confidence and show that you just care about winning."

That, now, is the focus of the Spurs. They are on the edge of a third championship in seven years after rolling through the Western Conference playoffs with a 12-4 record. They have a well-rested Duncan, the league's top power forward. They have Parker, who is playing the best, most consistent basketball of his career. They have a solid, experienced bench built around Horry and Barry.

"Such a smart, disciplined team," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni says.

True, but it's also a team with Ginobili, who knows how to put smarts and discipline aside at times and play by feel, even if it feels like an ache or a bruise. That's the fun of what Ginobili is doing in this postseason--he is trying to raise his team up higher by falling down more.

A legend of his falls

Care to have some fun during The Finals? Keep an eye on Manu Ginobili and witness the number of times he winds up on the floor. He hit the hardwood eight times in Game 3 of the conference finals against the Suns, and he's likely to get even more acquainted with the floor as The Finals go on because the defense will get tougher.

1. 8:55, first quarter. After a shot attempt by Tim Duncan, Ginobili grabs the rebound in the middle of the lane, in traffic, as he falls to the floor.

2. 8:54, first quarter. After getting up from his initial fall, Ginobili fires a pass and falls again.