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Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James And Derek Fisher React To Manu Ginobili Retiring
Lakers News

Lakers News: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James And Derek Fisher React To Manu Ginobili Retiring

Matthew Moreno
Published: 08/28/2018
3 Min Read
Kobe Bryant, Manu Ginobili
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
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After 16 seasons playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Manu Ginobili announced his retirement. In addition to achieving success in international play, the 41-year-old won four championships with the Spurs and was a two-time All-Star.

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But perhaps one of his most notable accomplishments was accepting a role off the bench. It did nothing to slow the impact Ginobili had on the court, as he won the Sixth Man of the Year Award for the 2007-08 season.

Ginobili played in 1,057 regular-season and 218 playoff games for San Antonio. He finished his career ranked in the top five all time in games, points (14,043), assists (4,001) and steals (1,392) in Spurs franchise history.

Included in his career were several memorable games against the Los Angeles Lakers, whether during the regular season or NBA playoffs.

Naturally, Kobe Bryant was among the many to share a kind message in the hours after Ginobili announced his retirement:

.@manuginobili You are true champion my friend and one of the best I have ever matched up with. Enjoy life after the game hermano. You deserve that and more. pic.twitter.com/g5qtYlsNMA

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 28, 2018

Derek Fisher, who was part of countless Spurs-Lakers tilts, also offered a congratulatory message:

You made my teammates and I bring our absolute best every single time we crossed paths, @manuginobili. For that I am thankful to have called you my peer. Congrats on a Hall of Fame @NBA career! #Respect #GraciasManu pic.twitter.com/LIpKIn9NSg

— Derek Fisher (@derekfisher) August 28, 2018

LeBron James doesn’t have the same extensive history as other Lakers, but he did compete against Ginobili and the Spurs in back-to-back NBA Finals to go along with regular-season matchups. James also thanked and praised Ginobili:

basketball right now which is the “Euro Step”!!!! God bless you, thanks for the playing the game the right way and for the competition!!! ???????? ????????????

— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 28, 2018

With Ginobili joining Tim Duncan in retirement, head coach Gregg Popovich and some within the front office are the last standing members of the Spurs’ dynasty. Tony Parker signed with a two-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets in July after 17 seasons with the Spurs.

Are you following us on Instagram? We’ve changed our handle to @LakersNationOfficial! Find us on Facebook at @LakersNation, and on Twitter @LakersNation.

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TAGGED:Derek FisherKobe BryantLeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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