Ginobili says he'll still be around to help the team, thanks Spurs fans for their support
Twitter: @JeffGSpursZone
Manu Ginobili may have retired but that doesn't mean he will be completely away from the San Antonio Spurs.
In a recent article he penned for Argentinian site La Nacion, Manu said he did tell Head Coach Gregg Popovich he will be around to help the team whenever needed.
What I made clear to Pop is that it's not a "Hey, I'm leaving". My children have already started classes and while I'm in town I'll be close to the team and the franchise, maybe I cannot help more by taking a foul or with a steal or something, but I'll try to add in what I can. I have a great appreciation for my teammates, for the staff and all the people on the team and I want it to go as well as possible. If I can help from the outside, I will do it with pleasure.
Maun wouldn't be the first of the Spurs original "Big 3" to stick around the team while in retirement. Tim Duncan can still be seen at the team's practice facility pitching in with whatever help he can provide.
And if the Spurs take up on Manu's offer (which surely they will) this will help a young Spurs team continue to tap into his 16-years of Spurs knowledge. Players like Lonnie Walker IV, Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and even new Spur DeMar DeRozan can be reassured a player of Manu's caliber will be around if they want to pick his brilliant basketball mind.
Manu also took time to thank the Spurs fans for adopting him and connecting with him in a special way.
And to the fans I also say thank you because they adopted me from the first day. I understand that my Latin origins and my Spanish would have helped, which contributed to my bond with the people and that allowed me a unique connection for 16 years, with special affection and unconditional support.
I played until I felt like it, some have to retire due to injuries or other issues ahead of time, but I played until I was 40 years old. The truth is that I did not have anything left pending.
