Clarín: Manu´s interview.He is quite sure he will be a free agent

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

No they can respect a player, but for a player to be hoping on resigning because the organisation should have respect for the player, is bull . There is no place for that.

Now that I totally agree with.

In Manu's case, he hasn't proved he'll be healthy enough and reliable enough yet, so it's no surprise he hasn't been offered an extension, he has to earn it.But the truth is, if the Spurs just let him go, they'll still only have th MLE to spend, and would have exactly 1 swingman under contract, which is not a good business situation.

[TheChillFactor]

i don't post a lot but Manu is one of my favorite all-time players and I have something to say.

The Spurs are trying to put a championship roster on the floor at the end of the TD era. IMO this is why Pop all but got on his knees and begged him not to play for ARG in 2008. I understand why Manu played but at the same time the Spurs can't screw Duncan over by resigning a guy out of loyalty that can't play anymore.

Pop makes sacrifices in terms of MPG to keep these guys healthy for the playoffs. IMO Manu short-changed his brothers on the Spurs when he played in 2008. If he can't remain healthy anymore or play at a high level, no EFFING way should they resign him, as painful as it is for me to say it. The Spurs owe it to TD and to Spurs fans (real Spurs fans) to take advantage of the TD era as much as possible. That means that people get let go when they can no longer contribute.

It kills me to say it but that's the way it is.

[MB20]

I want the Spurs to keep Manu.
But, if he has to go play somewhere else, so be it.

It´s not the end of the world, really.

[urunobili]

This is going to be dramatic... I think if he becomes a key contributor on another championship this year he'll be resigned... If the Spurs don't make it tot he Finals... after these statements there is little chance he stays...

The signals are pretty clear... it seems RJ > Manu for our championship chances as per the FO...

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

If he can't remain healthy anymore or play at a high level, no EFFING way should they resign him, as painful as it is for me to say it. The Spurs owe it to TD and to Spurs fans (real Spurs fans) to take advantage of the TD era as much as possible. That means that people get let go when they can no longer contribute.

It kills me to say it but that's the way it is.

Not that your logic is flawed but the situation is a bit complicated and the Spurs don't hold all the aces. Like you said, they owe it to TD to take advantage, but letting Manu simply expire will not help the Spurs at all, because they'll have only 1 swingman, RJ, under contract and will only have the MLE to use. They also have to take care of Splitter. So how do they sign Splitter and at least 3 more swingmen, having only the MLE to spend and still be a contender?

Maybe he's pressuring the FO to extend him as soon as possible, and maybe they're concerned about the money, maybe they're trying to lowball him to take a bit less, I don't know, but one thing is certain - simply letting him expire does not help the Spurs on the basketball court, only financially. And if they've given up on resigning him, then they HAVE TO trade him by the deadline.

[TheChillFactor]

Not that your logic is flawed but the situation is a bit complicated and the Spurs don't hold all the aces. Like you said, they owe it to TD to take advantage, but letting Manu simply expire will not help the Spurs at all, because they'll have only 1 swingman, RJ, under contract and will only have the MLE to use. They also have to take care of Splitter. So how do they sign Splitter and at least 3 more swingmen, having only the MLE to spend and still be a contender?

Maybe he's pressuring the FO to extend him as soon as possible, and maybe they're concerned about the money, maybe they're trying to lowball him to take a bit less, I don't know, but one thing is certain - simply letting him expire does not help the Spurs on the basketball court, only financially. And if they've given up on resigning him, then they HAVE TO trade him by the deadline.

i acknowledge your point - Bob Bass letting Rod Strickland walk for absolutely nothing all those years ago still bothers me lol. so i'm not saying it's in our self-interest to let the guy walk.

however, if you're spending $8-10 million on Ginobili, you have to ask if that's the best decision given his history of injuries and declining production. if the FO determines that they don't want him next year, maybe they should (HUGE GULP) trade him now.

[Bruno]

A front office in the NBA should be cold-blooded. It doesn't mesh well with a player as pasionate as Ginobili.

The trade deadline is the big date regarding Ginobili's future:

Before it, Spurs have few incentives to extend him. If he has another serious injury, Spurs will be happy to have his expiring contract as trade asset.

After it, Spurs should start talking with Ginobili about an extension. In 2010, Spurs will only have the MLE and the FA market will be very weak for a SG with a MLE salary. Spurs won't have a lot of options other than re-signing Manu. It's even more true than giving a full MLE (5 years/$34M) contract to a marginal player isn't a good idea when Spurs will be in rebuilding mode after 2012.


I would be really surprised to see Manu being with another team next year. It's a lose-lose scenario for both sides (Manu won't find a better place than SA). I can even see Spurs having some talks about an extension in March.

[SenorSpur]

This is really a tough situation that will have a dramatic ending.

After reading this I understand why Manu feels this way. He's the heart and emotional soul of this team, and has been since almost the moment he arrived. He cannot imagine himself in another uniform - nor can I.

From the Spurs perspective, I also understand their position too. This IS a business and they must limit their risk potential, should Manu not prove that he can maintain good health and/or if he decides to continue his participation with Argentina's national team - which is his right.

Rest assured, when Manu hits free agency, some other team (Fakers perhaps) WILL most certainly offer him "crazy bank" that could price him out of the Spurs grasp.

Looking back, it now seems that Manu's injury in the 2008 Olympics really had lasting ramifications.

[Silverheart80]

I largely agree with Bruno above.

Look, there's nothing in this article that says Manu is going anywhere. This is NBA business-as-usual. It's the way the free agent dance works. He's gonna be on the market. Offers will come. He'll be courted. The Spurs will have a decision to make and so will he.

The only way I see him going anywhere is if:

1. he does something reckless with his health (i.e. an action that happens anywhere other than for the Spurs in an NBA arena).

2. a trade comes along that involves him and makes us younger and better.

I don't see either of these happening. There's no guarantee Manu will be back, but right now I'd say there's zero indication he's not returning either. There's no romance here, but he's one of the great Spurs of all-time and more relevant to this topic, he's still worth a uva lot in marketing revenue to a team that's famous/infamous for milking every penny off-the-court. I don't think that's the overriding factor, but I suspect ownership is loathe to lose juice in that department.

[temujin]

A front office in the NBA should be cold-blooded. It doesn't mesh well with a player as pasionate as Ginobili.

The trade deadline is the big date regarding Ginobili's future:

Before it, Spurs have few incentives to extend him. If he has another serious injury, Spurs will be happy to have his expiring contract as trade asset.

After it, Spurs should start talking with Ginobili about an extension. In 2010, Spurs will only have the MLE and the FA market will be very weak for a SG with a MLE salary. Spurs won't have a lot of options other than re-signing Manu. It's even more true than giving a full MLE (5 years/$34M) contract to a marginal player isn't a good idea when Spurs will be in rebuilding mode after 2012.


I would be really surprised to see Manu being with another team next year. It's a lose-lose scenario for both sides (Manu won't find a better place than SA). I can even see Spurs having some talks about an extension in March.

Cool-blooded FO, yes, correct.

Ginobili should also be cool-blooded, he has shown n times he is capable of that on the court.
The romantic stuff is totally misplaced.
Top priority, he should just stay healthy.
No nore improbable penetrations in traffic.
No more crazy divings.
No more dangerous hits from the Poseys of this world.
Just take that outside shot.
Pass.
Play a little defense.

As for the future, I am pretty sure there are teams intersted

[ElNono]

I'm with Bruno in that we need to wait for a couple of weeks after the trade deadline before drawing any conclusions...

[ShoogarBear]

So, suppose at the end of the year, Manu is exactly the player he is now, no better, no worse. Shooting about 40% but passing well and making the intangible plays. Do the Spurs try to sign him (probably an easy question)? For how much and how long (much harder questions).

Because I think Manu's next contract with whomever is going to be for two-three years tops and a lot less money.

[I. Hustle]

Here is the thing. I was a Manu fan before he signed with the Spurs so if he goes to the Lakers do I buy his jersey?











nah, I could never do that.

[doobs]

"Loyalty" contracts are generally stupid, but they have value still. If current Spurs see the FO taking care of a guy who busted his ass for the team, well . . . that's pretty good motivation to bust your ass for the team, right?

Personally, I think the Spurs should resign Manu for that reason. He is a baller, an icon, a hardworking and passionate playmaker who risks life and limb for championships. Let him test the waters, and then offer him a little more than the best offer out there. But sign him.

[CAPARG]

" sacó a relucir la pelea íntima que vive sobre su futuro inmediato" ...."brought out the inner fight that lives on his immediate future" .
This sentence summarizes all. He loves to play with the national team and for San Antonio too, but at this time of his career and his age he need to choose and I think that is killing him. For me, this is a "lose lose" situation. He given a lot for the NT and for the country too (foundation, charities, etc) so if I were him, this time I would choose to stay with the Spurs.

[MmP]

Wow, I mean..Wow.

Could this be a tactic from Manu to be resigned, talking now to the open press to pressure the Spurs?
I really don't get it..

[Fizzzar]

I think this is worse than you guys think... let me translate one of his answers.

When asked if the team have given him signs about his contract he said:

"No, there were no signals. The last one was before I got injured last year and after that there was no more talking on the subject. At this point of the season I don't know if I would accept an extension, it depends on the offer. But I have my mind set on sitting with my agent and my wife on July 1st and see what options I have."

[Dex]

I don't particularly blame Manu for being upset, and none of us really know what these conversations are like behind the scenes. Still, Manu has to keep the reality of the situation in mind. He hasn't finished the last 2 seasons, and has been increasingly fragile the last 3 years of his career. Currently, he's showing signs of returning to his old form, but he still has a ways to go.

It would be impossible for the Spurs to offer him a contract right now and put an appropriate amount to his worth. If they pay him money respective to his current play and history, it's probably going to be a pretty lousy contract. If Manu can make it through this season and continue to improve, I'm sure they would love to give him the contract he deserves.

But the Spurs been paying big money the last two years for a player who, athletically, has been a s of his former self. He can't expect that they're going to offer him the same kind of deal just on the assumption that he's still capable of being old Manu.

[kace]

maybe A NBA FO has to be cold blooded but i can't say i like that.

Bowen traded, TP trade for CP3 rumors (false or true ?), Ginobili extension in question.......... i don't like that.

i miss the time where the core of the big four was the Spurs main treasure , ruling the league................nostalgia

[MmP]

Re reading the whole interview in spanish, to me sounds like a Manu tactic to see what the Spurs do with this. I don't buy Manu making these statements at this point of the season with the spurs being so up and down.
Although I agree with most of you saying to wait until the trade deadline and afterthat see what Manu brings in the offseason. When he usually turn it on.
I thiink that if he is healthy Im sure he'll make something big happen.

[Mel_13]

" sacó a relucir la pelea íntima que vive sobre su futuro inmediato" ...."brought out the inner fight that lives on his immediate future" .
This sentence summarizes all. He loves to play with the national team and for San Antonio too, but at this time of his career and his age he need to choose and I think that is killing him. For me, this is a "lose lose" situation. He given a lot for the NT and for the country too (foundation, charities, etc) so if I were him, this time I would choose to stay with the Spurs.

Thanks for that little bit of insight.

In Manu's ideal scenario, he would have the security of a guaranteed contract in his pocket before he decided whether or not to play for Argentina this summer. In San Antonio's ideal scenario, they would know that Manu could survive a full season and playoffs and would not play for the NT before signing him to a new deal.

That's why I believe a compromise is possible if Manu is willing to retire from the NT, or at least forgo playing for the NT for the duration of a new deal. Then both sides would have an incentive to negotiate an extension before the season ended. The Spurs would assume the additional risk that Manu may break down before the season ends, but they would avoid a possible bidding war this summer. Manu would give up further play with the NT and a possible bigger contract, but he would avoid the potential losses he could suffer if he is injured again this season.

It seems obvious that retiring from the NT is a difficult decision for Manu to take, but I don't see much chance that the Spurs open negotiations without an assurance that he will only play for the Spurs for the duration of any new deal.

Then a lose-lose could turn into a win-win. Manu extends for two years thru 2012. When that last home game of the 2012 season comes around, Tim and Manu can receive their final ovations (hopefully in the same way David did in 2003). Then, if Manu still wants it, I'm sure Argentina would hold a roster spot for the 2012 Olympic team.

[pad300]

No disrespect to Bowen? Did you miss what happened to his minutes last year...
Hi, my name is Bruce Bowen, and my minutes are being given to Mike Finley, despite the fact that I'm about twice as useful as him.... And then signing Bogans for the Vet min, without even making the offer to Bruce? Bruce > Bogans, today. The FO dumped Bruce, and I don't understand why.

[urunobili]

Then a lose-lose could turn into a win-win. Manu extends for two years thru 2012. When that last home game of the 2012 season comes around, Tim and Manu can receive their final ovations (hopefully in the same way David did in 2003). Then, if Manu still wants it, I'm sure Argentina would hold a roster spot for the 2012 Olympic team.

Manu already has a gold medal.. the only big compe ion he hasn't won is the World Cup...

I think he wants to retire from the NT after Turkey 2010.... that's his last shot at winning that tournament...

[rjv]

why should the FO extend now? the market value for manu is a big mystery at the moment but he has not been the manu of old and i would be very surprised to see anyone offer him more than 10 mil a year at this time.

[ffadicted]

lol Manu isn't going anywhere guys, I am 110% sure of this