Aug 10, 2015

oh man, I love talking sports, I watch it all as much as I can, but as far as favorites, as much as I respect the indisputable greats like Jordan, Gretzky, Ruth, etc. I just never got to watch them growing up. But my favorites, I have a bunch

NBA-
Easily Kobe Bryant. He is who I grew up with and I remember watching him after I went to the hospital for internal bleeding and I saw the playoffs versus the Spurs when Fisher hit the 0.1 seconds shot. My favorite moments though are definitely watching him succeed against all the naysayers. As much as anyone will say he has tons of fans, he's also faced probably the most adversity since entering the league (alongside LeBron, although some for both is self-inflicted) and he still succeeds. Watching him against the Magic in the Finals was unbelievable.

Other favorites: Dwyane Wade (man he was exciting to watch, great heart and intensity on both sides), Vince Carter (amazing player, clutch too, and his dunks were unreal), Steve Nash (unreal passing ability and shooting)

Players I'm rooting for now: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Anthony Davis, Steph Curry


MLB-
Albert Pujols all day. I've watched him since he came up and always rooted for him. He is, in my opinion, the greatest right handed hitter and player of this generation (Rodriguez is second) and while I have to knock A-Rod for the steroid use, Pujols has so far proven to have played fairly so I have all my faith in him. Great fielder at first base, clutch as heck, and could just smoke anything while not striking out. He is one of the greatest Cardinals ever.

Other favorites - Derek Jeter (great player, even more great moments), Pedro Martinez (unreal competitor and pitcher, had one of the best seasons as a pitcher ever, and Dominican pride up ^^), Hideki Matsui (loved watching him play, homers were fun and he was so important to the 09 championship), Randy Johnson (booooy could he throw),

Players I'm rooting for now: Clayton Kershaw, Bryce Harper, Dellin Betances, Luis Severino


Football (NFL)-
Peyton Manning has been my all-time favorite. I've faced the most hardships with him since he's been so terrific but faltered more than the other all-time great quarterbacks. I've defended this man vigorously and have done my research. I can't exactly call him the greatest of all time but there's no denying his ability and impact on the game. I hope he can get a second championship to end his career but if not, I hope he breaks some records.

Other favorites - Randy Moss (amazing talent, physical beast), Chad Johnson (back when the NFL was a bit more fun), Terrell Owens (more of the same kind), Megatron (opposite personality, beast player), Champ Bailey (terrific person and player)

Players I'm rooting for now: J.J. Watt, Aaron Rodgers, Luke Kuechly, Cam Newton

Tennis-
This is the first and only tie here. Roger Federer and Serena Williams are tremendous and I root for them wholeheartedly against anyone. What they were able to do in their primes and now in their elder years, it's amazing. Both have matured as well through their time in the spotlight and have become great athletes and individuals with many amazing moments. Rooting for Federer to win another & Serena to complete the calendar slam.

Other favorites - Venus Williams (she was a pioneer and showed great guts against all the uncertainty early on), Rafael Nadal (great rival and player)

Players I'm rooting for now: Still Serena & Federer lol

Football (Soccer)-
David Beckham was my favorite. I loved it when he came to L.A. Galaxy even though he was a bit more spent by that time, because I could watch his games more often. Still his skills were always top notch and like the others, he's given even greater memories. Some of his goals were just straight legendary.

Other favorites - Messi (one of this generations best for sure, amazing passer and finisher), Ronaldinho (got to see him in his prime, unbelievable ball control), Kaka (funniest name ever, but great talent, possibly best in MLS even now), Ronaldo (one of the best of all time as well)

Players I'm rooting for now: Robbie Keane, Alex Morgan, Sergio Ramos


NHL
Sidney Crosby was serious business when he bursted onto the scene. I was kinda bombarded by ESPN into watching him with all the coverage they gave but I was not disappointed.

Other favorites - Sergei Fedorov (always reminded me of Liam Neeson on skates lol), Jaromir Jagr (the dude went straight Kobe in 05/06),

Players I'm rooting for now: Henrik Lundqvist, Alexander Ovechkin

Golf -
I don't have much to say here. I watch this less than all the others and mostly catch up on ESPN highlights but I've always rooted for Tiger Woods and I hope he can break out of his spell and win one or two more.

Also, shoutouts to beach volleyball, handball, ping pong, and the x-games, a lot of other amazing athletes out there.

 

Jul 24, 2015

Not my favorite, but this man belongs to such threads.
He's a complete sports athlete.

 

Jul 10, 2015

I think ive answered this before but Allen Iverson 'The Answer'

 

Aug 10, 2015

GOAT post @Lost Batarang

 

Aug 10, 2015

 

Jul 10, 2015

Derek Jeter

 

Jul 8, 2015

Brett Favre

Rasheed Wallace

Aaron Rodgers

 

Jul 8, 2015

Football: Brian Dawkins
Basketball: Allen Iverson
Hockey: John LeClair
Baseball: Jimmy Rollins/Ryan Howard/Chase Utley

 

Jul 8, 2015

Always loved D Wade. His old HS was in our division and their basketball team was almost always good. It sucks that he hasn't been able to consistently play 70+ games these last 5 years or so. Still a top 50 player of all time.

 

Jul 8, 2015

Dwyane Wade. I could write about it for days. From his success at Marquette to his domincance in the NBA. I have never loved a player as much as I love him. One of the most exciting players ever to watch in his prime. So many memories. I own 8 different authentic Wade jerseys and have pictures and posters all over my room.

HM: LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Mark McGuire, Albert Pujols, and Bo Jackson

 

Jul 8, 2015

Basketball-Paul Pierce
Baseball-Pedro Martinez
Hockey-Patrice Bergeron
Football-Tom Brady

#nohomer

 

Jul 8, 2015

Who is your favorite athlete of all time? How did you become a fan? What are some of your favorite moments?

Growing up in Chicago as a lifelong Bulls fan, Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose have a special place in my heart, but I have to go with Kobe Bryant.

I became a fan back around 97 when I was about 6 years old. The first time I saw him was during the 97 Slam Dunk Contest and was instantly hooked. I was obviously young at the time so the only exposure I had to him was whenever he would be on national television or would play the Bulls, so it was hard to catch much. A year or 2 later, my old man and cousin were playing 1 on 1 at the gym and accidentally headbutted each other, resulting in stitches for both. We ended up going to the hospital and in the reception area, the Lakers were battling the Blazers in the playoffs and my love for Kobe was rekindled.

There's been so many great moments so I'll narrow my list down to 5, as hard as that is. This is in no particular order.

His 81 point game against Toronto - I broke my leg 2 days prior, had surgery, and was miserable. That was until The Mamba unleashed on the poor Raptors.


97 Slam Dunk Contest - My first time watching him in any format, and I was blown away. Looking back now, his confidence was out of this world at just 18.


98 All Star Game - MJ vs Kobe in the 98 All Star Game, and again in the regular season.



Kobe vs the Suns in 06 - Game tying and game winning shots. I can't tell you how many times I practiced that game winner in my driveway.


The Alley-Oop - The famous alley oop to Shaq during Portland's epic collapse.


Honorable mentions are him winning the MVP (it is an absolute crime he only ended up with 1), outscoring Dallas by himself 62-61 through 3 quarters, winning his first ring without Shaq, and then going back to back. Can't forget him willing the USA to victory against Spain, or the month where he averaged 40 points, the 62 points at MSG, and all the game winners.

What about you guys?? Who are your favorite athletes of all time and why?

 

Aug 10, 2015

Thanks I'm in way too deep with this stuff lol

 

Jul 17, 2015

Michael Vick and it's rly not even close.

 

Jul 14, 2015

Brian Dawkins was real AF as well remember when he used to suplex players

 

Jul 10, 2015

Those what if scenarios...

 

Jul 9, 2015

We were robbed of Roy and T-Mac. Both done way too soon. Roy's comeback game against Dallas in the playoffs was legendary. Imagine if he had stayed healthy, and they had drafted KD instead of Oden.

 

Jul 8, 2015

Zinedine Zidane.