Players gone from the Spurs from last season Kawhi Leornard Danny Green Manu Ginobili Tony Parker Kyle Anderson
We probably can't discount the importance of the locker room leadership being lost there. Sure Pop is still there, for now, but this clearly is a "new age" for the Spurs.
In his prime, he can ball with the best of them. Yes, I'm talking Kobe, Lebron, and etc. We'll never see how good he really can be since he came off the bench but from what he provided to the team, he is a future HOF and one of the greatest (and most unique) player of all time.
He did help teach the NBA how to flop, but I have a lot of respect for Ginobili otherwise. Excellent player, seemed a decent individual. He still played fairly well last year; I guess he wanted to exit stage left at the right moment.
Looking at Havlicek's stats now, I would have to agree. Manu started WAY more games, Havlicek started 0 games? Wasn't there an injury or a suspension or anything? Damn.
Hondo was arguably the best small forward ever until Bird and Dr. J came along, but even then his style of play and accomplishments still stacks up favorable against them and even more modern small forward, like Pippen, LeBron, Durant, and Pierce.
Yeah, good decision by Manu. Prioritizing family over a mediocre basketball season at best. Vince could do the same.
I mean, Hondo led the league in minutes played 2 seasons at >45 mpg. He was really a bench player in name only. Manu was a legit bench weapon in a more traditional sense.