James Harden facing Manu Ginobili in the last seconds of a playoff game needs a deep rewind

It's the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Rockets vs. Spurs in the final seconds of overtime of an extremely important Game 5. Needing a bucket, Houston's James Harden stares down the defending Manu Ginobili.
This is a pretty cool matchup. The teams are neighbors trying to reignite a rivalry that's gone kinda dormant. And the players have more in common than you may remember, but some key distinctions that brought them to this point. Before we watch how James vs. Manu plays out, let's rewind!
Directed and edited by Brian Torres
Motion graphics by Phil Pasternak
Written and produced by Seth Rosenthal
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[@SecretBaseSBN]

so, fun fact, this is the 100th episode of Rewinder. that feels really weird but also something we're so incredibly proud of. the only reason we've been able to make so many is because of y'all continuing to encourage us and commenting and sending love and this list could go on but don't want to interrupt your viewing time. seriously, thanks for everything, we'll have more episodes coming soon

[@Tex_Mex_A_Lex]

My rockets have featured a lot on your channel. Then Harden Rockets could be a great Collapse video (i would cry the whole time)

[@gnomessb7154]

probably my favorite series on the channel

[@youlookcute]

@@Tex_Mex_A_Lex yes!! From a rockets fan, please do this. The CP3 Harden Rockets would be a great collapse video and also very sad considering where we're at now.

[@kencarson666]

thanks secret base

[@blakelip3]

Never stop making these Secret Base 👍🏿👍🏿

[@beheliteater]

This is one of my absolute favorite moments as a spurs fan. I cannot describe the love that San Antonio has for Manu but when this happened it didn’t come as a surprise to any spurs fan. Although Manu was almost always the oldest guy on the court his final seasons you wouldn’t see anyone with as much heart and fire that he played with. Miss you Manu!!

[@admiralkrankandhismightyba158]

I was very butt hurt when this happened. And you've renewed my rockets fan butt hurt with your comment.

[@beheliteater]

@@admiralkrankandhismightyba158 sorry about that brother 😂

[@jbtreshawn]

Dude Danny green doesn’t get enough credit he was literally all of our offense in ot

[@admiralkrankandhismightyba158]

@@beheliteater I appreciate that , man. But it's not your fault that Ginobli was great.

[@admiralkrankandhismightyba158]

@@jbtreshawn Yeah Green was great in OT. Patty Mills also made Pat Beverley look very silly. Not sure when that was, third or fourth quarter. But when Leonard left those other guys really picked up the slack.

[@lunarlandinglivestreams3937]

It was such a privilege to watch Manu, Parker, and Duncan play basketball together Unmatched chemistry

[@colinbanning9416]

I was trying to think. This was the Parker-Manu-Tim-Robinson team, right? Couldn't remember if Tony was there, but that is a ludicrous amount of talent. (obviously i wrote this mid video since he's mentioned by name)

[@darrengordon-hill]

Honoured I saw the whole thing

[@jjleblanc8151]

If you think about it, this play really shook Houston’s confidence moving forward. If harden makes this shot, then Houston may have won the series, and then they probably would’ve stayed put because they would’ve made a deeper playoff run, which means they might not have ever gotten CP3

[@enthusiastofcute]

HIGHLY unlikely that they simply stay out after beating the Spurs. Cause the Warriors would have curb stomped them in the next round which would lead to the CP3 deal anyway

[@Kodreanu23]

Just to add one more point: they were so confident about beating Houston, Kawhi didn't even play sixth game and it looked easy.

[@sethgaming1747]

the cp3 deal was the best thing they ever did they were 1 bad half away from beating the super warriors with KD and most likely winning the finals against the Cavs

[@blaze9ryno547]

My God, I love Manu so much. The fire of San Antonio basketball. Been a Spurs fan for 29 years & I still can’t really put into words what that man truly means to this city. He’s just a down to Earth, tough as hell, selfless human being. Us Spurs fans are just truly spoiled.

[@mair20]

I remember when Harden sent the Spurs home with his dagger step back 3 in 2012. Manu blocking that shot was so satisfying to see as a Spurs fan

[@lectricviewer]

When Manu was on the court he was absolutely without a doubt the hungriest player and he always left everything he had on the court. That is why he is so beloved in San Antonio.

[@joved1662]

Ginóbili is my second favorite player ever behind Michael Jordan. People forget that he is the best competitor in NBA history. No other player including MJ has a biggest win percentage.

[@LdotSdot210]

good timing on the release of this video with Manu being up for the HOF this year. he absolutely deserves it. what an amazing basketball career that man has #GSG

[@Itsmainduece1]

Manu Ginobili the most underrated player of all time

[@jcfromnbtx6912]

I’m from San Antonio area so I’m biased to the Spurs but Manu is my all time favorite player because of his trickyness and heart. Dude gave it his all every game and wasn’t afraid to try crazy stuff.

[@govindsuresh6805]

The interesting takeaway from this video is that Daryl Morey is probably one of the most patient and calculated GMs in NBA history. We were questioning for so long why they wouldn't just move Ben Simmons earlier since it was clear from the beginning of the season he wouldn't play but damn, he's got some really good luck and hella patience to be able to pull James Harden twice in 10 years

[@LeeGHThomas]

Feels like he’s never been on the losing side of a trade either. It’ll be interesting to watch the east this post season.

[@OfficialJPryde]

@@LeeGHThomas except the Westbrook-CP3 trade. Set the Rockets back half a decade.

[@DiscGolfLeagueMVP]

​@@OfficialJPryde Harden is my favourite player but I have to admit that trade is on Harden. I know hindsight is 20/20 if he could have just been patient with CP3 and at least put aside their differences then there's no way in hell Morey would bring in a complete non-shooter who required other big pieces to be moved to accommodate his play style. But I guess Harden saw his window of opportunity to win a title closing, plus seeing the Lakers get AD and the Clippers get PG and Kawhi made him panic. It hurts more knowing Russ ended up losing us game 2 of the Lakers series and the season was a wrap from there, whereas a resurgent CP3 would have helped us take a 2-0 lead and at the very worst pushed the series to 7.

[@joeybernal1729]

Just finding this comment, how do you feel now?

[@patfer1189]

Now, fast forward to 2023....

[@julianguastadisegno]

As an Argentinian (Which was too young to watch Manu winning the gold medal live) this moment embodies what he is, aggressive but respectful, a guy who has a clean sheet in every aspect, in and outside the court. I support the Hawks but as every Argentinian which likes basketball Manu's playoffs were unmissable, he has made and will continue to make our nation proud.

[@shortymcshort1375]

Harden didn’t demand a trade from the thunder, he was devastated when they kicked him out after they couldn’t agree on a contract

[@jesseklein7436]

As a Laker's fan I can unequivocally say that I loved those spurs teams with all my heart. They brought the best out of each other in beautiful competition.

[@patfer1189]

That rivalry was phenomenal.

[@TrueWandering]

Thank you, as a Spurs fan. I feel that this play was already forgotten. To be honest, I haven't seen a lot of NBA since the Spurs won in 2014 but I saw this game. It was like 10 years ago again. And we, the fans, couldn't thank Manu enough.

[@jay-vaz9485]

Watched this channel non stop the begining months of the covid lockdown ...oh the memories!!

[@kevinzhu6417]

These videos make me so nostalgic for this era of the NBA (even though it hasn't been that long), I really liked it when you guys did some highlighting of the years major events in your "The Worst" series.

[@darren49]

FYI, Manu is one of the all time clutch defenders ever. He has clutch game saving blocks on Kobe, Wade, Durant, and a game saving charge on Melo. Thats 4 all time players he shot down with the game on the line. Truly one of the most underrated defenders ever.

[@bignate1497]

I’ve watched the ending of this game so many times, what an amazing moment in Spurs history

[@schachtkonstantin9046]

A Rewind about the Australian Open 2022 final would be great. An amazing game, with Nadal breaking a all time record and getting grand slam number 21👍🙏

[@coby4480]

That Ginobili block is just so clean.

[@johnr909]

I love how ‘spursy’ means something completely different in ref to San Antonio compared to Tottenham where ‘spursy’ is synonymous with failure

[@joaquinmeek5161]

Lol 😂 when he said ‘Spursy’ I thought he was going to choke

[@WildDanHibiki]

In basketball, Spursy usually means great. In soccer, Spursy usually means terrible.

[@karlo0998]

Die hard fan of both teams. Kinda balanced my emotions over the years lol.

[@GodKingKrab]

Ginobli will always be a favorite player of mine! Spurs team was always so humble and that’s why they won so many championships with each other.

[@ikku_e]

The draft board 4:27 still haunted me, and yes I’m a wolves fan.

[@jukebox5600]

As a san antonio native this moment means alot to me ❤

[@CrisKRA]

As an Argentinian, I love Messi, but Manu is by far my favourite Argentinian athlete

[@riccardoferrazzo8283]

Manu: you cannot win everything, at every level, individually and with the team, with different teams, completely different style of plays, over 3 decades, alternating being the main guy or being the sixth man, in a 7series playoff game or with direct elimination, without being a really really really good athlete, basketball player, and competitor. Absolute, unconditional, love for Manu.

[@michaelswrld6455]

This dude is always the best

[@futurehofer1564]

It's crazy how your decisions and personality shape up who you are and how your career plays out, Manu could have easily wanted all the fame, attention and money, become a star player with tons of all star appearances, maybe even MVP votes and all nba teams, but HE knew basketball is a team game and he valued winning over everything. Harden, on the other hand, wanted the fame, the stats, the money instead of winning, and he sure got what he has asked for, now at 32 he is bouncing team to team desperately trying to win a ring.

[@LeeGHThomas]

Harden knew he was a good enough player to potentially lead a team to a championship single handedly and he did. Ginobili knew that if he took off for a team of his own they would be middling at best and most likely a bottom feeder without an all-nba teammate. People are so blinded by San Antonio’s system. At the end of the day the comparison between manu and harden ends at them both being left handed. One is an all-timer at his position and the other was a role player.

[@diezgp]

Soon-to-be first ballot hall of famer, Manu Ginobili, was a role player? Thought i've seen It all.

[@LeeGHThomas]

@@diezgp by every definition. And mich Richmond is in the hall. Manu would have gotten in on his 04 international run alone.

[@palantir4280]

@@LeeGHThomas he led the arg team to a gold medal with a bunch of players you've never heard of, beating usa in the process. yeah, just a role player

[@LeeGHThomas]

@@palantir4280 a 6th man in the nba is the definition of a role player. I said he would get in for his international efforts alone. Thanks for agreeing.

[@Nupeguy16]

The 100th episode and my favorite writer/presenter Seth is doing it. NICE.

[@Rj_D956]

I remember watching this live, amazing defense, ginobli hands down the greatest bench player of all time. Easily could've been a star anywhere

[@fitofito1001]

Manu is the most underrated player by far in the nba history. He is the bast basketball player in the world in his prime and one of the top 10 in history. He was suppressed by NBA and American media because he is from a small market country.

[@Juangarcia-hi7hi]

This was my first time ever seeing David Robinsons reaction during this play on the bottom left corner, glad to see a spurs video done despite the season they’re having so far. Hopefully they can be back to this status soon! #GoSpursGo

[@cebollapvz9328]

I actually want to see a rewinder for the Argentina gold medal team, I think it would be amazing

[@lukerodriguez]

Making me tear up missing the 2000s and 2010s Spurs

[@Inhereflackin]

I remember Playing nba 2002, picking the spurs, and basically locking on Manu. He’s still one of my favorite players

[@bertimanisa]

Rewinders are like "well, ginobili blocked harden let me tell the story of tmacs back injuries" keep up the good work

[@leidersonfernandez2096]

This is just a beautiful moment. Excellent episode.

[@idrunkdrive]

this was a sick watch, never really seen the parallels between the two

[@matthewlerma7248]

I was on the St. Mary's strip in San Antonio that night! There was a crazy celebration that night! On the city's westside, there was a Parade! like People legit decorated their trucks and paraded around honking their horns, dancing in the street! It was truly the last time San Antonio got to celebrate as a city.

[@kencarson666]

Sethaniel you keep me alive, thanks for narrating these homie!

[@boredmonkeyproductions1015]

I know what will happen but it still gives me chills after watching it again

[@Pwop_]

This was a great topic for rewinder, semi-recent and worthwhile but not super memorable like Superbowl 51, 2016 finals etc

[@nevalelapena]

Still in old photos Jeff Green is soooo uncle Jeff... I love him

[@jacobpodegracz1464]

That was SO SICK!

[@johndoe-nt]

That was a great episode, thanks for this.

[@Sai4651]

Manu & Harden and their early careers are eerily similar. Both were asked to sacrifice and come off the bench, both were extremely talented SG, both left handed, both won 6 MOTY. Difference between the two is their willingness to sacrifice, not saying Harden was unjustified for wanting a max contract, he did not have to sacrifice millions of dollars so a billionaire can save some money. However, OKC did their absolute best to replicate what the Spurs did, Sam Presti who came from the Spurs tried to replicate the success by treating KD as if he were Tim Duncan and treating Harden like he was Manu. When those players weren't willing to be like those guys, it failed. KD left in free agency partially because of the way OKC expected him to act, to be a quiet guy who sacrificed everything for the team, and they expected Harden to take pay cuts and come off the bench like Manu, when he didn't do that, they traded him. Harden is an extremely talented player and scorer, certainly a top 5 SG all time in my opinion. However, his selfish style of play has limited what he can accomplish, his constant desire to play on the ball, his lack of willingness to be a catch & shoot guy to let him teammates shine a little more, his lack of effort on defense. All these things are what makes him different from Manu. James Harden wants to win a championship, but he'll never do what it takes to get that ring, he wants to have his cake and eat it too.

[@HiMyNameIsMoses]

love this account bro i watch as many as i can till i realize i seen an ep already

[@Jeremy-vf7su]

Gotta love the recognition Manu gets in this vid. There’s something honorable about knowing your part and playing it. I’d take Manu’s career over Harden’s any day.

[@lllllllllllllllllllllld4985]

Im a heat fan.. but i have much love for the spurs the original big 3 and pop.. I really hope the spirs can get to their former glory soon.

[@parejajyordjeshuar.750]

One of my favorite moments in nba history

[@gregorylagrange]

Manu and Mario Elie, two of my favorite players of all time.

[@ned4903]

Liverpool vs Barcelona or Roma vs Barcelona are some good football/soccer ones that deserve a rewind

[@kkhalil597]

Manu so underrated

[@UltraMaXAtAXX]

Finally, a Rewinder that respects San Antonio!

[@zulf4lenovo439]

Great rewinder as usual. Keep it up SB Nation 💯

[@timmyturner999_]

I’m a huge harden and I already know what this whole video is about absolute pain harden will get a ring mark my words he will shut all the haters up

[@Blessed2bFresh]

There's a reason why Manu starts with the letters M-A-N. Miss that dude

[@ArtemRyzhkov]

Secret base, I have a great Rewinder video idea. It’s about Braden Holtby’s stellar save in game 2 of the 2018 Stanley cup finals. It’s what allowed the capitals to win their first tile

[@ArtemRyzhkov]

*title

[@drogerflav6350]

As a latino manu is and will always be us that work ethic inspiring

[@frostbirdtp1180]

Crazy good Video .Shows me how much Detail you need to Love Ball

[@toniindjov2485]

Finally a new Rewinder, let's gooooo

[@stevey02]

If Harden had taken the $54mill & just waited, the Thunder could've arguably become what the warriors are today.

[@MacDaddyP11]

Ginobli with the left hand up like Oooh

[@chrispiccininni9914]

Thanks for this, so awesome

[@gabotdf]

It takes giant balls of steel to even attempt such block.

[@SATOWNJONES]

I been wanting this on for a long time

[@goddy510]

Skip won’t tell you James Harden hard to overcome so many challenges in that match up🤦🏾 Now I have some respect for Harden👏

[@davidchilachava4111]

Manu was magician ❤️🇦🇷

[@jorgevazquez654]

Do more on Spurs trio. They truly deserve it.

[@evnstn]

i miss u sm manu

[@folumb]

That 2009 NBA draft... not like the 2003 draft, but still scary close!

[@CyrusSlom]

As a pistons fan...I can't help but feel a Wes Mantooth from Anchorman type of admiration toward the Spurs - "I pure. Straight. Hate you. But goddammit do I respect you"

[@somedudefromTX]

As a Mavs fan, I hated both of these teams, but Manu's block of James Harden is an all-time Top 10 in the playoffs

[@bioblad3]

You are a great storyteller!

[@hm2448885]

Congrats on being selected for the Hall of Fame Manu!

[@roadtodawn8088]

once again i am asking for a 2017 Australian Open rewind

[@dom-kennedyharris148]

Moral of the story know your role. And perfect it. There’s tremendous success in that.

[@jerenjessiesamson349]

Anaheim ducks Vs. Edmonton 2017 game 5 comeback on katella May need a deep dive for a rewinder episode

[@maxpennacchini3261]

I remember watching this block live and thinking how smart Manu was as a player

[@angelocadena7094]

greatest big 3 ever. timmy, manu and tp.

[@beetlejuice4357]

Larry bird walks in the room. What did you say?

[@beetlejuice4357]

I would take MJ Pippen and Rodman. Magic, Kareem, and whoever on that team. Curry ...Nice try though.

[@beetlejuice4357]

If you would have said K Lenard then maybe you are more close.

[@cracknigr6065]

Dude this is an awesome format! I just watched this 15 min video like a school child watches a cartoon. You found yourself another new subscriber, this was really, really cool! Especially with that ending!

[@JoeVideoed]

That was quite the draft board: Blake Griffin, Harden, Steph Curry, Demarcus Derozan, Tyreke Evans and later in the same round Jrue Holiday & Jeff Teague. Then I look at my Suns & see Earl Clark and then I go into depression mode.

[@danielalejandrofernandez5907]

"Ginobili is not, and was not James Harden". Damn right he isn't. He's better. A better defender, more clutch and a better leader. Simply a born winner. Just because he didn't run away to be the man elsewhere doesn't mean he couldn't have been. Put prime Ginobili on today's offense oriented, perimeter friendly NBA and under D'antoni's system and you have a perennial MVP candidate.

[@justinapodaca4249]

we need a rewinder on the 2017 ws

[@Moonfoote]

Love it when the good guys win.

[@usa5439]

I was hoping you guys would do a spurs video. Maybe about them winning championships or their big 3.

[@captainspirou]

I’m a Rockets fan and I can say there’s not really a rivalry between the Texas teams. We’re all kinda fans of each other.

[@qadreej]

People fail realize manu was in Europe league 3 years pry to be drafted by spurs so he already was making money. Ncaa don’t allow their players to benefit financially in their league. James did what he had to do for his future in the real world guys.

[@CaiusIuliii]

Music at 3:47 is Deleted Memory by Chris Boot, if any one wonders

[@bulletproofbasketball7739]

If Harden did what Many did and stayed on the bench at OKC, he'd probably be a champion by now, it's why I think Manu ranks higher than Harden all time, Manu sacrificed to win championships, sure he could have gone elsewhere to be the man but he didn't. He wanted to win and surely that's what's most important in the NBA, something Harden has never done.

[@eskewroberts7663]

4:00 bro, I never knew Hardin's face looked like that

[@JoshHart316]

Harden will never be as beloved as Ginobili nor will he ever win a ring. Ginobili isn't given enough credit for his low ego and high self-esteem, #GraciasManu 💜

[@Y2Jmarco1]

Please Can you do a Collapse episode of the Seattle Supersonics from 1996 all the way to their relocation in Oklahoma back in 08? It would be Massive, thank you!!

[@MrMexicanAmerica]

My king….

[@MultiDevvrat]

Literal chills

[@Kriptiko]

Harden really had $54 million on the table (approx. $5 million short of the max) and still thought that wasn't enough.

[@lilfolkes]

Great back story behind one play lol

[@johnh7153]

Y'all should rewind the Jrue Holiday game 5 steal