Would Imran Khan have been as influential, revered in Pakistan if Pakistan lost the 1992 World Cup?

[Savak]

Its an interesting debate but one that deserves discussion. Let's say if history had turned out to be different and if Pakistan faced a humiliating exit in the 1992 World Cup, would Imran Khan have been as referred, followed in Pakistani society?

Would he still have the following and fanbase necessary to bring attention to his SK fund raising cause? Would he have been successful in his philanthropic and social causes after retirement? Would he be able to convince people to back him in politics and to eventually succeed in becoming the prime minister of the country?

Overall, did the 1992 World Cup win serve as a lottery ticket, hospital pass to his achievements and success post cricketing life?

 

[ManFan]

No.

He would have been a Miandad-type figure with better social skills.

 

[sweep_shot]

Nope.

World Cup 1992 really cemented his legacy.

 

[Pakistanian]

This is such a rhetorical question.

Would Jordan have been as influential if had never won 6 rings, or Phelps and Usain Bolt if they never won olmpic medals, or Federer if he never dominated wimbledon, or Schwarznegger if he wasn't a Hollywood star?

 

[ManFan]

This is such a rhetorical question.

Would Jordan have been as influential if had never won 6 rings, or Phelps and Usain Bolt if they never won olmpic medals, or Federer if he never dominated wimbledon, or Schwarznegger if he wasn't a Hollywood star?

Jordan was THE biggest star in BB and perhaps all of sports, even before he won one ring.

The rings were just to solidify his skills, not increase his popularity.

 

[troodon]

Jordan was THE biggest star in BB and perhaps all of sports, even before he won one ring.

The rings were just to solidify his skills, not increase his popularity.

Until you win rings and championships, no one takes a sportsman seriously. They will be called choker and wuss otherwise.

Future generations only remember championships. Not how a man scored double hundreds in kitply cup and Nidahas trophy.

 

[Pakistanian]

Jordan was THE biggest star in BB and perhaps all of sports, even before he won one ring.

The rings were just to solidify his skills, not increase his popularity.

Except his 6 rings are part of his legacy, without that he would've been forgotten - if he wasn't a consistent winner (winning = championships) then he wouldn't have his billion dollar Air Jordan empire and his whole cult following success gave him.

 

[DRsohail]

Pakistani like WC more than Test cricket so Big no.

 

[Syed1]

"I hate the word 'lucky' - it cheapens a lot of hard work"

 

[ManFan]

Except his 6 rings are part of his legacy, without that he would've been forgotten - if he wasn't a consistent winner (winning = championships) then he wouldn't have his billion dollar Air Jordan empire and his whole cult following success gave him.

No; you’re wrong.

Magic and Bird were in their primes when Jordan entered the league in the 84-85 season.

Within three to four years (during which both Magic and Bird won the 4 titles), Jordan quickly became the most famous basketball player in the world.

His shoe, the Air Jordan, debuted in 85’, his rookie year. The main stars of the day had a freeze out of him during the 85’ All-Star game. They knew this was THE guy.

Rings are the basic argument of most basketball fans today. Not realizing that there is much more to a player, some of the greats have won only one or two or perhaps none at all.

Jordan was not famous because of his championships, they just helped cement his status as a guy who could win. Before that, only diehard NBA viewers would argue that he was a “ball hog” and lead a team with no “big-man” who could not win. He put it to rest.

For the casuals and everyone else, it was his GAME that sold his persona. Not his rings.

 

[ManFan]

Until you win rings and championships, no one takes a sportsman seriously. They will be called choker and wuss otherwise.

Future generations only remember championships. Not how a man scored double hundreds in kitply cup and Nidahas trophy.

You are saying that because you are in the present.

If you watch interviews and documentaries from the 80s, you’ll realize that Michael Jefffery Jordan was already the most famous basketball player by the time of the late 80’s.

Yes, most argued that Magic was better because his team won. What they didn’t understand was MJ had no help and had perhaps the best season of all time in 87-88’.

By the time Pippen and Grant matured enough, he beat Magic. No, he wasn’t old, he had just won the MVP the season before.