Who was the BEST of the BEST in any SPORT - Either as individual or team.

For example, I heard some people tell me that Pele was so great as a soccer player or like the unbeaten Miami Dolphins in football, etc.

Team: The 1957-1969 Boston Celtics. 11 Championships in 12 years is pretty damn good.

Players: Baseball -- Willie Mays, Hockey -- Wayne Gretsky, Basketball -- Michael Jordan, Football -- Walter Payton

Eddy Merckx

If you don't know who he is, don't worry, you probably won't care anyway...

In case you're curious though: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddy_Merckx

Wayne Gretzky. Hockey's best of the best and holds a shit load of records.

Knew you're going to say that... Not for nothing is he called "The Great One"...

That brings up an old debate Bill Russell's Celtics from above vs the offense dominance of Wilt the Stilt Chamberlin.

Hockey is the one sport that I follow hardcoredly. It's killing me that there is no hockey right now. I've been going to see local games for my hockey fix.

Question on Gretzky. I know how great he was and his records and how fast he was and how good he was around the net. How he stopped the Islanders would had just won 4 straight cups with Bossy, Trottier, Potvin and Billy Smith, etc.

How would you compare Mark Messier on those teams? How good, etc.

Steve Yzerman- He is the longest running captain for any single hockey team. He is just an AMAZING player. ONE of the best that have ever played.

DP

1998 New York Yankees

- In talking about baseball, Willie Mays was always a favorite of mine even though I never saw him play close to his prime. Just on film.

But in talking to some older folks, I have heard that Mickey Mantle was incredible and could do everything before injuries slowed him down.

- On football, I use to love watching Payton, they called him sweetness for a reason. And then for running backs, Barry Sanders would be up there also.

Messier was good. Don't get me wrong on that. But he just cannot compare to Gretzky. Nobody can compare to gretzky. He had to overcome that fact and he still managed to become one of the best players in the NHL. But Messier should have retired around 4-5 years ago. I'm happy he's finally retiring this season.

On hockey you do have to give it to Gretzky. How many can get away with great in their nickname.

One other name that I remember hearing about being a very dominant player - well before my time so I know nothing about him other than his name.

One of the 2 Bobbies - I don't think it was Hull - so I think Bobby Orr was a very dominant player from the past.

Both of those bobby's were excellent players. Bobby Orr holds one of the most beautiful goals I've ever seen. And Hull was an excellent player. But the only way to get around the whole being better then Gretzky would be to pick a player of a different position. As for goaltenders, it's tough to be guys like Ken Dryden (he's a minister in the Martin government here in Canada now :wink:), Patrick Roy and Ed Belfour. For defencemen there are greats like Chris Chelios (who's with the Red Wings now but should be retiring soon), Rob Blake (one of the best defencemen who can score) and Chris Pronger.

I second in my admiration for Stevie Y.

and to be honest. I think gretzky is overrated. not a well rounded player, and too often shadowed by other strong guys to make him look better.

Jordan-Basketball(anoyone who says Kobe is better or just as good is...well...dosent know what they are talking about) huh mel? :wink:

Pele was great, but I would take Maradona over anybody.

Merckx is great, but I also think Lance Armstrong and Miguel Indurain have to be mentioned along with him.

I agree but then we have to add also Bernard Hinault, Jacques Antequil and Fausto Coppi (even Greg Lemond should be included)... :wink:

Yet in the all-time points list, he's above everyone else by like 1000 points if I stand corrected.

Team:1995-96 chicago bulls.They had a record 72 win season and just blew everyone away by a margin of 20 point wins a game.

Basketball player:Michael Jordan,When his team was in trouble he would single handedly beat the other team.His will for winning is second to none.The guy was obssessed with winning and he treated his teameates like they were in bootcamp.IMO the greatest athlete ever.


Soccer:If you wanted a guy that could lead his team to victory by making them play like a team then you got to pick pele.The guy was a geniuse.
If you want the most explosive soccer player ever that was a machine then you have to pick maradonna,The only problem with him was that the idiot began using drugs and became a drug addict.He couldve been the best ever but he threw it all away,still,when he was in his prime and drug free he was something to watch.

Boxing:The guy in my sig.

Watching Vick, the quarterback running the ball today, he looks on some plays like Barry Sanders running the ball in his prime.

F1 - As much as I dislike him: Michael Schumacher.
F1 - Aryton Senna

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Cricket: Wasim Akram, Brian Lara, Sachin, Sir Gary Sobers.

Wayne Gretzky...60+ NHL Records, 'nuff said.