George Gervin and Manu Ginobili will go down as two of the best shooting guards in Spurs history. Both gave Spurs fans great memories, spectacular games, and scoring feats. But which one will go down as the best shooting guard ever in Spurs history?
It’s a battle royale in San Antonio! Here is the tale of the tape and you decide.
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
George Gervin:
Gervin played for the Spurs from 1974-1985. Smooth, swift, and “a pure shooter” are words to
describe this former Spur. During his time in San Antonio, he provided some memorable moments. Perhaps his biggest moment as a Spur came in 1978 when he beat out David Thompson for the scoring record by scoring 63 points in one game.
He led the NBA in scoring average three years in a row from 1978 to 1980 and again in 1982. Gervin also had the most scoring titles of any guard in league history until Michael Jordan came to the NBA. He is the biggest scorer the Spurs franchise ever had at the shooting guard position and rightfully deserved the nickname “Iceman.” And no one else could “finger roll” like he could.
But for as much as Gervin did during his career with the Spurs, he never did win an NBA or an ABA title. Plus, defense was never his strongest suit, but ironically he did retire with the second most blocks of any NBA guard. In the end, he was all offense to go with little defense. The Spurs retired his number 44 in 1996.
Points to consider:
- Named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players
- A nine-time NBA All-Star and a three time ABA All-Star
- Seven-time all NBA Team
- NBA All-Star MVP (1980)
- As the Spurs franchise player, he never led them to a title
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Manu Ginobili:
Manu has been playing with the Spurs since 2003. From the get go, he showed why he might 
be the biggest steal in the second-round of the NBA Draft ever. Dynamic, crafty and passionate are words that sum up Ginobili. He has given Spurs fans every reason to drop their jaws when he’s on the court. From scoring 46 points in one game against the Cavs in 2008 to his clutch plays for the Spurs in the 2005 NBA Finals against the Pistons, Manu is perhaps the most dynamic player the Spurs franchise has ever had at the shooting guard position.
In his time with the Spurs he has won three NBA titles (2003, 2005, 2007) and won the NBA’s Sixth-Man award in 2008. Unlike Gervin, Manu can and does play defense but has never put up the scoring numbers like Gervin did.
However Manu does have a reputation for flopping, is injury prone and does tend to force the action at times to the Spurs detriment.
Points to consider:
- 2004-2005 NBA All-Star
- 2007-2008 All NBA Third Team
- Three-Time NBA Champion
- Unlike Gervin, Manu never was the franchise player and had Duncan and Parker’s help in getting three titles
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Gervin and Ginobili are two of the most prolific players to ever play the shooting guard position for the Spurs but only one can be the best. Who wins Spurs fans?
Are there other factors we need to consider? What are your thoughts? Please leave us your comments and go vote on the poll as to who is the best ever shooting-guard for the Spurs: Gervin or Ginobili.
