Spurs Off-Topic conversation: Marco Belinelli

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When Marco Belinelli stepped back on the court at the AT&T Center on Jan. 7, he wasted no time looking up.

But the former Spur declined to stare at the 2014 NBA championship banner he helped deliver. Instead, he wanted to see the newest item located in the rafters.

“The first thing (I did) when I came here, I checked (out) Tim Duncan’s retired jersey number,” said Belinelli, who called San Antonio his basketball home for two years.

After signing a multiyear deal with the Sacramento Kings in 2015, he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets last summer. Though he no longer calls the Alamo City home, Belinelli, 30, still reminisces about two of the best years of his career.

Before scoring five points on 2-of-10 shooting — definitely not one of his better games against his former team — Belinelli went Off-Topic, recapping his time with the Spurs, playing with Duncan and his chemistry with Manu Ginobili.

Marco Belinelli, who left the Spurs as a free agent in 2015, is now with Charlotte. Marco Belinelli, who left the Spurs as a free agent in 2015, is now with Charlotte. Photo: Rob Carr /Getty Images Photo: Rob Carr /Getty Images Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Spurs Off-Topic conversation: Marco Belinelli 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Some people wonder why it never worked out in San Antonio. Fans think you should still be a Spur.

I know. A lot of people say that. The NBA, you never know. You can be on one team forever. You can change teams quickly. I mean, I was happy to stay here. I remember that. I think Danny (Green) was a free agent. Kawhi (Leonard) was a free agent. I was shocked at it a little bit.

It was like you came here, got a ring and then bounced.

(Laughs) I know, that’s crazy. I got the ring the first year, the second year we lost Game 7 against the Clippers. I still think if we would’ve won that game in L.A., I think we had a chance to win the championship that year, too.

I keep thinking about that chemistry that you had with Ginobili. That was pretty special.

That was great. That was amazing. We know each other. You know me and Manu were speaking Italian most of the game. We understand each other so well. We can just look at each other. I know Manu. Manu knows me.

When you guys were speaking Italian, did other players look at you like, “What in the world are they saying?”

(Laughs) Yes. That was the funny part about that. That was cool.

Do you catch up with him over the offseason at all?

No. I see Manu every time we play San Antonio. We’ll speak just before the game, maybe text message a little bit.

Can you believe Manu is almost ready to wrap up his career?

Manu is great. He’s 39, but he can still play. Maybe he can’t play anymore (in) back-to-back games … but Manu, I think, is one of the greatest. I don’t know if he’s going to retire this year or whatever. You never know. I’m just happy to see him, right now, play well.

You think you can play until age 39?

(Laughs) I don’t know about that. It’s going to be tough. It’s going to be really tough. I’m going to try, but it’s going to be tough.

What do you most remember about playing with Duncan?

I mean, I was lucky to play with the best (power forward) in the league. He was so good. He made my game better. He was amazing. The leader. The (greatest) teammate that I’ve ever played with in my life. It was just an unbelievable feeling when I saw the ceremony after the game they played (against New Orleans). I listened to all the speeches that Manu, Tony Parker and coach Pop (Gregg Popovich) gave to him. It was just amazing. I know that all the things they were saying were true because I was here for two years.

Speaking of ex-teammates, Matt Bonner just retired, too.

I know, that was crazy. I saw video. … That was so cool. Everybody knows Matt, so they know that was his video. It was so funny. I loved playing with him, too. He’s the funniest guy I’ve ever played with in my life.

Did he teach you anything about finances? He was extremely, as he would say, “frugal.”

He was speaking a lot about that, but more on-the-court stuff. Game stuff, I was happy to play with him. And now he’ll be working with (Spurs TV). I think it’s going to be funny to listen to him during the game.

What is the one thing people in San Antonio never realized about you?

That’s a good question. I didn’t spend a lot of time here, but the time I did spend here was great with the team and the fans. I’m a quiet guy. I really don’t speak a lot. I’m the guy that really wanted to win so bad, and I think the people saw that. That’s it, I think.

So you didn’t want to show off any cooking skills or something else that you think fans here would appreciate?

I can’t really cook (laughs). ... I think they just saw my winning mentality and that was enough for me.