We all know San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili has never really left the game he loves. Since retiring in 2018, he’s stayed with the Spurs as a special advisor, and if you follow him online, you’ll know he’s all about staying fit—his posts about workouts and bike rides make that clear. But if there’s one thing we don’t often get to see him do, it’s actually play basketball. However, at 47, Ginobili recently took to the court and pulled off something spectacular, leaving fans in absolute awe.

In a Legends Basketball game held in Argentina, Ginobili stunned everyone with a jaw-dropping dunk. He soared for a two-handed slam after an over-the-head pass that seemed like something straight out of his prime years. The game itself was a celebration of Argentina’s Golden Generation, marking 20 years since their unforgettable Olympic gold in Athens. Fans watched in disbelief as the Hall of Famer displayed hops that seemed impossible for a 47-year-old—proof that his athleticism hasn’t quite left him yet.

Ginobili’s NBA career is the stuff of legend. He joined the Spurs in 2002 and initially backed up veteran guard Steve Smith. Just a year later, he claimed his first NBA championship, a taste of things to come. During his 12 seasons with the Spurs, he won three more rings and became a two-time All-Star. After his retirement, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022, and the Spurs retired his #20 jersey as a lasting tribute.

Yet, for all his NBA success, Ginobili himself believes nothing compares to the Olympic gold. “It was epic,” he told beIN SPORTS, reflecting on that Athens run. “It’s the most important thing we achieved professionally. Nothing tops that.”

But as Ginobili relishes this iconic moment with Argentine fans, his recent dunk has sparked an unexpected reaction in the NBA world.

Fans turn merciless on LeBron James

As Manu Ginobili’s viral dunk sent shockwaves through social media, LeBron James, of all people, caught the heat. As the 47-year-old Spurs icon soared in a throwback moment, fans couldn’t resist drawing comparisons to the oldest active player in NBA. “Better than any age 39 LeBron dunk!” one fan quipped, while another went even further, suggesting, “LeBron’s legacy has been affected by this post.”

Manu’s best season saw him averaging 19.5 PPG in 2008—interestingly, in the same year LeBron also averaged career high with 30.0 PPG. And just last season, LeBron put up 25.7 PPG at age 36. Some fans came to his defense, with one boldly claiming, “If Manu doing this at 47, Bron going till 63!” while others joked, “Yeah, Bron’s playing another 5-10 years.”

But not everyone was so kind. Some fans took aim at LeBron’s son Bronny. Since his draft, the 19-year-old has faced his share of criticism, with some claiming his LA Lakers opportunity came through his dad. His 0.7 point average across 2.7 minutes, hasn’t helped his case either. So one ended up suggesting LeBron would “trade Bronny for Manu.”

Yet, amid all the LeBron banter, Ginobili’s performance didn’t go unappreciated. One fan praised his enduring athleticism, calling him the “real 🐐, not MJ or LeBron.” And in Argentina, Ginobili definitely has a GOAT status. His epic performances for the national team earned him MVP honors and showcased his game-changing talent, with averages of 19.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

In the end, fans may have taken a few digs at LeBron James, but Ginobili’s dunk reminded everyone why legends like him and LeBron capture our attention—even if the conversation gets a little heated.