SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts.- Laureate in the corner of the world where basketball was born. Legend among legends. Emanuel David Ginobili He took the last great leap that can be achieved towards eternity. At 45, Manu was inducted into the prestigious Basketball Hall of Fame. Retired in 2018, he achieved this jump to perpetuity in just his first “option as eligible”, earning the approval of the demanding committee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Bahiense, along with twelve other protagonists of the class of 2022 (such as Tim Hardaway and coach George Karl), reached the top, where they are also Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Scottie Pippen , among many others.
Ginobili is the first Argentine to achieve it, Of course, but far from extolling his individual achievements, his message was clear: he wouldn’t have gotten so high without the support of his teammates. He would not have become a muscular superhero without the intelligence and passion of his teams from the Golden Generation, from San Antonio Spurs, from Kinder Bolonia, from Reggio Calabria, from Estudiantes de Bahía Blanca, from Andino de La Rioja. The impulse was personal, but the contagion was collective. And so he exposed it on a very special night.
He spoke in English, he thanked, he was moved, although restrained, sure of the role he occupied. Later, when he left behind the sports legend, the NBA, the cracks that shone next to him, the aura of the Golden Generation, aimed at his inner circle. He allowed himself to speak in Spanish, looked into the eyes of his children, his wife. And he started crying.
“To my brothers, thank you for clearing the way for me. Thank you for the inspiration, for reflecting my path, when I was little I wanted to be like you. Ehhhh, Dad (he gets nervous for the one time, rubs his nose, a standing ovation gratifies him) How I wish you were here. And that you can understand what is happening today. My first faithful and biggest follower, I miss you so much old man...”.
Jorge, the father, known as Yuyo, is going through a delicate moment of health, that is why he might not accompany him in the great event of his life, beyond the field of play. He is in Bahía Blanca. Manu was accompanied by Leandro, his brother, his wife and his children.
The story tells that Yuyo resisted: she did not want her next son to be called Emanuel because “They are going to call him Manolo”, he argued with some anger in front of Raquel, his wife. But the mother’s decision was res judicata. Shortly before, she had read the meaning of that name in the Bible and had loved it: “God with us.” Yuyo, at most, had the right to choose one for a woman. “Although we were sure that the third boy was coming,” said one of the happiest and proudest parents when his son Manu gave him the first NBA title won with the San Antonio Spurs in the United States.
Achievements followed. On and off the field. And Manu, from a distance, was moved, like never before.