Spurs, NBA fans honor Manu Ginobili on social media with mixed emotions

SAN ANTONIO – For San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili, calling it quits to a 15-year career will take weeks before thinking about his retirement from the NBA. 

However, in the minds of Spurs and NBA fans across all digital platforms, Ginobili might have checked out for the last time in a silver and black uniform Monday night. 

One Twitter user said: “All of San Antonio after Manu went to the bench after what may be his last game ever.”

In likely his last game as a Spur, Ginobili started in his first playoff game since 2013 and scored 15 points off 50 percent shooting with seven assists.

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Ginobili said he learned about his start in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals when head coach Gregg Popovich approached him during practice on Sunday.

Ginobili has spent most of his career coming off the bench as the sixth man. 

“We started him out of respect,” Popovich said. “That was the whole reason for starting him. Before the game, you think it may or may not be his last game that he ever plays in, and I did not want to miss the opportunity to honor him in front of our home fans for his selflessness over the years.”

#Spurs Popovich on Manu Ginobili: Started him out of respect, did not want to miss out on opportunity to honor him #ksatsports #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/qNy0rbeAJI

— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) May 23, 2017

Warriors star Stephen Curry was at the free-throw line when Ginobili checked out with 2:25 left in the fourth quarter and joined Spurs fans in honoring the future Hall of Famer by stepping off the line, clapping as he approached the Spurs bench.

“I’m a Manu Ginobili fan … and when the crowd is going crazy for him, I tried to do my best to give him that moment (and) take it all in,” Curry said. “You can tell how much he’s meant to this organization, to this city, obviously a true champion, and the way that he plays the game, you have no choice but to just love watching him play.”

Defensive Player of the Year finalist and Warriors star Draymond Green said when people ask him who are the toughest guys he’s had to guard in the league, he quickly responds with Ginobili in mind.

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“He’s one of the ones always in my answer,” Green said. “He kind of worked us (Warriors) pretty good these four games, and I think he got quite a bit left in the tank.”

Ginobili’s talent “left in the tank” was the theme overshadowing last night’s 129-115 loss to the Warriors -- who completed the series sweep on the Spurs -- but regardless of his impact in this year’s playoffs, Ginobili said he’ll weigh his options after spending time with his family.

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“I always said that I wanted to let it sink in for three weeks, four weeks, whatever and then I’ll see with my wife and see how it feels," Ginobili said. "Whatever I decide to do, I’ll be a happy camper.”

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Green went on to say Ginobili has earned first ballot Hall of Fame status with the career highlights of: four-time champion, two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA Third Team, 2008's NBA Sixth Man of the Year, and Olympic Gold Medalist.

Scroll below to check out fans' reaction after Ginobili checked out of Monday night’s game, and walked off the court for possibly the last time in a Spurs uniform.