Manu to play Olympics in Rio

[Spur|n|Austin]

Retirement confirmed, good luck Manu!

[Budkin]

I don't necessarily think this means he's done as a Spur.

[hater]

Why do you say that? Manu is only playing for a couple million dollars now. He can do what the he wants and the Spurs aren't going to say anything. It was one thing when Manu was making $14 million a year, but they can't piss Manu off when he's the one doing the team the favor.

A 40 year old cannot possibly play in the summer and then another 82+ game season

It seems Manu has picked the jersey to go on retirement in. Not surprising

[Spurtacular]

Fitting that will probably be his last compe ion. I know in America it's not discussed much anymore but 2004 was one of the greatest achievements in sports history. You probably won't see it again in your lifetime...

No. The 2004 USA team was not a Dream Team.

[SpurPadre]

...this is his last season then. Unless he wants to come back after the all-star break next season.

[ElNono]

This will definitely be his goodbye with the NT... If I had to guess, he'll be back next season for the 2nd year of his deal with the Spurs, barring some major injury.

He clearly still has a lot left in the tank... and when your new star keeps talking how much easier the game is when he's out there, won't be surprised if the Spurs throw another extension at him when this deal is done, tbh

[Dex]

I don't necessarily think this means he's done as a Spur.

Agreed. Manu has ALWAYS wanted to play for his national team, even in his prime and when the Spurs counted on him as a main cog.

[wildbill2u]

I'm going to hope that this is just his farewell to an aging Argentine team that has had so much success under his leadership. A final get together of all those guys from Argentina that bonded so closely in Olympic play.

[Robz4000]

This will definitely be his goodbye with the NT... If I had to guess, he'll be back next season for the 2nd year of his deal with the Spurs, barring some major injury.

He clearly still has a lot left in the tank... and when your new star keeps talking how much easier the game is when he's out there, won't be surprised if the Spurs throw another extension at him when this deal is done, tbh

GOAT agent tbh.

[baseline bum]

This will definitely be his goodbye with the NT... If I had to guess, he'll be back next season for the 2nd year of his deal with the Spurs, barring some major injury.

He clearly still has a lot left in the tank... and when your new star keeps talking how much easier the game is when he's out there, won't be surprised if the Spurs throw another extension at him when this deal is done, tbh

Yeah man, I hope so. To have a player like Ginobili for $3 million is insane.

[Spurs Brazil]

Great news, I'll try to get tickets to see Manu play

[Pocho La Pantera]

Great news.

[SAGirl]

It is bittersweet bc it really might be his farewell tour whether it starts with Rio and gives us another season or whether truly this is it. No way a 40 yr. old can play all year, specially if we consider that Spurs want to be playing well into June (hopefully /fingers crossed). I feel like he wants to play as much as he can in his last active year and going out with no regrets.

[SAGirl]

Will drop this here. Don't want this to deviate into a political thread, I know all too well how easy that is here.
President Obama is a big Manu admirer. In a trip to Argentina, called him one of the best players in the world and a great champion.
http://news4sanantonio.com/sports/sp...s-in-the-world

[ElNono]

some quotes wrt this:

"I feel good. I made the jump mentally that I needed, that allows me, for example, to think about the national team in a different light. I'm an active player."

"When I said I was 98% sure I was done with the NT, it's because I thought I was retiring. The fact that I didn't retire, increased the chances to think about the national team, I'm a player that's still active. I don't have the same physical and mental wear and tear from last year. If I would've retired, then it would be a different story. My head at the time was going that route. Now is different, I feel good. That's why I told the coach that I'm available for the Olympics."

"As long as there's other players that you share so much with, everything is closer to you. I don't know, if the years go by and Luis (Scola), Chapu (Nocioni) or Pablo (Prigioni) are not there, that is, there's none of the guys I shared experiences with, it's not easy to be there. It's like you don't belong. It's true that you feel passion for the national team, you know you've been part of a lot of that history, but it's not the same. But as long as part of the group you've lived so many things with is still there, there will always be a good reason to be there"

[SAGirl]

some quotes wrt this:

"I feel good. I made the jump mentally that I needed, that allows me, for example, to think about the national team in a different light. I'm an active player."

"When I said I was 98% sure I was done with the NT, it's because I thought I was retiring. The fact that I didn't retire, increased the chances to think about the national team, I'm a player that's still active. I don't have the same physical and mental wear and tear from last year. If I would've retired, then it would be a different story. My head at the time was going that route. Now is different, I feel good. That's why I told the coach that I'm available for the Olympics."

"As long as there's other players that you share so much with, everything is closer to you. I don't know, if the years go by and Luis (Scola), Chapu (Nocioni) or Pablo (Prigioni) are not there, that is, there's none of the guys I shared experiences with, it's not easy to be there. It's like you don't belong. It's true that you feel passion for the national team, you know you've been part of a lot of that history, but it's not the same. But as long as part of the group you've lived so many things with is still there, there will always be a good reason to be there"

Definitely signals a change in his state of mind, and wow it also confirms that he really, really, really, was this close -->_<--- to calling it last season. Mentally he was probably prepared and might have given an inkling to the Spurs in that direction. It explains all the tears from Danny the end of last season, and why they moved Kawhi to be the centerpiece last season, to prepare him for this one, when they projected maybe Manu wasn't going to be around at least. And I really thought they had to persuade him.

I think all the help and the better roster has made it more fun for him and that he's clearly in better spirits. It also confirms that last season got to be a grind on him (Tim talked about that too).

I am happy for him, bc he really wanted to play for the NT last season, and he was bitter with Pop for being held out. I distinctly recall him mentioning that. So I am definitely happy that it wasn't his last chance. He had something special with the NT. (I didn't witness it, was too young, but its historic).

(wish there was a Manu emoticon, how come there is one of Boris?)

[phxspurfan]

GL Manu, hope you guys represent. It will be fun to watch for sure

[spursparker9]

Good bye Manu.

Thanks for the championships

[Kawhitstorm]

I hope they do well. If Kawhi doesn't make the Olympic roster somehow, I'll be rooting for them to win it all.

[DAF86]

NBA ring and bronze medal to got out on top.

[Duncanforthree]

He will be back. Unless we ring.

[DenialTwist]

bad mutha ...

Legend!
Argentina stunned the world when they beat Team USA.

[taps]

Hope Manu can just stay uninjured for this year's playoffs. If he comes back next year I don't see him playing for 22 months straight without injury, going by history compounded by age. He talked about his physical wear/tear from last year & that will definitely be a factor for 2017 PO if he comes back.

[benfti]

Probably wont be a Spur by this time

will be a Spur for all of time

[SAGirl]

Hope Manu can just stay uninjured for this year's playoffs. If he comes back next year I don't see him playing for 22 months straight without injury, going by history compounded by age. He talked about his physical wear/tear from last year & that will definitely be a factor for 2017 PO if he comes back.

I think he's retiring. The signs are there for the one who wants to see them. Obviously speculation either way you see it though.