New Manu Column

[Old School 44]

I know it's not really the Spurs way, but Manu needs to play one more year, announce that it's his final year, and have a farewell tour so to speak.

As fans, we need that moment at the AT&T Center where we know it's his final game, Pop puts him in for the final time, and the fans are raining chants of "MANU! MANU! MANU!",the fans are crying, Tim and the rest of the bench are glassy-eyed, and for one last time, Manu forgets he's 38, drives, eurosteps and rises up and ferociously jams the ball in traffic. "GINOBILI!!!" can be heard one last time from the TNT studios.

[Dex]

I know Gino is in his last legs and Tim probably has a couple of years left, if that, but I don't get the eagerness of some fans to want them to retire, tbh...

I'm 99% positive we stop being contenders when they go... and I doubt that's going to be a lot of fun...

I personally want Tim and Manu both to come back, although Manu's capacity will have to be even more limited if he chooses to return. And therein lies the rub, and why I understand the people who think Tim and/or Manu should hang them up.

It sucks watching your favorite players decline. It sucks watching them become s s of their former selves, and get to the point where their body just can't do what it used to do, or what their mind wills it to. It sucks when you are glad to see one of the Spurs legends go to the bench because they simply aren't getting it done.

We haven't witnessed this much with Tim (although that stretch from 09-11 was a scare), but we've definitely seen Manu regress. Until proven otherwise, we are also seeing the same thing with Parker. Would it be worth Duncan coming back if his body suddenly hits the wall and we have to watch him break down too?

That's all rhetoric, though, and Tim Duncan IS the Spurs at this point. Old Man Riverwalk needs to lace them up again.

[urunobili]

1 more year plz

[Gervin44Silas13]

Tim don't have a wife
he's ing Vanessa Macias

sounds to me like he want to retire but can't find the excuse to do it

Tim probably coming back, spurs wanting him back, his wife saying it's ok to come back...

[loveforthegame]

I know Gino is in his last legs and Tim probably has a couple of years left, if that, but I don't get the eagerness of some fans to want them to retire, tbh...

I'm 99% positive we stop being contenders when they go... and I doubt that's going to be a lot of fun...

BatManu20 and Dex summed up my feelings exactly. I don't think anyone is hoping with glee or happy about the possibility of one or both retiring. Duncan can clearly keep playing. Even a step slower he's one of the most productive players. Incredible at his age. OTOH, Manu's body can't keep up with his mind. It's tough on us fans so I can only imagine what it must do to him when he's one of the most compe ive players this sport has seen. His mind only knows one speed but his body can no longer keep up. That takes nothing away from his legacy.

It won't bother me if he comes back for one more ride if that's what he wants. It's a gamble either way. He continues to decline further or he has one more run left in the tank.

No one expects the transition to be smooth once those guys hang them up. But we are at a crossroads. At some point the move has to be made and hope the team can still be compe ive. Anyone expecting the same success the big 3 brought are setting themselves up for disappointment.

[hater]

I would like manu 1 more year for free ir for min.

But since scrub got a contract best thing for him is to retire

[Gervin44Silas13]

The only way I see Manu coming back would be for a limited role minimum minutes


It's a long shot but I wonder if Manu rests this OS and stays healthy do you guys think he could revert to 2014 Manu?

More than anything I think Manu put wear and tear on his body playing for Argentina....I think thats where his game started to decline

Great article

Thoughts ?

[Maddog]

Resign at the minimum- play him less early in the season. Aim for 60 games max. Was still somewhat effective this year.

I have serious doubts about Kyle Anderson's NBA potential so I'm not sure what we have to replace him with- Mills is more of a 2 guard

[BillMc]

Thanks EN. Sounds like Manu is leaning towards retiring and Tim is more in doubt than I though. But we can't really tell from one article. As EN said, we shouldn't be in any hurry to see them go. Case in point, I'm a Dolphins fan. And at the end of Marino's career there were some Miami fans who wanted Dan to retire, for younger blood to replace him. And the Fins haven't had good quartbacking since. When Manu and Tim really are gone we'll realize what we lost, no need to usher them out the door. Glad to hear Pop has unequivocally said he wants them back (though that is no surprise).

Throughout his career Manu's honesty in interviews are one of the many reasons he, along with Timmy, are my favorite Spurs.

[ElNono]

BatManu20 and Dex summed up my feelings exactly. I don't think anyone is hoping with glee or happy about the possibility of one or both retiring. Duncan can clearly keep playing. Even a step slower he's one of the most productive players. Incredible at his age. OTOH, Manu's body can't keep up with his mind. It's tough on us fans so I can only imagine what it must do to him when he's one of the most compe ive players this sport has seen. His mind only knows one speed but his body can no longer keep up. That takes nothing away from his legacy.

It won't bother me if he comes back for one more ride if that's what he wants. It's a gamble either way. He continues to decline further or he has one more run left in the tank.

No one expects the transition to be smooth once those guys hang them up. But we are at a crossroads. At some point the move has to be made and hope the team can still be compe ive. Anyone expecting the same success the big 3 brought are setting themselves up for disappointment.

I get the "I don't wanna see him drag his legs on the court" angle, but do you guys watch the rest of the league?

Gino at 38 is still a lot better than the Austin Rivers, Dion Waiters of the league. Heck, look at Wade. I mean, even if he throws 2 passes to front row every game, dude has been our 2nd leading assist man for years, even top assist guy against the Clippers. Not to mention he was still better than Beli defensively, which is crazy.

[ElNono]

I'm greedy. I want them back, even if it's a farewell tour. I still think they have a lot to give, on and off the court. Once they're gone, they're not coming back.

[MateoNeygro]

I want them both back. I will continue to support them both until they hang it up. Part of me (selfishly) wants them to announce it's their last year(when it's time) like Dave did just so we know. I want to be able to fully appreciate and enjoy the last time I'll watch them I guess? It's so strange to me to be talking retirement with these two because although I started as a Spurs fan with Dave, Avery, Del Negro, Elliott, mings ect. I'll always remember these guys better just because I'm older and understand more and they've just been so amazing. GSG Forever.

[sammy]

I know Gino is in his last legs and Tim probably has a couple of years left, if that, but I don't get the eagerness of some fans to want them to retire, tbh...

I'm 99% positive we stop being contenders when they go... and I doubt that's going to be a lot of fun...

I agree with you El Nono! I want them both back! For the idiots who want them to retire are a bunch of traitors! How can all of you forget what they gave us!

[RD2191]

I agree with you El Nono! I want them both back! For the idiots who want them to retire are a bunch of traitors! How can all of you forget what they gave us!

Lol. Calm down.

[kaji157]

My general feeling after reading that is that he'll probably talk to Tim a lot in the upcoming days... and I wouldn't be surprised if he comes back for one more run if Tim decides to come back too...

Same feeling here, i thought he was more inclined towards retirement. But that sentense there looked to me as if he and Tim are leaning towards one last shot if the franchise want them to continue.
I am almost sure than most of our FA would take a one year deal to join Tim and Manu in their last year.

[spursfanLA]

My main concern about Manu's game is his bad free throw percentage in 2015 season and playoffs. Manu used to be the most clutch player on Spurs and used to always make key free throws down the stretch. Him missing so many free throws says something wrong about his body and mind not being in basketball.

[spurs10]

I'm greedy. I want them back, even if it's a farewell tour. I still think they have a lot to give, on and off the court. Once they're gone, they're not coming back.

Absolutely!

[cd98]

At 38, I don't think Manu has anything left to prove. He will always be the most beloved Spur. He's even my son's favorite player, and he didn't really watch him until the last three seasons. That's how entertaining he is to watch. To be honest, I'd selfishly love him to reup, just not this summer. If I was his advisor, I'd have him take the fall off, and then sign with the Spurs for the vet minimum in January. Let him play his way into shape, and give Spur fans a few more months to get tickets and give him a proper good-bye. That said, if I were Manu, I don't know that I would give up seeing my family for six months for the veteran minimum. He's made his money, but some things money just can't buy.

[Chinook]

I'm fine with Manu being a mascot. But I don't want the Spurs spending cap space if they don't expect him to be a full-fledged rotation player. But Manu mentoring a young bench guard? Absolutely.

[Spursmania]

Great thread. Thanks for the translation EN.

I agree with Dex, BatManu20, loveforthegame and EN's thought on Timmy and Manu.
We'll just have to wait it out and see what happens. I'm hoping to enjoy the ride a little longer before we become first exit fodder for years....

[TD 21]

My general feeling after reading that is that he'll probably talk to Tim a lot in the upcoming days... and I wouldn't be surprised if he comes back for one more run if Tim decides to come back too...

I was thinking the same thing before I read this (despite my comments the past few weeks about his lack of focus, intensity, passion, etc.), but after reading this, he sounds like he wants to retire and is just waiting to see if he'll feel differently a few weeks removed from the season ending.

[weeks]

come back manu. just one more year...
i never got a chance to see you play in person.
if you come back for one more season i'll borrow, beg, or steal. by hook or crook, i will see you play on an NBA court before you disappear.
one more year manu!!!

[TMTTRIO]

I would like to see him at least come back for a good bye tour instead of the way it ended and he left. I know people don't like the way he plays anymore but I still think he can be a contributor. One thing I've noticed this past season is he does a lot more coaching off the sidelines than people realize. I've seen him give advice to all the young/new guys during the timeouts and when Pop is talking to his assistants during timeouts I notice he's already sitting there and giving the team a talk before Pop gets back. People think he can easily be replaced. His skil lset probably can get replaced but how many really talented guys who know can be starters elsewhere and be a star are willing to come off the bench for the good of the team.

[SnakeBoy]

Why? The lottery is no fun.

Yeah but the ST meltdowns will be.

[DMC]

Manu needs to be on with Ernie and Charles and Kenny, get rid of Shaq. Manu would bring in the Hispanic crowd, he could say some Hispanic stuff like "mi amigo" or "con dios" or something like that when someone dunks... and Chuck could yell "Ginobili" when Manu finishes his presentation.

You could at least understand what Manu is saying.