Veteran guard Manu Ginobili continues to enjoy basketball too much to think about retirement, writes Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News. The 39-year-old decided in mid-July to play another season, accepting a one-year, $14MM contract from the Spurs. He remained productive last season, averaging 9.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 58 games, then followed that up by representing Argentina in the Olympics. Ginobili says he doesn’t have a timetable for retirement, and he wasn’t influenced by Tim Duncan‘s decision to step away from the game. “Those type of decisions that define your future … and family and all of that usually doesn’t depend on what Tim does,” said Ginobili. “I just felt like I still wanted to do it. That I can help the team. That I enjoy it. That I’m healthy. That was the main key.”
There’s more from the Spurs’ camp:
- LaMarcus Aldridge is enjoying his reunion with new Spurs executive Monty Williams, relays Nick Moyle of The San Antonio Express-News. Williams, who joined the organization over the summer as vice president of basketball operations, was an assistant coach with the Trail Blazers when Aldridge broke into the league in 2006. They were together until Williams left to become head coach of the Pelicans in 2010. “It’s been fun,” Aldridge said. “I think he said the other day he hadn’t seen me in so many years that he didn’t realize I was bigger and play so much different. Playing him what, three times a year, that was different. But it’s kind of fun having him back around.”
- Aldridge plans to shoot 3-pointers more frequently this season, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. It was a weapon he used a lot in Portland, but nearly abandoned last year. Aldridge shot 16 3-pointers during the season and missed all of them. “Pop, after last season, told me to get back with it, so I’ll start taking that shot more this year,” Aldridge said.
- Tony Parker‘s role continues to evolve away from scoring and more toward game management, according to Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. The 34-year-old averaged just 11.9 points per game last season, the lowest since he was a rookie, and his scoring has dropped each of the past three years. Parker explains that he’s just doing what coach Gregg Popovich is asking of him. “It’s not going to be Tony scoring 20, 25 points every game,” Parker said. “It’s not that way anymore. I have to do it in a different way.”