NBA Free Agency 2015 Update: San Antonio Spurs Nab David West For Minimum, Get Manu Ginobili Back
The San Antonio Spurs are winning the NBA free agency.
To say the league was shocked is an understatement as veteran big man David West of the Indiana Pacers rejected a $12 million offer from his four-year home to sign a $1.5 million vet minimum contract with the San Antonio Spurs, ESPN reported.
Thanx Indy for giving me a chance...Thanx for the support over the last 4 years...Luv is Luv....
— David West (@D_West30) July 1, 2015
In an interview with WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, West said that at this point in his career, all he is concerned about is winning. "And again, I don't want to be in a position where we're just fighting to make the playoffs. I want to be in a spot where we can legitimately taste the Finals."
His stint with the Pacers was full of ups and downs - at one point they were considered to be the antidote to the dominant Lebron James led Miami Heat, only to stumble inexplicably after the 2014 All-Star Weekend and not making the playoffs last season.
The Spurs proved to be the destination for West's liking, with the team in constant contention in the last 17 years, winning a total of five championship rings.
'The Fire Is Still Burning'
The deal came through a few hours after Manu Ginobili, 13-year veteran Spur, announced his comeback to the Alamo City on his Twitter page.
Happy to announce that I'm coming back next season. #gospursgo #TDwouldvemissedmetoomuch. — Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) July 6, 2015
The hashtag, #TDwouldvemissedmetoomuch, is testament to the strong bond Ginobili has with Spurs legend Tim Duncan. Ginobili and Duncan together with French star Tony Parker make up one of the most formidable trios in NBA history; five wins away from passing Boston Celtics Legends Robert Parish, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird as the winningest trio in the history of the league. Together, the trio has won four NBA Championships in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.
Ginobili was heavily criticized for his lukewarm showing during the 2013 NBA Finals against Lebron James' Miami Heat. News went abuzz with doubts when he announced his return the next year, only to prove himself still useful, helping the Texan team win its fifth championship.
In an article for an Argentinian newspaper La Nacion, the All-Star guard wrote, "When I watched the finals, I missed it a little. I felt that itch telling me I wanted to play again. The fire is still burning."
His return is much needed for the Spurs as they let go two bench guards Marco Belinelli and Cory Joseph who went to the Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors, respectively, for far bigger contracts.
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