Your favorite Spartans

Submitted by GoBlogSparty on

As a long-time lurker, occassional poster, I thought I would offer some friendly banter during hate week. I know from various comments on here which of my fellow Spartan brethren you collectively despise. 

Out of curiosity, who among the Spartan community does MGoBlog collectively admire or respect (if any)?

I'll start it off and will admit that I did like watching Trey Burke (except when he played us), Biakabutuka and the A-Train, and also Jeremy Gallon for his accomplishments. Also, it's really hard to hate or disrespect Beilein. 

This might be a disaster, but what the hell. Who are your favorite Spartans (if any)?

(Cue the "the guy always hooks me up with extra fries at McDonald's...durrr" posts)

MGoBoard

SFBlue

October 14th, 2015 at 7:31 PM ^

Draymond Green (especially now that he is a Warrior), Magic, Kirk Gibson, Lorenzo White, Leve'on Bell. Also, I often switch over to rooting for Izzo and Sparty if Michigan is knocked out, or isn't playing. 

I have a complicated relationship with Sparty, coming from rural Michigan where many of my friends from highschool are Sparties, and having rooted for Sparty until I went to Michigan. 

Joined: 11/02/2009

MGoPoints: 15699

mgoblue78

October 14th, 2015 at 7:39 PM ^

College wrestling hall of fame coach for the Spartans. If Dan Gable hadn't cancelled his recruiting visit to East Lansing because he thought he'd be too homesick that far away from Iowa, the power structure of collegiate and Olympic wrestling would have worked out very differently.

Also,one hell of of nice guy.  I think of him as a bantam rooster in cowboy boots with a thick Oklahoma accent.

Joined: 12/15/2011

MGoPoints: 6664

Sobinator

October 14th, 2015 at 7:45 PM ^

Steve Smith - awesome dude. Have dealt with
On a few things and he's always been extremely friendly.

Ty Hallock - coaches my sons football team and is great with the kids.

Scott Skiles - gritty.

Blaha, Kelser, Izzo, Magic, Neitzel, and Mateen.

I'm sure many more. Keep in mind that a large amount of these guys are Michigan bred. Got to root for the instate kids after college.

Joined: 05/10/2009

MGoPoints: 265

LSA Superstar

October 14th, 2015 at 7:59 PM ^

Easy call - Gary Harris.  His game against Nik Stauskas in '13 was nutty stupid good; one of those games that won't be remembered because of what Nik did against him.  But those two guys were like gladiators just slaying from all game.  Had my jaw on the floor.

Joined: 10/03/2009

MGoPoints: 3323

Bay_Area_Blue

October 14th, 2015 at 8:04 PM ^

The obvious answer is none. None at all. In terms of guys I found compelling or entertaining for one reason or another, though, it starts with Draymond Green. I appreciate how much he hated Michigan, too. I fully expect that type of posture from their guys -- it leads to really entertaining and intense competition. I grew up in the shadows of State's campus, right off College rd. My best friend was a diehard Sparty fan. We went to a lot of hockey games, and I liked watching Anson Carter play. Jeff Smoker for comic relief.  

Joined: 08/31/2012

MGoPoints: 463

xtramelanin

October 14th, 2015 at 8:11 PM ^

my dad who played ball after the war, his best buddy, glenn johnson, spartan qb and varsity pitcher, and i always had a soft spot for gibby too.  my brother played against him in college and had nothing but good stuff to say.

Joined: 12/09/2014

MGoPoints: 15438

Sideline

October 14th, 2015 at 8:18 PM ^

Everything he did with that little girl, Lacey (I believe) - don't care about any rivalry when it comes to something like that. What a human being... Spartan, Wolverine, or dare I say it, Buckeye. That earns respect.

Joined: 12/09/2009

MGoPoints: 2378

bsand2053

October 14th, 2015 at 9:09 PM ^

Magic, obvs.

TJ Duckett was great plus he is a great dude.  I was at an event where he spoke and represented his service non profit New World Flood.  Can't hate on that.

Met Kelser a few times and he is a good dude.  Runs a few youth basketball camps with a metoring organziation I used to volunteer at.  

Joined: 04/14/2010

MGoPoints: 19459

Tagg

October 14th, 2015 at 9:51 PM ^

Of current players I like Shilique Calhoun because he seems to enjoy not just the football part but everything that goes with it. He gives a good interveiw and all but more importantly he already has his post-nfl plans in order of becoming a police officer which is very cool.

Former Spartans would include Steve Smith, Draymon Green and Flozell Adams for their contributions back to the school. I like that Green also has fun with the Michigan/Michigan State rivalry as well given his interactions with Nik Stauskas before and after their bet. 

Joined: 09/02/2008

MGoPoints: 897

uminks

October 14th, 2015 at 10:19 PM ^

Back in '78 I remember listening to Ufer and I could not believe this WR named Kirk Gibson was out playing our good defense. Rick Leach also had a bad game and was probably the main reason we lost this game. Hopefully there will not be a repeat of this type of home loss this Saturday. This game was not televised and I did not have tickets. I was only in the 10th grade!

Joined: 11/10/2009

MGoPoints: 32207

DrAwkward

October 14th, 2015 at 10:56 PM ^

I'm originally from LA, so Magic tops the list.
And, at the risk of inciting my own lynching, Mike Dantoni. On the one hand, I hate his incessant whining and complaining, but he taught Sparty to play real, physical football just at the point when my Wolverines seemed to forget how to do so. Grudging admiration, I guess.

Joined: 03/22/2012

MGoPoints: 4038