Spurs' Manu Ginobili announces retirement after 16 seasons

[sandensea]

Source: ESPN

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, 41, announced Monday that he is retiring.

"Today, with a wide range of feelings, I'm announcing my retirement from basketball," he said in a tweet. "It's been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams."

The Spurs had been hopeful that Ginobili would want to return for a 17th season and allowed him to take all the time he needed to decide, league sources had told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The team thanked Ginobili in a tweet and video Monday.

His decision brings a historic 16-season run with the Spurs to an end. He is one of the most decorated international players in basketball history, a four-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist for Argentina and a Euroleague MVP.

Ginobili played 1,057 regular-season and 218 playoff games with the Spurs, ranking in the franchise's top five all time in games, points (14,043), assists (4,001) and steals (1,392). He averaged 8.9 points and 20 minutes a game for the Spurs last season.

Read more: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24493528/manu-ginobili-san-antonio-spurs-retiring

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[ghostsinthemachine]

1. Ill miss that guy. Pop next?

Spurs got nothing now. Pop should walk, they are at least five years from contending now. No Leonard, no Parker and now no Manu. Long way up to contention.
End of one of the best 20 year runs in sports history.

[underpants]

2. Really great player. His understanding of the game and the floor was amazing

He's froma family of players and coaches and it shows. When I played a lot (every day) my game was like his. I have no "ups" but you can play on the floor and still produce. He was great to watch.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

3. It won't be as much fun to watch the NBA without Manu...

... if not for James Harden and Houston, I would have lost all interest in the NBA and it's rigged playoffs.

[Blue_Tires]

4. Good riddance!

[sandensea]

5. Why?

[Blue_Tires]

6. Just not a spurs fan