Veteran ace expected to play through his second year of new deal.
San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili is reportedly ‘unlikely’ to retire this summer as his struggles from last year have been replaced with impressive performances this time round.
The 36-year-old is averaging 12.5 points on 47 percent shooting along with 4.4 assists in 23.1 minutes per game, a marked improvement from his statistics from last season in which he struggled with fitness and form.
Having particularly struggled through the NBA Finals, it was reported that the Argentinian star had considered retiring given his advanced years, but he was signed to a new two-year contract worth $14.5m and looks to be repaying the faith shown in him.
As a result, Sam Amick of USA Today suggests that Ginobili will shelve any plans to retire at the end of this season and continue to see out his deal which will be great news for the Spurs, and positive news for the league as a whole.
“He wasn’t sure that he would ever actually play the second year of that deal. Because Manu struggled so badly last season, he thought seriously about retirement. But with the way Manu is playing now, he told me last week, he’s pretty sure we’re going to see him again next season,” Amick wrote.
With Tim Duncan still performing at a high level, the Spurs have found a solid combination of experience and youthful pieces on their roster, with the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter complimenting Tony Parker and Ginobili.
As a result, they are a league-best 54-16 for the season, and as they continue to dismiss suggestions that they are too old to win a championship, they will be focused on bouncing back immediately from the disappointment of last year.
Coach Gregg Popovich’s system is highly praised and rightfully so, and it is great news to hear one of the finest players to grace the league should be back for another year.
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