Manu Ginobili’s devastating block on James Harden to secure a pivotal Game 5 added yet another classic moment to an already storied career. As for the Rockets… not so much.
Unless you’ve been hiding from your TV, computer, and phone for the last 19 hours, you’re well aware by now that Manu Ginobili absolutely ruined James Harden with a textbook block to end Game 5, ensuring a Spurs 110-107 win in OT.
If you happened to be watching the game live when Harden pulled back to heave up what is now an infamous non-three, the immediate reaction — or at least my reaction — was one of sheer horror.
That is, of course, until Ginobili quickly gobbled up the ball like he was seizing control of Earth.
Is it possible for one to block a basketball this cleanly while also getting so much damn ball? My god, this wasn’t just a block, this was downright ownership.
It was as if Harden whispered to Manu right before the inbound pass exactly what he would be doing, and where. Because Ginobili read that sequence so freakin’ clearly it was like he guessed the right play in Tecmo Bowl.
And with that, I present to you the new, fake logo for the Houston Rockets, courtesy of Twitter — the place where great and awful things happen every 5.9 seconds.
Really digging the Rockets' new logo. pic.twitter.com/TIQCX5YaM8
— Robert Behrens (@rcb05) May 10, 2017
This is art, this is everything. And the fact that it captures the ball rolling off the top of Harden’s head makes this thing extra special.
To be honest, I’m surprised Harden’s beard didn’t disappear right off his face upon said blockage.
Alas, we must move forward. The Rockets play host to the Spurs for Game 6 on Thursday night and will attempt to avoid elimination and any further humiliation.
Probably best for everyone involved that The Beard stay far away from the balding, ageless wonder.
Finally, while the slo-mo clip is amazing, everyone really needs to hear Kevin Harlan call this play live.
Manu Ginobili's block of James Harden was the most iconic play of his entire career.
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) May 10, 2017
-- @howaboutafresca. https://t.co/BPg23TXNlE pic.twitter.com/S7hl8jkhgO
Can’t. Stop. Watching.
UPDATE: The Internet remains undefeated.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BT66GFEDad0/?taken-by=thescore&hl=en
Outstanding work by The Score.