The NBA is full of talented basketball players, but awesome players are harder to come by. You know who we mean: The guys that can not only play but also endear themselves through determination, cockiness, Godzingis-ness or whatever other special something they possess.

Now it's time we meet the NBA-watching world's latest muse. He's a 7-foot-3 giant from Serbia named Boban.

Boban Marjanovic: Remember the name. Boban has been acquitting himself well since this season, his first in the NBA, began a couple months ago. But he truly made the scene on Monday night, announcing his arrival by going 7-7 from the field for 17 points in just 15 minutes of the San Antonio Spurs' latest win.

The Spurs — quietly, while everyone has been preoccupied with the record-setting Golden State Warriors — raised their record to 27-6 with Monday's win. They're just 3.5 games behind Golden State for home court advantage in the Western Conference playoffs. In short, the Spurs — in classic San Antonio fashion — are lurking, loading up and looking ready to give the Warriors a serious challenge as Golden State attempts to repeat last year's exorcism of a title run.

And the unique Boban looks like he just might be San Antonio's secret weapon.

Let's get to know the big guy in five quick steps.

1. Boban's backstory

Boban guards Yao Ming at a tournament in China in 2008. Image: Eugene Hoshiko/Associated Press

Our 7-foot-3 hero is 27 years old and hails from Serbia. He also plays for the Serbian national team. He's played for a handful of pro teams in Europe, and been quite successful; Boban was named First-Team All-Euroleague in 2015 and won the Serbian Super League MVP trophy three straight years.

Intrigued by Boban's combination of size, skill and coordination, the Spurs signed him to a one-year contract this summer. Most basketball fans had likely never heard of Boban, but it looks like San Antonio has found something. Classic Spurs.

2. Boban's hands are GIGANTIC

Boban is massive. But even for a man of his height, Boban's hands seem extra massive.

Here is Boban being interviewed by Spurs reporter Andrew Monaco after Monday night's game. A few seconds before the video ends, Monaco and Boban shake hands. It's frightening.

.@AndrewMonaco_Sr catches up with Boban after the game https://t.co/1Xfj5jMkp2 — San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 29, 2015

Even Freddie Prinze Jr. — yup, that Freddie Prinze Jr; what a time to be alive — noticed and couldn't resist replying to the Spurs' tweet.

Thanks, Freddie.

3. Boban is pretty damn 'useful'

On Monday night, Spurs icon Tim Duncan was out hurt. LaMarcus Aldridge, a star free agent brought in this summer to be the team's newest star, struggled through a poor game.

Enter Boban.

Marjanovic, as mentioned above, went off for 17 points in just 15 minutes while making all seven shots he attempted. Perhaps more impressive than the numbers, though, was how fluid and skilled Boban looked while excelling Monday night — check out the full highlight video embedded atop this section.

The Spurs just casually use this 7' 3" thing off the bench. And it scores before retreating to a dungeon to eat severed villager heads — Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) December 29, 2015

"I try to be useful," Boban said post-game.

If that's Boban's "useful," we're afraid to see his "good." Which brings us to...

*cue ominous music*

4. Um ... Boban can shoot threes?!?

Well before tipoff Monday night, someone in the San Antonio stands shot the above footage of Boban practicing his three-pointers.

Boban has, you'll notice, a frighteningly smooth shot for a man his size.

5. Tyler Hansbrough is afraid of Boban

And rightfully so! Who wouldn't be? But perhaps Boban is best summed up in the Vine below. The fellow you'll notice with the crewcut is named Tyler Hansbrough. He's 6-foot-9, 250 pounds and plays for the Charlotte Hornets with an aggression that long ago earned him the nickname "Psycho T."

But watch how even the so-called Psycho T reacted when he saw Boban check into a game last month.

The lesson? This is now Boban's world. The rest of us are just living in it — for now, at least. Boban is a merciful overlord, and for that we are grateful.