Manu Ginobili has been one of the most exciting players in the NBA for the past decade, and has helped the San Antonio Spurs win three championships in that time. Nearly as riveting as his play, though, has been the evolution of what has become quite an impressive bald spot.

This patch on the top of his head wasn’t always there. During his first few years in the NBA, he had a full head of hair. Here he is during his rookie year, in 2002-03:

The following season, he even let it grow out a bit:

Even as recently as 2006, the Argentinian guard’s hairline looked quite normal:

The first traces of the bald spot began showing up during the 2007-08 season, as the Spurs began defending their first title since Manu’s debut:

In 2008-09, the spot only grew more pronounced:

By 2009-10, it was unmistakeable and even a little distracting:

Over the past few years, as Ginobili, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have settled into their status as a veteran title contender, the boundaries of the Big Three had to be expanded to a Big Four to accomodate the bald spot:

Today, it’s become one of the most distinctive things about a Spurs team that, contrary to its reputation, is actually pretty fun to watch. Ginobili is a sure-fire Hall of Famer, but the committee might have to make a special allowance to induct the bald spot as its own entity. Look at this thing: