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NY State Of Mind.

Jul 17 2006, 06:28 PM

I voted for Jordan, probably the most influential and best known athelete also. He is also the greatest all around athlete, I remember they said he couldn't defend, that same year he shut critics up and won defensive player of the year award. He has too many honour to mention, Jordan Brand is also the top selling brand in sports marketed by a player, he simply out did the competition in every aspect of the game, he even became a professional baseball player(as much as he was criticized it does take skills to become a pro mlb player).

I'll leave you with this

QUOTE

Born in Brooklyn, New York City, "M.J.", considered a remarkable force at both ends of the floor, ended an NBA career of 15 seasons with a regular-season scoring average of 30.12 points per game, the highest in NBA history (marginally ahead of Wilt Chamberlain's 30.06). He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls (during which he won all six NBA Finals MVP awards), won 10 scoring titles, and was league MVP five times. He was named to the All-NBA First Team 10 times, All-Defensive First Team nine times, and led the league in steals three times. Since 1983, he has appeared on the front cover of Sports Illustrated a record 49 times, and was named the magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" in 1991. He has also appeared on the cover of SLAM Magazine nine times (a record), including as the cover athlete for the magazine's 50th and 100th issues. In 1999, he was named "the greatest athlete of the 20th century" by ESPN, and was second only to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press list of top athletes of the century. His leaping ability, vividly illustrated by dunking from the foul line and other feats, earned him the nicknames "Air Jordan" and "His Airness."

QUOTE

Career achievements
Selected in 1996 as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History"
Recorded 209 career 40+ point games: (171 Regular Season, 38 Postseason)
Recorded 39 career 50+ point games (31 Regular Season, 8 Postseason)
Recorded 29 career triple-doubles (27 Regular Season, 2 Postseason)
Recorded 6 career 40+ point games and 1 50+ point game in the NBA Finals
Averaged 33.6 ppg, 6.0 rbg, and 6.0 apg in six NBA Finals appearances (35 games)
5-Time Regular Season MVP
1987-1988, 1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1995-1996, 1997-1998
6-Time NBA Champion
1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998
6-Time Finals MVP
1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998
10-Time NBA Regular-Season Leader in Points
1986-1987, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998
9-Time All NBA Defensive First Team
1987-1988, 1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998
10-Time All NBA First Team
1986-1987, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998
NBA Defensive Player of the Year
1987-1988
14-Time All Star Selection
1984-1985, 1985-1986, 1986-1987, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 2001-2002, 2002-2003
Started in 13 of the 14 selections (including his 1984-1985 rookie season). Missed one due to injury.
3-Time All Star MVP
1987-1988, 1995-1996, 1997-1998
NBA Rookie of the Year
1984-1985
NBA All-Rookie Team
1985
All NBA Second Team
1985
2-Time Slam Dunk Champion (also participated in the 1985 contest)
1986-1987, 1987-1988
2-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
1984, 1992
Member of the 1992 Gold Medal award winning United States Olympic Dream Team
Captured his 2nd Gold Medal
4th All-Time Highest All-Star Scoring average (20.2)
2nd All-Time in All-Star Field goals attempted (206)
All-Time All Star leader in steals (35)
3rd All-Time All Star leader in points (242)
8th All-Time All Star leader in assists (52)
All-Time NBA usage rate Leader (33.26)
All-Time NBA efficiency rate Leader (27.91)
Recorded the first triple double in All-Star game history (14 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists)
1997 NBA All Star Game in Cleveland
3rd All-Time Leader in Points
Behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), and Karl Malone (36,928)
4th All-Time Leader in Free throws Made (7,327 ftm, .835 ft%)
8th All-Time NBA leader in Free throw Attempts (8,772)
4rd All-Time Leader in Field Goals Made (12,192)
3rd All-Time Leader in Field Goals Attempted (24,537)
Behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone
3rd All-Time Leader in Steals per game (2.63)
2nd All-Time Leader in Total Steals (2,514)
Behind John Stockton (3,265 steals)
5th All-Time Leader in Minutes per game (38.3)
16th All-Time leader in Minutes played (41,011)
Surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA record by scoring in double-digits for the 788th consecutive game
Scoring a game-high 33 points, against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 30, 1997
3-Time NBA leader in Steals
1987-88 (3.16 spg), 1989-90 (2.77 spg), 1992-93 (2.83 spg)
3rd All-Time career leader for Player Wins (184.44)
Behind Karl Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon
2nd All-Time career leader for Win Shares (607)
Behind Karl Malone (688)
6th All-Time NBA record for most field goals made in a season (1,098, in 1987)
First 4 are Held by Wilt Chamberlain, 5th by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Jordan appears on this NBA's record top 100 list a total of 11 times
6th All-Time NBA record for most attempts in a season (2,279, in 1987)
First 5 records are held by Wilt Chamberlain
3rd All-Time NBA leader for most free throws made in a season (833, '87)
Behind Jerry West (840, '66) and Wilt Chamberlain (835, '62)
Jordan is also the 10th All-Time leader for most free throws in a season (723, '88)
Appears on this All-Time top 100 list a record 6 times
All-Time NBA Record for most appearances on the All-Defensivie First Team (9)
8th All-Time NBA leader for most steals averaged in a season per game (3.16)
Appears on the All-Time Top 100 list, 5 Times
3rd All-Time NBA leader for most points scored in a season (3,041)
First two held by Wilt Chamberlain
Jordan appears on this All-Time NBA Top 100 list a record 11 times
5th All-Time NBA leader for most points averaged in a season (37.09)
Top 4 are held by Wilt Chamberlain
Jordan appears on this All-Time NBA Top 100 list a record 10 times
All-Time NBA leader for single season usage rating (39.83, 1987)
Jordan appears on this All-Time NBA Top 100 list a record 13 times
2nd All-Time NBA leader for player wins in a single season (17.42, 1988)
David Robinson holds the All-Time record with 17.57, 1994
Jordan appears on this All-Time NBA Top 100 list a record 11 times
All-Time NBA career leader for MVP Award Shares (8.138)
All-Time NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one half
20, against the Miami Heat on December 30th 1992
All-Time NBA single season leader for win shares (59, 1989)
Jordan holds the top 3 All-Time records. Including the 5th, and 6th. He appears on the All-Time List a record 11 times
All-Time NBA single-game record for most most free-throws attempted in one half
23, against the Miami Heat on December 30th, 1992
All-Time NBA single-game record (shared) for most free-throws made in one quarter
14, against the Utah Jazz on November, 15, 1989, and against the Miami Heat on December 30th, 1992
All-Time NBA record for most consecutive games scoring in double-digits (842)
All-Time NBA record for most seasons leading the league in field-goals made (10)
All-Time NBA record for most seasons leading the league in field-goals attempted (10)
All-Time NBA record (shared) for most seasons with 2,000 or more points (11)
All-Time NBA record for most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring (7, 1986-87 through 1992-93)
Shared with Wilt Chamberlain
All-Time NBA Playoff record in Points per game (33.4)
All-Time NBA Playoff record for points scored (5,987)
All-Time NBA Playoff record for most free throws made (1,463)
All-Time NBA Playoff record for most field-goals attempted (4,497)
All-Time NBA Playoff record for most free throws attempted (1,766)
All-Time NBA Playoff record for most steals (376)
2nd All-Time NBA Playoff leader for field-goals made (2,188)
5th All-Time NBA Playoff leader is assists (1,022)
Recorded two playoff career triple-doubles
both against the New York Knicks (5/9/89 and 6/2/93)
All-Time NBA record for most seasons leading league in scoring (10)
All-Time NBA Finals record for most three-point field goals made (42)
2nd All-Time NBA Finals record for most three-point field goals attempted (114)
3rd All-Time NBA Finals record for points scored (1,176)
4th All-Time NBA Finals record for total steals (62)
5th All-Time NBA Finals record for field goals made (438)
6th All-Time NBA Finals record for total assists (209)
6th All-Time NBA Finals record for free-throws made (258)
7th All-Time NBA Finals record for field-goals attempted (911)
8th All-Time NBA Finals record for free-throws attempted (320)
All-Time NBA Finals record for most consecutive games with 20 or more points
35, June 2, 1991-June 14, 1998
All-Time NBA Finals single-game record for most points in one half
35, June 3, 1992 vs. Portland
All-Time NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average (41.0 ppg, 1993)
All-Time NBA record for most points in a Playoff game (63)
Set against Boston Celtics, April 20, 1986
Set during his Sophmore year
Averaged 43.7 ppg for the three games series against the Boston Celetics
5th All-Time Highest single-season scoring average (37.1ppg, 1986-1987)
The first 4 records are owned by Wilt Chamberlain
9th All-Time highest single season scoring average (35.0ppg, 1987-1988)
First player since Wilt Chamberlain to top 3,000 points in a season (3,041)
1986-1987
First player in league history to record 200 steals and 100 blocked shots in a season (125 blocks, 236 steals)
1986-1987
Selected as the 1988-1989 Player of the Year by the Sporting News
First player in league history to consecutively record 200 steals and 100 blocked shots in a season (131 blocks, 259 steals, in 1987-1988)
1986 through 1988
All-Time Chicago Bulls single-game Rookie record for points
49 points, against the Detroit Pistons on February 12, 1985
All-Time Chicago Bulls single-season Rookie record for points scored in a season (2,313)
All-Time Chicago Bulls single-season Rookie record for field-goals made (837)
All-Time Chicago Bulls single-season Rookie record for free-throws made (630)
All-Time Chicago Bulls single-season Rookie record for free-throws attempted (746)
All-Time Chicago Bulls single-season Rookie record for steals (196)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for points scored (29,277)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for rebounds (5,836)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for assists (5,012)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for steals (930)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for field-goals made (10,962)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for field-goals attempted (21,686)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for free-throws made (6,798)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for free-throws attempted (8,115)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for points scored in a game (69)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most field-goals made in a season (1,098)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most attempts in a season (2,279)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free throws made in a season (833)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free throws attempted in a season (972)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most steals averaged per game (3.16)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most points scored in a season (3,041)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most points averaged in single-season (37.09)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free-throws made in a half (20)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free-throws attempted in a half (23)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free-throws made in a quarter (14)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free-throws made (7,327)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free-throws attempted (8,772)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most field-goals made (12,192)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most field goals attempted (24,537)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most minutes per game (38.3)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most consecutive games scoring in double figures
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most seasons with 2,000 or more points (11)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most points scored in the playoffs (5,987)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free throws made in the playoffs (1.463)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free throws attempted in the playoffs (1,766)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most points scored in a playoff game (63)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most steals in the playoffs (376)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most field goals made in the playoffs (2,188)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most assists in the playoffs (1,022)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most three-point field goals attempted in the Finals (114)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most points scored in the Finals (1,176)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most total steals in the Finals (62)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most field goals made in the Finals (438)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most total assists in the Finals (209)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free-throws made in the Finals (258)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most field-goals attempted in the Finals (911)
All-Time Chicago Bulls record for most free-throws attempted in the Finals (320)
Finished 1984-1985 Rookie season averaging 28.2 ppg
3rd in the league behind the New York Knicks Bernard King, and the Boston Celtics Larry Bird
All-Time NBA record for most consecutive points in a game (23)
Finished with 61 against the Atlanta Hawks on April 16, 1987
All-Time NBA Playoff record for most field goals made (24)
Against Cleveland on May 1, 1988
Lead the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls to an All-Time NBA Best Regular season record, with 72 wins, 10 losses
Averaged a league high 30.4 ppg
Lead the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls to an All-Time NBA Best combined Regular and Post Season record with, 87 wins, 13 losses
Only player in NBA history to win the scoring title 8 times
Won the title a record 10 times
All-Time NBA Record for most consecutive seasons to win the scoring title (7)
Shared with Wilt Chamberlain
Won the 1995-1996 Regular Season MVP, All-Star MVP, and NBA Finals MVP
Joined Willis Reed (1970) as the only other player to do so
All-Time MCI Center record for points scored (51 points)
Against Charlotte on December 29th, 2001
All-Time Washington Wizards record for most points scored in the first quarter of a game (24)
Against Charlotte December 29th, 2001
All-Time Washington Wizards record for most points scored in the second quarter of a game (19)
Against Chicago on January 4, 2002
All-Time Washington Wizards record for most points scored in a half (34)
Against Charlotte on December 29th, 2001
All-Time oldest player and only player at age 40 or older to score 40 points in an NBA Game (43 points, 10 rebounds)
Against the New Jersey Nets on February 21, 2003
Scored 40 or more points 3 times, in his final year
Scored 30 or more points 9 times, in his final year
Scored 20 or more points 42 times, in his final year

QUOTE

Jordan is one of the most marketed sports figures in history. He has been a major spokesman for such brands as Nike, Gatorade, Hanes, McDonald's, Ball Park Franks, Rayovac and MCI. He first appeared on Wheaties boxes in 1988, and acted as their spokesman as well.

Here's a link to Air Jordan, the most coveted Sneaker Brand on the planet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Jordan , I can't wait till the shoe thread is opened so I can post my collection.

Donny

Jul 18 2006, 10:08 AM

My vote goes to Jordan as well.... I remember seeing Jordan when I was young and frankly I havent seen such a sportsman till now. I mean even if you didnt know what was basketball you would like seeing him play. Sometimes he would just stay up in the air and it seemed he was flying. I think he along side with few other NBA players have made NBA what it is now.

IPB Image

"That was God disguised as Michael Jordan."
-- Larry Bird, after Michael Jordan set the NBA playoff record for most points in a game with 63 in a double-overtime loss to the Boston Celtics, 135-131.

F4Evo

Jul 18 2006, 10:23 AM

im gonna vote for Pele, just because football is the most played sport in the world, and he still managed to dominate the rest of the field in a way no one could imagine

Carl Monday

Jul 18 2006, 01:33 PM

I'm going to go with Federer. Dude kicks ass where ever he goes and is only 24 years old

NY State Of Mind.

Jul 18 2006, 06:08 PM

What the hell , this poll is recieving no replies a shame because it's a good debatle topic.

Donny that Larry Bird Quote is class.
.

El Buitre

Jul 19 2006, 08:20 AM

Lance Armstrong. He won every time he ran the tour after his cancer. That is what did it for me, he never was beaten in 7 years. Most of the rest arent that dominant. Federer, loses 6 out of 8 matches with Nadal in finals. Jordan, never made the playoffs with the Wizards.

I do respect all of these athletes tremendously, but I think Lance was that much more dominant.

anisthereddevil

Jul 19 2006, 11:43 AM

i voted for Muhammad Ali...
i think ppl like
Sir Don Bradman (Cricket),
Carl lewis
Steffi Graf
Ayrton Senna
deserved to be on the list

Edson Buddle

Jul 20 2006, 07:31 PM

hands down jordan....
he did so much to the bulls
basically onehanded brought them to the promis land

just one of hi many game winners
IPB Image

Sky

Jul 20 2006, 10:05 PM

Muhammad Ali... simply the GREATEST.

There's Only One United

Jul 21 2006, 05:01 AM

Lance Armstrong however his drug use allegations put me off him as there is always some dount around him. Also federer is well on the way there

Dazza Flezza

Jul 21 2006, 07:46 AM

Federer for me. He will be remembered one of the best, possibly the best tennis player we have ever seen.

fraz

Jul 21 2006, 08:53 AM

d) None of the above.
The most dominant athlete of all time is a lady by the name of Heather McKay. She played competitive squash from 1960-1981 and in the period from 1962-1981, she did not lose a single game. An unparalleled feat in world sport; unbeaten for nearly twenty years. She only lost two games in her entire career and both of them within her first few years. From 1962 to 1977 she won 16 consecutive British Open championships. Nobody has ever dominated a sport like Heather Mckay dominated squash.

23 Carra Gold.

Jul 21 2006, 10:08 AM

No Michael Johnson who absolutly pwned the 400m?

NY State Of Mind.

Jul 21 2006, 06:29 PM

QUOTE(anisthereddevil @ Jul 19 2006, 12:43 PM)

i voted for Muhammad Ali...
i think ppl like
Sir Don Bradman (Cricket),
Carl lewis
Steffi Graf
Ayrton Senna
deserved to be on the list

Some of those names sound familiar, but honesly I have no Idea who they are, they must not play a major sport, or maybe they do, but are obscured by my ignorance. Anyway I doubt anyone would have voted for them.

QUOTE(YNWA @ Jul 21 2006, 11:08 AM)

No Michael Johnson who absolutly pwned the 400m?

Bro, I was just about to put him in , but I had no more room, and Track isn't as important to me as: Soccer, baseball, Basketball, boxing, tennis etc. Plus he wasn't very wide range athelete.

Scousy

Jul 22 2006, 01:52 AM

QUOTE(Julio Dos Santos @ Jul 22 2006, 09:29 AM)

Don Bradman - Easily the best cricket player of all time, no question.
Carl Lewis - Dominate 100m and long jump (?) athlete
Steffi Graf - Tennis player, although I don't think she's good enough to make the list as it's arguable if she was even the best of her generation.
Ayrton Senna - F1 racer, easily the best of his generation but tragically died in 1994 at the San Marino grand prix of that year.

On your list, I'd have to say Michael Jordan is the most dominate

Courtsy

Jul 22 2006, 02:39 AM

Armstrong for me. To come back from cancer and win the world's toughest sporting event SEVEN times in incredible and superhuman.

JNV

Jul 23 2006, 05:41 AM

QUOTE(Julio Dos Santos @ Jul 18 2006, 12:28 AM)

I voted for Jordan, probably the most influential and best known athelete also.

I dont think hes more known than someone like Beckham.

ale1231

Jul 23 2006, 11:06 AM

Pele, 20 years at top without dopping.

DutchFanatic

Jul 24 2006, 09:00 PM

Lance Armstrong.

but why are Zidane, and Beckanbaucher on that list..
but not Johan Cruijff and Maradonna?

NY State Of Mind.

Jul 24 2006, 09:38 PM

Probably because I never seen them play live, Maradonna wasn't the most dominate, I was going to put Cruyff.

romi

Jul 25 2006, 04:38 AM

Lance Armstrong, Jordan. Why they were floorless at what they did. And yes they were human and when they made a mistake they made up for it by doing something magical. Talk drugs all u want but he was never caught and what he did was harder than anything jordan or any of those sportmen would've had to do. Le Tour De France is the hardest mainstream sporting event in the world. Absolutely inspiring Lance was, that's what wins it for me.

Prove me wrong...

Shalrie

Jul 25 2006, 11:03 PM

Kobayashi. No one can eat like that dude.

haohao

Jul 31 2006, 09:11 PM

why there's no diego maradona on the list,he did no one can did in the field,"the world cup has never dominated by one man like maradona" even the Napoli in the late 80s,took 2 tittles in the serieA, who could made the same achievments as diego.pele?put him on the 90s football ,he is just a ordinary player in brasil ,what a lack defense 40 years ago.
btw i will add another MJ on the li st ,The true sprint king micheal johnson

IceInWinger

Aug 1 2006, 06:41 AM

if you're talking about dominance in a top level sport it will have to be Pete Sampras

seven Wimbledon titles.. almost got boring after a while!!

his rivalry with Andre Agassi has to be one of the best of sport rivalries.... was a gentleman on court.. Federer is probably following in his footsteps (including their inability to win the French open)

and again if its a question of Dominance im pretty getting tired of that shoe maker fellow!!

Sidneygod

Aug 1 2006, 09:20 AM

Don't know why people say Federer's the MOST dominant. I mean Nadal gives him good beatings on most occasions. Only Surface Federer can beat Nadal on is grass. On clay Federer has about as much chance of beating Nadal as I have of winning wimbledon.

Malu

Aug 1 2006, 11:50 AM

Armstrong. Seven Consecutive years + the 150 times of peeing in a cup for 22 days takes a lot out of you

They test riders 150 times in 22 days..thats a little more than 6 per day for any doping violations. And thats just urine.

Polar Bear

Aug 8 2006, 11:41 AM

The most dominate athlete: Lance Armstrong, unbelievable fit and win the tour sevan times all in a row is untouchable...Jordan is another fantastic sportsman who dominated the game brilliant, but he cant touch Lance.

iBanesto

Sep 23 2006, 06:30 AM

Not as popular as the others but Jahangir Khan should be considerd. He is easily the "Greatest Squash Player of All-Time". Went 5 years without losing a match.

For me it is too difficult to compare all those great athletes.
The debate will never end...

Mané Garrincha

Sep 23 2006, 10:19 AM

If Bodybuilding is counted as a sport than Ronnie Coleman has to be up there imo. Eight time Mr Olympia, 1 short of breaking Lee Hayney's record while also garnering the most professional Bodybuilding titles in the history of the sport. He may not do it legally all the time and may not be astheticall pleasing but there is no doubt he is dominant.

ѕέάήѕuρέяcяάzy™

Oct 25 2006, 06:25 PM

QUOTE(Mané Garrincha @ Sep 23 2006, 04:19 PM)

Athletics - Michael Johnson

Snooker - Hendry and Davis

Tennis - Sampras

Basketball - Jordan and the Bulls

BMX - Dave Mirra

Motocross - McGrath

Moto x - Pastrana

Skateboarding - Tony Hawk

Golf - Jack Nicklaus

International Football - Brazil

Club Football and Euro competitions - Real Madrid or AC Milan

Manager - Jock Stein or Alex Ferguson

Mané Garrincha

Oct 26 2006, 05:05 AM

I agree with you on most of your choices bar Tony Hawk. IMO Rodney Mullen was and is a much better skater than Hawk, he was much more innovative and more pleasing to the eye imo. Besides I like freestyle skating alot more than vert skating.

As for the most dominant athlete of all time, how about Kurt Steven Angle? Seriously that man in unbelievable, an Olympic Gold Medal in Freestyle Wrestling, seven years wrestling in the WWE with only short breaks as well as various other accomplishemnts. The man's determination and focus is amazing, his training and preperation for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics is nothing short of inspirational, and when you consider he won the Gold Medal while harboring a severly injured neck (he had broken his neck only months prior). Also if you take into consideration that Professional Wrestling, especially with the WWE, is arguably the hardest, most draining sport in the world, I think Angle is easily one of the most dominant wrestlers of all time.

Part of his resume:

Olypic Gold Medal in Freestyle Wrestling at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (with an injured neck)
Seven consecutive years in WWE (where he wrestled, on average, 4 - 5 times a week)
1987 Pennsylvania State Wrestling champion
NCAA Division 1 Champion in 1990 and 1997
3 time NCAA Division 1 All American champion
1987 USA Junior Freestyle champion
2 time USA Senior Freestyle Champion
1988 USA International Federation of Wrestling Styles Junior World Freestyle champion
1995 Gold Medal at the Atlanta World Championships

pRoud Red

Oct 26 2006, 07:52 AM

^^^i definately agree with you there mate. wrestling is a very underrated sport IMO but he is definately one of the greatest athletes of all time. youve said everything there is to say about this machine.

his will to win and to be the best in the world and his determination are incredible

Mané Garrincha

Oct 26 2006, 03:58 PM

QUOTE(pRoud Red @ Oct 26 2006, 01:52 PM)

Professional Wrestling is one of, if not the hardest, most physically and mentally demanding sport in the world imo, moreso if you work in the WWE. People tell me how it's fake, and it doesn't hurt. What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Wrestling isn't fake, it's worked and though for example a suplex may not hurt as much as it is acted out to be, it will fuck your body up if done multiple times, 3 - 5 times a week, every week. These guys are on the road 24/7 and have no off season. Unless they are alowed time off, a professional wrestler will normally have to fight through injury. And then theres's the training and rehersals, these guys are constantly training and rehearsing, and their training is fucking intense, especially somone like Kurt Angle.

His drive and will to be the best are amazing, I honestly don't think I've heard of a guy like him. Some MMA guys like Fedor come close, and animals such as Lesnar can also rival him, as well as guys like Benoit and Hart, but in temrs of pure athleticism, drive, will to win and determination, I dn't think many others come close. I mean obviously athletes such as Armsrong and Ali rival him, but I'd like to see either of those guys try and do Angle's job

Chity

Oct 30 2006, 08:50 AM

My vote goes to Federer. That man is fantastic, breakes records of absolute champions and is only 24. Agree with Oskari here maybe the best tennis player we get to see.

In my opinion Valentino Rossi deserves a mention too. He dominates the MotoGP since 8 years. He won it the last 7 years and this year he nearly did too. All my respect to him he fighted so hard even though the GP already seemed lost.

Madridista-of-Oz

Nov 15 2006, 10:56 PM

As far as titles go... Kelly Slater with 8 surfing world champion thing titles

My top 3 would probably be the top 3 on the list.
When we look back at Federer's career we'll see how good he really is... close between Armstrong and Jordan... I'll go with Lance with the comeback from Cancer though Jordan made a comeback from the death of his father... but then again Cancer almost killed Lance.

Greatness

Nov 16 2006, 08:57 AM

Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods are the two most dominant players at the sports that they respectively play...they are the best of all time and theres nothin anyone can do...i cant really vote for Armstrong because he had cancer and he had all that treatment that turned him into superman...so i wonder if he had never had cancer and taken all that medication would people even kno about him today...

Varun.

Nov 16 2006, 09:09 AM

Muhammad ali
'nuff said

two years from now,federer will be right up there.

Carl Monday

Nov 17 2006, 02:54 AM

Ron Jeremy....dude dominated his field like no other for over a decade

go ahead...try finding a 80's porn without him, i dare you

the_last_rites

Dec 3 2006, 04:30 PM

QUOTE(Scousy @ Jul 22 2006, 02:52 AM)

Holy ignorance Batman!!!

Steffi Graf and not a legend? I'd really like to have some of the stuff that you're smoking

She is easily considered to be one of the best players of all time. 22 frickin Grand Slam wins. Except for Margaret Court Smith theres no one who even comes close to matching that stat. Not Evert, Navaratilova.. no one. 107 title wins and a 1988 Golden Slam , speak for themselves I'd say. Holding the #1 position the longest among both men and women ever since the rankings system started. Dude its alright if you could have just passed up on Steffi Graf, if it was due to sheer lack of knowledge and no one would have thought any lesser of you. But not to know somethong about someone and make presumptous and ludicrous statements about the same person, thas just not 'cricket'

. Dude even if u were a Navratilova or Seles apologist you would have to admit that Steffi was simply better than all of them. The only reason Seles had a good run was because of the fallout of the personal problems Steffi was facing at that point of time. To be fair I do think Seles was her best rival to date. Pity what happened to her though. But even before the attack on Seles it is pretty well known that Steffi had a better head to head record against Seles(big games as well as otherwise). So dont be pushing Seles too hard.

Coming to her technique. For someone who has played tennis close to 10 yrs , trust me when i say this. She had the most impeccable technique ever. The right mix of power, grace and intelligence. There was nothing lacking in her game, although some pundits have been known to point out that her backhand stroke could have been stronger(Me I'd have been happy as long as she had a 'stroke' or two for me

) and and she wasnt really quick on her feet after a backhand shot.

@Carl Monday - Hey Ron Jeremy's field aint some kind of sport, its not like its for our viewing entertainment and its not like they perform whatever they're good at for money. Its not an overly physical activity. So there you go its not Sport!!! . Oh wait.............

iBanesto

Dec 4 2006, 10:13 PM

Armstrong is not the greatest cyclist of all time. He is the greatest Tour de France rider of all time.

Eddy Merckx is the greatest cyclist of all time. He won everything, he could sprint, time trial and climb.

The_Real_Deal

Dec 5 2006, 12:35 AM

The only thing Steffi Graff had over Monica Seles was the fact that she had too many men yanking off to her pics .And one of them stabbed Monica Seles sadly .Monica Seles before the stabbing was a different plane alltogether - there was noo way Steffi Graff could beat her except maybe in Wimbledon .

For that reason , Steffi doesnt make the list .She was arguably the best after her main competitor got injured .

Of course, she did pile up the titles but thats primarily because she had no competition after the injury to Monica Seles.

What an insult to Monica Seles.

the_last_rites

Dec 5 2006, 03:37 AM

QUOTE(The_Real_Deal @ Dec 5 2006, 01:35 AM)

ummm sweety go check up on the stats if you dont believe me, even prior to the injury Graf had won more head-to-head matches between her and Seles. It was only because of the income tax issue after which Graf was a wreck of a person she lost a few matches to Seles in succession that people have the wrong notion that Seles was better than Graf. I've seen almost every match between then and Seles had nothing on Graf other than in 93-94

Oh and just so you know, you lost all your credibility when you mentioned "She was arguably the best after her main competitor got injured ."

To any fan of tennis, its pretty much evident that Steffi was a giant even before Seles started winning matches on the pro-circuit. if thats an uninformed post , dont worry theres still time to edit it

The_Real_Deal

Dec 5 2006, 12:05 PM

lol are you serious?

Steffi Graf's wins were accumulated either before 1991 (when Monica Seles was not in the peak of her game) or in small tournaments .The only big tournament in which Steffi Graf revelled was Wimbledon but that was because Monica Seles sucked at Wimbledon .She was still young , therefore she had time to adjust to that court .

Here are stats in Grand Slams between 1990 and 1993

Monica Seles' first title was in 1990 French Open when she was 16 years old .However Monica Seles peakd in her game only from age 17 .So if we look at Grand Slam stats from Monica Seles' peak , here goes.
1991 Australian Open - monica Seles winner , Steffi Graf QF
1991 French Open - Monica Seles winner , Steffi Graf semifinalist
1991 Wimbledon - monica Seles absent , Steffi Graf winner
1991 US Open - Monica Seles winner , Steffi Graf semifinalist

1992 Australian Open - monica Seles winner , steffi Graf absent
1992 French Open - monica Seles winner , Steffi graf finalist
1992 Wimbeldon - monica Seles finalist , Steffi Graf winner
1992 US Open - monica Seles winner , steffi Graf quarterfinalist

1993 Australian Open - monica Seles winner , steffi graf finalist

After that Monica Seles got injured .

So what are you talking about?Between 1991 and the starting of 1993 , Monica Seles didnt win two Grand Slams .Both was Wimbledon - she was absent for one and she lost in the finals of another .7 out of a possible 9 .

.Of course , steffi Graf did win those two Grand Slams - but she had won a tournament with Monica Seles only once .

steffi Graf piled up her remaining 20 titles before and after Monica Seles' peak .She could win just two titles in the time period of Monica Seles' peak .You know why ? Because she was not good enough .

And another thing , the tax evasion problem was in 1995 - so that was NOT during Monica Seles' peak .That is not even an excuse

.

For the record , Steffi Graf went on to win the remaining three titles in 1993 (quite shamelessly , I must say ) after Monica Seles got injured .Its not like Steffi Graf was playing badly in general because if she was playing badly , she wouldnt have won three grandslams in the same year Monica Seles got injured .Steffi Graf was at her best - but the reality was that Steffi Graf's best was just not good enough to beat Monica Seles .

You can look at Steffi Graf's career .She won titles in plenty in 5 concentrated years - 1988 , 1989 , 1993 , 1995 , 1996(3 or more titles in each of those years) .The years before and after Monica Seles .She has won 22 titles but she was not the best player in her era .Its pretty obvious

At the end of the day , steffi Graf definitely had the more illustrious career , but the reality is that it was primarily because she had no competition .Which is why people rate a Martina Navratilova higher because Martina Navratilova won titles inspite of having a great competitor at her side(Chris evert)

Oh and please dont tell me , Aranxta Sanchez is a great competitor

The_Real_Deal

Dec 5 2006, 12:57 PM

TO NANDO OR OTHER SPANISH USERS

Didnt mean to offend you guys by the Sanchez jibe .I just didnt feel she is that good.

Nando.

Dec 5 2006, 12:59 PM

QUOTE(The_Real_Deal @ Dec 5 2006, 12:57 PM)

TO NANDO OR OTHER SPANISH USERS

Didnt mean to offend you guys by the Sanchez jibe .I just didnt feel she is that good.

LOL its ok. I met her in an airport lounge once and she's a nice person, which is all that matters

kawandinho

Dec 5 2006, 01:14 PM

MJ 23 owns no one esle has dont it like him when played for the wizards he was old and never should have came back to playing even though he still had a good scoring average.

the_last_rites

Dec 5 2006, 01:17 PM

you're missing one big issue mate. Steffi had the big family related problems when some stupid slut filed a paternity suit against her dad and she was constantly hounded by the media about it everywhere she went. Dont you remember her breaking down and crying during a Wimbledon press conference(91 right?). Anyways that coupled with the big injury crisis that she was undergoing was in my books was the only reason Seles was able to dominate the way she did in 91-92. BTW sorry about misquoting it as the tax evasion fraud. I know it came much later. I wont disagree with you when you said that Seles dominated over Graf during that time period, but if she were that good I believe a non serious injury like that(As much as I was shocked when it happened, it wasnt even half bad as what a leg/arm fracture cud do to a tennis player's career ) . So when she came back, why was she not so dominant anymore? Sure the layoff damaged her game, but see the thing is, Steffi also had suffered bad injuries in her career, in fact far more than Seles ever did. As much as the stab had the shock value to it, the injury wasnt just as devastating as you would like it to be. So since you started bringing numbers , lemme also do my part

CODE

Winning percentage on different surfaces:

hard: Seles 84.0 % - Graf 88.8 %
clay: Seles 85.1 % - Graf 88.8 %
grass: Seles 76.1 % - Graf 85.0 %
carpet: Seles 79.4 % - Graf 90.4 %

Since you said that Steffi remained on top for so long, let me pass the gauntlet right to you by saying that an injury beset Steffi was in no way worthy enough to be called a genuine competitor for Seles.

But lets take a look at their peaks, shall we

During the period from January 1991 to February 1993, Seles won 22 titles and reached 33 finals out of the 34 tournaments she played. She compiled a 159-12 win-loss record (92.9% winning percentage)

During the period from April 1986 to September 1996 Graf won 101 titles in 146 tournaments she played with a 655-47 win-loss record

That stat I believe clearly points to the fact that Graf in fact was more dominant during her peak than Seles ever was.

Speaking for technique, now this is one area I wouldnt need any excuse to say that Seles had nothing on her. Seles was more about the power game . But we all know how quickly those kinda players burn out dont we?

Now If i didnt sound like it in my earlier post , lemme say that I am not ridiculing your opinion in any way but Seles being a more dominant player is just something that I cannot digest after watching years and years of tennis. Hell my coach even used to say when I was just a few years into my tennis coaching that if I was ever gonna copy someones technique from watching matches on TV, it better be someone like Michael Stitch, Ivan Lendl, Edberg(man was he a sight to watch) or Graf. He used to warn me against even trying to do anything a then all flash and little substance Aggassi or Becker did.

Last but not the least Arantxa Sanchez baaah the only things I liked about her were the famous 28 point game she had with Graf as well has mad game in doubles.

The_Real_Deal

Dec 5 2006, 09:30 PM

Actually even the paternity suit cant be used as an excuse because that issue occurred in 1990 .Seles was at her best between 1991 and 1993 .For the record , the paternity thing was over by early 1991 .There was no issue as such for one to say that Steffi Graf was disturbed between 1991 and 1993.

Monica Seles virtually dominated that time .However the stabbing had a profound effect on her as a person and a player .she didnt play tennis for two years after that incident .And the reality is that even on her return , she was not the player she was and thus ended her legacy.

But the reality was that she will go down in history as the only player of that time that clearly outclassed Steffi.You can try to bring off-court problems (which didnt occur between 1991 and 1993) in support of steffi Graf but the reality is that Steffi Graf was at her peak between 1991 and 1993 .Soo was monica Seles and in such a scenario , Monica won big time .And you dont have to be a fan of monica Seles to know that because eventually it was the biggest steffi fan of them all who stabbed monica .He stabbed Monica because he didnt like the fact that Monica was better than Steffi.

And whats with those stats regarding percentage efficiency in courts - isnt it pretty obvious that Seles' percentage will be less considering the fact that she didnt play well on her return back from injury

As for your stats regarding peak - the reality is that Steffi's Grand slam titles were accumulated at a time when she didnt have any competition which ironically coincides with the time that Monica Seles was out of commission .Steffi Graf's peak was between 1988 and 1996 .But there was that period in between she didnt do well which would be between 1990 and 1992 .It had nothing to do with any issue whatsoever but the fact that she was outclassed by monica Seles .

Steffi Graf had immense technique and was a very good athlete too .But in sports like tennis , what literally separates the men from the boys(if the players are more or less on the same skill level) is the ability to deliver when it matters .Monica Seles was a champion in the truest sense .When she played , people knew she would win.(It wasnt the case on her return from injury but i think it was obvious she was never the same player on her return) . Tennis in most cases is almost 50 percent a mental game .Monica Seles won it out big time in that aspect .And thats the reason why Monica delivered .

for the record , after Monica's departure due to injury in 1993 , I had never seen a player soo ruthless ever till Justine Henine Hardene came along .(justine was a bit of a choker in the initial part of her career but as the years progressed , she improved on her mental toughness)And thats the only reason she manages to hold her end against physically better opponents like Sharapova or Mauresmo even though she is very injury prone .

Tennis is not just a physical game - one needs to keep your calm and composure - need to have the confidence to play the shots , and need to know what shots to play at what time .

Steffi Graf has never really proven that she can play with the best .Her best started with old age to Martina Navratilova .Then it ended once Monica Seles came to the scene .Then it started off immediately as soon as Monica Seles was put out of commission .

steffi Graf hardly had competition - the only competition she had was Monica Seles and the reality was that she never delivered against Monica .

For that reason , I dont think steffi Graf's achievements has relevance in this thread because she was not dominant enough .statistically , if you look at her career spanning 10 years , yes , she was dominant .But was she soo dominant that people would point out that she was the world's best player always? No .

We can even assume for arguments sake that Steffi Graf and monica Seles were on equal terms between 1991 and 1993 spring(though the reality is that Monica won 7 out of a possible 9 Grand slams then).Even that wont warrant Steffi a place in this thread because this thread is about the most dominant athlete .

Very few athletes make such a cut .Michael Jordan is one of them .Donaldo Bradman is another .In football , its Pele, Maradona and recently maybe pre-injury Ronaldo .The names are few - there is a reason for that .You have to be way better than your peers to get the tag of 'most dominant athlete' .

the_last_rites

Dec 5 2006, 09:49 PM

Mate Its not that I cant find arguments to counter what you said and I'm pretty sure you would have your set of counter arguments to that as well. So lets take the sanest route every good neverending argument here on SP takes. Lets just agree to disagree

The_Real_Deal

Dec 6 2006, 11:25 AM

Very true .I agree , lets agree to disagree .

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