Manu... Best Argentinean Player?

[wildbill2u]

If Manu isn't the best Argentinian player hands down, then why don't we go get the guy who is. He'd obviously be an NBA all-star and superstar.

[timvp]

Victoriano is the typical case of a player that could have been much better of what he is now. When he first started to play in the Argentinian league, he was a solid 3 pt shooter, he was fast penetrating, had a good court vision, and once in a while he could dunk. When he moved to Spain, Real Madrid hired him to be their go-to-guy. But a series of factors (injuries, being disliked by one of the coaches, incosistent play, poor club management by the office...etc) moved his status in the club to a role player. He moved to Real Madrid in 1997-98, but didn't make it into the roster on a constant basis until 2002. In Europe clubs can "loan" out players (Something like the Spurs loaning a player for one season to a CBA team, after the season is over, the player returns to the Spurs). He was loaned to four different clubs in the 97-98 period.

This season he was definitely transfered to Casademont Girona, which in the NBA would be like being traded from the Lakers or Spurs to Atlanta or New Orleans. This season he averaged 6.4ppg, 2.9apg, 32% from 3pt., and 50% from 2pt. attempts.

Also, in the National team he lost his projection too. When he played for the Under 19 and under 21 National Teams, he seemed destined to s om, but Pepe Sanchez and Alejandro Montecchia relegated him into the deeper part of the rotation, he only had cameo apperances in the World Championships, and was cut off the roster for the Olympics. Probably because Montecchia has retired from Argentina Basketball, he will get another chance in the Americas Tournament or the South American Championship.

For his complete stats in the Spanish League, follow the link:
http://www.acb.com/stsa jug.php?cod_jugador=A89

(In case you need a translation of the terms, let me know).

Thanks for the info. Awesome job.

One last question. How highly rated was Ginobili when the Spurs drafted him? Because no one was mentioning that he could be drafted and it shocked everyone that the Spurs drafted him. Was he already a superstar in Argentina or the Spurs just got lucky by picking someone who eventually just got this good?

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

(Sorry in this one, I get confused... He told me Walter but I have not idea why I put Walter ... )

Besides... I love your argentinean sarcasm and your ironic phrases ...

Sorry if I was wrong in somethings but that's what at least I understood that what this guy told me... And He looks like he knows a lot about argentinean basketball... Thats why I decided to post it in here... That's it !

I never so that guy called "pichi" but if you can tell me any web page (english) where I can get some pics and info I would be happy !!

Cya
Willy

Lol, the thing is I believed you were Argentinian. Sorry about the sarcasm, but since I thought you were from Argentina, I thought that you should have known about those players. Your friend knows about Argentinian basketball, but he seems to have an awful memory remembering names!

The Best All Time Argentine Team is:

Milanesio
Ginobili
Campana
Scola
Oberto

It's really hard to decide an all-best team. Specially since the last generation achieved so much, now the players of other eras look relegated in the choice.
Some names that in my opinion should be included:

Ginobili
Campana
Milanesio
Sconocchini
Nicola
Cadillac
Hernan Montenegro
Oberto
Scola
Pepe Sanchez
Nocioni (not the best technically, but played his heart out in every game)
Montecchia
Juan Espil
Miguel Cortijo
Jorge Racca
The 1950 World Champions
And more...

Thanks for the info. Awesome job.

One last question. How highly rated was Ginobili when the Spurs drafted him? Because no one was mentioning that he could be drafted and it shocked everyone that the Spurs drafted him. Was he already a superstar in Argentina or the Spurs just got lucky by picking someone who eventually just got this good?

Well, it was rated "highly" by those of us who followed the Argentinian and Italian league. With "highly" I mean: We had hopes in him making it into the NBA and being more than an injury list player like Sanchez or Wolkowisky. But, personally, I never expected this superstar status, not at least until 2001 or 2002, when his game took a giant leap foward in the Italian League and in the Argentinian National Team. Then we had an idea about how good he could be.

In Argentina, he was a star for the basketball fans. In Italy, he evolved into a star in his second and third year. In his last year in Europe he was called "Euro Kobe" by the basketball press there, because of the way he dominated the game (remember that Kobe was dominating in those years in the NBA).

But now it has evolved into something appart from Basketball, Manu is drawing people that didn't follow basketball into the game. The Olympic Games and the NBA Finals are an example of this. Now, not just the basketball fans watch it, but an important number of people who like other sports too.

[Xikronus]

Manu's... I'm not argie but I have some argentinean friends in South Beach that likes basketball... I just like Manu Ginobili because He looks so different to much of the NBA players... I mean his playing style, so I got interested in the knowledge of more argentinean players that never were playing in the NBA, or those that have some chances to come. Thats it !!

And I also remember argentina kickin' our ass in the last OG.. God Manu has played awsome !

Cya
Willy

** My friend told me about that Juan Espil too... He told me that was a 3p shooter really awsome and play for Tau Ceramicas... Is it true?