SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 14: Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs and Manu Ginobili #20 during the game against the Utah Jazz on December 14, 2015 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photos by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images)Chris Covatta/Getty Images

Gregg Popovich: Without Manu Ginobili 'There Were No Championships' for Spurs

Joseph ZuckerMar 28, 2019

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and former Spurs star Tony Parker had high praise for Manu Ginobili as the team retired his jersey following Thursday's 116-110 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Ginobili helped the Spurs win four NBA titles over his 16 years in San Antonio. While Parker and Tim Duncan are generally considered the two best players during the franchise's run of success, Popovich thought Ginobili was just as vital:

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Parker also spoke about the impact the Argentine swingman had on his career:

Ginobili is the ninth Spurs player to have his jersey retired by the franchise, joining Duncan, David Robinson, Johnny Moore, Avery Johnson, Bruce Bowen, James Silas, Sean Elliott and George Gervin.

The 41-year-old was primarily a sixth man for San Antonio. Of his 1,057 appearances, only 349 were in a starting capacity. Being able to bring Ginobili off the bench was a nice luxury, and his selflessness was indicative of the Spurs' team-first philosophy under Popovich.