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San Antonio Spurs recently-retired shooting guard Manu Ginobili shut down the coaching rumors that have surrounded him since taking part on the coaches' retreat after Gregg Popovich extended an invitation for him to join along. Ginobili told Argentinian newspaper La Nación that he has “no intention” of becoming a coach, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
Popovich jokingly said he expects Ginobili to join him in his coaching staff when he runs out of money for his boat, though Ginobili said it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up because it gave him the chance to “learn and see basketball from the other side.”
“I accepted with pleasure,” Ginobili wrote. “It was a great decision.”
Ginobili was initially quiet, actively listening to coaches talk before asking all the right questions as the days went along, showing Popovich he had what it takes to take part in his coaching staff.
The 6-foot-6 swingman has been open to helping the franchise in any capacity he's needed, but it's likely he's hoping to take a break after playing for 23 seasons (16 in the NBA and seven between his native Argentina and Italy).
Ginobili has been taking part in training camp daily at the Spurs practice facility and noted in his column that he believes San Antonio will “be better offensively” than last season, but will likely have some woes at the defensive end with the loss of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.
