For the first time since 2002, the San Antonio Spurs will open their season without Manu Ginobili on the roster.
The Argentinian superstar announced that he would be retiring from basketball a few months before the start of the 2018-19 season, sending shockwaves through the NBA.
While he is no longer sitting on the bench, this didn't stop Ginobili from sending the Spurs some encouraging words before the season tipped off:
🇦🇷Todo lo mejor para "mis" Spurs en este nuevo comienzo de temporada! Será raro mirarlo desde mi sillón, pero contento que así sea.
🇺🇸All the best to "my" @Spurs in this new season! It's gonna be a bit awkward to watch it from my couch but very excited about it. #GoSpursGo— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) October 17, 2018
While Ginobili might feel awkward about sitting on the couch instead of playing, it will certainly be odd for viewers to look down the Spurs' bench and not see his familiar face.
The Spurs are already off to a rocky start this season and they haven't even played a game yet.
First-round pick Lonnie Walker IV will miss 6-8 weeks with a torn meniscus, while starting point guard Dejounte Murray has been lost for the season with a torn ACL. Derrick White was going to take Murray's place, but he's out with a foot injury.
This leaves a starting backcourt made up of Bryn Forbes and newest Spur DeMar DeRozan. They will be backed by veterans Patty Mills and Marco Belinelli.
Even though the injury bug has already bitten the Spurs hard, they will contend to reach the playoffs for a record 22nd straight season. In a conference where there are at least 10 quality teams, though, this could be the year where the storied franchise finally falls just a hair short.
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