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It truly is the end of an era in San Antonio with the Monday afternoon announcement that legend Manu Ginobili is retiring from the NBA. Ginobili spent 16 years with the Spurs and he seems to have had a profound impact on almost every teammate he played with during his career.
Many of his former teammates took to social media to extend some form of well wishes and gratitude towards the Argentine star. Perhaps the most notable came from Tony Parker, his longtime teammate and someone Ginobili won four championships with.
Parker texted Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated to say, “He’s a legend. It was an honor to play with him.”
Parker arrived in San Antonio one year prior to Ginobili and the pair quickly became foundational pieces for Gregg Popovich's squad.
But the list of teammates stretches far. Marco Belinelli, Brent Barry, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, Dejounte Murray, and Pau Gasol were all among the players to heap praise on the legend.
Ci sei stato all’inizio, ci sei stato nel momento più alto… grazie di tutto. Per me sarai sempre un idolo! You were by my side at the beginning, you were by my side in the brighter moment… thanks for all. You’ll be my idol forever! @manuginobili pic.twitter.com/rVPQMyUjVV
— Marco Belinelli (@marcobelinelli) August 27, 2018
Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It's about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire teammates. Not one day he didn’t own all three. pic.twitter.com/hJraB1Z19I
— Brent Barry (@Barryathree) August 27, 2018
I competed against you for 9 years. I sat through countless pregame meetings discussing how not to let you go to your left hand because when you do, you’re impossible to stop! Then, I became your teammate and got to witness first hand how you bring way more value to a team than pic.twitter.com/JJYbvXNToE
— LaMarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) August 27, 2018
against you, but even better competing with you on my side. Thanks Manu!
— LaMarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) August 27, 2018
Wow got to play with one of my favorite players in his last season. Thanks for all you did for the game gramps @manuginobili
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) August 27, 2018
THANK YOU For Teaching Me What It’s Like To Be A Real PRO On And Off The Court @manuginobili The Game Will Miss You & Forever Remember You!! pic.twitter.com/ahWJxait4r
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) August 27, 2018
THANK YOU for absolutely everything you have done for basketball. A role model for all of us that love this wonderful sport. Fortunate to have shared locker room with you the last 2 years.#GraciasManu pic.twitter.com/HBJDvjIw2j
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 27, 2018
San Antonio enters uncharted territory. The Spurs have long been one of the most stable organizations in the NBA, but with Ginobili's retirement, Parker's departure, and the trade of Kawhi Leonard, the roster will look completely different this season.
It will be interesting to see how Popovich and his staff handle the roster turnover. If Pop's track record is any indication, he'll figure things out and get his team on the right track.
But regardless, things will look very different in San Antonio in 2018-19 and the team is losing a legendary player in Manu Ginobili.
