Manu Ginobili’s 16-year career came across the Miami Heat in a major way.
“Game recognize game.”
Riley Freeman’s comment rings equally as true for Grandad’s relationship in The Boondocks, as it does in the NBA.
NBA players are at the peak of their craft. Through a myriad of collected stats, finding broken records can happen almost nightly across the Association’s 82-game season.
But every so often, individual achievement needs nothing more than recognition. Stats will never completely describe the Cleveland Cavaliers’ drought-ending championship in 2016, anymore than they can capture Dwyane Wade’s impact on the entirety of South Florida.
The case of Manu Ginobili’s retirement after 16 seasons in the NBA is much the same.
Sure, he led all players in win percentage, among those who played at least 1,000 games.
But at the most basic level, game recognizes game.
In the last week, players, media and fans have overwhelmingly shared their love and respect for Ginobili’s game. From acknowledging his popularization of the now-famed Euro-step – from Argentina by way of Sarunas Marciulionas from Lithuania – to defining what it meant to sacrifice for the well-being of his team, Ginobili’s contribution and reputation among basketball circles is statistically immeasurable.
Today, with a wide range of feelings, I'm announcing my retirement from basketball. IMMENSE GRATITUDE to everyone (family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans) involved in my life in the last 23 years. It's been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams. pic.twitter.com/3MLCUtmd6K
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) August 27, 2018
A member of the San Antonio Spurs, Ginobili was occasionally on the wrong end – or right end, depending on perspective – of the Miami Heat.
Through 16 seasons, he faced off against Miami 26 times. Some contests were more important than others, but each bolsters the legacy of one of the NBA’s most traveled athletes.
As Heat players like Josh Richardson continue to honor Ginobili’s contributions, here’s a look back at his top three games against Heat Nation.