FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[acosmichippo]

I will also have to say Jordan. Basketball was my favorite sport growing up (by far), so I know I am a little biased here. Regardless, here are my reasons:

1) In his early years, he was as electrifying to watch as anyone.

2) In his latter years, he was as fundamentally-sound as anyone.

3) Clutch. Made gazillions of game-winning shots. Missed some too, of course, but never lost his confidence to get it done next time.

4) Trusted his teammates. When he knew he didn't have a last-second-shot, he gave it up to his guys.

5) NCAA championship, 6 NBA championships, Olympic Gold Medal.

6) In general, Basketball requires highly varied athletic and mental abilities: running, jumping, stamina, strength, coordination, perception, technique - all which have to be used continuously. In my opinion, this amounts to a greater demand on the athlete than any other sport. And Jordan was the best at it.

7) This may not make his case for "best athlete" but he has capitalized on his own brand like no athlete ever has. Of course, a lot of that has to do with Nike, but I'm sure his influence is there too.

[What's Burning?]

That's why I created the thread this morning... besides having a little time to kill, just to see what our fellow members thought about their choice, the athlete and the sport and who we'd talk about. I have to say that some were surprises that I wouldn't have even considered because of my lack of knowledge in their sport, not because their contribution.

The intent wasn't to agree on any one person or to talk about the philosophy of how you'd compare the value or athleticism of a sport as compared to another sport.... I just wanted to see who people would suggest and why, we've all got childhood heroes we grew up watching.

I didn't know it would be such a challenge.

[F1er]

* 6× NBA Champion (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
* 5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991–1992, 1996, 1998)
* 14× NBA All-Star (1985–1993, 1996–1998, 2002–2003)
* 6× NBA Finals MVP (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
* NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
* 10× All-NBA First Team (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
* All-NBA Second Team (1985)
* 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1988–1993, 1996–1998)
* NBA Rookie of the Year (1985)
* NBA All-Rookie First Team (1985)
* 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996, 1998)
* 2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1987–1988)
* NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
* #23 Retired by Chicago Bulls
* NCAA Champion (1982)
* 2× Consensus NCAA All-American First Team (1983–1984)
* ACC Player of the Year (1984)
* Oscar Robertson Trophy (1984)
* Naismith College Player of the Year (1984)
* John R. Wooden Award (1984)
* Adolph Rupp Trophy (1984)

Career NBA statistics
Points 32,292 (30.1 ppg)
Rebounds 6,672 (6.2 rpg)
Assists 5,633 (5.3 apg)

/thread

[darwin dali]

Madonna was psychologically weak so he could never be the greatest,he had to many flaws.

Like a virgin?

[darwin dali]

Hm, Roger Federer? Nadia Comaneci? Ingemar Stenmark? Georg Hackl? Manny Pacquiao? Martina Navratilova? Tough...

[The_Stig_Money]

F1 drivers are the most amazing athletes because of there endurance of extreme conditions, there super human reaction speed, and fearless attitude.

But i am going to have to choose Lebron James.

He was 19 and was more built then players that have been on the court for years. In a 1 on 1 with Jordan, i pick James everytime.

[zurich_allan]

Hm, Roger Federer? Nadia Comaneci? Ingemar Stenmark? Georg Hackl? Manny Pacquiao? Martina Navratilova? Tough...

I was actually about to post to say Martina Navratilova, so I'm glad that someone else has mentioned her. There's usually a very short period in any tennis player's career when they are at the top of their game, with a few of the greats aside. Navratilova was simply amazing in her dedication and professionalism, recognising when to change and focus on different aspects of her game to stay at the top:

1st grand slam title in 1975 aged 18 - last grand slam title in 2006 aged 49 - 31 years later!! That's insane in any sport! Would be like Schumacher continuing in F1 and winning races in 2018 in an age sense / 2022 in a longevity in the sport sense...

18 grand slam singles titles
31 grand slam women's doubles titles
10 grand slam mixed doubles titles

167 singles titles in total
177 doubles titles in total

Won Grand Slam titles in the 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's.

In either men's or women's tennis she can't be matched, or even close to matched by anybody, and never will be. She has to be up there in any topic like this.

[FRAFPDD]

Nah I think it is a 'agenda/question' and has no particular relevance.

?
What.

[FRAFPDD]

David Beckham,


won countless titles with man united, played for real madrid, ac milan, three of the top 5/6 clubs in europe.

made his name a company, famous where football isnt even watched.

[Hammer278]

His face helped market his name quite a lot I believe! Ah well, its still a 'gifted' talent so it still qualifies.

[vaptin]

David Beckham,


won countless titles with man united, played for real madrid, ac milan, three of the top 5/6 clubs in europe.

made his name a company, famous where football isnt even watched.

Heck no, I don't even have to dig deep to come up with a better player, Zidane?

Gary Neville probably has the same or greater number of premiership titles as David Beckham, my point mainly being your greatly helped in football by the quality of those around you. Same applies to Beckham, good enough to play for Man United sure, but greatly helped out by his team.

Beckham's good at passing and set pieces, but wasn't creative, a good dribbler or tackler.

Zidene's won far more individual awards then Beckham as well.

[McLaren]

Eadie "the eagle" Edwards superb ski jumper
or Eric "the eel" Moussambani the swimmer than nearly drowned at the olympics

Surely has to be one of the above

[FRAFPDD]

David Beckham,


won countless titles with man united, played for real madrid, ac milan, three of the top 5/6 clubs in europe.

made his name a company, famous where football isnt even watched.

Heck no, I don't even have to dig deep to come up with a better player, Zidane?

Gary Neville probably has the same or greater number of premiership titles as David Beckham, my point mainly being your greatly helped in football by the quality of those around you. Same applies to Beckham, good enough to play for Man United sure, but greatly helped out by his team.

Beckham's good at passing and set pieces, but wasn't creative, a good dribbler or tackler.

Zidene's won far more individual awards then Beckham as well.

I said it as a slightly patronising example of people who are picking people who are purely masters at their respective sport, i dotn think Beckham comes close. But neither does Michael Jordan IMO. Im amazed most people on here think hes the best ever!


Being a great athlete encompasses more then just being the best at your sport. Ali was a huge Civil Rights ICON. A man who refused to be drafted to fight people he didnt have any trouble with " i aint got no quarrel with them iet-cong, they aint callin' me n*gger"

See what i mean, more then just a sportsman, and even tehn he is probably the GREATEST boxer ever.

[bud]

David Beckham,


won countless titles with man united, played for real madrid, ac milan, three of the top 5/6 clubs in europe.

made his name a company, famous where football isnt even watched.

Heck no, I don't even have to dig deep to come up with a better player, Zidane?

Gary Neville probably has the same or greater number of premiership titles as David Beckham, my point mainly being your greatly helped in football by the quality of those around you. Same applies to Beckham, good enough to play for Man United sure, but greatly helped out by his team.

Beckham's good at passing and set pieces, but wasn't creative, a good dribbler or tackler.

Zidene's won far more individual awards then Beckham as well.

I said it as a slightly patronising example of people who are picking people who are purely masters at their respective sport, i dotn think Beckham comes close. But neither does Michael Jordan IMO. Im amazed most people on here think hes the best ever!


Being a great athlete encompasses more then just being the best at your sport. Ali was a huge Civil Rights ICON. A man who refused to be drafted to fight people he didnt have any trouble with " i aint got no quarrel with them iet-cong, they aint callin' me n*gger"

See what i mean, more then just a sportsman, and even tehn he is probably the GREATEST boxer ever.

SO youre basing the greatest athlete ever on accomplishments that never had anything to do with being an athlete? Why not throw Oprah in there! she does half the things Ali did. Im sure she is good at some sport???

I think from judging how great someone is from different era's is best done by putting them at their peak against the best of today. Jordan of the early 90s in todays league would still be the greatest. Ali in todays fights would not be. He was good for his day but not the greatest heavy weight of all time.

[FRAFPDD]

David Beckham,


won countless titles with man united, played for real madrid, ac milan, three of the top 5/6 clubs in europe.

made his name a company, famous where football isnt even watched.

Heck no, I don't even have to dig deep to come up with a better player, Zidane?

Gary Neville probably has the same or greater number of premiership titles as David Beckham, my point mainly being your greatly helped in football by the quality of those around you. Same applies to Beckham, good enough to play for Man United sure, but greatly helped out by his team.

Beckham's good at passing and set pieces, but wasn't creative, a good dribbler or tackler.

Zidene's won far more individual awards then Beckham as well.

I said it as a slightly patronising example of people who are picking people who are purely masters at their respective sport, i dotn think Beckham comes close. But neither does Michael Jordan IMO. Im amazed most people on here think hes the best ever!


Being a great athlete encompasses more then just being the best at your sport. Ali was a huge Civil Rights ICON. A man who refused to be drafted to fight people he didnt have any trouble with " i aint got no quarrel with them iet-cong, they aint callin' me n*gger"

See what i mean, more then just a sportsman, and even tehn he is probably the GREATEST boxer ever.

SO youre basing the greatest athlete ever on accomplishments that never had anything to do with being an athlete? Why not throw Oprah in there! she does half the things Ali did. Im sure she is good at some sport???

I think from judging how great someone is from different era's is best done by putting them at their peak against the best of today. Jordan of the early 90s in todays league would still be the greatest. Ali in todays fights would not be. He was good for his day but not the greatest heavy weight of all time.

Being ableand succeeding to influence millions by risking the titles youe earnt to make a statement that had a cultural impact that will last for eternity in standing up for what you think is right no matter what the cost. Is a bit more important then being able to shoot a few hoops.

This is a man who was compelled to rid himself of an olympic gold medal because the same country he won it for, refused to serve him in a whites only restaurant.

Correct me if im wrong but you dont like Alonso cause you dont like his spoilt, crybaby personality, what has that got to do with his driving talent? His personality has nothing to do with his sporting talent, and yet you use it against him?

Lets not be hypocrites.