Manu Ginobili: Top 10 Moments of his Career
Manu Ginobili has finally decided to call it quits after an illustrious career of 16 years with the San Antonio Spurs. There won’t be one more season, not this time.
The Argentinian retires as a four-time NBA champion, two-time All-Star and the Sixth Man of the Year of 2008, where he averaged just a hair under 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.5 steals per game off the bench.
Manu is easily one of the best players to be a sixth man for a dynastic team. He was one of the most unique and dynamic players this game has ever seen. Even though being worthy of being a starter on any team, Ginobili decided to do what was best for his team. He was selfless, determined and a winner.
His creativity and enthusiasm on the court plus his array of Eurostep moves, needle-threading passes, backward layups and clutch shots have become iconic. Ginobili might not have the stats and numbers like many of the other greats do, but the impact that he had on the sport is similar to them.
In a 16-year career, there are bound to be a plethora of great moments that gave us countless opportunities to cheer him on and that made us his fans. As the Spurs’ legend calls it a career, it is befitting to see the top 10 moments of his career.
10. Standing Ovation
Although this moment came a little earlier in Ginobili’s career, it was a special moment that was fully deserved.
Ginobili, on the other hand, hates revisiting this moment, describing it as "super awkward" because he felt he "was being retired," even though he hadn't made such an announcement.
With final seconds ticking away in San Antonio Spurs’ elimination loss in Game 5 of the 2017 Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors, the remaining fans at the AT&T center waved Spurs towels and chanted "Manu, Manu, Manu" as Ginobili walked off towards the bench to a standing ovation.
Popovich informed Ginobili that he would be making his first postseason appearance moments before the game as he wanted to make sure to honor him if it would indeed be his last game.
This moment marked an emotional end to the Spurs’ 16-17 season and a proper salute to one of the best players in the game.