NBA releases video honoring Manu Ginóbili’s Spurs debut
Twenty-four years after Emanuel Ginóbili stepped onto an NBA floor for the very first time, the league marked the milestone by releasing a commemorative video on its social media channels.
The tribute revisited the guard’s debut on October 29, 2002, when the San Antonio Spurs faced Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. The video featured narration tracing the expectations surrounding the Argentine player after his stints in the Argentine National League and European basketball.
The Staples Center Debut Against the Defending Champions
In that opening night matchup against the reigning three-time champion Lakers, featuring Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal among their star figures, Ginóbili entered the game off the bench when 3 minutes and 15 seconds remained in the first quarter and played 20 minutes, finishing with seven points, four steals, three assists, two rebounds, and one block in an 87-82 San Antonio victory. It was added that his stat line included a converted three-pointer on his very first shot attempt and a defensive play where he stripped the ball from Kobe Bryant to assist Speedy Claxton.
“I’m happy. I played a little more than expected, especially at the end. We won on the champion’s court, so I’m very happy. The rest is all secondary,” Ginóbili said after the game.
The rookie season saw him average 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, earning him the rookie of the month honor in March and a selection to the second best team of rookies of the season.
Rise Through the Draft and European Dominance
Ginóbili arrived in Texas three years after the Spurs selected him 57th overall in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft. Recalling that selection process, the player’s past comments noted: “I couldn’t believe it when they told me I had been drafted by the Spurs. I had zero expectations, hadn’t had any conversations, and my agent didn’t know they were going to pick me either. There was no hat or press conference.”
Before crossing the Atlantic, Ginóbili established himself overseas. His professional trajectory included starting in the Argentine Liga Nacional with Club Andino de La Rioja on September 29, 1995, being named best debutant of the LNB, moving to Estudiantes de Bahía Blanca where he earned most improved and MVP of the Rising Stars Game, and then transferring to Europe to play two seasons for Basket Viola Reggio Calabria.
Championships, Records, and International Glory
The guard spent 16 seasons with San Antonio, playing under head coach Gregg Popovich and forming a dynasty alongside Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. He secured four NBA championships in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014, with the first of those titles making him the first Argentine league champion with San Antonio.
His achievements included four championships, two All-Star Game selections in Denver in 2005 and Los Angeles in 2011, and the Sixth Man award in 2008. He was selected to the All-Star Games in 2005 and 2011, and registered a career-high 48 points against the Phoenix Suns on January 21, 2005. Alongside his NBA career, he led the Argentine National Team’s Golden Generation, winning a silver medal at the 2002 World Championship in Indianapolis—becoming the first team in history to defeat a roster composed of NBA players—and capturing the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Ginóbili retired in 2018. The Spurs subsequently retired his number 20 jersey during a ceremony at the AT&T Center.