Wilt, Ali, Jordan. I wanted to pick Tiger, but he's barely in the middle of his career. No doubt he will be among the greatest, but I'd like to see how it plays out. If Ali hadn't stuck around too long, I think more people would include him. The truly great athletes don't simply win, but have the ability to elevate and transform how their sport is played.
Most Dominant Athlete of All Time
- Thread starter shack
- Start date
Other names that could/should have been included:
Nicklaus
Wilt
Michael Schumacher
Lance Armstrong
Secretariat
Orr
Rocket Richard
Sugar Ray Leonard
Rocky Marciano
Eddie Merckx
Jack Johnson
Nolan Ryan
Bjorn Borg
Sharif Khan (squash)
I don't remember his name but that softball pitcher who toured with just a catcher and 1 fielder and they beat everyone.
The list must be miles long with worthy candidates.
Nicklaus
Wilt
Michael Schumacher
Lance Armstrong
Secretariat
Orr
Rocket Richard
Sugar Ray Leonard
Rocky Marciano
Eddie Merckx
Jack Johnson
Nolan Ryan
Bjorn Borg
Sharif Khan (squash)
I don't remember his name but that softball pitcher who toured with just a catcher and 1 fielder and they beat everyone.
The list must be miles long with worthy candidates.
Maybe I should post this poll on some non Canadian sites and see if Gretzky is still there. Hahhaa
anyway, we need all sports and not only North American televised sports. For cricket Sir Gary Sobers, the greatest allrounder ever and Sir Don Bradman the greatest batsman ever
anyway, we need all sports and not only North American televised sports. For cricket Sir Gary Sobers, the greatest allrounder ever and Sir Don Bradman the greatest batsman ever
Thoughts...
Gretzky's and Jordan's supporting cast were not comparable. Gretzky played with three other SURE Hall of Famers, and perhaps as many as 5 or 6. Jordan played with one other all star, another very good (but one dimensional) player, and a bunch of guys who knew their role.
Definately agree leaving Chamberlin off the list was a HUGE mistake. Frankly I am still up in the air as to who was the most dominate NBA player...Jordan or Chamberlin
iluvquarks said:
Gretzky's and Jordan's supporting cast were not comparable. Gretzky played with three other SURE Hall of Famers, and perhaps as many as 5 or 6. Jordan played with one other all star, another very good (but one dimensional) player, and a bunch of guys who knew their role.
Definately agree leaving Chamberlin off the list was a HUGE mistake. Frankly I am still up in the air as to who was the most dominate NBA player...Jordan or Chamberlin
I'm interpreting this poll as how is the most dominant compared to his peers of this time instead of who is the best athlete.
I'm gonna be biased and vote for Jordan because I saw him play and he was so unquestionably the dominant player of his generation in the NBA.
Tiger is on his way but despite all his great accomplishments, I think it is still too early on his career to pass judgement.
The Great One was also the dominant player for his generation in the NHL but I'd say Jordan was more dominant in his sport than Gretzky in his.
Wilt was great also - he was unstoppable... but some people felt Russell was actually better (I disagree). So I think MJ is still the man.
I'm gonna be biased and vote for Jordan because I saw him play and he was so unquestionably the dominant player of his generation in the NBA.
Tiger is on his way but despite all his great accomplishments, I think it is still too early on his career to pass judgement.
The Great One was also the dominant player for his generation in the NHL but I'd say Jordan was more dominant in his sport than Gretzky in his.
Wilt was great also - he was unstoppable... but some people felt Russell was actually better (I disagree). So I think MJ is still the man.
This has been done before...kinda...
When ESPN did this - ranking the 50 greatest athlete's of all time (essentiallly the same thing in the context they were using), It was Ali -3, Ruth - 2, Jordan - 1. Gretzky and Chamberlin were also in the top ten..I do not remember the rest...
Asterix said:
When ESPN did this - ranking the 50 greatest athlete's of all time (essentiallly the same thing in the context they were using), It was Ali -3, Ruth - 2, Jordan - 1. Gretzky and Chamberlin were also in the top ten..I do not remember the rest...
I completely agree. I'd also say that Ruth dominated his league more than Gretzky did hisMLAM said:
I'd say Chamberlain was a more dominating pure force (offensively and defensively) during his time in the NBA. But Jordan was the complete winner - offense, defense, intangables, sheer desire to win, leadership, etc. No weakness. Wilt was more aloof, was criticized (often unfairly) as not being a winner like Russell, and had weaknesses in his game (can't hit a free throw). Jordan had no weaknesses. He excelled in every aspect (as a player, not as a GM!)MLAM said:
To me there has been no greater athlete than jordan....in his desire to win and WORK HARD TO GET IT....the hard work, unfortunately, falls on deaf ears and eyes on the youth who idolize him...he was good in college, but worked hard as a pro to be the best, truly the definition the phrase 'try your best' which is often lost and overused on people anyhow.....
He was a man who could totally dominate a game by himself. Just give him the ball and watch him go. I never saw anyone who broke as many tackles as he did. He was getting over 1000 yards a season when there were only 12 games. Jim Brown played so long ago that most people on here know more of Tony Hawk than of him.Don said:
As you said he went out (by choice) in his prime as did Borg. Orr was only 28, I think, when he was forced to quit. Ali and Laver missed their prime years due to the politics of sports. Those 5 along with Barry Sanders could have set some amazing records if they'd had full careers.
King and his Court (fast pitch softball)
Eddie Feigner has pitched for 60 years, over 10,000 games and 900 no-hitters. He can strike you out between his legs, behind his back and blindfolded from second base. His fastball was clocked at over 100 mph.
Eddie Feigner has pitched for 60 years, over 10,000 games and 900 no-hitters. He can strike you out between his legs, behind his back and blindfolded from second base. His fastball was clocked at over 100 mph.
Ali
One for the ages........and known world wide for standing up for his principles regardless of the costs.
One for the ages........and known world wide for standing up for his principles regardless of the costs.
Which I think brings up a prescient point. Ali was probably the first truly worldwide renowned athlete, and he used that to his advantage. His wins over Forman in Zaire and Frazier in Manilla, were certainly in part due to his ability to set the stage and connect with the people. Sports are afterall a spectator event, and the plays the thing. BTW, "When We Were Kings", is an excellent documentary of the fight in Kinshasa for anyone who hasn't seen it.Lady Chyna said:
