So last Wednesday I was walking back from class, and as I was humming an Usher tune in my head I hear, "Tony, I got a bone to pick with you." I looked up and to my left was Todd Townsend sitting on a bench outside the Alumni Memorial Union.

"You know your stuff, but you never give any love to (Manu) Ginobili."

This one's for you, Todd.

The defending champion Spurs handled a lot of chemistry problems this season. David Robinson retired. Stephen Jackson moved to Atlanta (and did quite well). Tim Duncan and Tony Parker went through injuries, and it took all season for Rasho Nesterovic, Robert Horry and Hedo Turkoglu to fit into Gregg Popovich's style of play. But the man that kept them on the right track wa Ginobili.

Ginobili, who caught my eye during his world championship run with Argentina in 2002, is the sparkplug that many teams lack. His numbers don't blow you away, 13 points and five rebounds a game, although what doesn't show up on the box score is where Ginobili shines — heart and hustle.

I overlooked Ginobili as my sixth man selection, and while I said I was biased for choosing Desmond Mason, I should have chosen Ginobili. The second year guard is one of the most underrated players in the league and will help San Antonio to make it to at least the Western Semifinals as soon as it can get past Memphis.

The greatest thing about the Spurs as a whole is the fact that there are no superstars on the team, besides Duncan of course. General Manager R.C. Buford didn't lose his composure when he failed to bring in Jason Kidd, and made up for it by signing quality role players. The Spurs are full of role players that understand what they bring to the team. From Duncan to Ginobili, all the way to Kevin Willis, who is like 70, players one through 12 are on the same page.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Spurs can win it all again, and when players like Ginobili step up, it makes the opportunity to repeat so much easier.