Gregg Popovich sees ‘world’ differently

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Wasn't Naismith Canadian . . . ?

ouch...

[MI21]

I have no doubt that the champion NBA team would beat any team in the world, even international teams. (theoretically of course, if LA played Spain in my little hypothetical, Pau would play for both teams)

So basically, NBA Champion = Best team in the world, but you can't actually crown them world champions. I've always thought it sounded really awkward when Stern says it too, like he knows it isn't quite right.

[LoneStarState'sPride]

No basketball fan outside of the United States would agree with this.

Then why are kids overseas getting up at 2 and 3 AM to watch NBA games? Ask most international players who they idolized growing up, and the answer will probably be an NBA player.

[smeagol]

Then why are kids overseas getting up at 2 and 3 AM to watch NBA games? Ask most international players who they idolized growing up, and the answer will probably be an NBA player.

So?

The Spanish soccer league is arguably the best league in the World but you don't see Barcelona being crowned soccer champion of the World . . .

[LoneStarState'sPride]

Wasn't Naismith Canadian . . . ?

Yes, and a naturalized American. He invented the game on American soil. The first players were Americans. It's widely accepted that basketball is an American game.

Oh, and GSH's post ftw.

[polandprzem]

So?

The Spanish soccer league is arguably the best league in the World but you don't see Barcelona being crowned soccer champion of the World . . .

SMEAGOL !!!

































You got a point

[in2deep]

so Pop must agree using the word America is also wrong and ignorant. It should be USA.

[sonic21]

So?

The Spanish soccer league is arguably the best league in the World but you don't see Barcelona being crowned soccer champion of the World . . .

they did win the club WC, so in a way they are crowned soccer champion of the world

[Mel_13]

Then why are kids overseas getting up at 2 and 3 AM to watch NBA games? Ask most international players who they idolized growing up, and the answer will probably be an NBA player.

You clearly do not understand the difference between club team compe ion and national team compe ion.

[carina_gino20]

I think Ginobili pointed that out when Argentina won the world championships?

I can't find the article now, but I think Ginobili pointed it out after the 2005 Finals.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

NBA being the best basketball championship doesn't make the NBA champion world champion, because no other team even has the chance to participate. It's not like there is some sort of qualification for being in the NBA and european teams, being weaker, are unable to qualify.

Besides the tag World Champion is usually reserved for national teams, not clubs/franchises.

[polandprzem]

Lets call spurs the lakers , if name is not important

[manubili]

Pop is mostly right. But he's wrong when he says that Spain is the World Champ. National teams and Club teams are two different things. In the case of Clubs, there used to be a "Fiba World Cup Championship" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Wo...b_Championship
The last one was made iin 1999, and in 2010 will return.

Until the Fiba and NBA teams don't compete with each other, there won't be any World
Champ. Just NBA and FIBA Champs.

Of course NBA is the best league, but it doesn't prove anything. In any sport, Championships should be won, not just assumed.

[Fetissov]

As much as it kills me to say so, yes, Spain is the World Champion. They won the World Championship. And till they lose the le, they will remain the World champ. A compe ion opened to every countries in the world willing to play the game of basketball. And the USA were present. Not the NBA, because if is a teams league... Thinking is also available in any languages. Or should be...

[polandprzem]

Pop is mostly right. But he's wrong when he says that Spain is the World Champ. National teams and Club teams are two different things. In the case of Clubs, there used to be a "Fiba World Cup Championship" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Wo...b_Championship
The last one was made iin 1999, and in 2010 will return.

Until the Fiba and NBA teams don't compete with each other, there won't be any World
Champ. Just NBA and FIBA Champs.

Of course NBA is the best league, but it doesn't prove anything. In any sport, Championships should be won, not just assumed.

Nationals are not playing in a leauge

[Pero]

Ignorance is acting like we can't call our champions what we choose when we invented the goddamn game in the first place.

[thispego]

While Pop is essentially correct, his crusade about this comes off as something similar to Phil Jackson's antics.

There was a time that Pop would rarely, if ever, stick his nose into other team's affairs, but the last couple of years, he's done this more and more. From the commentary on the Pau Gasol trade to this.

and pop is not en led to? the league needs people with credibility saying these things. good for pop.

[Pero]

But he's wrong when he says that Spain is the World Champ. National teams and Club teams are two different things. In the case of Clubs, there used to be a "Fiba World Cup Championship" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Wo...b_Championship

No, because it's club not cup.

[Cherry]

I am with on this one...

This.

[jmard5]

I can't find the article now, but I think Ginobili pointed it out after the 2005 Finals.

I think I read it here in SpursTalk long ago. Anyway, Google pointed me to this forum site where in it was also discussed last 2005.

http://boards.sportslogos.net/index.php?showtopic=28426

-------
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) - The San Antonio Spurs are no world beaters, by their own admission.

The team has tweaked its new 2005 le banner, which crowns them 'NBA Champions' rather than the league's traditional 'World Champions' designation.

The franchise's other championship banners from 1999 and 2003 have also been changed to reflect the team's place in what has become a global sport.

"(Team officials) have long been leaders in recognizing the international reach of basketball," team spokesman Tom James said.

The Spurs have benefited from that reach. Half the team hails from outside the United States, including starters Tony Parker (France), Manu Ginobili (Argentina) and Rasho Nesterovic (Slovenia).

James conceded that Ginobili and team mate Fabio Uberto, who both played on the gold medal-winning Argentina team at the 2004 Olympics, might better claim the 'world champion' moniker.

"Basketball is now an international game," he said.

NBA rosters include 82 players from outside the U.S.

-------

So there you go.

[jmard5]

My bad. It was actually Kori who pointed that out. There was a discussion last 2005.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28250

[YoMamaIsCallin]

"I'm not trying to be an (expletive)"

Many here would say that Pop needs to make no effort in that regard.

He didn't say he wasn't. He said he wasn't TRYING to be.

[ShoogarBear]

So?

The Spanish soccer league is arguably the best league in the World but you don't see Barcelona being crowned soccer champion of the World . . .

Soccer isn't a sport the US cares about, therefore nobody can be world champion.

[urunobili]

Soccer isn't a sport the US cares about, therefore nobody can be world champion.

I am the center of the world complex/ iness right there... that's exactly what Pop is tackling... I wonder if Shooga truly is a Spurs fan with this kinda values...

[ffadicted]

Soccer isn't a sport the US cares about, therefore nobody can be world champion.

So sad but so true, lmao america's so funny