10 Greatest Athletes of All Time

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141

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
For those saying Jordan why not Lebron? Every argument I’ve heard that Lebron is the GOAT over Jordan is because he is the better athlete.

…I can’t stand Lebron either, by the way. [/quote]

He’s not. He’s the best basketball playing athlete at that size, but there have been better athletes overall, aside from his left leg and the NBA allowing him to do whatever he wants.[/quote]

I’m saying specifically for this argument Lebron > Jordan. I don’t see how you can say he’s not. Athletically he’s superior. Jordan would run circles around him on the court, but that’s it. [/quote]

Uh, no, he’s not. Jordan jumped better off 2, better of either the right or the left, was quicker, had MUCH better footwork and had quicker hands. James is bigger, but for all his size and strength he doesn’t handle contact particularly well. The NBA is about money, and hyping up someone to potentially be better than the best is about drawing in viewers. Nothing more. Those two should never be mentioned in the same sentence.[/quote]

I’m just telling you the argument I’ve heard. What sport other than basketball could Jordan outperform Lebron in, in your opinion? Baseball I guess although Jordan was only average at best. Football, I doubt it.

Lebron is a more explosive player than Jordan. Not as quick, maybe. Footwork has more to do with hard work than athleticism imo. Lebron is stronger for sure and he can play every position in BBall somehting Jordan could not do.
[/quote]

Ummmmmmmmmmmm… No, no and no. I had the opportunity to see MJ live when I was 12 I think. Will never forget it. We had great seats, and went for like 34 in 36 minutes. I’ll never forget the way he moved. Effortless yet explosive and under control.

142

[quote]PB Andy wrote:

[quote]flipcollar wrote:

[quote]PB Andy wrote:
Vernon Davis?[/quote]

overrated. He’s MAYBE a top 5 TE playing right now. Tony Gonzalez is more impressive.[/quote]
Well, again, what’s the criteria? I’m talking of just raw athleticism.[/quote]

I mentioned him earlier. In terms of pure physical gifts, he’s at the top of the food chain. I believe he holds every possible Maryland lifting and athletic record.

143

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]Airtruth wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

I understand, but that agreement is fostered by an agenda. James is nowhere near as explosive or acrobatic as a young Jordan. Go watch Come Fly With Me and then we’ll debate.
[/quote]

I’ve seen both play and I think Lebron is the better athlete. Honestly I don’t even think it’s that close. I see Jordan like a Johnny Unitas or Babe Ruth. Light years ahead of the curve in their respective sports, but would be average or slightly above average in their respective sports today. Jordan is the GOAT because of a combination of how much more athletic he was than his combination has his unparalleled competitiveness (something Lebron lacks).

Jordan > Lebron at baseketball
Lebron > Jordan athletically

In my opinion. [/quote]

The game has changed a lot but 99% of the people associated with the NBA say Lebron is more athletic. Not being able to directly compare numbers I would say Lebron too but I can only base that on all the people he’s had to guard. He’s had the speed to stay with Terry and Westbrook, Jordan was not the best on PG’s. He’s also had the strength to guard power forwards well.
[/quote]

(SARCASM ALERT)
I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but you’re wrong and obviously pushing an agenda. Please don’t make me laugh any harder with your wrong opinion.

[/quote]

He played a hobbled Derrick Rose well by sagging 8’. His defense is incredibly overrated. Do or have any of y’all play worth pros or ex-pros? I do fairly often, and of those who played him in his prime say Bryant was a better athlete (and MUCH better player) than James. Quicker first step, jumped way better of two and handled contact way better. Bryant is a li’l more acrobatic, but Jordan probably jumped higher and had a better first step. People that are claiming that James is better are reporters and analysts paid to bring in the NBA ratings. Nothing can stop the NBA’s hype train around its golden goose.
[/quote]

So you’re basing your opinion off the opinions of others that have played, I’m assuming Kobe, in his prime? Did they also play Lebron and Jordan? How exactly are they making their comparison? Seems to me there is bias there, no?

So is Kobe or Rose a better athlete than Jordan?

If there’s an agenda in the NBA now, I wouldn’t know. I watch very little basketball because I think the NBA sucks, but I’ve seen enough of both players to give an opinion and it’s got nothing to do with what PTI says. [/quote]

They played both (Bryant and James) in their primes. I’d say Jordan and Bryant are comparable athletes, with Jordan having a slight edge in speed, hops and strength and Bryant having a slight edge in agility and mid-air acrobatics.

Rose is a modern day Steve Francis, though probably slightly less explosive.

Also, no offense is meant or intended by anything I say. I’m enjoying killing time at work rapping with y’all.
[/quote]

Dude same here, hell most of this is just devils advocate.

144

[quote]Brett620 wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
For those saying Jordan why not Lebron? Every argument I’ve heard that Lebron is the GOAT over Jordan is because he is the better athlete.

…I can’t stand Lebron either, by the way. [/quote]

He’s not. He’s the best basketball playing athlete at that size, but there have been better athletes overall, aside from his left leg and the NBA allowing him to do whatever he wants.[/quote]

I’m saying specifically for this argument Lebron > Jordan. I don’t see how you can say he’s not. Athletically he’s superior. Jordan would run circles around him on the court, but that’s it. [/quote]

Uh, no, he’s not. Jordan jumped better off 2, better of either the right or the left, was quicker, had MUCH better footwork and had quicker hands. James is bigger, but for all his size and strength he doesn’t handle contact particularly well. The NBA is about money, and hyping up someone to potentially be better than the best is about drawing in viewers. Nothing more. Those two should never be mentioned in the same sentence.[/quote]

I’m just telling you the argument I’ve heard. What sport other than basketball could Jordan outperform Lebron in, in your opinion? Baseball I guess although Jordan was only average at best. Football, I doubt it.

Lebron is a more explosive player than Jordan. Not as quick, maybe. Footwork has more to do with hard work than athleticism imo. Lebron is stronger for sure and he can play every position in BBall somehting Jordan could not do.
[/quote]

Ummmmmmmmmmmm… No, no and no. I had the opportunity to see MJ live when I was 12 I think. Will never forget it. We had great seats, and went for like 34 in 36 minutes. I’ll never forget the way he moved. Effortless yet explosive and under control.
[/quote]

So you had an eye opening experience as a kid, no way you’re biased.

I saw Steve Francis (SP?) play at MD when I was a teen and he look unbelievable (better than Jordan imo). I wouldn’t put him in my top ten though.

145

Shit, I also forgot to mention Roy Jones Jr.

That guy was on another level for a DAMN DECADE!

146

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]Airtruth wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

I understand, but that agreement is fostered by an agenda. James is nowhere near as explosive or acrobatic as a young Jordan. Go watch Come Fly With Me and then we’ll debate.
[/quote]

I’ve seen both play and I think Lebron is the better athlete. Honestly I don’t even think it’s that close. I see Jordan like a Johnny Unitas or Babe Ruth. Light years ahead of the curve in their respective sports, but would be average or slightly above average in their respective sports today. Jordan is the GOAT because of a combination of how much more athletic he was than his combination has his unparalleled competitiveness (something Lebron lacks).

Jordan > Lebron at baseketball
Lebron > Jordan athletically

In my opinion. [/quote]

The game has changed a lot but 99% of the people associated with the NBA say Lebron is more athletic. Not being able to directly compare numbers I would say Lebron too but I can only base that on all the people he’s had to guard. He’s had the speed to stay with Terry and Westbrook, Jordan was not the best on PG’s. He’s also had the strength to guard power forwards well.
[/quote]

(SARCASM ALERT)
I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but you’re wrong and obviously pushing an agenda. Please don’t make me laugh any harder with your wrong opinion.

[/quote]

He played a hobbled Derrick Rose well by sagging 8’. His defense is incredibly overrated. Do or have any of y’all play worth pros or ex-pros? I do fairly often, and of those who played him in his prime say Bryant was a better athlete (and MUCH better player) than James. Quicker first step, jumped way better of two and handled contact way better. Bryant is a li’l more acrobatic, but Jordan probably jumped higher and had a better first step. People that are claiming that James is better are reporters and analysts paid to bring in the NBA ratings. Nothing can stop the NBA’s hype train around its golden goose.
[/quote]

Barkley’s direct quote “LeBron James is just bigger, stronger, faster. That’s the only difference.”

Pippen said he was better than Michael before everybody went crazy on him.

So did Mark Jackson.

Pippen, Barkley, and Mark Jackson is a pretty good starting point. Now who are these guys you are playing with who say that Kobe or Jordan are more athletic then Lebron?

I did say Lebron guarded Terry, and Westbrook where do did you get Rose? Beside the point then when he guarded Rose he played him chest to chest. Just to add Westbrook was not hobbled and his measured speed numbers all better then Rose’s.

147

Usmc, you really need to go back and watch young Jordan clips. I think you’re remembering him in his later years. I was being serious when I recommended Come Fly With Me. That shit still gives me goose bumps.

148

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
Usmc, you really need to go back and watch young Jordan clips. I think you’re remembering him in his later years. I was being serious when I recommended Come Fly With Me. That shit still gives me goose bumps.[/quote]

So WF

Jordon > or = or < than Deon Sanders in the athletic dept?

149

can’t find a good clip from it. But, this thread made me think of this movie

150

Shit, I also forgot to mention Roy Jones Jr.

That guy was on another level for a DAMN DECADE!

151

Airtruth, Barkley is drunk every time he speaks, Pippen has historically knocked Jordan and Mark Jackson said Bryant was better than Jordan, not James.

Shane Battier, Bob Sura, Luther Head, there’s been quite a few guys I’ve played with and talked to, but those are the 3 that immediately came to mind that have guarded both.

152

[quote]PB Andy wrote:

[quote]flipcollar wrote:

[quote]PB Andy wrote:
Vernon Davis?[/quote]

overrated. He’s MAYBE a top 5 TE playing right now. Tony Gonzalez is more impressive.[/quote]
Well, again, what’s the criteria? I’m talking of just raw athleticism.[/quote]

The criteria is we’re making a list of the top athletes of alllllll time. I just can’t imagine putting a player in that category when they aren’t even better than their contemporaries at their chosen sport.

I also used Tony G as an example because he was a high level basketball player. He was able to transition from playing college basketball to becoming the greatest pass-catching TE of all time. That puts him on another level, something Vernon Davis won’t even sniff in his athletic career. Athletic achievement counts in my book.

153

MJ over Dieon. And Bo Jackson and Jim Brown are the true Alphas.

154

[quote]Brett620 wrote:
MJ over Dieon. [/quote]

In what regards though? Why?

155

hey WhiteFlash, what do you think about Blake Griffin as an athlete?

156

[quote]Brett620 wrote:

Ummmmmmmmmmmm… No, no and no. I had the opportunity to see MJ live when I was 12 I think. Will never forget it. We had great seats, and went for like 34 in 36 minutes. I’ll never forget the way he moved. Effortless yet explosive and under control.
[/quote]

How good you look doesn’t make you a better athlete. I’ll be the first to admit I had a hard time watching Lebron, but when you look at the facts of what he does he’s just more athletic just happens to look like an awkward robot doing it.
End to end he’s faster then Jordan.
Jordan had great flare but the only time his vertical was ever measured it was not near the 48" everybody loves to claim.
Now they legitimately test athletes coming in, Lebron has a legit 44" one of the highest and that’s when he was 19.
Fact Lebron was a better highschool football player then Jordan a baseball player.

Speed/Strength/Explosiveness lebron has it. That’s athletecism

157

How about Ted Williams.

One of the greatest baseball players of all time and he missed part of his prime to fight a war.

158

[quote]flipcollar wrote:
hey WhiteFlash, what do you think about Blake Griffin as an athlete?[/quote]

God Damnit flip let him answer my question first

WF greatest internet athletic judge of all time.

159

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
Usmc, you really need to go back and watch young Jordan clips. I think you’re remembering him in his later years. I was being serious when I recommended Come Fly With Me. That shit still gives me goose bumps.[/quote]

So WF

Jordon > or = or < than Deon Sanders in the athletic dept?[/quote]

That’s a tough one, but I’m going Jordan. Sanders was obviously faster on a straight away, but Jordan wins in every other quantifiable athletic quality. And, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jordan was capable of a legit 4.5 40 in his prime.

160

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]flipcollar wrote:
hey WhiteFlash, what do you think about Blake Griffin as an athlete?[/quote]

God Damnit flip let him answer my question first

WF greatest internet athletic judge of all time.[/quote]

QFT. You know what would be awesome? If he answered us both in 1 POST!!!

sweetness.

Edit: oops, too late