Before joining the Spurs, Ginobili almost always was the best player on his
team.

"I miss it," said Ginobili, who was a virtual unknown in North America when
the Spurs selected him with the second-last pick, 57th overall, in the 1999
draft. "But you have to understand your role."

Does Ginobili see his role increasing in the coming seasons?

"I don't know if I see it, because if I stay (with the Spurs), it's not going
to happen," said Ginobili, displaying a mature understanding of the situation
in San Antonio. "We have the guy here in Tim Duncan, so that's not going to
change.

"But I would like to (be more of a go-to guy). I have that confidence."

It shows. Especially at crunch time.