The top ten biggest villains in OKC Thunder history

Manu Ginobili

So because he retired this year we have to be nice to him and everything, I get that. And yes, he was an awesome player who was a true teammate that was willing to sacrifice himself for the better of the team.

But let’s not get distracted from the fact Ginobili was also a bit of a dirty/reckless/feisty prick on the court.

It seems like such a long time ago, but remember that controversial ending to game 2 of the 2016 West Finals? That play all started because Ginobili was way over the unofficial three feet inbound line. Thanks to Steven Adams’ heroics, this play didn’t end up costing the Thunder, but one can only imagine how things would be now if this play had gone differently.

More importantly, Ginobili helped put the Thunder away in game six of the 2014 West Finals. He hit his only three of the game to put the Spurs up one with 27 seconds left. The Thunder were able to send the game to overtime, but couldn’t hang on in the extra period.

Personally, what stings about Ginobili is he is a symbol of what the Thunder have longed for since James Harden left. OKC has tried and failed several times to find an impact player who would have no problem coming off the bench. Seeing the Spurs be able to convince Ginobili to make a career out of this no problem has to be so infuriating for a team like the Thunder that has had so many me-first players.

Ginobili is higher than the previous three names on this list because he played a role in preventing the Thunder from winning a title. He isn’t higher because I still respect him as a player and the Thunder were able to beat Ginobili’s Spurs in the playoffs two out of the three times the played.