Manu Ginobili wants to star for the San Antonio Spurs at the earliest – NBA Update
Manu Ginobili has revealed in a recent interview that he is upset about the NBA lockout and wants to get back to playing for the San Antonio Spurs as soon as possible. The Spurs guard is currently with the Argentine National Men’s
basketball team in the FIBA Americas Championship.
Ginobili was speaking in light of an NBA lockout that has become a serious threat to the upcoming season. Players and owners have been negotiating for over a year and a half in order to get to terms over a new CBA, but to no avail.
When the old CBA ended, the league imposed a lockout on the players. What that means for loyal players like Ginobili is that they do not get to have team practices, they cannot use the franchise’s training facilities and they cannot
interact with their terrific fan base from the team’s platform.
The players can’t even contact their coaches or speak to officials from the team. For such a close knit organization as the San Antonio Spurs, where players feel part of a family, it is a real shame. Manu has been a loyal San Antonio
player since he came to the NBA and has a special place in his heart for the franchise and the community.
He expressed his displeasure at the current situation in the interview,
“I think it is a pity,” he said. “I am with such a wonderful organization with an amazing fan base. I’d really love to go back and start training camp and be with all the guys. Hopefully, it is a one-time thing and is not going
to happen again in a few years.”
Many players have spoken out against the NBA and Commissioner David Stern in recent days because of the lockout and what they perceive as unfair demands made by the owners. However Ginobili is known as a soft spoken and friendly
guy and he proved those credentials again by not putting the blame on either side.
“Hopefully it is just once in a blue moon. I’m just hoping for a fair solution.”
Ginobili and the Spurs would be particularly grieved at the current lockout situation. The Spurs built a hugely successful dynasty with Tim Duncan leading the charge over the last decade. However both Duncan and Ginobili are on
the wrong side of 30 now and getting older very fast.
Last season was billed by many as their final shot at more NBA silverware, which they squandered in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The old horses would have liked one more go this year just to prove the doubters wrong, but
the way things are going right now it looks like they might not get the chance.
Tags: