Spurs Off-Topic conversation: Manu Ginobili

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Manu Ginobili is 39 and will soon retire from the NBA.

It’s inevitable. He knows it, and the organization Ginobili has been loyal to knows it as well.

The Spurs will no longer have their consistent locker-room spokesman. He is the guy who has never been afraid to tell it like it is, after both wins and losses.

“I’m about to be out,” he said recently.

Before a game against Orlando last week, Ginobili reflected on his career in this week’s Off-Topic conversation:

Do you remember the feeling you had when you came into the league in 2002?

It was a mix between confidence and uncertainty because everything was so new. From the culture, the sport, bringing my life to a state that I barely heard of. I mean I knew what Texas was, but I didn’t know much. So it was that type of uncertainty that was hard at the beginning. I didn’t feel like I was helping much. I knew I had to work very hard to convince Pop (coach Gregg Popovich) that I was worth it to be on the court all of that first year and a little bit. And then I started to feel good knowing that I belonged, that I was going to be good, and help the team. I knew that.

You told me recently that you were on your way out, so reflect on you legacy for a minute. What would you like it to be?

You know, I don’t care that much about legacy. I think you got to live in the present and once it’s over, it’s over. I’m not going to live off the past. I don’t want to be living at (age) 45 thinking about all the accomplishments, the seasons and the All-Star games, or whatever. I hope I don’t care. The legacy is whatever people want to be.

Manu Ginobili smiles after a play during the Spurs’ Silver & Black scrimmage last month. Manu Ginobili smiles after a play during the Spurs’ Silver & Black scrimmage last month. Photo: Kin Man Hui /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Kin Man Hui /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Spurs Off-Topic conversation: Manu Ginobili 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

I can’t believe that you don’t care about your legacy.

I really don’t. Well, at least I’m telling that you now. In 10 years I could become a grumpy man because I don’t get people talking about me (smiles). Hopefully I don’t. I don’t believe so. But the legacy thing is the past and I don’t think it’s that important, at least for me. Some people it is.

You’ve been in this league for 15 seasons now. Who was your favorite teammate?

Wow. It’s hard to tell. I’ve had some great ones that I really appreciate. Playing with Fabricio Oberto for four years was incredible. I mean, before that point we were teammates for 10 years almost, and getting to welcome him here and play together, and play so many minutes, it was great. Of course Tony (Parker) and Tim (Duncan), that’s like a given because we’ve been together for so long. With Patty (Mills), Bobo (Boris Diaw), and Tiago (Splitter) we have a great relationship. Four guys that formed a really great group. Bruce (Bowen), (Michael Finley), Bones (Brent Barry); all four of us being in the rotation, we complemented each other great. We enjoyed playing with each other. All three great teammates. Even Rasho Nesterovic. It’s hard to choose one. But because of what I had with Fabree, maybe he was.

Funniest teammate?

Matty (laughs). Matt Bonner is the one who made me laugh the most probably. Brent Barry was pretty funny, too.

What’s the worst thing you’ve been told about yourself as a teammate?

Wow. I don’t know. Not many people tell you the bad things (laughs). You hear the good ones. But you should go around and ask, maybe you’ll dig up something (laughs).

OK, the best thing you’ve been told about being a teammate?

I think most of the compliments I’ve received during the years has been about my competitiveness. My desire to win and do things for the team to get to that goal. I think that was the one I heard the most.

Tim Duncan will have his jersey retired this month. Will that be an emotional night for you, too?

Yeah, for sure it’s going to be emotional. The fact that his jersey is being retired means that I’m a long way in my career. All the flashbacks will be mainly us together except for the first five seasons. Most of his career, I was next to him. When I see that and listen to him, or listen to people talk about him, it’s going to bring a lot of emotions for sure especially since it’s for a guy that you respect so much, that you admire so much, that you enjoyed being with so much. So I know it’s going to be emotional, but it’s going to be a good moment and well deserved. He’s one of the best players ever. The city, the team, they all need (the ceremony). It’s good that it’s going to happen.

You think this organization will retire your jersey?

(Smiles) I don’t know. I guess considering the situation. After so many years; I mean, how many players have played 15 years with one team, four championships? So, I guess, unless I really mess up badly, it could happen with Tony and Timmy. If it does, great. If it doesn’t, great, too. Again, live in the present.

What about your reputation of being one of the all-time floppers in the league?

Yeah, I don’t like talking about myself. But I don’t think (I flop) that much. I had that year in 2005 where my reputation started to go up because George Karl started to say it and he said it to a million newspapers; you know because I had the long hair and all of that. But I don’t think I was. If you look at tapes in my last 10 years, maybe eight, you’re not going to see much. Maybe in the beginning I was a little more exuberant. But I used to attack the rim constantly and I was 200 pounds, and I was going against guys who were 280, whether it was Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal) or guys like that. I was taking a lot of hits. But if I was, I don’t do it consciously.

Did you ever pull (Karl) aside and ask why he said you were a flopper?

No. I understand why he did it. We were competing in the playoffs and he was trying to get some things to happen. I don’t have hard feelings at all. I know, and I remember how it started. But then the league started to take action and I never even got a warning.

Finish this sentence for me: Manu Ginobili is …

You putting it hard to me man (smiles). … a good dad hopefully, and a good husband.