Manu Ginobili wins Sixth Man Award

Argentina's San Antonio Spurs, Manu Ginobili, has been named 'Sixth Man' regular season 2007/2008 of the NBA.

The award for 'Best Sixth Man' recognizes the best for the NBA during the season. To be eligible for the award, players had to be substitutes at least half the games they've played. Manu Ginobili has done in 51 of the 74 games he has played this season, but then has been of the three longest passes on the court. That is not covered.

The vote was conducted by 124 sportswriters, who were asked to choose three players each (ordered by importance: the first chosen received 5 points, second 3 and third 1). Thus, Manu Ginobili has been the award presented by Kia Motors sweeping their rivals, who got 123 top of the 124 possible.

Manu Ginobili has averaged 19.5 points this season (leading the Spurs in this aspect), 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals. It is the only NBA player to figure in the Top 31 (eye to round number. A statistics no one wins the NBA) in the following sections: Points per game, steals, assists, scored triple, triple the percentage of success in , free throws and hit percentage in free throws.

The players left behind Manu Ginobili, but light years ahead of him were Leandro Barbosa (who won last year), Jason Terry, Kyle Korver, Ben Gordon, Josh Childress and JR Smith, among others.

A curiosity. Manu Ginobili got 123 seats of 124 possible first, but got nothing. The vote will not not vote for any post.

Manu Ginobili goes well in the group of players who have won the award for 'Sixth Man' since its introduction in 1983 (the year that Bobby Jones won with the Sixers). Other winners were: Tony Kukoc (Chicago Bulls), Bobby Jackson (Sacramento Kings), Antawn Jamison (Dallas Mavericks), Ben Gordon (Chicago) and Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies).

Via and Image: Nba.com