Manu Ginobili in the Hall of Fame: behind the scenes of a treasure weekend

Springfield, Massachusetts (special envoy). For a moment it is important to dwell on one of his many successful reflections Manu Ginobilithe man who enabled a group of people from Argentina has found itself these days in a place that is far from the best known in the United States. Manu pointed out that if it was already unrealistic for someone from his country to think about making it to the NBA as a boy, what about his approach to the Olympus of stars.

An Argentine who enters the space reserved for the absolute legends of this sport? Yes, 20 years ago, someone would have said that was crazy. But well, there is one detail that allows the madness to magnify: his tent Symphony Halla beautiful theater with an upper floor of seating that allows a closer look at some beautiful chandeliers, it has two spaces on its sides with 18 images referencing the Class of 2022 honorees: 17 are team logos. The rest? A flag. Which? Yes, the blue and white of Argentina. Impressive to see.

Manu Ginobili is primarily responsible for this madness which of course is to celebrate his wonderful and unrepeatable career. However, these days Uncasville and Springfield They left a certainty. The celebration was for and thanks to Manu, but it should be extended to all sports in Argentina.

Welcome to the Disney of basketball…

When we talk about celebration, we must understand it in the literal sense of the word. Hall of Fame Weekend is, for basketball fans, like being in Disney for a kid (well, also for someone not so young). Not just to attend an event where true legends are celebrated, but because at all times there is a legend a few meters away, relaxed, laid back, understanding the context and creating an extremely pleasant atmosphere.

the weekend breathes privacy. First, at the Mohegan Sun, that monstrous Connecticut hotel where the honorees’ press conference was held. That was the beginning, the moment when everyone started arriving. And that’s where you start to catch a need: to have your senses open 200%.

If you get distracted, you can lose Dikembe Mutombo or Bill Walton walking their long body into one of the rooms. Or lose a conversation between laughs Tim Hardaway, Bruce Bowen and Nick Van Exel. Or you can’t confirm it Charles Barclay is one of the leading imams of fans and spectators strolling through the area (how could you not with the casino a few meters away, ready to tempt anyone by playing some potato chips). Or maybe you’re missing a detail. walt frazier: the shirt he is wearing has the shield of Chivas de Guadalajaraone crossover which no one would imagine even in the Marvel Multiverse. And as if that weren’t enough, these lobby rides have a detail on the side that adds to the frame: the Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse.

A day later, already in Springfield, the scene changes but not the feeling. And suddenly you might find yourself eating a sandwich or drinking a coffee with him Reggie Miller across the tablewith Mutombo two meters back (and yes, maybe he looks taller than the first time), or with Ettore Messina in conversation with James Borrego in some armchairs. And if you take a moment to walk around to see another impressive hotel (with another casino), suddenly David Robinson. Maybe you say it’s time to turn around, rest and recharge for the big ceremony and on the way out there are Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich and RC Buford getting off a truck to set up on site. Good luck…

But well, it’s all very well with international implications, but The justification Here is Manu, Manu is Argentinian and Argentina is very well represented this weekend. You can start with the focus of Springfield: the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

If they said the weekend was like being in Disney for the basketball lover, Arriving at the museum itself is like stopping in front of the castle at the Magic Kingdom. T-shirts, shoes and souvenirs are everywhere. There are items that are true heirlooms, such as The first wooden baskets were placed on the spectacular field that any visitor can tap and use to shoot for a while (as Tim Hardaway Jr. did this Saturday). There are places that leave you on the verge of tears, like that corner for Kobe Bryant. Now, this weekend his luck take the tour with Julio Lama and Egg Sanchez, two of Manu’s guests. They are not coaches there. There are basketball fans who are as surprised as anyone. And seeing that wonder and wonder at all the memories is a detail to keep.

Suddenly the afternoon has moved on and it’s time for the big date. All in suits and dresses for the occasion, with the red carpet as the first big attraction. And there some of those already seen throughout the weekend parade again, or more legendary faces appear: Rudy Tomjanovich, Gary Payton, Chris Mullin, Alonzo Mourning, and the list goes on. But hey, Argentina… And from one of the buses that don’t stop bringing guests comes the part of the gold band that was Manu’s guest.

we really realize it Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, Pepe Sanchez, Fabrizio Oberto and Gabriel Fernandez enter the Symphony Hall this way? It looks like a movie. But the best thing is that they do nothing but be themselves. And they smile, they enjoy, they joke, they exchange conspiratorial glances with some familiar faces among the colleagues who lay the carpet… It is a pure gift, it is what they have cultivated all these years where they made their company a myth that everyone outside admires .

And as if there was anything missing to top off the weekend, Manu was in charge of closing the ceremony. He entered to the loudest cheers, partly from the group of Spurs fans wearing his number 20 shirts who entered the event, and left another huge ovation after a fantastic speech.

The emotion and some tears to thank Gregg Popovichthe simplicity of doing it with a Duncan who defined it as a “chaotic genius” in a previous video, the laughs and jokes to do it Tony Parker, the logic of the team taking its seconds with the “small” pieces that made the whole, and for those who work and have worked at Spurs at all levels. And the special closing of sports for his golden friends.

Manu put everyone on a rollercoaster of sensations, with words measured, careful, heartfelt and sincere. And with one last moment for him family that broke everyone. The words in Spanish, between tears, for his brothers Toad and Leandro, engines of his inspiration. tears from the bottom of his heart for Papa Yuyo; Special thanks to mom Raquel. and the closure for his greatest treasure, the many, Dante, Nikolas and Lukas… Perfection doesn’t exist, but Ginobili came very close to it with these soul-talking minutes.

Life is often about moments. Moments that in the whirlwind of everyday life are rather difficult to appreciate. But this Hall of Fame weekend forces you to break those molds.. What happened in Springfield was pure history and a good history that should be preserved for all eternity. That eternity which henceforth has Manu as its immortal legend.