Yes.
Parker in good times, the Big Fundamental in bad times, and Manu slicing through everyone in desperate moments.
When the team is rolling, the "French Sports Car" Parker rides the momentum and closes out the game. When the team falls behind, the Big Fundamental Tim Duncan steps up, scoring to steady the situation.
And when the team falls into a desperate situation, Manu Ginobili becomes almost divine, cutting through everyone and turning the game around.
This saying reflects the playing styles of the "GDP" trio developed over years of competition. You could say this line perfectly matches the offensive styles of Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili.
But.
It is not absolute.
Tonight their opponent is the Suns, a team riding an 18-game winning streak.
A team with the super rookie Blake Su, who once exploded for 13 three-pointers, scored a wild 65 points, and completed a miraculous steal-and-layup buzzer beater.
Facing such an opponent.
Even Manu Ginobili might not be able to pull it off.
"Hah. All that talk about Parker in good times, Duncan in bad times, Manu in desperation. It is just nonsense, something people joke about after meals."
"No way, no way. Do people really think Ginobili can suddenly take over and turn the game around by himself at a moment like this?"
"Stop joking."
"Impossible. The Suns are going to melt the Spurs this year and take the number one spot in the West."
"Hmph. It will not be that simple."
"Exactly. You said it yourself. They have to win to take first place. Right now we Spurs are still the number one team in the West and the strongest team in the conference.
Tonight.
Victory will definitely be ours."
"Heh."
...
During the timeout.
The two sides of fans in the stands argued fiercely with each other. Amid the roaring atmosphere inside the arena, the timeout ended.
Play resumed.
The Spurs trailed by 14.
Spurs possession.
Ginobili held the ball at the top of the key. From the way he stood, it almost looked like he was about to take over himself.
But the next moment he lofted a high pass to Duncan posting up inside.
Bang.
Duncan backed down Frye steadily, using strength and footwork to create space. Sliding sideways, he released a short hook from just inside the free throw line.
A good look.
Clang.
It missed.
Rebound.
Frye bent his knees and jumped to grab it, but before his hands touched the ball, a big hand reached it first and smashed it into the rim.
Who was it?
Frye glanced over.
It was Ginobili.
A powerful putback dunk from Ginobili.
"Wow."
"He just finished a putback dunk right over Frye. Manu was fearless on that play."
Possession changes.
Nash pushed the ball up and passed to Blake Su to initiate the offense, but Jefferson immediately swarmed him while Parker also pressured from the side, trying to strip the ball.
Whoosh.
Blake Su fired a pass out to Curry at the left wing.
Step.
Ginobili jumped out to defend Curry. Curry chose to attack himself, dribbling between his legs repeatedly to find rhythm, then used a behind-the-back move to burst toward the right wing.
Then.
The moment Ginobili followed, Curry made a sharper crossover back to the left, shifting his body with it.
In an instant he created separation, leaving Ginobili slightly behind.
Whoosh.
Curry gathered the ball and fired a three.
It was a wide-open look and Curry felt confident.
But the instant the ball left his hands, a big hand suddenly appeared and swatted it away.
It was Ginobili.
"Wow. Manu got shaken by Curry but still came from behind to block the shot. That was incredible."
Jon Barry spoke with clear surprise.
And it was not just a block.
Ginobili actually stripped the ball from behind Curry. The ball flew backward and he jumped to secure it himself.
Whoosh.
Steal and fast break.
Boom.
One-man fast break finished with a one-handed dunk.
"Heh, Manu just scored four straight points. Is he about to take over?"
"Blake Su breaks through the defense and drives to the rim. Jefferson bumps him in midair. His body looks off balance. He hangs in the air and throws up a high floater. That shot is extremely difficult.
Bang.
It goes in.
The Spurs quickly inbound. Manu pushes the ball up the floor.
Wow.
Manu fires a pass. A laser-like pass across half the court, slicing between Nash and Frye and perfectly finding Blair under the basket.
Blair catches it and lays it in off the glass.
What a difficult pass. Manu really dares to attempt those. But when it works, it becomes a beautiful highlight play."
"Parker comes off a cut and receives the ball at the left wing. Is he going one-on-one against Curry? No. Pass to the free throw line. Manu catches it on a cut with Nash defending.
But Manu does not slow down.
Wow.
There it is. Manu's Euro step. Left then right. Nash is completely shaken off. Manu drives right, then twists his body and flips up a reverse scoop off the glass.
Bang.
Another basket."
"Manu again. He flashes to the top of the key and accelerates sideways into the lane. Carter stays with him.
Wow.
Manu suddenly stops, gathers the ball, and drifts sideways.
Facing Carter's flying contest, he launches a high-difficulty three.
That shot.
Bang.
It goes in again. Manu has completely taken over."
"Oh my God. Manu again. He explodes down the left side and uses pure speed to create half a step on Nash. He gathers in the left side of the paint and drives straight to the rim.
That shot.
Unbelievable.
Manu attacks the basket, weaving through defenders, rising above both Frye and Carter and finishing with a powerful dunk."
"Oh.
Manu again. He disrupts Blake Su's layup attempt on defense. Duncan grabs the rebound and passes to Manu. The Spurs push in transition.
Top of the key.
Is Manu shooting another three.
No.
He suddenly fires a pass. A powerful bullet pass that slices through the defense like a scalpel, threading between Carter and Curry and hitting Duncan under the basket.
Bang.
Duncan catches it and easily lays it in while Frye still looks confused."
The thrilling sequence had Jon Barry nearly shouting with excitement as he called the game.
Beep beep.
On the court.
The Suns called a timeout.
At the commentary table.
Jon Barry was still energized by the game, but Mark Jackson frowned and said,
"Manu just delivered an unbelievable run. The Spurs have not only erased the 14-point deficit.
They are now leading by 7.
But there are only 58.5 seconds left for the Suns.
This is a huge crisis for Phoenix."