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I can see where you lost GiG. By the way, who are the judges?
Ginobili_is_God: Ever since I saw Manu Ginobili put on a San Antonio Spurs jersey his rookie year, I knew he would be an All-Star in the near future. I told my friends here in Sacramento, and they said, "Manu who!?". They had never even heard of the guy; neither had anyone except those people living in Italy, Argentina or San Antonio. Ginobili quickly became recognized as an excellent player, one that gives his all every single second he is on the court and the type of player who has the knack for always coming up with the key rebound during the final minutes of a huge game. Despite injuries during his rookie campaign, Ginobili showed many glimpses of the star player he would eventually become. Keeping this is mind, I pose the question, "Will Manu Ginobili be recognized as an All-Star next year?"
I firmly believe that Ginobili will notch his second straight All-Star appearance. There are many reasons why I believe this. First of all, the Argentinean sensation has increased his statistics every single year. Despite not starting most of his first two seasons in the NBA, Ginobili became one of the most efficient players in the league. He has already won an NBA Championship and a gold medal in the Olympics after only three years of playing for the Spurs. I feel that the sky is the limit for this guy and as long as he is healthy, he will become an NBA second or third team member for the rest of his career. He was recognized as an All-Star this year and I feel that he will keep this up for years to come.
MannyIsGod: I’m a firm believer that Ginobili is not only the second best player on the Spurs, but also the most exciting. He seems to be the exact kind of player you would want to participate in the NBA’s annual extravaganza of flair, the All Star Game.
You might then find it interesting to note that I believe Ginobili has been to his one and only All-Star Weekend as a participant in the All-Star Game.
It has nothing to do with excitement. Ginobili has a knack for the dramatic, outstanding play. It’s not for a lack of desire, as Ginobili is arguably the Spur most driven to win. It’s not for a lack of talent, because as stated above, he has plenty of that.
No, the two main obstacles Ginobili will have to overcome are as follows:
1. A large number of superior guards in the West.
2. An inability to play extended minutes.
A look across the rosters of the Western Conference will bring up names such as Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Mike Bibby, Steve Nash, Michael Finely and Jason Richardson. Even on his own team, Ginobili faces compe ion for a slot from Tony Parker.
As this season wears on, it becomes more apparent that Ginobili’s minutes must be carefully monitored in order to maintain his freshness. While this strategy will bode well for the Spurs in the win column, it will not give Ginobili the playing time needed to attain All-Star numbers.
Ginobili_is_God: You cannot honestly say that Ginobili will only play in one All-Star game the rest of his career. He made the team after three years (one which he was injured, the second came off the bench half the year). He is only going to get better. Ginobili is fearless and draws admiration from players all around the league, including even the Big Aristotle. That type of player is what the fans want to see. His country loves him and so do people all around the nation. The votes will always be there for the guy and the coaches love him.
His stats weren’t even that great this year yet he still got in. The All-Star game is about fast pace basketball players who make the fans get their money's worth. He is one of the top five most fun to watch players in the entire league.
Carmelo Anthony, Corey Maggette, Elton Brand, Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, Bibby and many other players from the West had equal if not better numbers than Ginobili, yet the Argentinean was the one chosen to play in the Mile High City.
Frankly, I'd rather have a player give his all for 30 minutes than a player like Vince Carter who plays a lot but is lazy on the defensive side. Clearly Ginobili will make the All-Star team next year and for years to come.
MannyIsGod: Ginobili plays with the reckless abandon that inspires teammates and makes him a local fan favorite. He has even gained celebrity fans such as Charles Barkley through this manner. But the fact remains is that this same style that endears him to many people will also be the main factor in his minute limitations through out his career.
One look at Ginobili late in a game will tell you all you need to know. He is tired, exhausted and takes days to recover from playing in excess of 35 minutes. Earlier this week, he could not even finish a practice after a 37 minute game against Houston.
In a conference filled with athletically gifted guards and small forwards expecting to make the All-Star game consistently while playing under 35 minutes is a grasp for straws. One 48 point game does not a consistent All-Star make.
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In a very close contest, the judges gave the win to MannyIsGod. Thanks to both bloggers and the judges.
I can see where you lost GiG. By the way, who are the judges?
Same here, I agree with Frenchise
G_is_G, a lot of the judges said while they agree with you, that Manny made his point better. This was the closest call in Battle Blog history, with it being decided by one vote ... so don't feel too bad.
You did a very good job.
Thanks.
GIG, I dont think you should get upset about the result, you did a good job, judges thought Manny did slightly better, not a big deal.
Yet I found a flaw in Manny's argument. All the things he points out as obstacles for Manu to get to an allstar game were valid this year as well, none of them has changed. Manu didnt play less minutes than last season and there arent going to be less talented guards in the west next year, so how did he got picked this year and he isnt going to get picked next year?
You could argue that there was someone injured this year, or someone who might get better next season, but something should change...
A judge's job is to pick who had the better argument. Not who they agree most with.
You cannot be both. It's either/or.
You cannot be both.
What are you talking about? Backing a player and believing that he won't be an all-star in the future are two different things.
By that logic, I'm not backing Nazr Mohammad because I don't think he's going to be league MVP next season. Manny wasn't saying that Manu shouldn't be named to the all star team, just that Manu probably wouldn't be. Those are two different things and your inability to separate them has led to an unfair indictment of Manny.
I, like many others, agree with you but feel that Manny made the better argument. Your argument is about how you feel and selected accomplishments that have little to do with Manu becoming an all star. Manu's gold medal really doesn't have a whole lot to do with the argument. Manny presented some interesting, easily identifiable arguments. What you think about Vince Carter really doesn't prove anything.
Instead of ing about it, why don't you write another one and try again?
That was a cold exclamation mark Brodels..... IMHO the blog should have been a tie.... to be decided by an extra argument.... but I wouldn't want to change the rules....
Why should it be a tie, when votes decided a winner?IMHO the blog should have been a tie....
Totally agree with Danyel. The flaw was there, funny the ones who voted for B did not see it.
That's why I'm saying I wouldn't want to change the rules.... Having an odd number of judges is a perfect precept --- 'ala supreme court....
I guess what I was trying to say was that the argument was so good that it deserved a tie.... but since a tie is not possible... it's unfortunate someone had to lose.
Anyways, I'm kind of undecided myself... Do I think Ginobili is perenial All-Star material? It's a no-brainer. He is the sort of player any and every coach would want on their squads (underline every). Do I think he will be voted in to other All-Star games? That's a different tune because he has to beat out very tough compe ion from other stat-filled studs. Only time will tell.
I'm surprised you didn't bring up that Ginobili will have the summer off, making it less likely that his minutes will have to be monitored as carefully. So it's pretty much a given his stats will be even better next year. If anything, he has a better shot of making it next season than he had this season.
On the other hand, I really believe Parker will be an all-star next year as well. Tim Duncan will of course be voted in, and I doubt the coaches vote in two additional Spurs. One of TP or Manu may need to be voted in by the fans for them both to make it.
Ginobili made an obvious prediction, and Manny made clear points detracting from his position. Manny won because he was concise where ginobili rambled. just because you're right, doesn't mean you presented the best argument. And who's to say you were right anyway?... That was between you and the judges.
Make your next blog sound less like a rant and you'll have a much better chance of winning.
Well,
I'm sure it must have been close. But there are a few more points GIG could have pointed out that would have sealed it in his favour.
1. The teams with great records are, on an average, better represented at the ASG. If the Spurs were to have the best record in the L at the time of the ASG, then odds are that at least two Spurs would make it. And Manu has a better chance than Parker right now.
2. The ASG reserves are decided by the coaches. Now, idiot fans of Vince Carter may not acknowledge the intangibles that Manu brings to the court, but opposing teams know why Manu is important to the Spurs no matter how many minutes he plays and how many points he scores. He's as fierce a compe or as they come, and head coaches know this: they won't blindly vote for Carmelo Anthony or Jason Richardson. Coaches respect compe iveness and clutchness more than highlight-reel plays and stats put up by ballhogging; they also respect the players on a team that is above them on the standings. Ergo, Manu would make it over several of the so-called "large number of superior guards in the West".
That's the thing. I think most everyone in here would agree with g is g...but most seem to agree that Manny made the better argument. It's not about what you believe. It's about who made the better argument.
Manny's conclusion stands on two premises. He claims that, for Manu to attend another ASG, he has to overcome two obstacles:
1. A large number of superior guards in the West.
2. An inability to play extended minutes.
What GiG is saying (and I agree with him) is that Manu has overcome these obstacles this year. Why wouldn't he do it again next year?
1. The superior guards in the West, and he names a few (Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Mike Bibby, Steve Nash, Michael Finely and Jason Richardson) were playing this year and,
2. He was voted by the coaches this year when he has averaged less than 30 mpg.
Therefore, as it can be seen, Manny's arguments are not strong at all.
GiG, I'm not a judge, but to win that argument I think you needed to either make the case that Manu will become more of a fan favorite (get voted in) or do a better job of explaining why coaches will continue to select him. I don't think you did either.
The fan votes will not "always be there" as you suggest. They weren't there this year so I'm not sure what you're basing your assumptions on. As far as coaches selecting him, sure, they might, but I hardly think it's a given (and if you disagree, you need to back it up). Brodels is also correct in saying that there's too much superfluous information. Manu's gold medal really doesn't have anything to do with the ASG voting, or if it did this year, it shouldn't next (i.e. what have you done for me lately?). Your claim that he will be on the second or third All-NBA teams for the rest of his career also seems highly questionable to me (and still off topic).
I have to agree with the majority vote on this one. Anyway, just suck it up and move on to the next one.
Season is not even over and the topic is next year all star player. Why not start a topic or a poll on will the SPURS trade for Malik,SJACKSON or call MALONE to come play for the SPURS next year.
I don't see how Manny could've won because his arguments against Manu making another allstar appearance were the same reasons people thought he wouldn't do it this year. they were all proven incorrect. coaches see lots of game footage and they see how manu plays. if the fans don't vote him in the coaches will again.
Somehow, I knew to expect Argentinian disagreement....
Anyhow, I'm of the opinion that Manu made this years all star team when other people, including Tony Parker, were more deserving. That takes nothing away from Manu, it simply states my opinion on the situation.
I think he made it in large part thanks to his game against Pheonix, and I don't think you can always count on that.
And Manny WON???
I think I may have to partake in this "battle blogs" thing when I have a little more time. I've never shot fish in a barrel before.
2 words.
Bring it.
I don't see why it's such a reach to you for me to say that the pheonix win was what seperated Manu from other potential all star candidates.
You know, my argument might hold a bit less water had Manu been a slam dunk for this years AS game. But he wasn't, was he? There were plenty of people who were at the very least just as worth as Manu as being on the AS team. Why is it so hard to fathom that a national tv performance against the other top team in the west was what put Manu ahead of those other players?
Hey, maybe my arguments do suck. We should let the battle blog judges decide. Oh wait.
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