Did Manu Lose a Contract in Beijing?

Posted Sep 04, 2008 7:17PM By Tom Ziller (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Spurs, FIBA

Manu Ginobili got his wheel fixed this morning -- "successful operation!" says Dr. Richard Ferkel -- but the real news is removed from the here and now. Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News reports Manu had been in extension talks with the Spurs prior to the Olympics. Because of the injury, San Antonio has suspended negotiations until the team sees how Manu recovers from surgery.

Here's the quote from Ginobili's agent Herb Rudoy:

"Contract negotiations for an extension have been put off until after the surgery," Rudoy said. "The Spurs want to see how he recovers from the surgery."

Two questions, the first semantic: when exactly is after the surgery? Because, um, technically right now can be considered "after the surgery." Tomorrow, also. But if the Spurs are waiting to see how Manu recovers, that will have to wait until he's playing again. And that will be November, maybe December. And in the NBA, you don't negotiate contract extensions during the season. If it's not done by the end of October, it waits until next summer. An extension could still be plausible then ... if the Spurs -- and Manu -- have a great season.

The other point of concern: Manu's 30, with a surgically-repaired ankle and a growing bald spot. Is there a chance San Antonio lets Ginobili "get away" in two summers? Tim Duncan pulls cash through 2012, but the Spurs have to start actively rebuilding at some point as the league's oldest team for three years reigning. Extending Manu until 2013 or '14? Seems a bit crazy right now.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-04-2008 @ 9:14PM

Bob A Ganoush said...

Great player, but an egoist who should have thought more of his career than putting a tin medal around his neck, especially when he already has a medal.
If he can't play up to his potential anymore that would be a shame considering he is one of the true great clutch players in the history of the NBA.

9-04-2008 @ 10:46PM

LaDora said...

Seriously?? I think Manu was considering everyone BUT himself when he went to play. I think in 20 years, when this NBA thing is over with, and he's back home in Argentina, he'll remember the times with his best friends more than he'll remember this coming NBA season, in which a ring isn't guaranteed.

9-04-2008 @ 10:57PM

manny said...

With all do respect you are completely wrong by calling him na
egoist. That thin of metal is worth more than a championship for an
international player that grew up watching and admiring their
national team. The same way that "some people" may share your point
of view an entire country would have been very dissapointed and would
have called him a traitor. You wouldn't understand that because by the
looks of it you only care about your nba. The world is very big my
friend and pro and high level basketball is not only played in the
nba. He just took a risk just like if a player would play injured on
the nba finals but he did it for pride not for the paycheck. he is
already a multimillionare and he gave a lot of happiness to the
people of Argentina. Look at soccer the players they make a ton of
money and none of them say no to their national team. The shirt that
they love the most is that of their national team

9-05-2008 @ 5:16PM

Chester said...

What are you talking about? I am the biggest Spurs fan on the planet and I have absolutely no problem with Manu playing in the olympics. Choosing to play for your entire country over worrying about NBA money makes you an egoist? WHAT? The world of basketball is so much bigger then just the NBA.

9-05-2008 @ 10:59PM

hurm66 said...

While I believe this injury was going to happen regardless, I also believe he should have retired from the national team as a Gold medal hero of 2004.

The truth is that the Spurs pay him a great deal of money to play for them, and Manu has done plenty for the national team over the years. It's hard to say no, but keep in mind that a couple of other NBA players from Argentina respectfully retired from the team and one of them, Hermann, is actually younger than Manu.

I actually prefer that it happened at the Olympics and dealt with now so he can at least play when it counts this upcoming season. He's a hero to Spurs fans and the Spurs are probably going to extend him but they are going to nickel and dime him a bit first. He should not have gone to Beijing though - he knows it too, he can spin it all he wants, but he knows the truth.

9-05-2008 @ 11:51PM

san said...

If a player of usa (that is not of your team) plays being injured he is a hero but like he is not of from usa is a villain.
if u are a spurs fan u know that he play always like that, is his personality.
chapu nocioni (a chicago bulls player from argentina) played 3 games with a injured and i was close to cry when i saw played hi was one of the betters playes in beijin, he play in chicago like that way and he is awesome is one fo my favourites players.
manu is a great player and hi will a great player, in argentina is a hero and in usa he only went to a 1 all star game and alot of player dont deserving and they went to alot all star game, how many rings have carmelo anthony??, iverson??, t-mac??, so the nba cant say anything

9-08-2008 @ 2:35AM

Ross said...

I don't fault Manu, and I definitely don't fault San Antonio. As an organization they are at a critical moment where they have to start looking the next 5 years down the road, and I don't know if a 30+ year old injury plagued, albeit talented, Manu is really in their future. Seeing how he responds to surgery will guage his value for insuing seasons ... it's the business, what can you say

9-08-2008 @ 11:55AM

DShu said...

Manu is a legend regardless. Both parties should let him take time and let him heal up. They can start negotiating. He's 30 but can still play and brings a lot to the table. Here's a nice short piece with highlights from the Spurs and his playing time in Europe: http://www.hoopforlife.com/2008/08/cry-now-smile-later.html