Ginobili expects to contribute to Spurs despite retirement
The San Antonio Spurs haven't seen the last of Manu Ginobili.
The 41-year-old announced his retirement from the NBA on Monday following a 16-year career which included four championships. While his days of competing on the hardwood are now officially over, Ginobili still hopes to aid his former team in any way he can.
"I was sure to make it clear to (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) this is not a, 'Goodbye, I'll see you,'" Ginobili wrote in a column for Argentine newspaper La Nacion, according to ESPN's Michael C Wright.
"My kids have already started school, and while I'm in town, I'll be close to the team and the franchise. I can't help anymore by taking a charge or with a steal, but I'll try to contribute somehow. I appreciate all my teammates, the staff, and all the people in the team. I want the best for the Spurs. If I can help, I will do it with pleasure."
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Ginobili explained in his column that his decision to retire was not an easy one. He was still hurting from the 2017-18 campaign while working out at a Spurs facility following a family vacation. Watching his younger teammates train helped him realize it was definitely time to call it a career.
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The two-time All-Star waited until Monday to make the announcement on Twitter so he could sit down with head coach Gregg Popovich and tell him first.
"After talking with Pop, it was the right time to make it public," Ginobili wrote. "You can't imagine the tension I had in front of the computer before pressing 'send.' I'm not sure why, since I was convinced that it was the right decision, but it was a very crazy moment. I am convinced and happy with the step I'm taking. It's hard to explain all my feelings."
Today, with a wide range of feelings, I'm announcing my retirement from basketball. IMMENSE GRATITUDE to everyone (family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans) involved in my life in the last 23 years. It's been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams. pic.twitter.com/3MLCUtmd6K
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) August 27, 2018
"Immediately after making the announcement, I experienced a great relief and thought that I was going to be able to disconnect, but the messages began to arrive," he said. "I couldn't stay away and some of them really moved me."