Translation: New Manu Article

[ElNono]

"I'm an extremely lucky guy"


By Manu Ginobili.

SAN ANTONIO.- Well, I feel better, I'll say pretty good. The bad moment is gone. It was ugly, but after three days, after thinking about everything we could've done better and a couple of sleepless nights, I'm starting to digest things and realize all the good things we did, how hard it is to get to the situation we were in, how great the season itself was, and how close we were.

So close, it's just what hurts the most. Feeling we had it in our hands, we grabbed it and it fell… If they would've beat us by 25 points Tuesday and the game Thursday would have ended the way it did, I would have shook their hands, congratulated them, end a great season, think it didn't happen for us, and move on. But being conscious that we had it in our hands and it went away because of stupid chance made it more difficult than usual.

When you're all alone with your pillow and you review everything that happened, you realize how thin is the line that separated success from failure. They ended up as heroes, the super champs, and us with our chins down, sad and disconsolate, but if you look at how Game 6 was decided you realize that because of one shot (a three pointer from Lebron, then one from Ray) we were not champions. If one of those two fortunate plays didn't work out for them, we would be the champs. Internally, we can't be so incoherent or success-obsessed to start thinking we did wrong a lot of things. Fortune was with them; that ending was like tossing a coin in the air. That cannot cast a a shadow over the things we did well, and the spectacular season we had.

Just like reaching the Finals on Olympics games or the World championships, it's very difficult to get to that point in the NBA, and very important. You have to win the Western Conference, but I don't point that out as a consolation prize. I am however proud of being so close. At that moment you start thinking how unlucky we were: two offensive rebounds, two three pointers, a missed free throw… But I can't even fathom to think I'm an unlucky guy. I played a Game 7 in the NBA Finals; a lot of players never even sniff that, and we had a phenomenal season with a team that's a pleasure to play in. And I have to start thinking about all the times where things went my way, like against Serbia and Montenegro in 2002. I'm an extremely lucky guy and there's absolutely nothing I can complain about.

The future? After thinking about it for a long time, and go back and forth, and after the bad moment that just went by, I feel better, and happy about a great season, despite the end, and it's unlikely that I won't keep playing. I don't think I'm so tired or frustrated with basketball to say "enough". I don't know for sure, I haven't made the decision yet, but I doubt I won't play anymore. Sometimes I'm more tired and saturated of the ugly situations than when I was 27, but I still like doing this, I'm very fortunate, because of the leading role I have, because of the team I play for, because of the people that coach me. I try not to let the tree cover the forest. This is a great situation to be as a professional. A moment of anger and frustration shouldn't override the day to day, and how happy I am of being here.

Since I was not interested in what comes next, I don't know if it's going to be the 1st or the 15th of July when negotiations will start, as the league rules indicate. Everything is too fresh; I'll see when the time comes. But I'm psychologically better than two days ago. I don't know what's going to happen, but my intuition tells me they would like me back; I'm not certain because we still cannot talk to the teams. In three days will be the draft, and the coaches and managers are thinking about that, speculating, seeing who's going to be a free agent. We have the #28 pick.

Since the Finals started I have not read anything in the media, and I still don't feel like reading anything, because it would be to hurt oneself again, but I know there were opinions about me from rivals and other people that works in basketball, and they're gratifying, and that helps too. During the Finals I felt I was so so, especially on the games the team needed me the most, games 2, 4 and 6, which were the worst in my case. That hurt me. This thing people opined about me helps me put things in perspective and heal wounds a bit quicker.

It was a long, long season; In other seasons we finished a the end of May. In a few days I'll go back home. I'm really anxious. And really anxious to see my people, be with my family, and rest both physically and mentally. And at the end of August we'll do in Bahia Blanca the charity marathon with my foundation.

Before finishing this writeup, I want to have a paragraph to thank a few people. When I'm at the Finals, I try to isolate myself from the world. I don't read anything, and I don't answer anything because my head is somewhere else. But I want to thank all the people that wrote me, that cheered for me, that wanted to help and be close. I value very highly the people that wanted to provide their support, even though I wouldn't respond because I had my head with the team. I want to thank both the people that did contact me, and those that were still concerned but didn't want to bother me at the time. I know who that people is, and I appreciate them a lot.


Original Article in Spanish (http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1594909-la-columna-de-manu-soy-un-tipo-de-mucha-suerte)

Per the usual, excuse any typos and don't shoot the messenger, kthx

[RD2191]

:cry

[Kool Bob Love]

great find props to the OP.

MANU GINOBILI is my 2nd favorite player ever. I wish it never went down the way it did. Im one of the few who hopes Manu returns to the Spurs next season.

[EVAY]

Thanks for the translation, Nono, and I am glad to see that he is healing.

I expect him back next year. I can't envision him going anywhere else, and I can't envision Tim and Tony without him. He is the quintessential
warrior.

[RD2191]

Im not sure what the problem was with manu this season. He looked pretty healthy in the playoffs and never seemed to get too tired during games. Just made some bad passes and idk why.

[BatManu20]

Good write up OP. Stay strong Manu.. we're going to need you next season.




:flag:

[benefactor]

Welcome back, Manu.

Thanks for the translation man.

[EVAY]

Im not sure what the problem was with manu this season. He looked pretty healthy in the playoffs and never seemed to get too tired during games. Just made some bad passes and idk why.

As I said in one of the threads during the Finals, the Heat starters play a ton more minutes than our starters do. So for the first few games, Manu was playing play-maker with our second squad against their starters, and was getting killed. Then he got moved to a starting position
that resulted in him playing super-ball for that game. By the next game, the Heat had adjusted and he was caught in many of the same problems he had with the second squad.

One of the things folks here give way too little credit to is the Miami Defense. Lots of Spurs fans kept criticising the Spurs players when they were being defended by the existing NBA champions, somehow believing that if only our guys would try harder or be smarter or play better.

Look at the whole Finals and most all of the players on both teams played 'less well' than they did in other series. For example, LeBron James had a much less stellar series than he had in earlier ones, and everyone attributed that to the Spurs playing excellent defense. And I think they were right. For much of the Finals, Tim didn't play as well as he had in previous series. When Miami made adjustments to help contain Parker and Green, etc. etc., Tim's game performance looked better. When our players didn't play as well as they had been, it was a function of Miami's defensive adjustments, and a little injury stuff, as well.

We just don't do a good job, imo, of recognizing that the talent on the other side of the court has an impact on the Spurs' ability to display their talent. Miami made some good adjustments, and so did we. In game 6, some really lucky bounces went Miami's way. And their players were able to take advantage of those lucky bounces. That's what championship teams do. And they did.

[Bruno]

Thanks for the translation.

Great news that he is still leaning towards coming back. :tu

[TheGreatYacht]

All of you Spurs fans please continue pray so that this man retires. Every dollar of his salary can be better used on someone younger and better. Enough of this loyalty BS. The man is washed up. He's done. He's only going to get worst from this point on. Just look at his numbers for the whole regular season of 2012-2013. He was pathetic. Oh and stop bringing up the "he was injured excuse" because he said it himself during the playoff interviews that he was healthy.

[hater]

holy shit Manu is as delusional as his fandom

He was "so-so"??? he tied the NBA record for most turnovers in a Finals game. He singlehandely cost the Spurs at least 1, I'd say 2 Finals games!!!

"so-so" :lmao

I really feel sorry for Manu now. Not his body anymore, it's his mind which is gone. Beyond repair and in denial. :wow

[HI-FI]

If his heart is still in it, and he wants a shot at redemption for the right price, then I'll want him back. It really comes down to his desire, because I think he could alter some things in his offseason that could make him better, like diet/rest etc....

I hope we get him on a killer deal, because the last one didn't work out to well in the end.

[jjktkk]

Thanks for the translation EL. :tu

[ElNono]

:lol here come the meltdowns

Ya'll welcome, BTW. I'll keep an eye in case there's any news, but I would expect the ball to now move to the US media with any kind of negotiations after July 1st.

[mikec]

thanks for translating! :toast

[hater]

"game 6 was decided in 1 shot" :lmao

8 fucking turnovers and 2 in OT. and he says game was decided in 1 shot :lol :lol

wow this guy has completely lost his mind

[illusioNtEk]

this is a great read, thx!!!!!! I love manu!!! no homo tho

[MR-Clutch]

Love Manu. But him saying game 6 was decided by one free throw, and doesn't include the free throw he missed the possession before kind of irks me.

[temujin]

Minutes after it came out,
the Bolivian and this other very committed YachtGuy patrolling ST in search of news from the Great-Enemy-Within Manu Ginobili!

:lmao

they sort of replaced the good old KBP, in a sense.

[temujin]

:lol here come the meltdowns

Ya'll welcome, BTW. I'll keep an eye in case there's any news, but I would expect the ball to now move to the US media with any kind of negotiations after July 1st.

Well, you never know, the Great-Enemy-Within Ginobili could leak news all over the world, and they (the Mosqueteers of the Lost Cause) are ready to conter-attack, in case this happens.
:lol

[Mouth is Bleeding]

As I said in one of the threads during the Finals, the Heat starters play a ton more minutes than our starters do. So for the first few games, Manu was playing play-maker with our second squad against their starters, and was getting killed. Then he got moved to a starting position
that resulted in him playing super-ball for that game. By the next game, the Heat had adjusted and he was caught in many of the same problems he had with the second squad.

One of the things folks here give way too little credit to is the Miami Defense. Lots of Spurs fans kept criticising the Spurs players when they were being defended by the existing NBA champions, somehow believing that if only our guys would try harder or be smarter or play better.

Look at the whole Finals and most all of the players on both teams played 'less well' than they did in other series. For example, LeBron James had a much less stellar series than he had in earlier ones, and everyone attributed that to the Spurs playing excellent defense. And I think they were right. For much of the Finals, Tim didn't play as well as he had in previous series. When Miami made adjustments to help contain Parker and Green, etc. etc., Tim's game performance looked better. When our players didn't play as well as they had been, it was a function of Miami's defensive adjustments, and a little injury stuff, as well.

We just don't do a good job, imo, of recognizing that the talent on the other side of the court has an impact on the Spurs' ability to display their talent. Miami made some good adjustments, and so did we. In game 6, some really lucky bounces went Miami's way. And their players were able to take advantage of those lucky bounces. That's what championship teams do. And they did.

Some solid perspective ^^^thx

[SenorSpur]

Thanks for the translation.

I'm glad that the grey clouds have moved on for him and that he's feeling better. If he's happy that the Spurs were so close, I wonder if he's happy with all the unforced and unnecessary turnovers he committed that helped turn the tide of the game? I would have liked to have heard some more self-reflection from him on what, if anything, he intends to do towards adjusting his game such that he's doesn't continue to be the on-court liability we saw in the playoffs. Manu is an extremely intelligent, introspective guy off the court. I just wish that, now that he's an older declining player, that he'd start making more intelligent, less risky decisions on the court.

[Mouth is Bleeding]

Thanks for the translation.

I'm glad that the grey clouds have moved on for him and that he's feeling better. If he's happy that the Spurs were so close, I wonder if he's happy with all the unforced and unnecessary turnovers he committed that helped turn the tide of the game? I would have liked to have heard some more self-reflection from him on what, if anything, he intends to do towards adjusting his game such that he's doesn't continue to be the on-court liability we saw in the playoffs. Manu is an extremely intelligent, introspective guy off the court. I just wish that, now that he's an older declining player, that he'd start making more intelligent, less risky decisions on the court.

He's had more turnovers per game in the 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and and 2005 playoffs.

Meanwhile his assists per game have only been higher in the 2010 playoffs. Per minute based his assists (reg season) is at a career high.

His assist percentage (the pct of teammates field goals he assisted while on the floor) of 29.7 in the playoffs and 30.6 in this regular season, is also a career high.

When you factor the oppostion defense (read EVAY's post) and Spurs being the team with the most and depending on the most assists in the league (team basket why we're so good) + a little bit lineups he is in at times, Manu's number of turnovers you can argue shouldn't be surprising. It's just a symptom of positives and negatives of player and team identity. Fortunately the good outweigh the negative by some distance and Spurs were very close to winning another championship.

[superbigtime]

Glad to hear Manu is not suicidal. Now please fucking retire. We love you Manu.

Stats don't mean shit when it is plain as day that Manu was in seizure mode during the Finals.

[spurs10]

great find props to the OP.

MANU GINOBILI is my 2nd favorite player ever. I wish it never went down the way it did. Im one of the few who hopes Manu returns to the Spurs next season.
Thanks for the translation! This is nice to read and get his perspective on the series. I like what Pop said, 'if this is the worst thing that ever happens to you in your life, then you've had a great one.' Manu has indeed had a wonderful life and his fans have been lucky to have watched him play in his balls-out unique style. Kool Bob I don't think you are "one of the few" because thousands of Spurs fans are going to love being able to see him play for another year.

[ElNono]

Thanks for the translation! This is nice to read and get his perspective on the series. I like what Pop said, 'if this is the worst thing that ever happens to you in your life, then you've had a great one.' Manu has indeed had a wonderful life and his fans have been lucky to have watched him play in his balls-out unique style. Kool Bob I don't think you are "one of the few" because thousands of Spurs fans are going to love being able to see him play for another year.

C_jrLQvRrB4

[lefty]

Yeah he is extermely lucky to be still alive after those series

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I'm glad he wants to be back. As much as he regressed in the finals, you just have to have him around. He's Manu Ginobili.

[InK]

Thx for the translation. Would expect Manu to be a little bit harsher on himself, but he plans on coming back and that is GOOD news.

[HI-FI]

Yeah he is extermely lucky to be still alive after those series
:lol

least his fanboys got to watch him tie a record in the Finals.

[Splits]

Good to hear how much more important he thinks the Fiba world championships are. Maybe he can wear his body down to a nub again this summer and have 10 turnovers in the NBA finals clincher.

[kemak]

Thanks for the translation, it was nice to read this.

I personally can't really talk that much shit about his turnovers because I couldn't play 1/1000th as well as him ever... but people love to point fingers instead of enjoying a game.

[Knoxxx]

Love Manu. But him saying game 6 was decided by one free throw, and doesn't include the free throw he missed the possession before kind of irks me.

Manu made 3 of 4 FTs actually, don't forget the pair he sunk to put us up 4 after deftly grabbing a LeBron air ball before the ensuing disastrous collapse.

I can't argue that the 8 turnovers didn't hurt but not sure either that we still win without his 24 and 10 assists in game 4. You have to consider the good along with the bad to be fair.

[Bill_Brasky]

Hopefully next year is the ultimate bounceback for him....theme of his career tbh....

[Splits]

Blackhawks game 6 on the road is the anti-Manu. One chokes free throws and turns the ball over 8 times, the other keeps their cool and wins rings. SMH

[NickiRasgo]

Thanks for this. :toast

I don't know why still many of here still bashing Manu, yup he costs us 2 titles (1 is already ours and 1 is potentially ours). Give Manu a break, yup he was sucked this Playoffs but he's the reason why we have 3 titles from last decade. Most of you are just so disgusting. I remembered from the previous season, you wanted to trade Parker because and all of sudden you're praising him now. As well as to TD. I hated Manu this Playoffs but I still loved him. I'm sure next season, Manu will have a better season. He wants to revenge and I'm sure he will deliver.

Just want to share this, I don't if it's relevant. I think what happened to Manu, happened to me as well. Last 2006, we have a basketball league (amateur) here. I was the MVP prior to this league. And it really sucks that I struggled all season-long despite being the MVP before this one. From shooting, driving, positioning, almost everything except my defense but scoring-wise, I can't hit anything. I failed to recover or come back how I'm playing before. And I have this what I'm calling it "seasonal", I defined it as there's a time you plays great(esp. shooting, you shoot well) and there's a time that you can still plays well but you have shooting slump or even the passing or everything. Maybe Manu got strike by "seasonal" and it's really a wrong timing. Can't blame him, he was injured all-season long and it's really difficult for him to recover or come back how he used to play because there's a pressure on him.

Maybe that's really what happened to him or maybe not but let's give Manu a break. I'm still hoping he returns, with vengeance. Just hate him if he still sucks next season.

[Tyrone Jenkins]

Thanks for this. :toast
Can't blame him, he was injured all-season long and it's really difficult for him to recover or come back how he used to play because there's a pressure on him.

It's always interesting whenever a defense of someone's less than stellar play includes the injury excuse...

[NickiRasgo]

It's always interesting whenever a defense of someone's less than stellar play includes the injury excuse...

Hmmm. Yeah. He was injury-prone, always injured but this season is the worst for him. Last 2011, Manu was injured but he did his best. Yeah an excuse but to be honest, if he wasn't injured all-throughout the season maybe I would hate him for that.

[DJR210]

Give Manu a break, yup he was sucked this Playoffs but he's the reason why we have 3 titles from last decade.

SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP. Fuck the past.

Either gradually start the rebuilding process now, or hang on to the last minute and be forced to blow the whole thing up. If Manu is willing to play 15 minutes a game at the most on a veteran's minimum salary then great, but realistically that ain't gonna happen.

[Russo21]

Manu better fucken retire and shut the hell up. 8 fucken turnovers in a closeout game. Cant shoot for shit. Cost us the championship the little bitch. And he doesn't seem to care too much. Prick cost us the title. GTFO

[TheGreatYacht]

It's always interesting whenever a defense of someone's less than stellar play includes the injury excuse...
SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP. Fuck the past.
Either gradually start the rebuilding process now, or hang on to the last minute and be forced to blow the whole thing up. If Manu is willing to play 15 minutes a game at the most on a veteran's minimum salary then great, but realistically that ain't gonna happen.
Manu better fucken retire and shut the hell up. 8 fucken turnovers in a closeout game. Cant shoot for shit. Cost us the championship the little bitch. And he doesn't seem to care too much. Prick cost us the title. GTFO:toast I agree with everyone. We should make a petition so that Manu can retire.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Manu better fucken retire and shut the hell up. 8 fucken turnovers in a closeout game. Cant shoot for shit. Cost us the championship the little bitch. And he doesn't seem to care too much. Prick cost us the title. GTFO

you sound like a spoiled little brat.

[Russo21]

Truth hurts. He sucks. There was nothing spoiled about that post.

[DAF86]

Love Manu. But him saying game 6 was decided by one free throw, and doesn't include the free throw he missed the possession before kind of irks me.

He does include it. He's not talking about that Leonard last free throw specifically, he's talking about A free throw, any free throw that was missed and would have changed the outcome of the game if made.

[dallasmaverickslose]

Truth hurts. He sucks. There was nothing spoiled about that post.

Yeah um fuck you.

[spurs10]

He does include it. He's not talking about that Leonard last free throw specifically, he's talking about A free throw, any free throw that was missed and would have changed the outcome of the game if made. Anyone that interpeted his comment as pointing the finger at someone else's missed freethrow is extremely wrong and hasn't been following Manu for long.

[Slippy]

He's had more turnovers per game in the 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and and 2005 playoffs.

Meanwhile his assists per game have only been higher in the 2010 playoffs. Per minute based his assists (reg season) is at a career high.

His assist percentage (the pct of teammates field goals he assisted while on the floor) of 29.7 in the playoffs and 30.6 in this regular season, is also a career high.

When you factor the oppostion defense (read EVAY's post) and Spurs being the team with the most and depending on the most assists in the league (team basket why we're so good) + a little bit lineups he is in at times, Manu's number of turnovers you can argue shouldn't be surprising. It's just a symptom of positives and negatives of player and team identity. Fortunately the good outweigh the negative by some distance and Spurs were very close to winning another championship.

Truth bomb. For haters, it's easier to blame Manu and focus on the turnovers.

[sventhedog]

no question about what he has done but it's clearly time to retire unless he's trying to break the spurs' record for turnovers.

in my opinion manu is a very creative and fearless player who relies on emotion to fuel his game. but now that his body has really slowed down, all that's left is the emotion and he can't forget a bad play until it affects the next one.

[TheGreatYacht]

no question about what he has done but it's clearly time to retire unless he's trying to break the spurs' record for turnovers.

in my opinion manu is a very creative and fearless player who relies on emotion to fuel his game. but now that his body has really slowed down, all that's left is the emotion and he can't forget a bad play until it affects the next one.Co-signed.

[Agloco]

Manu hits the nail on the head here. The following passage sums up why the series outcome bothered people so much:

So close, it's just what hurts the most. Feeling we had it in our hands, we grabbed it and it fell… If they would've beat us by 25 points Tuesday and the game Thursday would have ended the way it did, I would have shook their hands, congratulated them, end a great season, think it didn't happen for us, and move on. But being conscious that we had it in our hands and it went away because of stupid chance made it more difficult than usual.

[Gagnrath]

I would like to see Manu back in a supporting role, I think he is honestly a viable nba player for another year or two but as a true back-up bench guy not as a super-sub the guy leading the second unit role. I don't want to see Manu in another uniform but I also don't want to see him embarrassing himself trying to do to much. He needs to realize that he is declining as an athlete and much of what he could do before he can't do now. He also needs to realize that many of the new breed of athletes in the nba can get finger tips on his passes where before they couldn't.

More or less wild freewheeling manu needs to grow-up into manu who mostly is cautious and smart and occasionally brings it. Grant hill with pheonix vs grant hill with orlando, he realized he was far more limited as an athlete and played with-in his new limits instead of where he once was.