Their playoff defeat by the Thunder may have prompted questions about the future of this San Antonio Spurs team, but veteran duo Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili insist they haven’t made their minds up whether to call time on their Spurs careers just yet.
Duncan, 40, left questions about his future plans unanswered after his team’s 4-2 series defeat by OKC, saying only: “I’ll get to that after I get out of here and figure out life. That’s it.”
Ginobili, 38, said he plans to “take my time as always” in deciding 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.”
Ginobili admitted any decision would be a difficult one to take.
“Yes, of course,” Ginobili said. “If I was miserable every day and I couldn’t stand the guys next to me, it would be an easy decision. It could have happened two years ago. I really appreciate everybody: the team, front office, coaches, everything. So it makes it different.”
Duncan and Ginobili both have player options for the 2016-17 season. The option total on Duncan’s deal is $6.4m, while Ginobili’s option total sits at $2.9m.
Only Kobe Bryant has played more NBA seasons with one team than Tim Duncan. Bryant departed this season after 20 years with the Lakers; Duncan has just completed his 19th with the Spurs. John Stockton of the Uta Jazz is the only other player to play 19 seasons with one team.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich expressed surprise when asked whether Duncan had played his last game.
“Why do you say that?” Popovich asked. “Do you know something that I don’t know? I just wanted to make that clear. Tim was playing really well. So we played him as much as we possibly could because he earned the minutes. He really did a good job.”
Duncan scored 19 points on seven-of-14 shooting on Thursday night – the most by a 40-year-old in the playoffs since Karl Malone had 30 in 2004.
Tony Parker said: “Every year, it’s the same thing with us. TD, obviously, and Manu, it’s the same question every year. They’re either going to come back or not. We’ll see.”
