Greatest Athletes/Players of All-Time

A big guy that used to sit in the paint all day long and dunk it. Then they came out with the three second rule.

If you think that is all he did in athletics, then I suggest you read up on him.

The three second rule was there years before Wilt Chamberlain.

Jim Brown.

Depends what you rate the greatest upon. I speak from Basketball from which I know the most about.

Winning = Bill Russell Unstoppable = Michael Jordan Unmovable = Shaq Dignity = Dr. J White Hope/ Game Related Cerebral Facilities = Larry Bird

Depending on what you gauge someone on you'll get a different answer. This is ridiculous because Babe Ruth although a great baseball player was not a good athlete. Could he run, jump with even a decent athlete in the NBA, hell no! He hand eye coordination was great but overall he wasn't an athletic stud. Athleticism is usually relevant to the sport being played. This greatest athlete crap cooked up by ESPN fill the hours.

Triatheletes are the greatest all around athletes, of course, their event demands more all around ability than any other sport. But can anyone name one, outside of Dan O'Brien, and we remember the failed promise more than anything else.

Dan O'Brien is a decathlete.

You got me, Stuart, see I didn't even know what event it was but I think you get me gist.

I was just going to point out that he didn't play because he was a defensive liability despite his big bat. I am talking about McGwire but baseball is full of guys who can just hit today. Size does mean anything when it comes to being athletic although it can mean a lot in sports.

BSM,

I have heard reports that Ruth's hand eye coordination was superior when tested next to a normal person. My intention was not to pick on Ruth. On the foot speed, he never led the league in steals therefore I was assuming and judging from his weight that he'd never win a foot race. Of course, I don't have proof but a well muscled lad in St. Lois whose first name is Mark. Shattered Ruth's old record and one would be challenged to state he is a good all around athlete despite his herculean physique. On the racially biased sports of his day, Ruth definitely would a hall of famer, anyone who could handle a bat like him is a definite. But would he done as well against a integrated league? I 'd say yes. But who knows were he'd placed in the pantheon of baseball gods with this increased competition.

I don't think as hunting and fishing as sports despite ESPN promoting them as such. Some of the best shooters I know are big guys who hand good hand eye coordination. Bowling and golf require skill and hand eye coordination which Ruth had but not sheer athletic ability. Go down to the alley sometimes or watch pro bowling if you don't believe me. Of course, some bowlers and golfers are in great shape but many are not. Basketball and swimming I can't argue with the need for athletic power and will concede defeat on these two sports.. . Ruth gets a lot of credit just because he was an American icon. The media pollutes the issue by promoting certain athletes. Just as Jordan was promoted today. Is Jordan the greatest? Too many yes, as it is a matter of perception. But he didn't win the most(Russell), never scored the most points in season (Chamberlain) and didn't average a triple double for a season (Robetson). He was the most marketable and most media promoted. Of course, everyone rates greatness diffirently which is why the arguement is pointless. It is a matter of perception and unfortunately popularity.

Carl Lewis had great skills for track and field, but probably can't hit a baseball any further than he can long jump, for instance. The man can run, but can we really say he is a good all around athlete?

Michael Jordan had great skills for basketball, but he couldn't play baseball to save his life, for instance. He's a good basketball player, but can we really say he is a good all around athelete?

Shall I continue?

Sports specific as I said on my original post on this topic. Great all around athletes are rarer than we 'd like to admit, Chaz. I agree.