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Thanks for sharing this Nono!
Original link (in spanish): http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1...y-te-dignifica
Some of the questions overlap the interview he did a couple of days, translation found here:
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...=1#post8149927
So I didn't translate those. Here's the rest:
- Are you ready to take on perhaps a different role this season, due to your age, the new makeup of the team?
Sure, both on the game aspect and mentally. Game-wise, my role already has been dwindling down, especially minutes. I just can't play 30-35 mins for 82 games anymore, even if I wanted to. So, you talk to the coach, the coach manages your minutes. You also have a bit less expectations on each game, and you know you're less decisive. In the past, 5 to 8 years ago, I knew that a big part of what happened with the team was directly tied to how I performed. Now, it's more like... Leonard, go ahead, this is your game... (laughs) and now it'll be Aldrige or Tony, or whoever... so yeah, it changes quite a bit.
- Did you have to prepare yourself for that, or did it come out naturally?
It was another one of those things that the 2013 Finals taught me. Changed my head a bit, and allowed me to slow down.
- What does it mean to have voice and vote in a team like that, with coach Pop?
It happened naturally, and it's something that Pop wanted. I think it was right after the 2005 championship, I started to be part of meetings with 2-3 players and the coaching staff. I remember thinking "this is nice" (laughs). We talk about a lot of things, important matters, calendar issues, how to handle certain situations. It was great, once the coach trusts his players, you had these meetings, and you debated certain things. I'm not saying everything was up to discussion, but it's good to know that you can raise your hand and your opinion be heard. It gives you a bigger responsibility too, and you gain certain ascendency with your teammates. The main goal is always the betterment of the team.
- We know you made this difficult decision, and maybe you haven't though about it yet, but have you thought what you might do after your career is over?
No, I haven't really decided on a plan. I definitely want to take maybe a sabbatical year or two, enjoy things that I coundn't enjoy for a very long time, I'd like to travel, and then I'll see. I have the good fortune to be able to do that, take off for a couple of years, and then see what I'll do. I'm sure I'll spend some time in Argentina, some time in San Antonio, but I don't really have a defined plan, and that is actually exciting to me.
- It doesn't trouble you?
No, no, because my whole life was somewhat like that. Working hard towards a goal, reach that goal, then rest in order to face the next challenge. And stopping for a bit and seeing what undefined cards might be at play, certainly sparks my curiosity.
- But do you feel it might involve basketball or might involve something else?
It's going to be impossible for me not to be involved with basketball. Because it's what I've done professionally since I was 20 years old. I like it a lot, I know a lot about it, I have contacts both in the NBA and in the Argentina league, and I'd like basketball to develop more in Argentina, so I'm definitely going to be involved with that in one way or the other. I don't imagine me doing it from 9 to 5 though, every day. But sure, I'll probably be involved.
- You're about to give a couple of talks about leadership. When somebody asked what is leadership to Pep Guardiola, a supposedly great leader, he said "I have no freaking idea". What is leadership in your own words?
It's something that every person does in their own way. I don't think there's a single recipe, there's a lot of recipes and people pick and chose the ones that fit themselves. My talk isn't going to be specifically about leadership, though they're considered leadership talks, I'm going to talk more about experiences. And, you know, how victory, defeat shape you, and makes you change your vision about things, or even oneself. So that's what I'm going to be talking about.
About leadership itself, I can definitely say that for me it came with the confidence of knowing that I belonged, that I was respected, that I was part of those meetings I was talking about earlier, and obviously when the coach himself would tell me I needed to lead. Up until that time I didn't know that I was allowed to do that, or that I could take the position. Then, obviously, when things go right and you already have a resume that backs it up, you certainly feel that you're capable of saying a few words of encouragement, or the opposite, and you somewhat know better what's a plus to a situation and what isn't on a certain group. Experience teaches you that. I think it would be difficult to find a 19 or 20 year old leader, when they really don't have the experience.
Here's an addendum, from the written interview that followed (http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1...en-la-nacion):
- Do you have more responsibilities now that you're coming back?
No, I don't have more. Aldrige and Leonard have more responsibilities. I'm going to take it easy, in part due to what happened the last couple of years, and the natural drop in minutes. I feel important on the team, both in the makeup and the union, but not as much on the game play.
- But your leadership and game creation can be a factor.
That stuff comes easy for me. If Pop asks me to score 20 points and play 30-something minutes, I think it'll be difficult for me to do that. The other stuff is more natural. After 13 years I know the system as much as Pop, Tim or Tony, it's imbued in me. I already know how Pop thinks, so I know I can tell something to a teammate before Pop does. Or in one of those moments when Pop is mad and about to say something out of place, I can allow myself to stop him, and let him know we already noted the idea or the mistake. That kind of knowledge makes everything work.
- You talked to Popovich and Duncan before making your decision. Can you tell us what they said?
Pop, no. But with Tim, sure, because it was more or less the same situation I was in. Tim was more decided than I was, his thing was more about a family matter, that was important to him. My kids are not really an issue for me, they don't really know what's going on, what I do or why. My kids think that playing basketball, appear on TV or be on a billboard is something normal that all parents do. They were born with that. We're walking through a park, somebody asks to take a picture, and they see is as something natural. I even ask them: Do you know why that guy asked to take a picture with me? And they tell me they have no clue. They don't understand yet that being a professional athlete is something select. It's natural for them if I leave for 4 or 5 days. But if my wife leaves, everything is chaos.
- We're just intrigued about what Pop told you...
Nothing out of this world. Pop's style, dry and concise.
- But did it help you to make your decision?
Yeah, sure. Because if he call and said, like he's told other players: Look, I don't think can do this or that anymore, you're not the same guy, you should look somewhere else, then everything would've been different. But the fact he appreciates me so much, that he tried to convince me, was a big support.
- With such a coach around, have you ever though about becoming a coach?
No. I like basketball a lot, the strategy, the mental aspect that's behind all that, but it's a ton of work. You have to be a bit crazy to do it. And I want to take some time off. These people don't relax for a minute, they work hard, hard, hard. We show up, play, practice and it's over. They're much more involved, building the team, planning the season, the preseason, draft. It's really a ton of work.
- You don't see yourself as part of a staff?
Maybe, something with a franchise. But with a different kind of responsibility. I'm at a point in my life where I value my time more than anything else. I don't think I would be willing to work from July to June. Something with less responsibility or perhaps more temporary, maybe I would consider that.
- Did you ever think you would play 14 seasons in the NBA?
No way. Especially me, that I made it to the NBA at 25 years old. Tony Parker never doubted he would play 14 season in the NBA. It's logical for him. But I got there late and with a lot of national team play on my back, almost without rest. After my first couple of years in San Antonio, there's articles written that claim I couldn't make it past 32 years old playing in the NBA, due to the way I played, the high energy. But things turn out this way, and it's hard to believe that at 38 the team still want me and think I can still play. I'm not playing for charity, I feel I can still give the team a lot of things.
- Not long ago Bruce Bowen said you gave a lesson in humility to a lot of players in the NBA, because of they way you treat the fans.
Well, I do what I think is right. If you ask me if I like to sign an autograph, I would say no. I prefer to talk to the person for a while, and then I'll sign. I know people value that. Especially on the court, people make a big sacrifice to come watch me and tells you a nice word or two. That's when I take my time. If I'm at a park with my kids and somebody asks me for an autograph, it doesn't feel right, I kinda feel they're taking away time of attention and care for my kids. I still sign the vast majority of times.
Last edited by ElNono; 08-04-2015 at 01:35 AM.
Thanks for sharing this Nono!
Manu knows who is in the top of the food chain tbh.
Manu is smart guy and clearly supports Leonard as the offensive focus..Subtle hints too for Tony, to pass the freaking ball to Leonard IMO.
Thanks for the transcription/translation ElNono.
Pop has given quite the same amount of minutes to Manu over the past four years with 23 mpg. I wonder if he will still do that or if he will cut further his minutes. At the end, it's about finding the right balance between staying fresh/healthy for the playoffs and not losing his rhythm/playing shape.
With Beli gone, Spurs quality depth at SG/SF that hasn't been replace. Unlike for Tim at PF/C, where Pop might play him less to give more minutes to Aldridge and West, if Manu plays less it will be to preserve him.
And Manu has a great personality, very unique among professional basketball players.
His ability to give thoughtful, engaging, eloquent, and candid answers in multiple languages is remarkable.And Manu has a great personality, very unique among professional basketball players.
Lol this is from the comments section.
gobeling 19:21 03/08/2015MOSTRÁ EL GANSO MANU, QUE LO DEBÉS TENER GRANDE, Y DEJÁ DE QUERER PASAR POR HUMILDE.
gobeling 19:20 03/08/2015@sergio2due NADIE LO INSULTA, ES QUE ES PATÉTICO VER A UNA PERSONA VANIDOSA TRATANDO DE PARECER HUMILDE. YA CANSA ESTE TIPO, SI AL MENOS MOSTRARA EL GANSO.
what are they saying? I only understand a few words...Seems like they are complaining about Manu's humbleness or maybe not..Lol this is from the comments section.
gobeling 19:21 03/08/2015MOSTRÁ EL GANSO MANU, QUE LO DEBÉS TENER GRANDE, Y DEJÁ DE QUERER PASAR POR HUMILDE.
gobeling 19:20 03/08/2015@sergio2due NADIE LO INSULTA, ES QUE ES PATÉTICO VER A UNA PERSONA VANIDOSA TRATANDO DE PARECER HUMILDE. YA CANSA ESTE TIPO, SI AL MENOS MOSTRARA EL GANSO.
I don't fully understand tbh.
That guy is a real ,
gobeling 19:21 03/08/2015MOSTRÁ EL GANSO MANU, QUE LO DEBÉS TENER GRANDE, Y DEJÁ DE QUERER PASAR POR HUMILDE.
Means: SHOW US YOUR GOOSE MANU, YOU MUST HAVE A BIG ONE, AND QUIT TRYING TO LOOK HUMBLE.
gobeling 19:20 03/08/2015@sergio2due NADIE LO INSULTA, ES QUE ES PATÉTICO VER A UNA PERSONA VANIDOSA TRATANDO DE PARECER HUMILDE. YA CANSA ESTE TIPO, SI AL MENOS MOSTRARA EL GANSO.
Means: NOBODY IS INSULTING HIM, ITS JUST PATHETIC TO SEE A SUCH A VAIN PERSON TRYING TO LOOK HUMBLE, IT GETS OLD, IF AT LEAST HE SHOW US THE GOOSE.
This is Chump/Axe level, tbh.
According to google translate they claim it's fake and pathetic.
It's prolly Parker fans. Just hate those player fans, tbh.
I added an addendum to the OP, from a written interview that was posted today.
FromWayDowntown Bruno
Thanks a lot for the translations!
Always very appreciated
Cheers to OP for the translations.
Manu is the best. I love his grounded, realistic perspective on basketball, life, himself and his team.
TYVM as always, Nono
both excellent translations, thanks.
Terrible schtick is terrible.
Seems like much of the same information, but both paint a clear picture of how much he was changed by 2013. It's good to see the fire and compe iveness alive and well. Glad he's back tbqh.
As always, much appreciated ElNono
These NBA analysts from 120 Sports talked about Manu here in the video at the bottom of the article:
http://airalamo.com/2015/08/04/manu-...iumph-of-2014/
Cheers Nono
Muchos gracias, Nono.
I'm always amazed at how Manu always speaks from the heart, from his mind with a candidness that most players won't use. He doesn't hide behind cliches and never shies away from his losing battle with Father Time.
Thank you for the translation.
I have been learning Spanish and Italian on the Duolingo website and I have been using some of Manu's articles to help me learn Spanish.
Last edited by TXstbobcat; 08-05-2015 at 04:43 PM.
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