It could be weeks before the Spurs know whether Duncan and Ginobili will return for a 20th and 15th season, respectively. It’s also uncertain what the Spurs will do in free agency. They’ve been linked to Durant and Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley, but salary-cap space would have to be cleared for the Spurs to be major players again in free agency, meaning some core players would have to be traded. No matter what happens, Parker suggests that, in the end, how far the Spurs advance in any season is entirely up to the “basketball gods.” “Look at Oklahoma City,” Parker said. “Last year, they had all the injuries and bad luck, but this year the basketball gods went their way. Every tough play, every big basket, they made it.
More on Manu Ginobili Retirement
Fred Katz: Gregg Popovich on helping Tim Duncan with retiring choice: "I haven’t talked to Timmy in about 11 years and Manu stopped talking to me about 3 or 4 years ago. They’re just going to come in and say, ‘Pop, this is what I’m doing.’ Then, whatever they say, that’s what I’ll do."
Ginobili, meanwhile, said he plans to "take my time as always" in making a decision about whether to return to the Spurs for another season. "Of course, it's been an amazing run," said Ginobili, 38. "We all enjoy playing with each other. I'm so proud of having played with those guys for so many years and winning so many games, and even playing with the new guys. If there's a reason why you always want to come back and keep being part of this, [it's] because of the amazing chemistry, the good times and the good people that you play with and spend time with. It's not always about winning a game or winning a championship. But you learn from losses, and it's important to enjoy every day. Being a part of this team, I'm very proud of it, even if sometimes it doesn't go our way."
Duncan — who will turn 40 a day after Game 4 — and Ginobili, 38, have modest player options for next season (Duncan’s for $5.5 million, Ginobili’s for $2.94 million). Both players plan to think long and hard over the summer before exercising them.
Since joining forces in 2002-03, the trio of Duncan, Parker and 33-year-old point guard Tony Parker have teamed up for an NBA-record 692 wins, including 117 in the postseason, as well as four championships. Bettors have gone broke projecting the end of the Spurs’ Big Three era before. Still, Ginobili said he plans to enjoy this ride as if it could be the last. “For sure, there’s a sense of urgency,” Ginobili said. “You want to win. You don’t want to go home after two weeks.”
But there Ginobili was once again, lean and rejuvenated for another campaign, with absolutely no interest in calling it quits until he absolutely has to. “I don’t know,” Ginobili said of his retirement plans. “Why should I make the commitment now? It’s ten months away, so I don’t have to. The last few seasons, I’ve been going day by day, seeing if I enjoy it. If I keep feeling the same thing, before games, after games, the same feel, and so far it’s been happening. I’m not going to say before. It doesn’t make any sense.”
