We're still up 23 on them. That hasn't changed for me too Manu.![]()
I have to avoid making any decisions in the heat of the moment
SAN ANTONIO.- Honestly, everything was very weird. I felt like I was getting a tribute and I didn't know what to do, because I never announced anything and I haven't decided anything yet. When somebody would come along to tell me 'it was a pleasure to play with you' or 'it was an honor to play with you', it's like I was out of words. It's clear I'm fairly close to retirement and it's certainly a possibility, but I didn't get to the game expecting anything like that. I thought that by not saying anything about it would protect me from a situation like that. It was a mix of emotions. I think if I had already decided, it would've been a devastating blow, because I would've probably started crying right there and then. But because the situation is different, I didn't know how to react to what happened in the arena.
They were strange moments. Even heading to the bench when Pop subbed me out. I laughed a lot with Patty (Mills). He waited a minute or two, not sure how many, and he told something like... "why are they applauding so much? don't they know you're playing 3 more seasons?". I looked at him and I gestured that I didn't know what was going on. I made jokes that I was negotiating a 3 year deal, so he took it from there and played with it. The whole thing was hilarious.
Even Pop jumped right at it. When the people were chanting my name, he looked at me and told me to go back in. I think I had already taken my shoes off... I just looked at him. It was a good joke, because I was destroyed, I tried to not to show my general tiredness and pain. Once he sent me to the bench, I shut off. Pop told me I was going to play a lot, and he told me to prepare for that. I knew I was going to end up playing more than usual.
I know everybody is interested to know something that's not clear to me at this point. I think there was a lot of chatter about me this year, and not so much last year because Tim (Duncan) was in the same situation. So, whatever I decided then was obviously on a secondary level. Nevertheless, neither of us had said anything by the series' end, and it could've happened that I could've retired, or him or both. I felt that whatever I decided last year wasn't going to be very important. It's also real that last year I was more oriented towards continuing, although I didn't make a decision at that point because I understood I had to let a few weeks go by before deciding. And now it's the same thing: I have to avoid making any decisions in the heat of the moment, and let the emotions and frustrations go by for a while. We'll see what's going to happen now, but if the whole thing was set up to say goodbye, from Pop, to the people to my teammates, and even the opposite team, maybe they know something I don't.
It's also real that among the decision I make, there are matters that go beyond whether I have enough to keep going. I have to talk to the family, while I understand that with Many (Oroņo) we're not going to be debating this every day. We're probably going to talk about it in a given moment. Last year she said she would support me in anything I decide and I suppose this year won't me much different, I'm not expecting any surprises there. But realistically, we haven't talked much about it, because it wasn't time yet. At times during the season, when things don't go your way, you start thinking 'this is the end', when things go your way, you think 'why not?'. Now I'm going to take a good family vacation, we'll travel a lot, clean up my mind, and once we regroup, I'll probably have some idea what I want to do.
I feel there's more pressure from the surrounding environment than from anything I've said. If it'd be up to me, I wouldn't talk about it anymore because it looks like I've been retiring the past 3 years, but the reality is that I never retired. Time goes by and I get older, that's why there's some people that appear to assume that the moment is here for me to stop playing. It looks like I'm flirting with this whole retirement thing, but I only talk about it because people ask me about it. Otherwise, it would be a topic I wouldn't talk about.
What's clear to me is that this is a very personal decision, it's not just a matter of 'you can still help' or 'you still have some left in the tank'. I think I could keep going, because I could even play 5 mins a game if needed be. What's really going on is that this is a mental thing, to know if I want to put up with another whole season, start another preseason... it's a lot of things.
And honestly, after losing to the Warriors I went home and rested very well. They're the easiest losses to deal with. I had no regrets, we gave everything we had. It wasn't enough because they're better than us. We would've loved to take on them in different cir stances. But when plays out like this, I don't get too upset about it.
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Original in Spanish here:
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2026733-d...es-en-caliente
We're still up 23 on them. That hasn't changed for me too Manu.![]()
Kind of sounds like he feels he's being pushed out a little.
He's coming back, tbh..
Feels like Manu is encouraged by is own play to finish the postseason and still think he got something left in the tank along with sense of unfinished business the Kawhi injury provides to the team..
Best case scenario: TP and Manu announce prior to 2018 playoffs that this is IT for both..
Nono, thanks once again for the Manu update and translation!I really hope he comes back. Obviously he can still play great in short stints and still holds one of the keys to our offense while providing the 'heart' that most players just don't have. He is a fierce compe or and a of a writer. Funny article.
to me it sound like he'll be back and I don't mind it.
No pressure! It's not like you have a gigantic cap hold or anything. Just hang em up TOSB
It seems that we gonna have Manu one more year. He should make it and annouce his retire after 2018 season, retiring playing at good level is the better choice.
Pops slobbering Golden State is par for his course. Zero surprise there.
But Kawhi when asked about Goon Phuck Zaza saying before tape review "He was just contesting" and then after viewing "mmmm I'm just thinking about the next game".
And now this.
Highly disturbing.
Come back Manu! You can still help our team! You are the heart and soul of this team and your court vision is just outstanding!
Manu is a badass warrior and he is not ready to retire. He wants to play and to compete another season.
if leonard was healthy I know he would retire. I am not sure because I think he thought they had a shot at winning it all this year
One more year, just to watch the haters about it.
I got the same feeling right when the cheers started; it really hit when Patty jovially asked him "why is everyone standing up?". It was sort of cringy, especially considering he was one of our best contributors during these playoffs.
The reverse jinx...
Of course he's coming back. The Spurs are holding out for 2018. Plus, the salary cap has never been higher and like last year, Ginobili wants a piece of that. First order of business is to call Brett Brown in Philly and have him offer up an obnoxious 1 year 18M/ deal so he can look like a hero when he accepts RC's offers of 1 year 15M. And this year, when the Spurs fly over the salary cap to pay Ginobili, he'll only cost them the MLE.
If Ginobili is the heart and soul of the team, what does that make Leonard? Slave labor?
I would give me right arm for Manu to play one more season!
Undeserving "fans" smh
Who would have thought Manu would retire after Parker, tbh?...
Yeah it definetly feels like he feels that they are pushing him out. Every announcer NBA writer player everyone was giving his respects. I never seen anything like that for a player that never announced his retirement. Paul Pierce announced his retirement and still didn't get an ovation like that. EVERYONE was talking about him during and after the game.
Manu needs an argentine teammate to play a whole season, then he will retire.
I would give your right arm too. Thanks for the great decision of a true fan.
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