Shortly after the San Antonio Spurs’ season-ending 129-115 loss at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, a 39-year-old Manu Ginobili was asked about his future in the NBA, because of course he was.
Head coach Gregg Popovich inserted him into the starting lineup, not only suggesting the Spurs had conceded to losing, but recognizing this may be Ginobili’s final rodeo. Online sportsbooks all over will be taking bets on whether or not Ginobili will be hanging them up. When he left the game for a last time, it was to a roaring ovation from the home crowd. And when he left the floor, after the game, it was to the same effect.
So, naturally, Ginobili was asked about what’s next. And he didn’t have an answer, per SI.com’s Ben Golliver:
Spurs' Manu Ginobili says he feels like he can still play, will take 3-4 weeks before making decision on whether to retire pic.twitter.com/2bByF3wGRJ
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 23, 2017
This is either good or bad, depending on how you look at it. You would hope that he would know whether he’s returning by now. That Popovich put him in the starting lineup feels very weird—off-putting, even. But Ginobili also said he thinks he can still play, because he freaking can, so the absence of a definitive decision incites hope he’ll be back for one last go-round.
And yet, personally, I cannot shake this feeling that’s eerily similar to when Duncan walked away last summer. It felt like there was no way he’d retire. Something felt unfinished, because he was undecided. But then he was gone.
It’s the same deal with Ginobili, only his play style isn’t that of a lumbering big. He can still outpace and outwork some of the youngsters. Good for him if he decides to walk away and spend more time with his family, but selfishly, with the Spurs bowing out to the Warriors in a sweep, I’m hoping he returns to try polishing off some unfinished business one last time.
