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rydawg5
Posts: 2,639
Dec 11, 2012 7:48pm
It seems like it's hard for people to have this discussion "greatest athlete" without making it a "greatest player" argument.
For some reason, we can't separate the two.
97.1thefan was discussing Bo Jackson (being in the top 10) but then all of a sudden he was below Babe Ruth in rank of "greatest athlete"
You just can't talk about going for "most skilled athletic ability" without going to "how many championships" "stats" "longevity" examples - then all of a sudden you aren't seeing who was the best skilled athlete..
My Logic...
Line up ALL athletes in the PEAK of their prime.. Who do you pick if you want the best athlete on your team in his PEAK versus ALL OTHER ATHLETES.
Bo Jackson (Skilled athlete - can dominate anything he wants) - raw speed, power, skill
Basketball is a hard sport to define the athletes. Because you have to be tall to dominate, that doesn't necessarily mean Rajon isn't the best "athlete" - In fact his "athletic" ability probably has to be greater than Lebron James since he is so much shorter. The smaller athletes almost have to have more athletic ability to maintain their presence in a league filled with good athletes who are taller.
You have Raw Athletes - Line them up to run (they fast) but not skilled (havent yet learned the skill)
If you put Bo out on a soccer field on day 1 with no practice. He wouldnt be good at all, but he'd still be the best athlete out there.
Some guy on the bench in the NFL or NBA MAY be the best athlete period. We wouldn't even know.
For some reason, we can't separate the two.
97.1thefan was discussing Bo Jackson (being in the top 10) but then all of a sudden he was below Babe Ruth in rank of "greatest athlete"
You just can't talk about going for "most skilled athletic ability" without going to "how many championships" "stats" "longevity" examples - then all of a sudden you aren't seeing who was the best skilled athlete..
My Logic...
Line up ALL athletes in the PEAK of their prime.. Who do you pick if you want the best athlete on your team in his PEAK versus ALL OTHER ATHLETES.
Bo Jackson (Skilled athlete - can dominate anything he wants) - raw speed, power, skill
Basketball is a hard sport to define the athletes. Because you have to be tall to dominate, that doesn't necessarily mean Rajon isn't the best "athlete" - In fact his "athletic" ability probably has to be greater than Lebron James since he is so much shorter. The smaller athletes almost have to have more athletic ability to maintain their presence in a league filled with good athletes who are taller.
You have Raw Athletes - Line them up to run (they fast) but not skilled (havent yet learned the skill)
If you put Bo out on a soccer field on day 1 with no practice. He wouldnt be good at all, but he'd still be the best athlete out there.
Some guy on the bench in the NFL or NBA MAY be the best athlete period. We wouldn't even know.
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september63
Posts: 5,789
Dec 11, 2012 7:58pm
Mt thoughts are the topic is in the wrong forum?
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rydawg5
Posts: 2,639
Dec 11, 2012 8:01pm
If this isn't serious business I dont know what is? Why are you so concerned about what forum it's in? Do you need the rule & order to feel good inside? You think the forum police are going to leave a quarter under your pillow at night? I got news for you, and I've seen it a hundred times. First, you want rule & order, next thing you know you have marshall law, and you're being "banned for life" with "comments that are unbecoming". Is that the world you wanna live in?september63;1340755 wrote:Mt thoughts are the topic is in the wrong forum?
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Dec 11, 2012 8:08pm
I lol'd.rydawg5;1340758 wrote:If this isn't serious business I dont know what is? Why are you so concerned about what forum it's in? Do you need the rule & order to feel good inside? You think the forum police are going to leave a quarter under your pillow at night? I got news for you, and I've seen it a hundred times. First, you want rule & order, next thing you know you have marshall law, and you're being "banned for life" with "comments that are unbecoming". Is that the world you wanna live in?
Hb31187
Posts: 8,534
Dec 11, 2012 8:10pm
Jim Brown certainly has to be up there, along with Bo, Deion, ect ect
Rotinaj
Posts: 7,699
Dec 11, 2012 8:12pm
Luke Harangody.
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Sonofanump
Dec 11, 2012 8:37pm
I guess I tend to lean toward great multi sport athletes because I view the versatility as being extreme athletic:
1) Thorpe
2) Brown
3) Jackson
4) Zaharius
5) J Robinson
1) Thorpe
2) Brown
3) Jackson
4) Zaharius
5) J Robinson
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
Dec 11, 2012 8:40pm
Calvin Johnson
Lebron James
Lebron James
hasbeen
Posts: 6,504
Dec 11, 2012 9:21pm
David Wells
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captvern
Posts: 833
Dec 11, 2012 10:17pm
ashton eaton
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Dec 11, 2012 10:18pm
Russell Westbrook
Ted Ginn
Bo is way up there. Young Dave Winfield drafted in all 3 sports. Herschel Walker.
Ted Ginn
Bo is way up there. Young Dave Winfield drafted in all 3 sports. Herschel Walker.
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cat_lover
Posts: 2,388
Dec 11, 2012 10:22pm
Jesse Owens
Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson
Laley23
Posts: 29,506
Dec 11, 2012 10:30pm
First 3 that come to mind:
Jim Thorpe
Bo Jackson
Deion Sanders
Under the radar guy is Antwaan Randle El. Not many know he played basketball for Bobby Knight at Indiana and was drafted into the MLB by the Cubs. What he did at Indiana as a dual threat QB was pretty rare at the time and then converted to WR in the NFL.
Jim Thorpe
Bo Jackson
Deion Sanders
Under the radar guy is Antwaan Randle El. Not many know he played basketball for Bobby Knight at Indiana and was drafted into the MLB by the Cubs. What he did at Indiana as a dual threat QB was pretty rare at the time and then converted to WR in the NFL.
Pick6
Posts: 14,946
Dec 11, 2012 10:36pm
Did not know that.Laley23;1340905 wrote:First 3 that come to mind:
Jim Thorpe
Bo Jackson
Deion Sanders
Under the radar guy is Antwaan Randle El. Not many know he played basketball for Bobby Knight at Indiana and was drafted into the MLB by the Cubs. What he did at Indiana as a dual threat QB was pretty rare at the time and then converted to WR in the NFL.
I think I have to add Lebron. I really think he could be a stud in football, even know we will never see him play.
GOONx19
Posts: 7,147
Dec 11, 2012 10:45pm
Baseball was Jackie Robinson's worst sport at UCLA. He played football and basketball and ran track. Also won the long jump one year, I think.
Also, Kenny Lofton.
Also, Kenny Lofton.
Laley23
Posts: 29,506
Dec 11, 2012 10:46pm
I assume you mean the Basketball and MLB part?? He is a freak athlete, as are all those mentioned on here.Pick6;1340917 wrote:Did not know that.
I think I have to add Lebron. I really think he could be a stud in football, even know we will never see him play.
I believe Randle El was the first ever 40-40 guy in NCAA. 40 rushing and passing TDs, but not sure. At Indiana, thats remarkable lol. Think he was 5th in the Heisman voting as a SR.
pmoney25
Posts: 1,787
Dec 11, 2012 10:52pm
Carl Lewis
Other than the obvious. He was drafted by both the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bulls.
Other than the obvious. He was drafted by both the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bulls.
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Dec 11, 2012 11:12pm
Jim Brown /thread.
He's in three sport HoFs
He's in three sport HoFs
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Dec 11, 2012 11:21pm
Lebron James
I honestly feel that 2nd place is a long way away.
I honestly feel that 2nd place is a long way away.
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Ghmothwdwhso
Posts: 534
Dec 11, 2012 11:40pm
Jesse Owens, no doubt.
Read up on this guy, if you haven't already.
Read up on this guy, if you haven't already.
Classyposter58
Posts: 6,321
Dec 11, 2012 11:41pm
6'8" 270 lbs and possibly one of the fastest, most agile people in sports today. Scary to think about reallyernest_t_bass;1340951 wrote:Lebron James
I honestly feel that 2nd place is a long way away.
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Dec 11, 2012 11:53pm
Classyposter58;1340955 wrote:6'8" 270 lbs and possibly one of the fastest, most agile people in sports today. Scary to think about really
Would have LOVED to see what he could have done in the NFL.
wildcats20
Posts: 27,794
Dec 11, 2012 11:58pm
ernest_t_bass;1340956 wrote:Would have LOVED to see what he could have done in the NFL.
Based on his pussiness in the NBA, probably not much.
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Dec 12, 2012 12:41am
Boom! Repswildcats20;1340957 wrote:Based on his pussiness in the NBA, probably not much.
said_aouita
Posts: 8,532
Dec 12, 2012 2:55am
Can't believe nobody has mentioned one of the most obvious GOAT athlete nominations- Aston Eaton
WR holder Decathlon.
Reminds me of a funny Bruce Jenner meets Tiger Woods story. Tiger asked Bruce, "hows your golf game?" Jenner replied, "better than your pole vault"
WR holder Decathlon.
Reminds me of a funny Bruce Jenner meets Tiger Woods story. Tiger asked Bruce, "hows your golf game?" Jenner replied, "better than your pole vault"