It wasn't the ending that Spurs, or NBA fans for that matter, had in mind for San Antonio. The team that won 67 games in the regular season was said to be a shoe-in for the Western Conference Finals and the team that could take down the Golden State Warriors. Yet the Oklahoma City Thunder accepted the underdog label, as well as a Game 1 embarrassment, and ended the series in six games. It was an entertaining series to say the least, but the young athleticism and support of seldom-mentioned role players propelled the Thunder into the next round where Golden State awaits.
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| Duncan and Ginobili have lots to smile about after another successful season |
While the Thunder/Warriors series has NBA fans licking their chops, the uncertainty of San Antonio's "Big 3" lingers in the minds of fans everywhere as Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili take the time to make a decision about whether or not to retire. It's a decision much less subtle than that of fellow All-Star Kobe Bryant, whose season turned into one big farewell this year, and deservedly so. The great thing about Duncan, Ginobili, and really the Spurs organization as a whole is that they don't attract, or even want that kind of attention. This is not to say that Kobe's farewell tour was in selfish or bad taste. That's not it at all. But Duncan and Ginobili have displayed nothing but class in both victory and defeat and they embody what the Spurs' organization is all about. For that reason, San Antonio and the NBA will take a significant hit should they decided to hang it up for good.
With Duncan being 40 years old, and Ginobili not far behind at 38, it would have made sense for both of them to retire two years ago when they won the title. Could there have been a more perfect ending for two players who have done so much for the game of basketball? To see the greatest power forward of all-time and the player who paved the way for future Argentinian NBA players, there's not a more fitting conclusion than that championship. But they both came back, and that shows not only their dedication to the Spurs and the game of basketball, but the impact that organization has on its players.
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| Teammates since 2003 |
In an article by ESPN's Michael C. Wright following last night's game, Ginobili responded to a question regarding his potential retirement by saying "It could have happened two years ago. I really appreciate everybody: the team, front office, coaches, everything. So it makes it different." It's nearly impossible to find a professional organization where the athletes and the front office coincide so well. Being a Bulls fan, that's a foreign concept, but it goes to show just how in-tune the Spurs are from top to bottom and it shows the precedent set by Duncan and Ginobili over these last 20 years. You just don't find humble, classy players that manage to stay together like these two and Tony Parker have. It doesn't happen and it most likely won't happen ever again. Players are too concerned about money and have too much ego to be concerned with pay cuts or lessening their role the way Duncan and Ginobili have.
There's no telling what the final decision will be. Maybe it depends on whether or not San Antonio can attract a big free agent like Kevin Durant or Mike Conley, both of whom have been named people of interest for the Spurs. Maybe it depends on the Spurs' outlook heading into another year in the ever-competitive Western Conference. Or maybe, and perhaps most simply, it depends on whether or not Duncan and Ginobili believe they can still play at a high level. It would appear that both still have a little left in the tank, as Duncan posted 19 points last night and Ginobili averaged 21 minutes for the series. They're still capable, but the Spurs are not a team that plays just to play. They are perennial contenders, and the wear and tear of playing 85+ games (once playoffs are factored in) is not exactly friendly to the body of veterans at their ages.
So is this the end? Only time will tell. Should Duncan and Ginobili decide to retire, fans can be sure that it will be done quietly and humbly, the same way they have done everything throughout their careers. No flare, no desire to make headlines. The NBA will miss Duncan and Ginobili whenever they do ride off into the sunset, but when they do, they should be appreciated. They have shed positive light on the league and have shown professionalism every step of the way. They are two players that everyone can learn from, athlete or not. They've done things the right way. The Spurs have done things the right way. It's sad to think that this could be the final time we saw these two All-Stars in uniform, but they have given us more than enough memories from their illustrious careers.
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