{"id":16201,"date":"2018-09-03T06:11:04","date_gmt":"2018-09-03T11:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=16201"},"modified":"2018-09-03T06:11:04","modified_gmt":"2018-09-03T11:11:04","slug":"the-san-antonio-spurs-manu-ginobili-announces-his-retirement-from-the-nba-after-16-seasons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=16201","title":{"rendered":"The San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili Announces His Retirement From The NBA After 16 Seasons"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"“Today, with a wide range of feelings, I’m announcing my retirement from basketball,” he said in a tweet. “It’s been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ginobili, a future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, had been working out regularly at the Spurs’ practice facility as he considered his decision to retire.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Spurs had been hopeful that Ginobili would want to return for a 17th season and allowed him to take all the time he needed to decide. The team thanked Ginobili in a tweet and video Monday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Manu was the first of his kind. Whereas Duncan was The Big Fundamental, Ginobili was <\/strong>The Big Risk. His wild forays into the paint could turn into art or a hair-pulling turnover at any moment. In the postseason, Ginobili was a clutch performer who experienced life-changing highs and devastating lows. The foul on Dirk in the 2006 West Semis. Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. Redemption in the 2014 Finals. The 2004 Olympic semifinal against the U.S. Ginobili\u2019s career is littered with moments that will be ingrained in basketball lore, from his imitation-spawning <\/strong>eurostep to his bat-catching abilities. Manu was a gamer, and for every play that made you scream at your television, he made 20 more that made you throw your arms up in disbelief.<\/strong><\/p>\n

His decision brings a historic 16-season run with the Spurs to an end. He is one of the most decorated international players in basketball history, a four-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist for Argentina and a Euroleague MVP.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ginobili played 1,057 regular-season and 218 playoff games with the Spurs, ranking in the franchise’s top five <\/strong>all time in games, points (14,043), assists (4,001) and steals (1,392). He averaged 8.9 points and 20 minutes a game for the Spurs last season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ginobili had one year left on his contract, worth $2.5 million.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emanuel David Gin\u00f3bili (born 28 July 1977) is an Argentine<\/a> retired professional basketball<\/a> player. A four-time NBA champion, Gin\u00f3bili was a member of the Spurs’ ‘Big Three<\/a>‘ with Tim Duncan<\/a> and Tony Parker<\/a> from his debut in the NBA in 2002, to Duncan’s retirement in 2016. He is one of only two players, along with Bill Bradley<\/a>, to have won a EuroLeague<\/a> title, an NBA championship<\/a>, and an Olympic<\/a> gold medal.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gin\u00f3bili comes from a family of professional basketball players. He spent the early part of his basketball career in Argentina<\/a> and Italy, where he holds dual <\/strong>citizenship, and won several individual and team honors<\/a>. His stint with Italian side Kinder Bologna<\/a> was particularly productive; he won two Italian League MVP<\/a> awards, the EuroLeague Finals MVP<\/a> and the 2001 EuroLeague championship and Triple Crown<\/a>. Selected as the 57th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft<\/a>, Gin\u00f3bili joined the Spurs in 2002, and soon became a key player for the team. In addition to his four NBA championships, Gin\u00f3bili was named an All-Star<\/a> in 2005 and <\/strong>2011, and has been selected twice for the All-NBA Team<\/a>. In 2007\u201308<\/a>, he was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year<\/a>. Gin\u00f3bili announced his retirement on 27 August 2018.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gin\u00f3bili made his professional debut in the Argentine basketball league<\/a> for the Andino <\/strong>Sport Club team of La Rioja<\/a> from 1995\u2013<\/strong>1996, and was traded to Estudiantes de Bah\u00eda Blanca<\/a> the next year.<\/sup> He played with his hometown team until 1998.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"The Argentine moved to Europe to spend the 1998\u20131999 and 1999\u20132000 seasons with Italian team Basket Viola Reggio Calabria<\/a>.\u00a0 In 1999, he teamed with Brent Scott<\/a>, Brian Oliver<\/a> <\/strong>and Sydney Johnson<\/a> to earn promotion<\/a> from the Italian 2nd Division<\/a> to the Italian 1st Division<\/a>.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gin\u00f3bili then entered the 1999 NBA draft<\/a> and the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> selected him late in the second round with the 57th overall pick. However, he did not sign with the Spurs at this point. Instead, he returned to Italy to play for Kinder Bologna<\/a>, which he helped win the 2001 Italian League Championship, the 2001 and 2002 Italian Cups<\/a>, and the 2001 EuroLeague<\/a>, where he was named the Euroleague 2000\u201301<\/a> EuroLeague Finals MVP<\/a>. He was also named the Italian League MVP<\/a> in 2000\u201301 and 2001\u201302, and made the Italian League’s All-Star Game<\/a> three times during this period.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

At the 2002 FIBA World Championship<\/a> in Indianapolis<\/a>, Gin\u00f3bili made the All-Tournament team alongside future NBA star Yao Ming<\/a> and established NBA stars Dirk Nowitzki<\/a> and Peja Stojakovi\u0107<\/a>, and helped lead Argentina to a second-place finish.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>San Antonio Spurs (2002\u20132018)<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/span>Early NBA career and first championship (2002\u20132004)<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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Gin\u00f3bili was drafted by the Spurs as the 57th pick (second to last) in the 1999 NBA draft<\/a>.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Argentine joined the Spurs for the 2002\u201303 NBA season<\/a>, where he played backup for veteran guard Steve Smith<\/a>. He spent much of the early season <\/strong>injured, and found it hard to adjust to the NBA’s style of play. As his injury improved, so did Gin\u00f3bili, winning the Western Conference<\/a> Rookie of the Month in March, and being named to the All-Rookie Second Team at the end of the season.\u00a0 Still, he only started in five games as the Spurs chalked up a 60\u201322 regular season <\/strong>win\u2013loss record.\u00a0 <\/sup> The Spurs then entered the playoffs<\/a> eager to upend the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>, at which point Gin\u00f3bili rose to prominence.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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I told Timmy<\/a>, ‘This guy is coming, and nobody in the U.S. knows how good he is.’ And Timmy gave me that whole raised eyebrow thing he does.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In contrast to his regular season, Gin\u00f3bili became an integral part of Gregg Popovich<\/a>‘s rotational set up in the playoffs, playing in every game. The Spurs eliminated Phoenix and Los Angeles and in those games his scoring threat took opponents by surprise, giving them one more thing to cope with against the now highly favored Spurs. He helped guide them past the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> in the Western Conference Finals and then the New Jersey Nets<\/a> in the Finals<\/a>, securing San Antonio’s second championship. After the win, Gin\u00f3bili won his first Olimpia de Oro<\/a><\/i> (“Golden Olympia”) as Argentina’s sportsperson of the <\/strong>year, and met Argentine president N\u00e9stor Kirchner<\/a>. A gym in Bah\u00eda Blanca was dedicated in Gin\u00f3bili’s honor as well.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the 2003\u201304 season<\/a>, the Spurs began featuring Gin\u00f3bili more regularly, starting him in half of the 77 regular season games in which he played. His statistics improved in all major categories, as he averaged 12.8 points<\/a>, 4.5 rebounds<\/a>, 3.8 assists<\/a> and 1.8 steals<\/a> per game. During the 2004 playoffs<\/a>, the Spurs met their perennial rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, in the Western Conference Semifinals. Following Game 5 where Derek Fisher<\/a> scored a buzzer-beating<\/a> jump shot<\/a>,<\/sup> the Spurs lost Game 6 and the series 4\u20132. While Gin\u00f3bili did not start in a single playoff game as he did in 2003, his playoff statistics improved significantly, with 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>Peak years; second and third championships (2004\u20132011)<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Gin\u00f3bili met then-President of Argentina N\u00e9stor Kirchner<\/a> following the 2005 NBA Finals<\/a>.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

After some initial issues with San Antonio over his contract, Gin\u00f3bili re-signed with the Spurs and started every game during the 2004\u201305 season<\/a>.\u00a0 This was his best season yet as he was selected as a reserve by NBA coaches to the 2005 Western Conference All-Star<\/a> team, marking his debut in the elite mid-season showcase. During the playoffs<\/a>, Gin\u00f3bili’s play was pivotal to winning San Antonio’s third championship. The Spurs first defeated Phoenix 4\u20131 in the Conference Finals, before prevailing in a very defensive oriented seven-game series against the Detroit Pistons<\/a>. Gin\u00f3bili recorded career-highs in his playoff numbers, most notably 20.8 ppg and 5.8 <\/strong>rpg, and had the third highest point total in the entire playoffs. In the NBA Finals MVP Award<\/a> voting, the shooting guard was a candidate but was edged out by teammate and captain Tim Duncan<\/a>.<\/sup> The former finished the 2004\u201305 season as the second leading scorer on the team. During the season, he became only the fourth person to win consecutive Olimpias de Oro<\/i>, this time sharing the award with soccer star Carlos T\u00e9vez<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2005\u201306 season<\/a> was an injury-plagued one for Gin\u00f3bili, who suffered foot and ankle injuries that hindered his ability to play. He managed 65 games in the regular <\/strong>season, but saw a dip in major statistics as compared to the previous season. During the playoffs<\/a>, he returned to <\/strong>form, but was unable to prevent the Spurs from being eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the Conference Semifinals.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the 2006\u201307 season<\/a>, the Spurs lacked energy from their reserves and Gin\u00f3bili provided it by coming off the bench for most of the second half of the season helping the Spurs attain the best record in the second half of the season. Gin\u00f3bili produced numbers closely identical to his successful 2004\u201305 campaign despite starting in only 36 of 75 games, his second lowest since arriving at San Antonio. The 2007 NBA Playoffs<\/a> saw him help the Spurs to defeat the Denver Nuggets<\/a>, Phoenix Suns<\/a> and Utah Jazz<\/a>, before sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> to win his third and San Antonio’s fourth championship.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gin\u00f3bili was to play an even bigger role for the Spurs the following season, reaching <\/strong>career high averages in points, rebounds, assists, and three-point field goal percentage.\u00a0 On 11 February 2008, Gin\u00f3bili scored 34 points and recorded 15 rebounds in a 93\u201388 win over the Toronto Raptors<\/a>, becoming the first guard in Spurs’ history to have at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in a game. On 21 April 2008, the NBA announced that Gin\u00f3bili had won the 2008 Sixth Man Award<\/a>, winning 123 out of the 124 <\/strong>first place votes.\u00a0 Ginobili had a statline of 19.5 Points, 4.5 Assists, and 4.8 rebounds on .460 shooting averaging 31.1 Minutes. Only a couple of weeks later, the Argentine was also named to the All-NBA<\/a> Third Team.\u00a0 In the playoffs<\/a>, the Spurs defeated the Suns 4\u20131 in the first round,<\/sup> Gin\u00f3bili was moved to the starting lineup in the second round against the New Orleans Hornets<\/a> after the Spurs lost the first two road games. San Antonio eventually prevailed in seven games, the Argentine played another strong series, leading the Spurs in points and assists per game (21.3 and 6.0 respectively). However, San Antonio lost to arch-rivals Los Angeles Lakers in the Conference Finals in five games, and once again failed to capture back-to-back NBA championships.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The following season<\/a>, Gin\u00f3bili was injured for most of the campaign, managing only 44 regular season games and missing the 2009 NBA Playoffs<\/a> entirely. San Antonio qualified for the playoffs as the third seed with a 54\u201328 record,<\/sup> but with an aging supporting cast (Bowen, Michael Finley<\/a> and Kurt Thomas<\/a> were all in their late 30s), the Spurs were only considered fringe contenders for the championship. As it turned out, the strong play of Duncan and Tony Parker<\/a> were not enough to help the Spurs avoid a 4\u20131 defeat by Dallas, and the Spurs were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2000.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On 31 October 2009, in a game against the Sacramento Kings<\/a>, a bat<\/a> descended onto the court at the AT&T Center<\/a>, causing a stoppage of play. As the bat flew past, Gin\u00f3bili swatted the bat to the ground with his hand. He then carried the creature off the court, earning the applause of the crowd.[38]<\/a><\/sup> On 9 April 2010, the Spurs and Gin\u00f3bili agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract extension through the 2012\u201313 season.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2010\u201311, Ginobili was the key player of his team, even being proposed by several for the MVP of the regular season[40]<\/a><\/sup>[41]<\/a><\/sup>[42]<\/a><\/sup>, which would occupy the eighth position.<\/sup> But he got injured in the last game before the playoffs. Despite missing the first game and then playing semi-injured, Manu averaged 20.6 points and 4.2 assists during the series against Memphis Grizzlies<\/a>, scoring 33 points in Game 5. But it was not enough for his team was eliminated in the first round after 6 games. Gin\u00f3bili was named an NBA All-Star<\/a> for the second time in his career and also was named to the All-NBA third team.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>Later career (2011\u20132018)<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

In the lockout-shortened 2011\u201312, Gin\u00f3bili helped the Spurs go 50\u201316, as they advanced through to the Western Conference Finals, where they were defeated 4\u20132 by the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a>. In game 5 of the series, Gin\u00f3bili had a 34-point effort.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2012\u201313<\/a>, the Spurs advanced to the NBA Finals<\/a>, where they faced the Miami Heat<\/a>. In game 5 of the series, Gin\u00f3bili scored a season-high 24 points, as the Spurs went up 3\u20132. However, they went on to lose games 6 and 7 to lose the series in seven games.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On 11 July 2013, Gin\u00f3bili re-signed with the Spurs on a two-year deal. <\/sup> In 2013\u201314<\/a>, the Spurs had a league-best 62\u201320 record. Gin\u00f3bili finished third in the voting for Sixth Man of the Year. In game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder, Duncan-Gin\u00f3bili-Parker won their 110th career game in the playoffs, matching Magic Johnson<\/a>, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar<\/a> and Michael Cooper<\/a> from the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>. The Spurs reached the NBA Finals<\/a> again, where they faced the Heat for the second year in a row. This time, they dominated the series, winning 4\u20131 to claim that franchise’s fifth championship; Gin\u00f3bili won his fourth championship as a Spur.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On 20 July 2015, Gin\u00f3bili re-signed with the Spurs.<\/sup> On 14 January 2016, in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a>, Gin\u00f3bili played his 900th NBA game, all with the Spurs. On 4 February, he underwent surgery after suffering a testicular injury in the Spurs’ win over the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a> the previous night. He was subsequently sidelined for one month. He returned to the action on 5 March, after missing 12 games with the injury, scoring 22 points in 15 minutes against the Sacramento Kings.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On 14 July 2016, Gin\u00f3bili re-signed with the Spurs.<\/sup> On 9 November 2016, in a loss to the Houston Rockets, Gin\u00f3bili became the 15th second-rounder to reach 13,000 points and joined Rashard Lewis<\/a> as the only second round draft picks in NBA history with 13,000 career points and at least 1,300 three-pointers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In game 5 of the 2017 Western Conference Semifinals against Houston, Gin\u00f3bili blocked James Harden’s shot in the closing seconds to help San Antonio to a 110-107 victory.<\/sup> In game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against Golden State Warriors<\/a>, Gin\u00f3bili became the first player at the age of 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

9 to score 20 or more points off the bench in a playoff game since the NBA began recording starts in the 1970\u201371 NBA season<\/a>.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

On 24 August 2017, Gin\u00f3bili re-signed with the Spurs.<\/sup> In January 2018, he became the only player in NBA history to have multiple 20-point games off the bench at age 40 or older. He also became the first player in his 40s to score 15-plus points in back-to-back games since Michael Jordan<\/a> in 2002\u201303. On 28 January against the Sacramento Kings<\/a>, Gin\u00f3bili and Vince Carter<\/a> scored 21 and 15 points respectively; it was the first game in NBA history where two players over the age of 40 scored more than 15 points. On 29 March 2018, in a 103\u201399 win over the Thunder, Ginobili became the Spurs’ career leader in steals, passing David Robinson<\/a> (1,388) for the franchise record. In game 4 of the Spurs’ <\/strong>first round playoff series against the Warriors, Gin\u00f3bili played in his 217th playoff game, breaking a tie with Shaquille O’Neal<\/a> for sixth in league history. Gin\u00f3bili also passed Reggie Miller<\/a> for third in career 3-pointers in playoff history. The Spurs lost to the Warriors in five games.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On 27 August 2018, Gin\u00f3bili announced his retirement.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

Career statistics<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Regular season<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/tfoot>\n<\/table>\n

Playoffs<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Year<\/strong><\/th>\nTeam<\/strong><\/th>\nGP<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nGS<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nMPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nFG%<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\n3P%<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nFT%<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nRPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nAPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nSPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nBPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nPPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2002\u201303<\/a>\u2020<\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n69<\/strong><\/td>\n5<\/strong><\/td>\n20.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.438<\/strong><\/td>\n.345<\/strong><\/td>\n.737<\/strong><\/td>\n2.3<\/strong><\/td>\n2.0<\/strong><\/td>\n1.4<\/strong><\/td>\n.2<\/strong><\/td>\n7.6<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2003\u201304<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n77<\/strong><\/td>\n38<\/strong><\/td>\n29.4<\/strong><\/td>\n.418<\/strong><\/td>\n.359<\/strong><\/td>\n.802<\/strong><\/td>\n4.5<\/strong><\/td>\n3.8<\/strong><\/td>\n1.8<\/strong><\/td>\n.2<\/strong><\/td>\n12.8<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2004\u201305<\/a>\u2020<\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n74<\/strong><\/td>\n74<\/strong><\/td>\n29.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.471<\/strong><\/td>\n.376<\/strong><\/td>\n.803<\/strong><\/td>\n4.4<\/strong><\/td>\n3.9<\/strong><\/td>\n1.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.4<\/strong><\/td>\n16.0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2005\u201306<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n65<\/strong><\/td>\n56<\/strong><\/td>\n27.9<\/strong><\/td>\n.462<\/strong><\/td>\n.382<\/strong><\/td>\n.778<\/strong><\/td>\n3.5<\/strong><\/td>\n3.6<\/strong><\/td>\n1.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.4<\/strong><\/td>\n15.1<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2006\u201307<\/a>\u2020<\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n75<\/strong><\/td>\n36<\/strong><\/td>\n27.5<\/strong><\/td>\n.464<\/strong><\/td>\n.396<\/strong><\/td>\n.860<\/strong><\/td>\n4.4<\/strong><\/td>\n3.5<\/strong><\/td>\n1.5<\/strong><\/td>\n.4<\/strong><\/td>\n16.5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2007\u201308<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n74<\/strong><\/td>\n23<\/strong><\/td>\n31.0<\/strong><\/td>\n.460<\/strong><\/td>\n.401<\/strong><\/td>\n.860<\/strong><\/td>\n4.8<\/strong><\/td>\n4.5<\/strong><\/td>\n1.5<\/strong><\/td>\n.4<\/strong><\/td>\n19.5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008\u201309<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n44<\/strong><\/td>\n7<\/strong><\/td>\n26.8<\/strong><\/td>\n.454<\/strong><\/td>\n.330<\/strong><\/td>\n.884<\/strong><\/td>\n4.5<\/strong><\/td>\n3.6<\/strong><\/td>\n1.5<\/strong><\/td>\n.4<\/strong><\/td>\n15.5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009\u201310<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n75<\/strong><\/td>\n21<\/strong><\/td>\n28.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.441<\/strong><\/td>\n.377<\/strong><\/td>\n.870<\/strong><\/td>\n3.8<\/strong><\/td>\n4.9<\/strong><\/td>\n1.4<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n16.5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2010\u201311<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n80<\/strong><\/td>\n79<\/strong><\/td>\n30.3<\/strong><\/td>\n.433<\/strong><\/td>\n.349<\/strong><\/td>\n.871<\/strong><\/td>\n3.7<\/strong><\/td>\n4.9<\/strong><\/td>\n1.5<\/strong><\/td>\n.4<\/strong><\/td>\n17.4<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2011\u201312<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n34<\/strong><\/td>\n7<\/strong><\/td>\n23.3<\/strong><\/td>\n.526<\/strong><\/td>\n.413<\/strong><\/td>\n.871<\/strong><\/td>\n3.4<\/strong><\/td>\n4.4<\/strong><\/td>\n.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.4<\/strong><\/td>\n12.9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2012\u201313<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n60<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n23.2<\/strong><\/td>\n.425<\/strong><\/td>\n.353<\/strong><\/td>\n.796<\/strong><\/td>\n3.4<\/strong><\/td>\n4.6<\/strong><\/td>\n1.3<\/strong><\/td>\n.2<\/strong><\/td>\n11.8<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2013\u201314<\/a>\u2020<\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n68<\/strong><\/td>\n3<\/strong><\/td>\n22.8<\/strong><\/td>\n.469<\/strong><\/td>\n.349<\/strong><\/td>\n.851<\/strong><\/td>\n3.0<\/strong><\/td>\n4.3<\/strong><\/td>\n1.0<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n12.3<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2014\u201315<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n70<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n22.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.426<\/strong><\/td>\n.345<\/strong><\/td>\n.721<\/strong><\/td>\n3.0<\/strong><\/td>\n4.2<\/strong><\/td>\n1.0<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n10.5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2015\u201316<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n58<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n19.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.453<\/strong><\/td>\n.391<\/strong><\/td>\n.813<\/strong><\/td>\n2.5<\/strong><\/td>\n3.1<\/strong><\/td>\n1.1<\/strong><\/td>\n.2<\/strong><\/td>\n9.6<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2016\u201317<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n69<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n18.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.390<\/strong><\/td>\n.392<\/strong><\/td>\n.804<\/strong><\/td>\n2.3<\/strong><\/td>\n2.7<\/strong><\/td>\n1.2<\/strong><\/td>\n.2<\/strong><\/td>\n7.5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2017\u201318<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n65<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n20.0<\/strong><\/td>\n.434<\/strong><\/td>\n.333<\/strong><\/td>\n.840<\/strong><\/td>\n2.2<\/strong><\/td>\n2.5<\/strong><\/td>\n.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.2<\/strong><\/td>\n8.9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Career<\/strong><\/td>\n1,057<\/strong><\/td>\n349<\/strong><\/td>\n25.4<\/strong><\/td>\n.447<\/strong><\/td>\n.369<\/strong><\/td>\n.827<\/strong><\/td>\n3.5<\/strong><\/td>\n3.8<\/strong><\/td>\n1.3<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n13.3<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
All-Star<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n21.0<\/strong><\/td>\n.385<\/strong><\/td>\n.000<\/strong><\/td>\n.833<\/strong><\/td>\n3.0<\/strong><\/td>\n3.0<\/strong><\/td>\n2.0<\/strong><\/td>\n.5<\/strong><\/td>\n7.5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/tfoot>\n<\/table>\n

EuroLeague<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Year<\/strong><\/th>\nTeam<\/strong><\/th>\nGP<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nGS<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nMPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nFG%<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\n3P%<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nFT%<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nRPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nAPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nSPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nBPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nPPG<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2003<\/a>\u2020<\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n24<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n27.5<\/strong><\/td>\n.386<\/strong><\/td>\n.384<\/strong><\/td>\n.757<\/strong><\/td>\n3.8<\/strong><\/td>\n2.9<\/strong><\/td>\n1.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.4<\/strong><\/td>\n9.4<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2004<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n10<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n28.0<\/strong><\/td>\n.447<\/strong><\/td>\n.286<\/strong><\/td>\n.818<\/strong><\/td>\n5.3<\/strong><\/td>\n3.1<\/strong><\/td>\n1.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.1<\/strong><\/td>\n13.0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2005<\/a>\u2020<\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n23<\/strong><\/td>\n15<\/strong><\/td>\n33.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.507<\/strong><\/td>\n.438<\/strong><\/td>\n.795<\/strong><\/td>\n5.8<\/strong><\/td>\n4.2<\/strong><\/td>\n1.2<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n20.8<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2006<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n13<\/strong><\/td>\n11<\/strong><\/td>\n32.8<\/strong><\/td>\n.484<\/strong><\/td>\n.333<\/strong><\/td>\n.839<\/strong><\/td>\n4.5<\/strong><\/td>\n3.0<\/strong><\/td>\n1.5<\/strong><\/td>\n.5<\/strong><\/td>\n18.4<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2007<\/a>\u2020<\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n20<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n30.1<\/strong><\/td>\n.401<\/strong><\/td>\n.384<\/strong><\/td>\n.836<\/strong><\/td>\n5.5<\/strong><\/td>\n3.7<\/strong><\/td>\n1.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.2<\/strong><\/td>\n16.7<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n17<\/strong><\/td>\n6<\/strong><\/td>\n32.9<\/strong><\/td>\n.422<\/strong><\/td>\n.373<\/strong><\/td>\n.896<\/strong><\/td>\n3.8<\/strong><\/td>\n3.9<\/strong><\/td>\n.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n17.8<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2010<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n10<\/strong><\/td>\n10<\/strong><\/td>\n35.2<\/strong><\/td>\n.414<\/strong><\/td>\n.333<\/strong><\/td>\n.866<\/strong><\/td>\n3.7<\/strong><\/td>\n6.0<\/strong><\/td>\n2.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.2<\/strong><\/td>\n19.4<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2011<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n5<\/strong><\/td>\n5<\/strong><\/td>\n34.8<\/strong><\/td>\n.443<\/strong><\/td>\n.321<\/strong><\/td>\n.780<\/strong><\/td>\n4.0<\/strong><\/td>\n4.2<\/strong><\/td>\n2.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.6<\/strong><\/td>\n20.6<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2012<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n14<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/strong><\/td>\n27.9<\/strong><\/td>\n.448<\/strong><\/td>\n.338<\/strong><\/td>\n.857<\/strong><\/td>\n3.5<\/strong><\/td>\n4.0<\/strong><\/td>\n.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n14.4<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2013<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n21<\/strong><\/td>\n3<\/strong><\/td>\n26.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.399<\/strong><\/td>\n.302<\/strong><\/td>\n.738<\/strong><\/td>\n3.7<\/strong><\/td>\n5.0<\/strong><\/td>\n1.1<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n11.5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2014<\/a>\u2020<\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n23<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n25.5<\/strong><\/td>\n.439<\/strong><\/td>\n.390<\/strong><\/td>\n.862<\/strong><\/td>\n3.3<\/strong><\/td>\n4.1<\/strong><\/td>\n1.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.1<\/strong><\/td>\n14.3<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2015<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n7<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n18.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.349<\/strong><\/td>\n.364<\/strong><\/td>\n.783<\/strong><\/td>\n3.4<\/strong><\/td>\n4.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.6<\/strong><\/td>\n.9<\/strong><\/td>\n8.0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2016<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n10<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n19.2<\/strong><\/td>\n.426<\/strong><\/td>\n.429<\/strong><\/td>\n.783<\/strong><\/td>\n2.7<\/strong><\/td>\n2.5<\/strong><\/td>\n.8<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n6.7<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2017<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n16<\/strong><\/td>\n1<\/strong><\/td>\n17.8<\/strong><\/td>\n.412<\/strong><\/td>\n.225<\/strong><\/td>\n.739<\/strong><\/td>\n2.4<\/strong><\/td>\n2.4<\/strong><\/td>\n1.0<\/strong><\/td>\n.1<\/strong><\/td>\n6.6<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2018<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSan Antonio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n5<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n21.4<\/strong><\/td>\n.405<\/strong><\/td>\n.333<\/strong><\/td>\n.818<\/strong><\/td>\n3.0<\/strong><\/td>\n3.2<\/strong><\/td>\n1.4<\/strong><\/td>\n.2<\/strong><\/td>\n9.0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Career<\/strong><\/td>\n218<\/strong><\/td>\n53<\/strong><\/td>\n27.9<\/strong><\/td>\n.433<\/strong><\/td>\n.358<\/strong><\/td>\n.817<\/strong><\/td>\n4.0<\/strong><\/td>\n3.8<\/strong><\/td>\n1.3<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n14.0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/tfoot>\n<\/table>\n

Argentine national team<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Gin\u00f3bili played with the junior Argentine national team at the 1997 FIBA Under-21 World Championship<\/a>, where his team finished in 4th place.<\/sup> Gin\u00f3bili is a member of the senior Argentine national basketball team<\/a>, and made his senior debut during the 1998 FIBA World Championship<\/a> in Athens. He also played at the 2002 FIBA World Championship<\/a>, where he won a silver medal. His best accomplishment as a member of the national team came at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics<\/a> when Argentina became the first team other than Team USA<\/a> to win the gold medal in 16 years. The highlight of the tournament was his game-winning buzzer beater<\/a> with 0.7 seconds remaining, on the opening day of the Olympics, in a game versus Serbia and Montenegro<\/a>. Gin\u00f3bili led the team in both scoring (19.3 points per game) and assists (3.3 assists per game).<\/strong><\/p>\n

He played with Argentina at the 2006 FIBA World Championship<\/a>, where his team finished in 4th place. Gin\u00f3bili was the flag bearer for Argentina<\/a> at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics<\/a>, which was held in Beijing, China. At the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics basketball tournament<\/a>, Gin\u00f3bili’s Argentina defeated Lithuania<\/a> to win the bronze medal game, although the shooting guard did not play in that match, after sustaining an injury in the tournament’s semifinals.<\/sup> In April 2010, Gin\u00f3bili announced that he would not participate in the 2010 FIBA World Championship<\/a>, due to family reasons. He did however compete for the team at the 2012 London Summer Olympics<\/a>, where Argentina narrowly missed out on winning the bronze medal, in the bronze medal game versus Russia<\/a>. He also played at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics<\/a>, where Argentina finished in 8th place.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Player profile<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Gin\u00f3bili is a 6\u00a0ft 6 in (1.98 m), 205\u00a0lb (93\u00a0kg) left-handed shooting guard<\/a><\/sup> who has been deployed either as a sixth man<\/a> or starter for the Spurs. He has established himself as a reliable and versatile back court presence, and was a relatively late bloomer, entering the NBA at age 25 in a period when entering the NBA as a teenager<\/a> was very common.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Apart from his up-tempo and aggressive style of play, Gin\u00f3bili is known for his clutch play.<\/sup> This is documented by his numerous European league MVP awards, and his performances in San Antonio’s championship-winning campaigns. Gin\u00f3bili’s modus operandi<\/a> however, causes concerns for some of his opponents. His go-to move is either a 3-pointer or a fierce attack to the basket, while he often lowers his head when driving to the basket to collapse defenses and create shots or passes to his teammates. Although Ginobili was not the originator or the first to bring the move to the NBA, he is credited for popularizing the Euro step<\/a> in the league.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ginobili is credited with being a team player, over his personal performance, such as his accepting the Spurs’ coaches decision of playing off the bench rather than being a starter.<\/sup> He is also known for his tough to defend passes such as the no-look pass and the pick-and-roll.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He is also willing to draw charges<\/a> on defense.<\/sup> In 2007, he was even listed by ESPN<\/a> writer Thomas Neumann at No. 6 on the list of greatest floppers<\/a> in NBA history. Five years later, Ian Thomsen, a Sports Illustrated<\/a><\/i> columnist, grouped Gin\u00f3bili with fellow European league players Anderson Varej\u00e3o<\/a> and Vlade Divac<\/a> as the players who “made [flopping] famous”, by exaggerating contact on the court in a manner analogous to diving<\/a> in soccer<\/a> games.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"\"He has a willingness to do what it takes to win, and to do it at the highest possible level of intensity, every single minute he steps on the court.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Having traversed the major basketball continents in his basketball career, Gin\u00f3bili is one of the few players who has enjoyed success under both the physical, one-on-one play of the NBA and the more technical, jump-shooting rule set of FIBA<\/a>. He is one of only two players in basketball history, along with Bill Bradley<\/a>, to win the EuroLeague<\/a>, <\/sup>an Olympic<\/a> gold medal, and an NBA Championship ring. He is also the first non-U.S. player to win both the NBA championship ring and the Olympic gold medal, and the second Latin American<\/a> to be selected to play in an NBA All-Star game (after Panama<\/a>‘s Rolando Blackman<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2007, ESPN sportswriter John Hollinger<\/a> ranked Gin\u00f3bili as the sixth best international player then-active in the NBA, describing the 57th draft pick as “one of the great draft heists of all time”, and attributed the trend of NBA teams drafting developing European players to the success of the Argentine. The following year, Gin\u00f3bili was named by ESPN as one of the best EuroLeague players to have graced the NBA.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Honors<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Year<\/strong><\/th>\nTeam<\/strong><\/th>\nGP<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nGS<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nMPG<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nFG%<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n3P%<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nFT%<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nRPG<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nAPG<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nSPG<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nBPG<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nPPG<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nPIR<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2000\u201301<\/a>\u2020<\/strong><\/td>\nKinder Bologna<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n22<\/strong><\/td>\n20<\/strong><\/td>\n29.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.445<\/strong><\/td>\n.291<\/strong><\/td>\n.778<\/strong><\/td>\n4.1<\/strong><\/td>\n2.0<\/strong><\/td>\n2.9<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n15.2<\/strong><\/td>\n15.9<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2001\u201302<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nKinder Bologna<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n22<\/strong><\/td>\n22<\/strong><\/td>\n28.4<\/strong><\/td>\n.450<\/strong><\/td>\n.340<\/strong><\/td>\n.778<\/strong><\/td>\n3.8<\/strong><\/td>\n3.0<\/strong><\/td>\n2.5*<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n15.9<\/strong><\/td>\n17.1<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Career<\/strong><\/td>\n44<\/strong><\/td>\n42<\/strong><\/td>\n29.1<\/strong><\/td>\n.448<\/strong><\/td>\n.315<\/strong><\/td>\n.778<\/strong><\/td>\n4.0<\/strong><\/td>\n2.5<\/strong><\/td>\n2.7<\/strong><\/td>\n.3<\/strong><\/td>\n15.5<\/strong><\/td>\n16.5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n
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Awards<\/strong><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n