I know I'm not the most orthodox kind of player. I just feel normal being like that.
Manu Ginobili
I been asked about my legacy and I really don't care much about the legacy.
I just consider myself a player, a team player.
I've never been a great shooter. I'm not a regular foreigner player.
Even the bad moments, the tough ones, I'm proud of them, too. Those moments get you better, smarter, make you grow.
Playing 16 years is completely unexpected and going through everything we went through. Big disappointments, huge wins, creating that type of union with the coaching staff, with the front office, with the staff, teammates. It's been an amazing journey, way beyond anything that can be expected.
I don't think about drawing the contact on purpose. I just want to get to the line.
The way I played, the way my body was all over the place, not thinking about being careful for the next game or anything like that, I think fans liked it.
I've said before I play every season as if it's the last one.
Sometimes having good games. Sometimes bad ones. Sometimes making shots, and sometimes not. I'm the same guy, and I always said that winning the championship or not winning it, scoring 20 the last game or second-to-last or whatever, or zero, is not going to change who I am or the decision I make.
Most of the photos I take I don't post, so Instagram is not my thing. I like to edit them, make them look good, and keep them for myself.
You learn from losses and enjoy the every day, too.
What I don't miss is the travelling, the late games, the back-to-backs, the not being able to sleep well. Being tired or sore, I don't miss that part at all.
The legacy thing is very overrated.
I just play to win every game.
I played because I loved doing it, out of respect and appreciation.
Well, the Argentinians are very attached to their athletes, and you know, there are some cities with a big Argentinean community. Miami is the main one for sure, Orlando, Houston, Denver.
I know when I am coming with the second unit, the team is kind of playing for me. I am kind of 'The Man' in there.
I knew I was becoming popular in Argentina. I was starting to feel that some companies in Argentina were wanting to associate with me, so I just wanted to be a facilitator to raise funds and distribute them the way I thought was fair and to institutions that I trusted.
Myself and Tony Parker must be aggressive and attack the rim, because when we do so, we are at our best, and that opens up perimeter opportunities.
If you take going to the bench as a demotion or something that's terrible, you start with a bad attitude.
If you live your life thinking about your legacy or what you're going to leave, you don't worry than you add another concern. Just live your life every single day, do the best you can and that's more of my motto than leaving a legacy.
Always been very comfortable and happy with my role with the Spurs.
It's easy to remember the wins, the good moments, the highs.
I learned from many players over the years.
I think Wade is more explosive than I am. He is very tough to cover with his explosiveness, but I started doing the Euro-Step before he did.
Every time we play, we want to win, that's for sure. It may be the World Championship, the Olympics, the NBA Championship or the South American Championship, but we always want to win.
It's not like I was a one-of-a-kind talented guy at 18 who made it to the NBA and have been playing in All-Star Games ever since.
I just play the game the only way I know. And I have no regrets.
I'm a very lucky man.
I'm way more worried on my future well-being, and my kids, and my family, where we are going to live and what we are going to do, than what is going to happen with the Spurs. With all due respect, of course. I love the franchise, and I'm probably going to be attached in some way.
You could come out and play a flawless game and still lose to a quality team; you could do things right, but they hit shots and things happen.
I guess the triple-double is a big deal in the States. For me, it's not.
What I miss the most is the locker room, the dinners after the games. The preparation, the sense of going out there and be a team.
It depends a lot on the character of the players, how you respond under pressure.
It's not always about winning a game or winning a championship.
What the Food Bank does is unbelievable to me.
Sometimes you play and you think you're doing one thing, and then you don't. The coaches are the ones who see it the best way.
Even the bad moments, I'm proud of them too.
The game gave me so much, I am in debt forever.
Not one Argentinian in history had made it to the NBA. So why was it going to be me? There was no way me or anyone that was near me could ever envision a career like this.
I started playing pro in Argentina. Then I went to second division in Italy. Then after a lot of work, I made it to first division. And at 25, I got here in the NBA.
I have a real sense of appreciation of being in the NBA with all that I'd gone through.
The Madison Square Garden is a great arena to play at.
I've been very lucky to play with so many gifted players.
We left, I think, a footprint in FIBA basketball. Proud of it.
When you can't dunk anymore, you have to find a way to make it into the news.
When I got to the league, nobody knew me.
Forever is a very wide word, but I'll be connected to the Spurs, if not contractually at least emotionally.
If I'm not playing good, it's just because I'm not playing good, not because my body is limiting me.
