Manu back to the bench?

[MannyIsGod]

Typical chauvinist comment...go figure...

There's nothing chauvinist about me pointing out that you are the strongest opponent of reason in this debate.

[ChumpDumper]

Not one has he shown the cojones to say, "I admit it, I was wrong".

I have said over and over again the Spurs made the right choice between the two. Had I actuially said Hedo > Manu at that time, I would've been wrong wrong wrong wrong. If you want to crucify me for seeing value in Hedo's game and seeing potential in him based on his talent and improvement during his tenure with the Spurs, go right ahead. I was wrong for even thinking Hedo could possibly be better than Manu in the course of his career because I made the mistake of thinking Hedo gave a . If you can't accept that, that's your problem.

Now if ANY of you Argentinians would admit that your only beef with this move is because it hurts your national pride, I would respect that. Why can't any of you come out and say it?

There certainly haven't been any basketball-related reasons that could possibly apply to this season.

[Rick Von Braun]

Athenea is just crazy. Why do people try to reason with somebody who obviously has a fatal attraction?

You better pray that Jess does not see that comment

[Guru of Nothing]

Maybe there is something to be learned about how Athenea and the other Argentines defend Manu.

Yeah, we have an expression for it - There's a tear in your beer.

[ChumpDumper]

Maybe there is something to be learned about how Athenea and the other Argentines defend Manu.

They aren't defending Manu. They are defending the status of being a starter and the vicarious pride they feel from that status. This is the only thing that would be different.

[T Park]

Or

"stalker"

[MannyIsGod]

Uh, why? Jess was here when I was posting it. I'm the object of her affection (thankfully), that would be Manu.

[Phonzie20]

[smeagol]

Get your tounge off of Ginobili's boots.

My comment had nothing to do with having or not having my tongue on Ginobili's boots. Did you read my first post, or was it too long for you reading comprehension skills?

I said I favor the move.

Barry started on how many games? You think the sample is big enough to draw conclusions?

[ShoogarBear]

Shoog: Yes there is a Church of Manu because the guy is a national hero. This is a concept that Americans who follow basketball might not be familiar with. Some of you guys even rooted against your National Team in the Olympics (don't try to explain it because its ing unbelievable).

No, it's quite easy to explain. It basically boils down to some Americans' feelings that nobody on the 2004 US Olympic team "looked" like what a "real American" should look like.

But don't say we're not familiar with the concept of blind, unrepentant jingoism. You don't want to even start trying to compete with us on that score.

Maybe there is something to be learned about how Athenea and the other Argentines defend Manu.

Exactly how is Manu being "defended"? Defended from WHAT? Who's attacking him? The only ones being attacked in this thread are Pop, Tony, Barry, and poor Hedo.

What's becoming clear is that the Church of Manu doesn't really give a about what happens to the Spurs as long as he gets his stats.

[smeagol]

I have said over and over again the Spurs made the right choice between the two. Had I actuially said Hedo > Manu at that time, I would've been wrong wrong wrong wrong. If you want to crucify me for seeing value in Hedo's game and seeing potential in him based on his talent and improvement during his tenure with the Spurs, go right ahead. I was wrong for even thinking Hedo could possibly be better than Manu in the course of his career because I made the mistake of thinking Hedo gave a . If you can't accept that, that's your problem.

Blah, blah, blah . . . spin, spin, spin.

I hope someone count bump the famous thread, so this argument could be settled once and for all.

Now if ANY of you Argentinians would admit that your only beef with this move is because it hurts your national pride, I would respect that. Why can't any of you come out and say it?.

Again, for the record. I favor the move if it makes the team better. I would not like Manu coming of the bench for the rest of his days, though.

As for what my fellow countrymen are thinking or feeling regarding the move, I don't think it has to do with pride. It proly has to do with liking the player more than the team.

[stéphane]

But don't say we're not familiar with the concept of blind, unrepentant jingoism. You don't want to even start trying to compete with us on that score.

can France compete?

[timvp]

Since I began advocating Barry in the starting lineup over Manu, I've encountered how fans of Manu think going to the bench is a demotion. I've tried to explain that it's just a basketball move and has nothing to do with poor play on Manu's part -- but that doesn't seem to do any convincing.

I've come to the conclusion that coming off the bench has a negative conotation in places outside the US. Here, it's not really that big of a deal as long as you get the same number of minutes. I presume in other places, it's some sort of sign of respect.

I respect the fans of Manu, especially the Argentines. May the Spurs win and Manu play well.

Believe.

[stéphane]

I've come to the conclusion that coming off the bench has a negative conotation in places outside the US. Here, it's not really that big of a deal as long as you get the same number of minutes. I presume in other places, it's some sort of sign of respect.

sorry doesn't have a bad conotation here...

[timvp]

sorry doesn't have a bad conotation here...

Noted.

But then again, how many Spurs fans from France post here? I can count the number on one hand. And honestly, that has always shocked me. France has like twice the population of Argentina and Tony Parker has been with the team longer, but the French don't support him to the same degree as the Argentines support Manu.

Argentines live and die by the play of Manu. The French don't care enough to contribute here in regards to Parker.

Why is that?

QUESTION.



P.S.

Don't get me started on how much Slovenians care about Beno and Rasho or how even New Zealanders care about Sean Marks.

[ChumpDumper]

Blah, blah, blah . . . spin, spin, spin.

I said I was wrong. What more do you want?

Again, for the record. I favor the move if it makes the team better. I would not like Manu coming of the bench for the rest of his days, though.

As for what my fellow countrymen are thinking or feeling regarding the move, I don't think it has to do with pride. It proly has to do with liking the player more than the team.

At least you're close to being honest after being asked point blank 10 times. Congratulations. Once you get to thinking why you like Manu first, his being from the same country as you might well have something to do with it.

[Phonzie20]

I said I was wrong. What more do you want?At least you're close to being honest after being asked point blank 10 times. Congratulations. Once you get to thinking why you like Manu first, his being from the same country as you might well have something to do with it.

nice!

[smeagol]

No, it's quite easy to explain. It basically boils down to some Americans' feelings that nobody on the 2004 US Olympic team "looked" like what a "real American" should look like.

What's wrong with Timmy, Wade, Marion, James, Marbury to name a few? I can understand people not liking AI (although he was a great leader in that team) or Melo, but not liking ANYBODY?

I still don't understand how somebody cannopt root for their own Natinoal Team.

Exactly how is Manu being "defended"? Defended from WHAT? Who's attacking him? The only ones being attacked in this thread are Pop, Tony, Barry, and poor Hedo.

They are defending Manu's position as a starter.

What's becoming clear is that the Church of Manu doesn't really give a about what happens to the Spurs as long as he gets his stats.

Not true.

The "Church of Manu" firmly believes that if Manu plays well, the Spurs win . . if Manu excels, the Spurs win it all.

[ChumpDumper]

They are defending Manu's position as a starter.

But not Manu himself. There is an enormous difference.

The "Church of Manu" firmly believes that if Manu plays well, the Spurs win . . if Manu excels, the Spurs win it all.

Manu played well against the Lakers last year.

[smeagol]

I said I was wrong. What more do you want?

I want you to fall down on you knees and beg for forgiveness

[smeagol]

Manu played well against the Lakers last year.

I'll rephrase. If manu plays well, a lot of the times, the Spurs win. Against the lakers, Manu did OK but, as a whole, not that great.

[ChumpDumper]

If manu plays well, a lot of the times, the Spurs win.

That's a bit ambiguous for an article of faith, but faith on the whole is a good thing.

[ShoogarBear]

What's wrong with Timmy, Wade, Marion, James, Marbury to name a few? I can understand people not liking AI (although he was a great leader in that team) or Melo, but not liking ANYBODY?

I still don't understand how somebody cannopt root for their own Natinoal Team.

Sorry, I was probably being too cute if English is not your first language.

More bluntly, some people wanted them to lose because it was the first all-black Olympic basketball team.

[ShoogarBear]

Argentines live and die by the play of Manu. The French don't care enough to contribute here in regards to Parker.

Why is that?

Here's how you piss stéphane off:

California wines > French wines

Don't get me started on how much Slovenians care about Beno and Rasho or how even New Zealanders care about Sean Marks.

But they at least seem to have adjusted to the possibility that their countrymen may not necessarily be The Greatest Players Who Ever Walked The Face Of The Earth.

[smeagol]

That's a bit ambiguous for an article of faith, but faith on the whole is a good thing.

Yes Faith has something to do with it. If Faith was not involved, we would not be a Church, would we?