Is Manu Ginobili taking a little bit of the Bruce Bowen role for the Spurs?

Actually, no. The person who has been taking on the role of defensive stopper for the Spurs is the recently returned from injury George Hill. If you notice Hill's best 3 point spot is the corner, just as Bowen's was. Hill's quickness, though, allows him to score in other ways that Bowen couldn't. Manu's defense is good but when looking for someone to guard the opponent's best perimeter scorer the job usually falls to Hill (or as the Spurs call him Indy G, this is a reference to Hill's hometown of Indianapolis). This is especially true in the fourth quarter and this allows Manu to be arguably (based on this season's performances) the NBA's best closer on the offensive end. Even though he may not be guarding the opponent's best perimeter scorer, Manu does not exactly shut it down on the defensive end, as was seen in Denver on December 16.