Officially announcing retirement from professional basketball was not easy for San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili.
"After the announcement, I didn't have the chance to see you guys, to talk to you," Ginobili said to media members in San Antonio on Saturday, via ESPN. "I didn't want to announce it with this type of environment and with all the things that were going on in my head. Even though I am very sure about the decision, it's still awkward. It's still tough. You are convinced. You've talked to your wife, and you know what you've got to do. But my fingers shook a lot before hitting that enter [button].
"I'm telling you, it wasn't an easy decision in the sense that after so many years, 23 seasons of doing this, it was kind of hard to put the last nail in that coffin. It was an intense situation that was a little bit sensitive. So I wanted to wait a couple weeks before facing you and responding to your questions."
Ginobili officially announced his retirement from the NBA - via Twitter - after 16 seasons earlier this month.
"Today, with a wide range of feelings, I'm announcing my retirement from basketball," Ginobili said. "IMMENSE GRATITUDE to everyone (family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans) involved in my life in the last 23 years. It's been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams."
Ginobili played last season knowing that it was likely his last.
"I took last season mentally as my last season," Ginobili said. "So every place I went, every situation, I kind of knew it was going to be the last one. But I left the door open, just in case. Slowly, the door started to close more. I couldn't see my body going through that kind of grind again. I felt that I had a good season, that I left everything I had in that previous season both physically and mentally... There was a little bit of that door opened, but it closed pretty quick. I couldn't see me getting ready for another 82-game season, 65 in my case.
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