ElNono
07-12-2013, 12:30 AM
Here's the full translation of Manu quotes from the article:
"We reached an agreement pretty quickly, between two parties enthusiastic about it and wanting to continue with this relationship. We appreciate each other enormously. They told me they wanted me to be a Spur for life. I didn't think this was going to be all done in two days"
"I keep on loving what I do. There are more moments of fragility than when I was 25, times that you question a lot of things, but when you realize the position you're on and what you experience, you appreciate it again. The day I don't feel motivated, I'll just stop. It will probably be a combination of the physical aspect and the mental aspect. But you never know. If after these two years I keep feeling motivated, I'll keep going"
"I can't be this lucky. I'm completely privileged to be playing an NBA Finals at 36, have a lead role. It's clear I don't have the same impact I had in 2005; that was eight years ago. But even then, I feel I still have a leading role in this team, a leader. I still feel I'm an important part of this team. They [the FO] said that to me, and I do feel it like that"
"The intention was not to get the best contract of my life. I knew I was not going to have the same salary, and that's proper at this age. So I'm satisfied; I think they are too. It's a fair deal"
"The actual chances of going to another team were remote, and if nothing weird happened I was going to stay in San Antonio".
"Two or three teams inquired about me, fully aware that my priority was to stay with the Spurs. But it was something very informal; there were no offers. The only thing that would've made me doubt was if Pop or Bufford would have said that they had doubts about what I could give. When they said they were enthusiastic for me to return, I had no doubts".
"During the playoffs I felt it was the first time in 11 years on the NBA, plus 4 in Italy and 3 in Argentina that I didn't perform the way I wanted to. I produced a little less that I expected, both me and the team. And it hurt. I'm not used to that. I always took pride of being a player that during the playoffs or in difficult situations could give a plus. And I felt this season that didn't happen. I think I could've helped the team more, even maybe win another ring. I don't want that to happen again. I don't want to disappoint or be a burden to anybody. I want to play better next season, better than the last two seasons. I think I can"
"When I went to Italy at 22 years old, I thought I would play until I was 33. It was the age where important players retired. I'm fortunate to be 36 and be able to play two more seasons in one of the best sport organizations in the world. Definitely, the San Antonio Spurs are one of the best franchises in all sports in the US"
"I think Argentina should play well in the Caracas qualifier. Looking at the level in America, they should be at the top. As long as Scola is there, he'll be able to make a big difference. It's like having an ace on every play. Campazzo and Laprovittola have shown they can take command of the point guard role. Carlos [Delfino] injury will be a problem. But in case everyone is healthy heading to Madrid, it will be the same great team."
"Playing in Spain 2014 will depend purely and exclusively on my physical health. I know the mental part will be ready. If I'm healthy there's better chances that I play. I guess I'll figure it out as we get closer. It would be a great experience to play another World Championship"
"San Antonio will have nothing to do with it. It won't be a problem. They had some concerns during the couple of years that I had surgeries and those things, but they already know very well what I think. I know how they think, and there will be no problems. That won't be an issue. It will be my decision. If I don't play, it won't be because the Spurs didn't let me, but because I wasn't healthy or because I felt I couldn't help the team"
Original article in Spanish here (http://www.deportetandilense.com.ar/nota-Manu-Ginobili-anduvo-en-Tandil-14349.html)
"We reached an agreement pretty quickly, between two parties enthusiastic about it and wanting to continue with this relationship. We appreciate each other enormously. They told me they wanted me to be a Spur for life. I didn't think this was going to be all done in two days"
"I keep on loving what I do. There are more moments of fragility than when I was 25, times that you question a lot of things, but when you realize the position you're on and what you experience, you appreciate it again. The day I don't feel motivated, I'll just stop. It will probably be a combination of the physical aspect and the mental aspect. But you never know. If after these two years I keep feeling motivated, I'll keep going"
"I can't be this lucky. I'm completely privileged to be playing an NBA Finals at 36, have a lead role. It's clear I don't have the same impact I had in 2005; that was eight years ago. But even then, I feel I still have a leading role in this team, a leader. I still feel I'm an important part of this team. They [the FO] said that to me, and I do feel it like that"
"The intention was not to get the best contract of my life. I knew I was not going to have the same salary, and that's proper at this age. So I'm satisfied; I think they are too. It's a fair deal"
"The actual chances of going to another team were remote, and if nothing weird happened I was going to stay in San Antonio".
"Two or three teams inquired about me, fully aware that my priority was to stay with the Spurs. But it was something very informal; there were no offers. The only thing that would've made me doubt was if Pop or Bufford would have said that they had doubts about what I could give. When they said they were enthusiastic for me to return, I had no doubts".
"During the playoffs I felt it was the first time in 11 years on the NBA, plus 4 in Italy and 3 in Argentina that I didn't perform the way I wanted to. I produced a little less that I expected, both me and the team. And it hurt. I'm not used to that. I always took pride of being a player that during the playoffs or in difficult situations could give a plus. And I felt this season that didn't happen. I think I could've helped the team more, even maybe win another ring. I don't want that to happen again. I don't want to disappoint or be a burden to anybody. I want to play better next season, better than the last two seasons. I think I can"
"When I went to Italy at 22 years old, I thought I would play until I was 33. It was the age where important players retired. I'm fortunate to be 36 and be able to play two more seasons in one of the best sport organizations in the world. Definitely, the San Antonio Spurs are one of the best franchises in all sports in the US"
"I think Argentina should play well in the Caracas qualifier. Looking at the level in America, they should be at the top. As long as Scola is there, he'll be able to make a big difference. It's like having an ace on every play. Campazzo and Laprovittola have shown they can take command of the point guard role. Carlos [Delfino] injury will be a problem. But in case everyone is healthy heading to Madrid, it will be the same great team."
"Playing in Spain 2014 will depend purely and exclusively on my physical health. I know the mental part will be ready. If I'm healthy there's better chances that I play. I guess I'll figure it out as we get closer. It would be a great experience to play another World Championship"
"San Antonio will have nothing to do with it. It won't be a problem. They had some concerns during the couple of years that I had surgeries and those things, but they already know very well what I think. I know how they think, and there will be no problems. That won't be an issue. It will be my decision. If I don't play, it won't be because the Spurs didn't let me, but because I wasn't healthy or because I felt I couldn't help the team"
Original article in Spanish here (http://www.deportetandilense.com.ar/nota-Manu-Ginobili-anduvo-en-Tandil-14349.html)