Manu may retire at end of his contract

Hoopsworld
By: Lang Greene
7/15/11 8:24 AM ET

While the San Antonio Spurs compiled a 61-21 record last season, good for second best in the league, the squad suffered a completely demoralizing first round playoff elimination at the hands of the upstart Memphis Grizzlies.

It marked the second time in the past three seasons the Spurs have been unable to advance past the opening round of the postseason, representing a steep fall from grace for a team expected to be in the thick of title contention annually.

Many around the league already view the Spurs' championship window as either fully shut or closing rapidly as the Hall of Fame bound Tim Duncan's once dominant skills continue to erode.

Well, add another peg to the wheel of urgency if San Antonio expects to compete amongst the league's elite over the next few seasons.

In an interview with an Argentinian based website, two-time All-Star Manu Ginobili kept open the possibility of playing after his contract ends in two years but also admitted time wasn't on his side long-term.

"The truth is that I have set the date of my retirement, but I have two years left on this contract in San Antonio, and I will reach age 36. I think it may be an appropriate age to stop playing," Ginobili stated.

Ginobili will turn 34 later this month and has been an integral part of the Spurs' success since joining the club in 2003.

San Antonio has recorded at least 50 wins in each season since his arrival and have captured three championships along the way.

Ginobili, the 2008 Sixth Man of the Year, also closed the door somewhat on returning to play in his home country once his NBA days were finished.

"I never had the desire to play in the country and retire at home. I always thought about retiring at the highest level," Ginobili stated.

An extended lockout would undoubtedly help veteran clubs with aging players such as San Antonio and Boston if it were to cut into a portion of next season's schedule.