Longtime Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili is no doubt the face of The Argentinean National Team, but this year they’ll have to move on without him in what will more than likely be his last if not one of his last opportunities to represent his country. Ginobili requested permission to play for the national team from The Spurs, and after the team’s final physicals for the year it was discovered Ginobili encountered a stress fracture in his lower right fibula. The veteran has been a member of the team since 1998. The miles on his legs and the minutes he’s played for both Argentina and The Spurs may be catching up to him.
Manu was one of the main reasons Argentina won back in 2004 coming first in the 2004 Olympic Games stunning Italy and The U.S. Ginobili averaged 19 PPG while grabbing 4 REB a game sealing a 6-2 record and winning the gold medal. It truly was a special moment for the country of Argentina and one of the biggest moments for all of basketball overseas.
Ginobili then suffered a major ankle injury back in 2008 which held him back that season and eventually Manu’s availability would become minimal that season. The Spurs hold a clause in Ginobili’s contract that gives them final say so on if he gets to play or not for the national team and R.C. Buford has made his final ruling. Ginobili is arguably one of the best players to make the jump from overseas to The NBA, but The Spurs have to run a business and that business is putting themselves in position to win titles. You cannot fault the franchise for being cautious with a player that’s towards the end of a fabulous basketball career.
