In San Antonio the gang is staying together for another run. After San Antonio’s game 7 loss in the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat, many questioned if that was the last we would see of the Spurs three headed monster of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. While Duncan and Parker are under contract, Ginobili was the big question mark as a soon to be UFA. Well the question is there no longer as Ginobli tweeted out today from his account @manuginobili:
“Thrilled to announce that as I always hoped, I’m gonna stay with the @spurs for two more years. #gospursgo.”
The deal is reported to be worth about $14 million total over the two years, meaning that Ginobili will be taking a 50% paycut over what he made this season. While its clear that Ginobili is in decline and is no longer the dominant all-star that he once was, he is still capable of being a valuable contributor to the Spurs, with his on court play, and his off-court leadership and experience.
Ginobili scored just 11.8 points per game last season, which was his lowest average since his rookie year. He shot just 42.5 % from the floor, another number that is well below his career mark. The 36-year-old also struggled with injuries and fatigue, sitting out a total of 22 games over the course of the year. Still he has the ability to show flashes of his old self, and to take over a game, as he did in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Ginobili has spent his entire 11 year career with the San Antonio Spurs, joining them after the 2002 FIBA World Championships. During his time he is a three-time NBA Champion and a two-time NBA All-Star. He was also part of the Spanish team that won Olympic Gold in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
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Main photo credit: MattBritt00 via photopin cc
