Steve Kerr recalls rookie Manu Ginobili's 'eye-popping' talent
SAN ANTONIO — March 28, 2019 will be a very special day in San Antonio Spurs' history.
On that day, the franchise will unveil another retired jersey high atop the AT&T Center - Manu Ginobili's No. 20.
He will become the ninth player in Spurs franchise history to have his number raised to the rafters, joining Bruce Bowen (12), Tim Duncan (21), Sean Elliott (32), George Gervin (44), Avery Johnson (6), Johnny Moore (00), David Robinson (50) and James Silas (13).
Drafted late in the 1999 NBA Draft, Ginobili would make his way to the Spurs in 2002 as a fresh-faced rookie eager to prove himself.
On hand to witness Ginobili's first steps in the NBA was his former teammate and current Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
"When he started playing, his talent was just eye-opening in our scrimmages, and you could see what a jolt he was going to give us," said Kerr Monday night.
Ginobili played with reckless abandon during his time in San Antonio. He had a flare on the court, along with clutch shooting and ushering in the NBA his "Eurostep." He was also known for wild passing, and rim-rocking dunks that brought fans up and out of their seats. Ginobili brought some sizzle to the 2002 Spurs during an era when many saw the team as boring to watch.
"We were a good team, but we were a little vanilla," said Kerr. "We needed some flash and energy."
Said Kerr: "I think Tony [Parker] was going into his second year, so we had some speed in the backcourt, but Manu gave us a whole different dimension."
Ginobili would become one-third of the franchise's "Big 3" era, joining Parker and Tim Duncan. He would go on to win a title in his rookie season (2003) and help bring three more to the Spurs (2005, 2007, 2014).
He would retire with a career winning percentage of .721 (762-295), the best winning percentage in NBA history among players who have appeared in at least 1,000 games.
"It was really exciting, as he was scrimmaging, before he played in a game, just the prospect of how good he could be," said Kerr.
After 16 outstanding seasons with the Spurs, Ginobili retired on Aug. 27, 2018.
He left the game with career averages of 13.3 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.32 steals. He would etch his name into franchise history as the Spurs all-time leader in 3-pointers made (1,495) and steals (1,392).
"I remember we all sort of wondered, you know, how much of this stuff can he do when the games really start," Kerr said "Like one game in and it’s like, oh, I guess he’s going to do it.”
A special post-game ceremony honoring Ginobili will take place on the AT&T Center floor on March 28. It will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Southwest and streamed live on FOX Sports GO.
It will be quite the emotional night as Spurs fans and the team give their final thanks to one of the greatest ever to wear the Spurs colors.