The World's 10 Greatest Athletes

Off Topic
41

Well, to be fair, given the amount of steroid (ab)use going on in colleges and high schools across the country, it is not at all outside of the realm of possibility that guys like LeBron and Dwight did take their fair(or more than fair) share. But, you can’t put determination in a pill, and you can’t put hard work in a needle.

Dwight Howard is one guy in the NBA I strongly suspect of steroid usage, mostly because of that picture from when he was ~17 and how he was so remarkably skinny, yet, just 3 years later. He’s at least 70 pounds heavier and many inches taller, and very little of that bulk appears to be fat. When you throw in the fact that he can run all day and jump over a small car… well, starts to look like he had some help.

Which again does not belittle his basketball acumen, he undeniably has worked very hard to get to where he is, and his talents far outweigh his physicality.

42

[quote]Malevolence wrote:
Well, to be fair, given the amount of steroid (ab)use going on in colleges and high schools across the country, it is not at all outside of the realm of possibility that guys like LeBron and Dwight did take their fair(or more than fair) share. But, you can’t put determination in a pill, and you can’t put hard work in a needle.

Dwight Howard is one guy in the NBA I strongly suspect of steroid usage, mostly because of that picture from when he was ~17 and how he was so remarkably skinny, yet, just 3 years later. He’s at least 70 pounds heavier and many inches taller, and very little of that bulk appears to be fat. When you throw in the fact that he can run all day and jump over a small car… well, starts to look like he had some help.

Which again does not belittle his basketball acumen, he undeniably has worked very hard to get to where he is, and his talents far outweigh his physicality.
[/quote]

HHMMMMMM interesting points you make MV. Dwight Howard and steroids have never crossed my mind (actually, basketball players in general and steroids never cross my mind, but I’m sure it’s being used among them). I’m going with the assumption that he is a freak of nature, and since he came out of high school straight into the pros, some of that growth/muscle mass has to do with age and proper weight training.

I can’t say for sure, but his weight training in HS was probably pretty limited, and he just relied on his natural ability. I’m assuming his recent gains are newbie gains to an extent, now that he is training with a weight staff and can dedicate all his time to playing basketball and lifting weights. Also, he hasn’t really gotten THAT much taller (maybe 2 inches), but as you said, not taking anything away from his basketball and physical ability, he has worked hard to get where he is, and has nowhere to go but up.

But since you mentioned 70 pounds heavier in three years, if that is indeed true, then I’ll agree that’s definitely suspect, but again, not taking anything away from his ability.

43

[quote]Malevolence wrote:
~17 and how he was so remarkably skinny, yet, just 3 years later. He’s at least 70 pounds heavier and many inches taller, and very little of that bulk appears to be fat.
[/quote]

When I was 17, I weighed 165. At 20 I hit 220. I’m also only about 6’3" and I’m pretty confident I don’t quite have Dwight Howard’s genetics.

Is it really that weird to think that 7-foot teenager could put on 70 pounds in 3 years if he has access to millions of dollars worth of training and nutrition resources?

44

How about Mark Hendrickson. Played in the NBA and now has crossed over and is successful in the MLB, something Michael Jordan couldn’t say.

And for the record, Tiger not being on there is a joke. Tiger is the best athlete in the world; it doesn’t matter that he plays golf, he would be dominating whatever sport he put his mind to as a child- it just happened to be golf. His mental strength and focus is the best ever.

I think these lists are stupid though, how can you compare Federer and Marius? Federer would whoop his ass at half of the “events” in this fictional competition and Marius would whoop his ass in the other half, they’re the complete opposite.

45

[quote]jtrinsey wrote:
How about Mark Hendrickson. Played in the NBA and now has crossed over and is successful in the MLB, something Michael Jordan couldn’t say.

And for the record, Tiger not being on there is a joke. Tiger is the best athlete in the world; it doesn’t matter that he plays golf, he would be dominating whatever sport he put his mind to as a child- it just happened to be golf. His mental strength and focus is the best ever.

I think these lists are stupid though, how can you compare Federer and Marius? Federer would whoop his ass at half of the “events” in this fictional competition and Marius would whoop his ass in the other half, they’re the complete opposite.[/quote]

haha no he is far from genetically gifted, he would fail in most sports. Just because you have great mental toughness, doesn’t mean your going to be a great athlete.

He is successful in a sport full of lack luster competetion, its one of the least competetive sports there is. He competes against overweight old geezers.

46

[quote]jtrinsey wrote:

Is it really that weird to think that 7-foot teenager could put on 70 pounds in 3 years if he has access to millions of dollars worth of training and nutrition resources?[/quote]

It’s not out of the question, and I do not think it is impossible without steroids. It’s just, of all the centers and power forwards in the league, very few are even close to Dwight’s muscularity, and the ones that are, are not nearly as explosive(read: powerful) as Dwight is.

47

[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
Malevolence wrote:

HHMMMMMM interesting points you make MV. Dwight Howard and steroids have never crossed my mind (actually, basketball players in general and steroids never cross my mind, but I’m sure it’s being used among them).[/quote]

After watching LeBron debut, a friend of mine made the comment that it is only a matter of time before the NBA has its own steroid scandal. Of course, he doesn’t exactly know anything about weight training or steroids.

48

[quote]Malevolence wrote:
jtrinsey wrote:

Is it really that weird to think that 7-foot teenager could put on 70 pounds in 3 years if he has access to millions of dollars worth of training and nutrition resources?

It’s not out of the question, and I do not think it is impossible without steroids. It’s just, of all the centers and power forwards in the league, very few are even close to Dwight’s muscularity, and the ones that are, are not nearly as explosive(read: powerful) as Dwight is. [/quote]

The ultimate muscle/strength freak in nba was shaq. Before his countless injuries he would dominate triple teams, and the only way you could slow him down was HARD fouls. Sure he couldn’t jump out of the bulding, but he had quite a bit of explosiveness for someone who was like near 340 at 7’2.

I’m almost positive he is not on steroids-the Nba has probably the least amount of users, most are NFL followed by MLB-, he isn’t super strong and his gains are very possible since he finally started lifting hard and eating a lot-plus he is in his prime, and a freak anyways-

Though I do bet some older players use steroids for joint problems to stay healthy.

49

[quote]Malevolence wrote:
jtrinsey wrote:

Is it really that weird to think that 7-foot teenager could put on 70 pounds in 3 years if he has access to millions of dollars worth of training and nutrition resources?

It’s not out of the question, and I do not think it is impossible without steroids. It’s just, of all the centers and power forwards in the league, very few are even close to Dwight’s muscularity, and the ones that are, are not nearly as explosive(read: powerful) as Dwight is. [/quote]

Maybe he’s a genetic freak. Maybe he’s reacted well to weight training. Maybe he’s had some ‘assistance.’ But I’ll agree that he is a rare blend of size, speed, power, and explosiveness. The only other power forward who I think was more muscular was Karl Malone, but then again, he wasn’t as explosive as Dwight Howard.

Someone who reminds me of Dwight Howard is Joey Dorsey from Memphis. Tall, big, muscular, and the same broad shoulders that Dwight has, with a similar style of ball. Do you think he is using drugs/steroids?

As shizen mentioned Shaq, in his prime he was unstoppable, breaking triple teams and just sheer dominant in the paint. He is the last great ‘true’ center of our time. But I don’t think Shaq is on steroids, he’s just a big guy all around.

50

No argument that a decathlete is number 1. Just how many sports do they do? (I am kidding).
The rest of the list is crap. I am not buying that LeBron is 5% BF either. That argument is for another thread

51

The list is kinda out of date. Manny Pacquiao is now the world’s best boxer pound for pound.

52

[quote]shizen wrote:
haha no he is far from genetically gifted, he would fail in most sports. Just because you have great mental toughness, doesn’t mean your going to be a great athlete.

He is successful in a sport full of lack luster competetion, its one of the least competetive sports there is. He competes against overweight old geezers. [/quote]

I hope you are kidding.

53

[quote]mudpro69 wrote:
WTF!..No fckin’ dodgeballers on the list. That is such bllsh*t.
[/quote]

Same goes for hopscotch athletes. I think the top 10 should have been made up of only hopscotchers

54

[quote]shizen wrote:
Malevolence wrote:
jtrinsey wrote:

Is it really that weird to think that 7-foot teenager could put on 70 pounds in 3 years if he has access to millions of dollars worth of training and nutrition resources?

It’s not out of the question, and I do not think it is impossible without steroids. It’s just, of all the centers and power forwards in the league, very few are even close to Dwight’s muscularity, and the ones that are, are not nearly as explosive(read: powerful) as Dwight is.

The ultimate muscle/strength freak in nba was shaq. Before his countless injuries he would dominate triple teams, and the only way you could slow him down was HARD fouls. Sure he couldn’t jump out of the bulding, but he had quite a bit of explosiveness for someone who was like near 340 at 7’2.

I’m almost positive he is not on steroids-the Nba has probably the least amount of users, most are NFL followed by MLB-, he isn’t super strong and his gains are very possible since he finally started lifting hard and eating a lot-plus he is in his prime, and a freak anyways-

Though I do bet some older players use steroids for joint problems to stay healthy. [/quote]

Dwight Howard IS super strong. I posted a vid of him benching 365 for a double, and when taking his wingspan into account that is mindblowing. Whoever said Tiger Woods is the best athlete in the world is a little off. Golf is not a sport, it’s a game. The only competition involved is the elements. It’d be like playing pool in the rain. Tough to be sure, but requiring very little athleticism.

55

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
Golf is not a sport
[/quote]

Agreed,

Anything where guys who are over 50 years old can still compete at the highest level cannot be considered a sport.

56

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
shizen wrote:
Malevolence wrote:
jtrinsey wrote:

Is it really that weird to think that 7-foot teenager could put on 70 pounds in 3 years if he has access to millions of dollars worth of training and nutrition resources?

It’s not out of the question, and I do not think it is impossible without steroids. It’s just, of all the centers and power forwards in the league, very few are even close to Dwight’s muscularity, and the ones that are, are not nearly as explosive(read: powerful) as Dwight is.

The ultimate muscle/strength freak in nba was shaq. Before his countless injuries he would dominate triple teams, and the only way you could slow him down was HARD fouls. Sure he couldn’t jump out of the bulding, but he had quite a bit of explosiveness for someone who was like near 340 at 7’2.

I’m almost positive he is not on steroids-the Nba has probably the least amount of users, most are NFL followed by MLB-, he isn’t super strong and his gains are very possible since he finally started lifting hard and eating a lot-plus he is in his prime, and a freak anyways-

Though I do bet some older players use steroids for joint problems to stay healthy.

Dwight Howard IS super strong. I posted a vid of him benching 365 for a double, and when taking his wingspan into account that is mindblowing. Whoever said Tiger Woods is the best athlete in the world is a little off. Golf is not a sport, it’s a game. The only competition involved is the elements. It’d be like playing pool in the rain. Tough to be sure, but requiring very little athleticism.
[/quote]

He was NOT benching 365 in that video. No doubt he is very strong yet not the strongest in the nba by any means yet combine his athleticism/explosiveness gives him quite the advantage.

57

[quote]Regular Gonzalez wrote:
WhiteFlash wrote:
Golf is not a sport

Agreed,

Anything where guys who are over 50 years old can still compete at the highest level cannot be considered a sport.

[/quote]

I have never played golf outside of a pirate ship or been on a course that doesn’t involve a windmill. However, to say Tiger Woods is not an athlete is ridiculous. He is not only an athlete but THE athlete in my opinion. His mental skills and focus are incredible. He would be exceptional at any sport he put his mind to as a child because of his mental skills. I do think he is a huge exception among golfers, but I think it is safe to say that somebody who has spent his entire life being able to control a tiny ball into a slightly larger hole would be able to, for example, shoot a larger ball into a larger hoop, ya know what I mean? The process through which the body control of shooting a basketball or hitting a baseball, for example, is unique to its sport but still much the same as to how those skills are acquired.

I hate these arguments though, they are so stupid because it is so subjective. Give respect where respect is due, that’s what I say.

58

[quote]jtrinsey wrote:
Regular Gonzalez wrote:
WhiteFlash wrote:
Golf is not a sport

Agreed,

Anything where guys who are over 50 years old can still compete at the highest level cannot be considered a sport.

I have never played golf outside of a pirate ship or been on a course that doesn’t involve a windmill. However, to say Tiger Woods is not an athlete is ridiculous. He is not only an athlete but THE athlete in my opinion. His mental skills and focus are incredible. He would be exceptional at any sport he put his mind to as a child because of his mental skills. I do think he is a huge exception among golfers, but I think it is safe to say that somebody who has spent his entire life being able to control a tiny ball into a slightly larger hole would be able to, for example, shoot a larger ball into a larger hoop, ya know what I mean? The process through which the body control of shooting a basketball or hitting a baseball, for example, is unique to its sport but still much the same as to how those skills are acquired.

I hate these arguments though, they are so stupid because it is so subjective. Give respect where respect is due, that’s what I say.

[/quote]

All professional athletes train from a young age for ridiculous amounts of hours, in fact MOST kids dedicate tons of time to athletics and still don’t make it to the big time. The reason being is they don’t have the genetics to be at the top level. Tiger is not super athletic, sure he is MORE athletic then 50 year olds who look like they are on the verge of a heart attack but to compare him to other professional athletes like lebron james or something is ridiculous. Just because he was good at such a non athletic sport as golf does not mean he would make an all star football, basketball, or baseball player. However, someone like lebron james would do extremely well in most sports in fact did so in high school yet basketball was where the money was at-and where he did best at- He is simply gifted with genetics, being extremely tall, explosive, fast, and strong. That combination would make him formidable in almost every sport.

Tiger is one of the best SKILLED athletes and the best golfer ever. This doesn’t make him athletic though, being a great pool player takes a lot of skill yet it does not require a lot of athleticism.

59

[quote]shizen wrote:
jtrinsey wrote:
Regular Gonzalez wrote:
WhiteFlash wrote:
Golf is not a sport

Agreed,

Anything where guys who are over 50 years old can still compete at the highest level cannot be considered a sport.

I have never played golf outside of a pirate ship or been on a course that doesn’t involve a windmill. However, to say Tiger Woods is not an athlete is ridiculous. He is not only an athlete but THE athlete in my opinion. His mental skills and focus are incredible. He would be exceptional at any sport he put his mind to as a child because of his mental skills. I do think he is a huge exception among golfers, but I think it is safe to say that somebody who has spent his entire life being able to control a tiny ball into a slightly larger hole would be able to, for example, shoot a larger ball into a larger hoop, ya know what I mean? The process through which the body control of shooting a basketball or hitting a baseball, for example, is unique to its sport but still much the same as to how those skills are acquired.

I hate these arguments though, they are so stupid because it is so subjective. Give respect where respect is due, that’s what I say.

All professional athletes train from a young age for ridiculous amounts of hours, in fact MOST kids dedicate tons of time to athletics and still don’t make it to the big time. The reason being is they don’t have the genetics to be at the top level. Tiger is not super athletic, sure he is MORE athletic then 50 year olds who look like they are on the verge of a heart attack but to compare him to other professional athletes like lebron james or something is ridiculous. Just because he was good at such a non athletic sport as golf does not mean he would make an all star football, basketball, or baseball player. However, someone like lebron james would do extremely well in most sports in fact did so in high school yet basketball was where the money was at-and where he did best at- He is simply gifted with genetics, being extremely tall, explosive, fast, and strong. That combination would make him formidable in almost every sport.

Tiger is one of the best SKILLED athletes and the best golfer ever. This doesn’t make him athletic though, being a great pool player takes a lot of skill yet it does not require a lot of athleticism. [/quote]

That echoes my sentiments almost exactly. Tiger Woods is an unbelieveable golfer. The things he does on a golf course are mind blowing.He is not a great athlete. focus doesn’t make a great athlete. Physical gifts are what make a great athlete. Physical gifts coupled with extreme mental focus makes a great player.

60

what bout tom glavine? i know he’s past his prime but heres a guy whose a hof pitcher and was drafted by the NHL.

I dont know much about current athletes but you can look at Dave winfield who was drafted in three pro sports