I never even think of playing soccer.
— Manu Ginobili
I know I'm not the most orthodox kind of player. I just feel normal being like that.
You try to get the best shots possible, try to find the open teammate.
I bet it isn't easy to have each one of you moves overanalyzed.
I played until I felt like it. Some have to retire due to injuries or other issues ahead of time. But I played until I was 40 years old.
That is what I'm going to remember when I retire, the rings I have. Not the fact I played 28 minutes or 33 or my name being called in the starting lineup.
Sometimes having good games. Sometimes bad ones. Sometimes making shots, and sometimes not. I'm the same guy, and I always said that winning the championship or not winning it, scoring 20 the last game or second-to-last or whatever, or zero, is not going to change who I am or the decision I make.
The way I played, the way my body was all over the place, not thinking about being careful for the next game or anything like that, I think fans liked it.
When you can't dunk anymore, you have to find a way to make it into the news.
I've said before I play every season as if it's the last one.
I've been very lucky to play with so many gifted players.
It's not like I was a one-of-a-kind talented guy at 18 who made it to the NBA and have been playing in All-Star Games ever since.
Not one Argentinian in history had made it to the NBA. So why was it going to be me? There was no way me or anyone that was near me could ever envision a career like this.
It's easy to remember the wins, the good moments, the highs.
What the Food Bank does is unbelievable to me.
I'm way more worried on my future well-being, and my kids, and my family, where we are going to live and what we are going to do, than what is going to happen with the Spurs. With all due respect, of course. I love the franchise, and I'm probably going to be attached in some way.
What I don't miss is the travelling, the late games, the back-to-backs, the not being able to sleep well. Being tired or sore, I don't miss that part at all.
My city was very basketball-minded so I was born playing basketball and I didn't like playing soccer that much.
I've never been a great shooter. I'm not a regular foreigner player.
We all wish to be healthy all the time, and it doesn't happen like that.
Myself and Tony Parker must be aggressive and attack the rim, because when we do so, we are at our best, and that opens up perimeter opportunities.
I want the best for the Spurs.
I really don't care about coming from the bench if that helps the team to win a championship.
Even the bad moments, the tough ones, I'm proud of them, too. Those moments get you better, smarter, make you grow.
Forever is a very wide word, but I'll be connected to the Spurs, if not contractually at least emotionally.
I just play the game the only way I know. And I have no regrets.
We left, I think, a footprint in FIBA basketball. Proud of it.
The Madison Square Garden is a great arena to play at.
I have a real sense of appreciation of being in the NBA with all that I'd gone through.
The game gave me so much, I am in debt forever.
Sometimes you play and you think you're doing one thing, and then you don't. The coaches are the ones who see it the best way.
You learn from losses and enjoy the every day, too.
It depends a lot on the character of the players, how you respond under pressure.
What I miss the most is the locker room, the dinners after the games. The preparation, the sense of going out there and be a team.
Every time we play, we want to win, that's for sure. It may be the World Championship, the Olympics, the NBA Championship or the South American Championship, but we always want to win.
It's a different thing when you play on a team that has to win, that doesn't consider it a good year unless you win the championship.
I think Wade is more explosive than I am. He is very tough to cover with his explosiveness, but I started doing the Euro-Step before he did.
I played because I loved doing it, out of respect and appreciation.
I just consider myself a player, a team player.
If I'm not playing good, it's just because I'm not playing good, not because my body is limiting me.
Well, the Argentinians are very attached to their athletes, and you know, there are some cities with a big Argentinean community. Miami is the main one for sure, Orlando, Houston, Denver.
When I got to the league, nobody knew me.
I'm a very lucky man.
I learned from many players over the years.
Always been very comfortable and happy with my role with the Spurs.
I started playing pro in Argentina. Then I went to second division in Italy. Then after a lot of work, I made it to first division. And at 25, I got here in the NBA.
Even the bad moments, I'm proud of them too.
If you take going to the bench as a demotion or something that's terrible, you start with a bad attitude.
It's not always about winning a game or winning a championship.
Playing 16 years is completely unexpected and going through everything we went through. Big disappointments, huge wins, creating that type of union with the coaching staff, with the front office, with the staff, teammates. It's been an amazing journey, way beyond anything that can be expected.
