Times are truly changing in San Antonio. A retirement announcement was bound to come eventually for Manu Ginóbili, but with it happening, it almost feels weird. He’s been in the league for the past 16 years and for the longest you couldn’t think about the Spurs without having Ginóbili on the team.
Yet, like many of the greats in the league, the time to move on will come – and today was that day for him.
Rightfully so, San Antonio Tweeted a farewell video to him.
Ginóbili’s retirement also means he left one year remaining on this contract with the Spurs worth $2.5 million. He had a great run in San Antonio and is one of the most decorated international players. He helped bring home four championships to the Spurs in his 16-years. He also was named a two-time NBA All-Star, and an Olympic gold medalist for Argentina and a Euroleague MVP.
He finishes his career ranked in the franchise’s top five in games played, points (14,043), assists (4,001) and steals (1,392). Ginobili played in 1, 057 regular season game and 218 playoff games.
First, it was Tim Duncan who retired a few years ago. But Ginóbili and Tony Parker remained on the team. The Spurs added Kawhi Leonard who stepped up even more when Duncan retired, forming a new big three. However, Parker is now in Charlotte, Leonard is in Toronto, and Ginóbili is hanging up his sneakers.
When the season opens in a couple months, Gregg Popovich’s team will look completely different.
Current and former players around the league sent their well wishes to the NBA great.
Farewell Manu, what an incredible career you had in San Antonio.
