Ginobili has been absolutely everything to Argentine basketball. He’s been a dream, an illusion, a projection, a reality, a fantasy and a materialization. cheap nfl jerseys cheap shipping Pure surrealism comes from the basketball city of Bahia Blanca, a town in the south of the Buenos Aires province that with a little more than 400,000 inhabitants possesses more than 21 clubs — all of them with their own arenas.

Since his arrival to the NBA in 2003, Manu has become an icon in his own country. His sustained success and effectiveness have enabled him to transcend as a sportsman and become an attraction whom Argentine people follow with passion. The high interest for seeing Ginobili in action has fans to this day organizing tours to witness the epilogue of his career.

The campaign made fans do the craziest acts in order to be able to see the Bahianse star. Several fan tours took place during the NBA regular season, and there was one during the playoff series between the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors. The package, which included air tickets, accommodation, game tickets, food and some extras, was around $4,500 per person — without a doubt, quite a number for any average citizen in our country.

“It is unbelievable and very comforting to see the efforts all these people have made in order to come here, really. I had a lot of fun,” said Manu to the Argentine press, during a visit of the Albiceleste fans.

Ginobili, who each night is fighting against time, has been a bridge among generations: He’s followed by grandparents, parents, sons and grandsons. From the posters to the PlayStation, from the Osvaldo Casanova stadium to the AT&T Center. An infatuation that has placed him among a very few Argentine historic athletes. There’s a sense of affinity and closeness when you see Manu. People don’t sit down to watch a basketball game, they sit down to see Ginobili in action.

Almost 41 years old, he still draws enormous attention and now debates retirement. cheap nfl jerseys for sale His legend was born long before his arrival to the NBA, and joining the San Antonio franchise has changed forever the image of basketball for Argentine fans.

“There has never been such a player as Ginobili in the NBA, no one can compare to his style and substance,” say the ESPN Player Rankings of one of its most influential players in NBA history. “He’s the biggest star in history that has embraced a permanent role as the sixth man.”