[HobbyOGParticipant]

Manu decides to hang it up..

1. I think he’s a HOF, anyone disagrees?

2. Where do the Spurs finish next year? 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 When you combine his distinguished international career along with his nba career, I believe he is a first ballot HOFer no questions asked. His numbers were skewed from playing a supporting role throughout his career, but anyone he played against in that era will tell you he was one of the best SGs in the league in his prime. He made the eurostep mainstream and was arguably one of the most influential players of his generation. 

As far as the spurs go, it will be interesting to see how Aldridge and derozan co-exist and how popovich is able to create the necessary spacing for them to thrive. I’ll never doubt pops ability as a coach, but this roster is going to present some challenges and it’s a strange mix of players. I’m going to set a ballpark prediction of about 45 wins but there are a lot of question marks. 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

  A bit off topic but what happened to Argentinian basketball? They won Gold in 2004 and then Bronze in 2008 in the world olympics. Fastforward 12 years from 2004 to 2016 and other then 5’8 Facundo Campazzo you have the same 4 leaders that were on the 2004 team leading the 2016 team Ginobli, Scola, Nocioni and Delfino. Whats going on down there back then I thought they would become powerhouses.

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

A little short-sighted but maybe at that timeline of 2004-2016, Messi had his explosion and his prime years. If arguably the GOAT of the most popular sport in the world is from your country, kids will naturally gravitate towards that sport. 

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

 Very Tough year for Pop losing his wife, Kawhi, Manu & Parker in the same year. Now I guess we’ll see how great a coach he is. Becuz Duncan,Manu and Parker were all there since getting drafted. AlDridge & Derozan were not. Remember LA wanted to leave after his first year in San Antonio.

[CoachWyersParticipant]

 Based on NBA career he doesn’t get in, but like others have said because of what he did overseas he does get in since it isn’t the NBA, but a basketball HOF.

 

[XYRYXParticipant]

 man Manu is a legend and will not only miss his spectacular style but also one of the nicest guys his generation has seen. The bat thing alone was spectacular and his countless on court heroics were always a pleasure to watch. Always played the right way (aside from the plopping) and a very good teammate you could always count on. 

Now it’s only Dirk, Vince and Pau left from the bunch. I‘m really getting old guys…

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Spurs wont make the playoffs. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Hearing this will never get old.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 Manu was one of the all time great competitors in NBA history.  I never liked the Spurs but I always respected his game.  

[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

 One of only two players in Basketball history to win the NBA title, Euroleague and Olympic Gold. The other being Bill Bradley.

[ChewyParticipant]

 USA has only choked in the Olympics once. Make that the same list, but have it be Olympic Silver (to eliminate the USA Olympic dominance) and I wonder how much bigger that list gets…

[The GoatParticipant]

 He’s very underrated. What he did in 2004 to get Argentina past Serbia and the USA and win a gold medal was the stuff of dreams. All of us that aren’t American will tell you that as a kid growing up the idea of ever winning gold for your country was always beyond a dream.. until he led that team and proved it could be done. Euro title and MVP, multiple NBA titles and all star games, 6th man award and being able to extend your career til 41. The guy is a legend. A first ballot HOFer for sure. I recently got destroyed on here for saying he was 3rd behind MJ and Kobe all time in 2Gs, so while I get Wade and Jerry West absolutely have claims to being above him, to me there are very few things he hasn’t done and you can ever knock him for. He even swatted and caught a live bat on court. Nothing he couldn’t do! Well done Manu.  

[cohenbc1Participant]

For sure Hall of Famer just based on NBA career alone (as is Parker). 

They were the co-second-best players on one of the greatest and longest-lived dynasties ever … the 2003-14 San Antonio Spurs.

I expect the West to shake out much like it did last year … Houston and Golden St. at one level, then teams #3-9 or 10 all bunched up between 45-50 wins. The difference is, last year I thought the Spurs would have lost to every Western Conference playoff team in the first round. There were too many nights when Aldridge had to carry the team. This year I like the Spurs’ chances to win a first-round series (against anyone but Rockets, Warriors and Lakers), because their top two can match up with anyone. The Rudy Gay we saw in the last third of the season was a legit third option. Dejounte Murray could make a huge leap.

Fun fact: Only one NBA team has two players from the most recent 1st- and 2nd-team All-NBA squads.

 

 

  

[ph90702]

They may miss the playoffs for the first time in 22 years.

[HitsterParticipant]

 Achieved so much in the NBA, EuroLeague and for his country. His bare stats were never that spectacular but he was a great team player and one of the greatest 6th men ever. Likely HOF lock for his success on all fronts.

[r377Participant]

 Manu was always one of my favourties

I heard David West just retired also…

 

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