Those "boring" and "old" San Antonio Spurs just won't go away. While the Golden State Warriors are getting all the attention, the Spurs are still lurking around with an impressive 22-5 record. That's still three wins back of the Warriors, but, as we've all learned from the past, you just can't count this team out.

Tim Duncan is still the leader and the addition of LaMarcus Aldridge has been great, but if the Spurs are going to win it all again, Manu Ginobili has to play like he's capable of.

Ginobili has been a member of four Spurs championship teams, and he's regarded as one of the best international players in NBA history, certainly from South America. He's a versatile Gregg Popovich type of player on offense, and although he's 38 years old, he's still a huge piece to the Spurs championship puzzle.

The reality is this: The Spurs are not going to win the title this season unless Ginobili plays at a high level.

It's unlikely the Spurs are going to overtake the Warriors as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but we've seen the Spurs win it all as the No. 2 seed. The Spurs are a perfect 14-0 at home this season.

Ginobili plays such a critical role because of how Popovich runs the Spurs system. Tony Parker is the starting point guard, but even he is resting a lot this year. Kawhi Leonard is the only player on the Spurs roster who is averaging more than 30 minutes played per game. Ginobili isn't just critical as a spot up shooter off the bench, but he's the backup point guard. Ginobili ranks second on the Spurs in assists this season.

Danny Green, who was one of the best three point shooters in the league last year, is struggling big time this season. Green is only shooting 29 percent from the perimeter. Ginobili is shooting a modest 35 percent from the outside, and that's huge because three point shooting is critical for the Spurs success. Ginobili's true shooting value comes in the playoffs. Two years ago he made the second most three pointers in his postseason career as the Spurs went on to win the championship over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Unfortunately last season he struggled shooting as the Spurs lost in the second round to the Los Angeles Clippers.

This season Ginobili is only averaging 1.9 turnovers per game. That's the second lowest of his career.

Ginobili is under contract for next season as well with the Spurs, but that does have a player option in it. If the Spurs can win it all this year, the belief is that Ginobili and many of the other Spurs veterans will indeed retire. There's been no indication that Ginobili is considering playing for another NBA team after this season.

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1