PromoTheRobot Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 The phrase is "all-around", not "all-round." If you're asking for the best "all-round" athletes I'd nominate some Sumo wrestlers. PTR
koosh Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 And this is based on that commercial where he's dreaming I suppose? The greatest basketball player ever tried to switch professions to baseball and never made it even in triple-A. Just because someone is a great athlete in their sport doesn't mean the skills transfer at all. You have no idea if LeBron could deliver and take consistent NFL hits. You have no idea if he has the heart to catch balls in traffic or if he would avoid being buried in the pile. You also have no idea if he could memorize a playbook and read offenses and defenses. I vote Bo. He was amazing and though it happened in Rich Stadium in one of the best parties to ever take place in Buffalo, I wish he'd not been hurt. Bo was hurt the previous week, not in Buffalo. He does however, get my vote for best pro athlete. Deion was a horrific tackler and an average, at best, baseball player. Bo excelled in both sports.
Guest dog14787 Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 In there perspective sports you could go with folks like Micheal Jordon, Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky, Muhammed Ali, Jim Brown, or Jerry Rice, I mean are we talking best all around athletic ability or versatility? Can we say Dion Sanders or Bo Jackson is a better all around athlete then Michael Jordon?
The Dean Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 It all depends on your definition of athletic. I think physicality and strength should be a factor in judging athletes. Lawrence Taylor just came to mind. I'd agree. I guess, since he rarely displayed his physicality, you'd have to question Deon on that. I'm guessing with him it was more a lack of will, than ability, but who knows. IMO, Bo was a guy who showed contact was not a factor.
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 I've heard some folks claim that hockey players are some of the best pure athletes in the world. Don't know if that's true or not--but thought it was interesting. Usually, I think of football and basketball players--i.e., the guys running, jumping, diving, etc.--as the greatest athletes, not hockey players.
Guest dog14787 Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 I've heard some folks claim that hockey players are some of the best pure athletes in the world. Don't know if that's true or not--but thought it was interesting. Usually, I think of football and basketball players--i.e., the guys running, jumping, diving, etc.--as the greatest athletes, not hockey players. Ive seen some crazy good hand to eye coordination and pin point timing while watching hockey and when you mix that with the skating skills needed and hard hitting, it very well could be true.
billybob Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Wilt Chamberlain deserves some consideration - most dominate basketball player of his time, world class volleyball player, and participated at a high level in multiple track and field events in college.
KD in CA Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Yes I understand but Bo Jackson only played 3 NFL seasons You didn't ask who had the longest or most accomplished career, you asked who the best ahlete was. Sanders couldn't carry Bo's jock. Jim Brown deserves strong consideration for this title too.
The Dean Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 I've heard some folks claim that hockey players are some of the best pure athletes in the world. Don't know if that's true or not--but thought it was interesting. Usually, I think of football and basketball players--i.e., the guys running, jumping, diving, etc.--as the greatest athletes, not hockey players. I'd throw soccer players into the mix, too. They have to do all of the things we traditionally think of as "athletic" (running, jumping, hand-eye/foot coordination, etc) and they have to have incredible stamina. Of course decathletes shouldn't be dismissed, either.
C.Biscuit97 Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 I've heard some folks claim that hockey players are some of the best pure athletes in the world. Don't know if that's true or not--but thought it was interesting. Usually, I think of football and basketball players--i.e., the guys running, jumping, diving, etc.--as the greatest athletes, not hockey players. The thing about hockey is that it draws from such a limited pool. It would be interesting to see if the sport was popular in inner-cities, what the league would look like. Supposedly, Jason Richardson (Phoenix Suns, former dunk contest winner) was a really good hockey player until he outgrew skates.
PushthePile Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 I've heard some folks claim that hockey players are some of the best pure athletes in the world. Don't know if that's true or not--but thought it was interesting. Usually, I think of football and basketball players--i.e., the guys running, jumping, diving, etc.--as the greatest athletes, not hockey players. I think all sports have great athletes in them. Some sports are just more geared to athletes. In general the average MLB player doesn't compare to an NFL or NBA player. It is a game that requires specific skill sets and eye hand coordination. This is not to say that MLB doesn't have great athletes in it, because it does. Players like BJ Upton, Grady Sizemore, Ichiro Suzuki, and Jose Reyes are phenominal athletes. I've never played hockey but I would have to believe that it's a game that requires alot of athleticism, as does soccer or boxing. If your a tremendous athlete you can find a place in alot of different sports.
GOBILLS78 Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Adding to the Bo Jackson stories, I was watching an interview with -- I believe -- one of Bo's high school coaches. He said Bo once stood in waist-high water, burst out, did a flip in the air and landed back on his feet in the water. That's mythic.
stuckincincy Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Wilt Chamberlain deserves some consideration - most dominate basketball player of his time, world class volleyball player, and participated at a high level in multiple track and field events in college. Yes he does deserve consideration. He was incredibly fast - I recall seeing old Kansas college footage with him outracing guards down the court. Wilt was unique. I can't think of an athlete quite like him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilt_Chamberlain
Mr. ChumChums Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Anybody want to throw Mike Vick's name in this pool?
Guest dog14787 Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Anybody want to throw Mike Vick's name in this pool? Michael Vick would have to be thrown in the mix somewhere because athletically speaking, Vick is a very gifted individual.
stuckincincy Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Anybody want to throw Mike Vick's name in this pool? I suspect many would be pleased to throw Mike Vick's name into a pool...
Thurman#1 Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Jim Thorpe and Babe Didrickson Zaharias. Also, they say that Jim Brown may have been the greatest football player to ever play the game. They also say that Brown may have been the greatest lacrosse player to ever play the game. That's something.
deep2evans Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Jackie Robinson I guess Tiger Woods is a pretty sick athlete too.
BUFFALOTONE Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Roy Munson, got to the championship match against Ern or Big Ern with a prosthetic hand. CONTEST OVER!!
SKOOBY Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 Barry Sanders could outrun a cheetah on crack. Deion Sanders was untouchably fast, that 4.16 caught him on the turn.
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