Will Manu go down as the most popular spur ever?

[polandprzem]

Everyone knows who David Robinson was, everyone know who Tim Duncan is BUT DAMN THEY ARE CHEERING FOR MANU.

[B.AlMighty]

Didn't they cheer for David and Timmy? Sure sounds like that to me.

Popularity is in the moment.

[polandprzem]

Not much people cheer for people like TD or DR. Just the Spurs fans I think.
But for Manu right now? Much much more than just spurs fans.

[Horry For 3!]

Most popular Spur player ever = David Robinson

[polandprzem]

Look
There are team fans (they cheer for all players in the team with small exeptions)
but there are many players fans they go where player goes.
And there are neutrual fans bthat like what Manu has and Tim or David never had.

Dave's spurs?
Tim's spurs?
that's not in discussion everybody knows that. Popularity goes beyond the recognition

[puffytaco]

He moved to the US at the age of 17!! and became the basketball player he was in the US!! He never played outside the US!!

You are embarassing yourself. I just did some internet research. He played center for the Nigerian National team.

[smeagol]

actually, the NBA does.Jelly is right. Research NBA articles and reports on Hakeem. He is most definitely classified as an international player according to the NBA.

Doesn't the NBA report TD as an international player from the Virgin Islands?

[vanvannen]

This is lame.
David Robinson is BY FAR the most popular Spur ever. However, you could argue that in the years of Gervin the NBA was not as massive and international as it is now, so it is not really fair.
I guess Manu will never be as popular as David (or Tim probably) in the US. He could be more popular OUTSIDE the US, but you never know. He could have a lousy season and be traded, he could have a bad injury, who knows...
On the Hakeem/Manu argument, I would not call Hakeem an international player. YES, he was born in Nigeria, but I think what is now known as international player are all those who developed their games OUTSIDE the US, such as Dirk, Peja, Kukoc, Manu or Petrovic. They all played (correct me if I'm wrong) in some non american league, therefore, they DEVELOPED their game outside the US. Smeagol argument is right. According to the NBA, TD is listed as International Player. Now seariosly Jelly, do you REALLY consider Tim an International Player? Do you consider Steve Nash an international player? He played for Canada's national team...

[spurschick]

Why don't you guys Battle Blog this stuff?
http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15389

[MaNuMaNiAc]

You are embarassing yourself. I just did some internet research. He played center for the Nigerian National team.

When??? olympics?? international tournament?? you're talking out of your ass!

[MaNuMaNiAc]

"You want to think he was an international player, then by all means go ahead, but know that noone else does."

actually, the NBA does. Jelly is right. Research NBA articles and reports on Hakeem. He is most definitely classified as an international player according to the NBA.
By the way, I don't care who the most popular international player is, but in this thread, between you and Jelly, you were by far the most obnoxious poster and I don't blame him for finally blowing up at you. He's right, you were just looking for a a fight the whole time.

How was I looking for a fight?? what are you? Jelly's relative?? and for your information I think Jelly is a she

[TOP-CHERRY]

I'm done arguing with someone too stupid to understand they're being owned!

Funny how you came in here saying you weren't trying to be mean in any way. All this proves is how obnoxious and pedantic you really are.

[Dex]

Completely HAWTALTA, but it needed to be done.

And Cherry wins because she used to word pedantic.

[TOP-CHERRY]

And Cherry wins because she used to word pedantic.

Actually, I copied it off of someone who used it earlier in this thread.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Funny how you came in here saying you weren't trying to be mean in any way. All this proves is how obnoxious and pedantic you really are.

hey smartass, she blew up on me remember??! I don't take well to insults, do you?

[TOP-CHERRY]

Seriously, stop coming up with dumbass takes just because you want to have the last word.

First insult I saw.

And I don't see how arguing about Hakeem being international is having a "dumbass take".

[Dex]

For starters, Jelly was right. If a player is born outside of the contiguous United States, then they are considered an international player, period. This is why Tim is also considered international, despite the fact that he also learned to play here, played college ball here, and played for the American National Team. Anytime they talk about the internationals on the Spurs roster, Tim Duncan is included for his affilliations with the Virgin Islands.

The very same rule applies to Hakeem.

Secondly, ManuMania, you haven't really debated in this topic at all. All you've done is argued with people and then resorted to name calling. And yes, people aren't going to take you seriously if you call their takes 'dumb' and act like they don't deserve an opinion and you do.

Don't start flinging around, then act all surprised when it hits the fan.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

First insult I saw.

And I don't see how arguing about Hakeem being international is having a "dumbass take".

Go back and check the whole thread to see who attacked whom first

[TOP-CHERRY]

Go back and check the whole thread to see who attacked whom first

I did.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

For starters, Jelly was right. If a player is born outside of the contiguous United States, then they are considered an international player, period. This is why Tim is also considered international, despite the fact that he also learned to play here, played college ball here, and played for the American National Team. Anytime they talk about the internationals on the Spurs roster, Tim Duncan is included for his affilliations with the Virgin Islands.

The very same rule applies to Hakeem.

Secondly, ManuMania, you haven't really debated in this topic at all. All you've done is argued with people and then resorted to name calling. And yes, people aren't going to take you seriously if you call their takes 'dumb' and act like they don't deserve an opinion and you do.

Don't start flinging around, then act all surprised when it hits the fan.

Oh this is classic! She calls my take ignorant first, and then I call her take a dumbass take and I get the heat? Either way I can see this going on and on and on, and I'm really not interested in continuing it.

[TOP-CHERRY]

For starters, Jelly was right. If a player is born outside of the contiguous United States, then they are considered an international player, period. This is why Tim is also considered international, despite the fact that he also learned to play here, played college ball here, and played for the American National Team. Anytime they talk about the internationals on the Spurs roster, Tim Duncan is included for his affilliations with the Virgin Islands.

The very same rule applies to Hakeem.

See, Manumania, it isn't too hard to fathom that maybe Manu isn't the second coming () and that he's not the most accomplished international player. He's good, yeah. Just not that good to make such a bold statement.

Secondly, ManuMania, you haven't really debated in this topic at all. All you've done is argued with people and then resorted to name calling. And yes, people aren't going to take you seriously if you call their takes 'dumb' and act like they don't deserve an opinion and you do.

Don't start flinging around, then act all surprised when it hits the fan.

See? Not the only one who thinks that way.

[Dex]

Oh this is classic! She calls my take ignorant first, and then I call her take a dumbass take and I get the heat? Either way I can see this going on and on and on, and I'm really not interested in continuing it.

I don't want to, either. I'm not trying to argue or hate or anything.

Still, I went through the entire thread, and I think you took the offensive first. You started saying she was "out of her mind" just because she made a perfectly decent and valid point that, god forbid, didn't agree with your own.

Show me the quote where she called your take ignorant, and I'll admit you were somewhat justified. But from what I saw, she was simply debating, and you were the one who started taking things personally. Considering I don't know either of you, there is no reason for me to be biased here, so I'm simply going by what I read. No hard feelings, either way.

[batman2883]

I think Manu has a very big fan base because of the style he plays with. His reckless drives towards the rim and crazy finishes finally gives the Spurs that highlight reel making player. However when measuring him to the being the favorite of San Antonio, i'd have to say is a huge bias remark, i am a huge fan of Manu Ginobili huge, and i can say he's my favorite over David Robinson, however, that is just my opinion i wouldnt force that on anyone cause as long as some loved a spur its all good.

[ambchang]

I think Manu will be the Spur with the largest fan base by the time his career is over. Its a given, he has an advantage over people because he has the latin vote, much like Yao does.

The whole notion of people rooting for you strictly based on the fact that they are of the same race is silly. I am Chinese, never really rooted for Yao Ming, I mean, did you see people going nuts over Wang ZhiZhi and Menk Bateer? No. In fact, those all-star votes from China mostly voted for Shaq (when he was out West), not Yao. Strangly enough, it was the local American votes that went to Yao, perhaps people just hated Shaq's fat mouth.
Anyways, fact that only 2 or 3 in this thread picked Manu, and everyone else picked the Admiral would be telling enough as to who is most popular.

[ambchang]

Jesus christ! Its obvious!!! When DRob and Ice were playing the Spurs weren't even global!!! Why would international fans watch them?? Huh? I'm talking bandwagon fans!! NOT REAL FANS!!! The NBA has gone global only in the past few years, before then the only NBA players that actually had a bandwagon following outside the US were Jordan, Magic, Bird and maybe Barkley. I know DRob played during the same period as Jordan but Jordan was flashier than David and hence got a of a lot more fans. I really don't understand how it is that difficult to comprehend why Manu has more fans outside of the US than any other Spur in history.

Because this is untrue. I am from Hong Kong, and I was a David Robinson fan back there. You would be surprised how many games they televise worldwide.