Gregg Popovich reveals how the Spurs quietly discovered Manu Ginobili: “I blew ’em away, and we wined ’em, we dined ’em” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
While San Antonio Spurs team president Gregg Popovich is deeply passionate about winning championships, those who know him well often note that his love for food and wine might surpass even his drive for victory.
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As intense as Pop was on the sidelines (especially to reporters who dared to speak to him during the game), he had a gentler, more compassionate side that he would show to anyone fortunate enough to be in his presence during meals.
While the practice forged camaraderie amongst teammates more than any practice ever could, Pop shared how his personal touch when it came to dinners helped the Spurs land a little-known, left-handed guard from Argentina named Manu Ginobili, who would later on become one of the NBA’s and basketball’s all-time greats.
A take-charge kind of guy
Part of the NBA’s thrust is to help grow the game to different corners of the globe. For this reason, they regularly ask teams to host delegations from other countries to forge deeper ties with the league. A group of Spanish delegates was invited to dine with the Spurs for one particular dinner.
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While some teams would often ask assistant coaches to accommodate these requests, Pop took it upon himself to host the delegation personally. He saw this as an opportunity not just to represent his team but also to form connections and build relationships. He immediately called his close friend, Steve McHugh, owner and chef of the restaurant Cured, to book the private dining room.
Furthermore, Popovich arrived at the venue early to personally select the food and, most notably, curate the wine selection. Knowing how hectic Pop’s schedule can be, McHugh was puzzled why the then-head coach was going through all the trouble.
“You know, the NBA makes us do these kind of tours. Your typical NBA team hands this task off to some assistant coach or to some front-office guy, ‘Hey, take this group around, do a photo with the coach,'” Pop revealed.
However, he disclosed that he’d rather take the point on these occasions, as information from one of these soirees led him to draft Ginobili in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft.
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“I blew ’em away, and we wined ’em, we dined ’em. We gave them photo ops. We gave ’em everything they wanted,” Pop detailed. “That’s how we found out about Manu, when nobody else knew about him.”
Manu had to be patient
Although the Spurs drafted Manu with the 57th pick in the 1999 draft, he wouldn’t join the team until the 2002-03 season. By then, he was already a seasoned 25-year-old who had established himself as one of the best players in Europe.
However, his transition to NBA basketball was far from smooth, as he and Pops often took different approaches to the game. Manu felt he was ready to be an impact player for the Silver and Black, but Pop felt otherwise.
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“I was so frustrated that first year, waiting in the corner. I wanted the ball to make decisions. I was 25, and I wanted to take the world by storm. I thought I knew everything,” Ginobili recollected of his rookie season, where he immediately won an NBA title.
As the relationship between Popovich and Ginobili developed, the former eventually learned it was best to give his left-handed wingman more leeway. Manu was at his best when given the freedom to create and take risks on the court. Pop’s decision to trust Argentinian more paid off, as the Spurs went on to win three more titles with the core of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.