Nylon Calculus: Manu Ginobili was the greatest bench player ever

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 22: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs after Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Manu Ginobili has finally retired, after an incredible NBA career. Where does he rank among the greatest bench players of all time?

Manu Ginobili, a Spurs legend and one of the greatest international players of all-time, has finally decided to call it a career after 16 NBA seasons. As one of the most unique offensively players of his time, Manu excelled as a sixth man, winning the 2007-08 Sixth Man of the Year Award (somehow the only of his career).

In fact, his case for being the best NBA bench player of all-time is incredibly solid. Since starts were first tracked in 1981-82, no other bench player comes close to matching his total production.

With Kevin McHale as the only other non-starter to cross 100 Wins Added, Manu compiling an impressive 129 is a testament to his incredible impact across the board. He also leads all bench players who played at least 10,000 minutes in career Player Impact Plus-Minus.

Manu even stacks up amazingly against full-time starters in terms of career accomplishments, with his career Wins Added as the 35th highest since 1973-74.

Without a doubt, the most amazing part of having the privilege to enjoy Manu Ginobili for the past 16 years have been the what-in-the-hell-did-he-just-do moments that he provided every game he played in. He only had below a 20 assist percentage twice in his career and if insane, no-look, behind-the-back passes were tracked, I am sure he would have finished near the top of the league every single season.

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As an elite competitor, Manu Ginobili just made his teams better. When he came on the court for his 25 minutes a night, the entire dynamic of the Spurs offense shifted. For his career, across countless iterations of the Spurs ever evolving offense, the team was 4.3 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court offensively.

Manu is one of just 15 qualifying players to average more than 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per 36 minutes. He is the only one to do it from a bench role. He would and could do anything asked of him, sacrificing what surely would have been more individual acclaim to win four NBA titles and become a legend for the Spurs, Argentina, and basketball as a whole.

Thank you, Manu, for an amazing ride.

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