If Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had his way, guard Manu Ginobili would play well into his middle-age years – or beyond.
“I don’t want him to ever retire,” Popovich joked Wednesday night during his session with the media before the Spurs lost to Golden State. “I want to squeeze every last ounce of juice I can. I’m going to use him like a bar of soap until there’s nothing left for his family or anybody else in the world. Just done. I’m going to squeeze it until then.”
Ginobili, 39, is in his 15th season with the Spurs, the only NBA team he’s played with during his stellar career. Ginobili has won four league championships with the Silver and Black and played in five Finals.
Ginobili played professionally in Argentina, his native country, and Italy before joining the Spurs as a 25-year-old rookie in 2002. San Antonio selected Ginobili in the second round of the 1999 NBA draft with the 57th overall pick.
A national icon in Argentina, Ginobili is one of only two players (Bill Bradley is the other) to have won a EuroLeague title, an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal.
Vince Carter, who turned 40 in January, is the oldest active player in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies. Ginobili will be 40 on July 28.
"Manu, he's one of those all-time great competitors," Popovich said. "He's going to continue to make plays that astound. He won't make those plays as often as use to, but I'm not surprised by anything just because his spirit is so huge."
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A reporter from Argentina asked Popovich before the Spurs’ game against Cleveland on Monday what he thought Ginobili’s legacy would be after he retires.
“He’s a hall of fame player,” Popovich said. “It’s not even close. He’s one of the best competitors the league has ever seen. Just had a knack for winning, and did it with class. That’s what he is.”
Golden State coach Steve Kerr also heaped praise on his former teammate before the Warriors beat the Spurs. Kerr’s last season with the Silver and Black in 2002-03 was Ginobili’s rookie year. The Silver and Black won their second championship that season.
“Manu will be a first-ballot hall of famer," Kerr said. "He’s one of the most unique players ever to play the game, one of the great teammates that I had. I know that. “And he’s still playing at a high level even at his age because of his intelligence and his feel, his knowledge of the game. He’s a beautiful player to watch.”
Ginobili has averaged a career-low 18.8 minutes while playing in 64 games this season. His scoring (7.7) and assist (2.7) averages are his lowest since his rookie year.
A free agent last summer, Ginobili signed a one-year deal worth $14 million after playing for $2.8 the previous season. The Spurs offered Ginobili the lucrative one-year contract after the Philadelphia 76ers, who are coached by former San Antonio assistant coach Brett Brown, made a run at signing him.
Ginobili has said he won’t make his decision on retirement until after the season.
The Spurs (57-17) have the second-best record in the NBA with eight games left on their schedule. They would be the No. 2 seed, behind Golden State, in in the Western Conference playoffs if the postseason started Thursday.
