After 16 seasons playing for one of the greatest coaches in NBA history and helping to form one of the most successful runs of any franchises in sports in the last two decades, it would seem that Manu Ginobili would fare well in life after basketball.
But despite being known for his tremendous work ethic and basketball IQ, Ginobili is actually “too smart” to be a head coach, according to Gregg Popovich:
Pop said Manu is “too smart” to be a coach. Said Manu told him he doesn’t want to coach. Pop said if Manu does decide to stay in the game, he can see him go into management or scouting.
— Raul Dominguez Jr. (@Abrjsdad) March 28, 2019
Manu will have his jersey retired tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers, officially capping a professional basketball playing career that lasted 19 seasons including the three years that he spent in the EuroLeague. Having given nearly half of his life to the game, one can only guess what life after basketball will entail for Ginobili.
However, Ginobili has iterated to Popovich and former teammates that he does not want to coach, so if is to stay in the game he would likely move into a front office role.
The two-time All-Star and former Sixth Man of the Year was renowned throughout NBA circles for his professionalism, court vision and–of course–popularizing the “Eurostep” that is now employed by some of the game's elite superstars.
Popovich was already a championship-winning coach with San Antonio before Ginobili came into the league, but his entire system focused around post touches for Tim Duncan and Hall of Fame center David Robinson.
But in a recent interview that the Spurs posted to their Twitter account, Duncan said:
“Instead of Pop changing people and breaking people of habits and having them conforming to what the Spurs did, Manu went the opposite direction,” Duncan said. “He kind of broke the system.”
In a way, Ginobili's individualism allowed the likes of Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard to flourish as All-Star players under Popovich, which has helped the Spurs continue to achieve success throughout the years.
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