There are a lot of uncertainties in the world of sports, but one certainty is that sports are all about numbers. If somebody came up and asked me how many career home runs Hank Aaron hit I’d instantly say 755. If they came up and asked me how many career race wins Richard Petty had I’d instantly say 200. Numbers are simply engrained into sports.
ESPN recently had a SportsNation poll of the greatest single-game or single-season numbers in sports history.
Here is a list of those numbers in chronological order from oldest to most recent:
.406- Ted Williams’ batting average (last player to bat .400 in a season), 1941
56- Joe DiMaggio’s hit streak, 1941
61- Roger Maris’ home runs, 1961
31-13-11- Oscar Robertson’s points/rebound/assist average, 1961-62
100- Wilt Chamberlain’s single-game point total, 1962
1.12- Bob Gibson’s ERA, 1968
92- Wayne Gretzky’s single-season goals record, 1981-82
2,105- Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record, 1984
5,084- Dan Marino’s single-season passing record, 1984
73- Barry Bonds’ single-season home run record, 2001
31- LaDanian Tomlinson’s single-season rushing touchdowns record, 2006
296- Adrian Peterson’s single-game rushing record, 2007
50- Tom Brady’s single-season passing touchdowns record, 2007
9.58- Usain Bolt’s record time in the 100 meters, 2009
59- Lowest round score on PGA Tour; occurred five times; most recently by Paul Goydos & Stuart Appleby, 2009
SportsNation fans listed these numbers as the top 5:
1. .406- Ted Williams
2. 100- Wilt Chamberlain
3. 56- Joe DiMaggio
4. 1.12- Bob Gibson
5. 9.58- Usain Bolt
My Top 5:
1. 100- Wilt Chamberlain … I don’t think anybody will ever do this again.
2. .406- Ted Williams … I also don’t think anybody will ever do this again.
3. 1.12- Bob Gibson … Once again, I don’t think anybody will ever do this again.
4. 56- Joe DiMaggio … Certainly possible, but the closest anybody has ever gotten was within 12 games.
5. 61- Roger Maris … 61 single-season home runs is still the record in my mind … Bonds’ 73 means absolutely nothing.
There are six numbers that I would like to see added to the list though:
130- Rickey Henderson’s single-season stolen base record, 1982
20- Record for strikeouts in a game; held by Roger Clemens (twice) & Kerry Wood (1998)
15- Number of strokes Tiger Woods beat the field by in the 2000 U.S. Open
14- Number of laps Ned Jarrett won a NASCAR race by at Charlotte, 1965
12- Most RBIs in a single-game held by Jim Bottomley (1924) & Mark Whiten (1992)
7- Most sacks in a single-game by Derrick Thomas, 1990
What do you think is the greatest number in sports?
Monday, August 9, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
10 Most Anticipated Returns in Sports
Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic today were discussing LeBron James' return to Cleveland next year when the Miami Heat play them on December 2. They were talking about the most anticipated returns in sports history.
Here are my 10.
1) 2 of these events haven't happened yet 2) this is a quickly thrown together list, so if I miss one please let me know
1. Wayne Gretzky back to Edmonton as a LA King
2. LeBron James back to Cleveland as a Miami Heat (future)
3. Shaquille O'Neal back to Los Angeles as a Miami Heat
4. Brett Favre back to Green Bay as a Minnesota Viking
5. Roger Clemens back to Boston as a Yankee
6. Donovan McNabb back to Philadelphia as a Redskin (future)
7. Michael Jordan back to Chicago as a Wizard
8. Manny Ramirez back to Boston as a Dodger
9. Terrell Owens back to Philadelphia as a Cowboy
10. Tom Glavine back to Atlanta as a Met
Honorable Mention: Nick Saban back to LSU as coach of Alabama
Here are my 10.
1) 2 of these events haven't happened yet 2) this is a quickly thrown together list, so if I miss one please let me know
1. Wayne Gretzky back to Edmonton as a LA King
2. LeBron James back to Cleveland as a Miami Heat (future)
3. Shaquille O'Neal back to Los Angeles as a Miami Heat
4. Brett Favre back to Green Bay as a Minnesota Viking
5. Roger Clemens back to Boston as a Yankee
6. Donovan McNabb back to Philadelphia as a Redskin (future)
7. Michael Jordan back to Chicago as a Wizard
8. Manny Ramirez back to Boston as a Dodger
9. Terrell Owens back to Philadelphia as a Cowboy
10. Tom Glavine back to Atlanta as a Met
Honorable Mention: Nick Saban back to LSU as coach of Alabama
Thursday, July 29, 2010
From Miss Universe to Miss Iowa (This is Baseball Right??)
Washington Nationals phenom starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg was scratched from a start on Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves because he didn’t feel right when warming up for the game. It was later revealed that he has some shoulder inflammation and is listed as day-to-day.
Okay, that happens and everything is fine, right?
Well, the Nationals reaction toward veteran pitcher and Tuesday night’s spot starter for the Nationals 39-year old Miguel Batista has gotten me more than a little perturbed.
The Nationals had sold the game out on Tuesday night because people wanted to see Strasburg pitch. When it was announced that Strasburg had been scratched and that Batista would be replacing him on the mound the Nationals’ so-called fans threw a fit and booed Batista.
What did Batista do?
Batista pulled his cap brim down low and went out and did his job like any veteran should … and he did it damn well. Batista pitched five shutout innings against the Braves and led the Nationals to victory. The fans still didn’t care; they wanted to see Strasburg after all.
The cold hard truth is that Batista might have done a better job against the Braves than Strasburg would have. The Braves had beaten the young ace earlier in the season.
It’s frankly ridiculous the way that the Nationals fans treated Batista, one of their own, on Tuesday night. Many fans even left the game before the first pitch had been thrown because they were so disappointed that Strasburg wouldn’t pitch. By the way, I don’t care if the entire ballclub comes down with food poisoning and is replaced at the last second with the entire AAA club, I’m still going to watch the game that I paid my hard earned money for and support my team.
Baseball seems to be the ultimate team sport out of the big three sports leagues in this country, in that the team is more important than the individual player. Maybe that’s changing?
Much like LeBron James of the NBA, it seems like baseball fans in Washington have quickly become Strasburg fans instead of Nationals fans … and, if you ask me that’s very wrong. I wonder if Albert Pujols were to leave St. Louis in a trade or via free agency would Cardinals fans just up a switch favorite teams as fast as many Cleveland Cavaliers switched to the Miami Heat when James signed with them a few weeks ago?
I seriously hope that the MLB doesn’t go down this road like the NBA apparently already has.
As for Batista, he should’ve felt bad being treated the way he was for such an excellent performance; however he understood saying, “Imagine if you go to see Miss Universe, then you end up having Miss Iowa, you might get those kind of boos.”
Okay, that happens and everything is fine, right?
Well, the Nationals reaction toward veteran pitcher and Tuesday night’s spot starter for the Nationals 39-year old Miguel Batista has gotten me more than a little perturbed.
The Nationals had sold the game out on Tuesday night because people wanted to see Strasburg pitch. When it was announced that Strasburg had been scratched and that Batista would be replacing him on the mound the Nationals’ so-called fans threw a fit and booed Batista.
What did Batista do?
Batista pulled his cap brim down low and went out and did his job like any veteran should … and he did it damn well. Batista pitched five shutout innings against the Braves and led the Nationals to victory. The fans still didn’t care; they wanted to see Strasburg after all.
The cold hard truth is that Batista might have done a better job against the Braves than Strasburg would have. The Braves had beaten the young ace earlier in the season.
It’s frankly ridiculous the way that the Nationals fans treated Batista, one of their own, on Tuesday night. Many fans even left the game before the first pitch had been thrown because they were so disappointed that Strasburg wouldn’t pitch. By the way, I don’t care if the entire ballclub comes down with food poisoning and is replaced at the last second with the entire AAA club, I’m still going to watch the game that I paid my hard earned money for and support my team.
Baseball seems to be the ultimate team sport out of the big three sports leagues in this country, in that the team is more important than the individual player. Maybe that’s changing?
Much like LeBron James of the NBA, it seems like baseball fans in Washington have quickly become Strasburg fans instead of Nationals fans … and, if you ask me that’s very wrong. I wonder if Albert Pujols were to leave St. Louis in a trade or via free agency would Cardinals fans just up a switch favorite teams as fast as many Cleveland Cavaliers switched to the Miami Heat when James signed with them a few weeks ago?
I seriously hope that the MLB doesn’t go down this road like the NBA apparently already has.
As for Batista, he should’ve felt bad being treated the way he was for such an excellent performance; however he understood saying, “Imagine if you go to see Miss Universe, then you end up having Miss Iowa, you might get those kind of boos.”
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
20 Dumbest Sports Injuries
1. Redskins QB Gus Frerotte got a concussion slamming his head against a wall in celebration
2. Cardinals kicker Bill Gramatica blows out knee celebrating field goal
3. Soccer player Alex Stepney breaks jaw from yelling too loudly
4. Celtics guard Tony Allen blew out knee dunking needlessly after the whistle
5. Padres outfielder Milton Bradley blows ACL arguing with an umpire
6. Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress shoots self in the leg with own gun
7. Angels first baseman Kendry Morales breaks leg celebrating game-winning grand slam
8. NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson breaks wrist after falling off the top of a golf cart while clowning around
9. Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya gets arm inflammation from too much “Guitar Hero”
10. Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa sprained ligaments in back sneezing
11. Jaguars kicker Chris Hanson cuts self with an axe in motivational speech
12. Orlando Brown receives serious eye injury when refs flag hits him in the eye
13. Suns guard Kevin Johnson dislocated his shoulder when Charles Barkley high-fived him too hard
14. Vince Coleman injured his leg when the tarp machine rolled over him
15. Padres pitcher Adam Eaton stabs self trying to open DVD with a knife
16. Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan hurts knee creaming Wes Helms with shaving cream pie celebration
17. Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs sprained muscles in back taking off cowboy boots
18. Tigers infielder Brandon Inge strains oblique picking up a pillow
19. Rockies infielder Clint Barmes broke collarbone falling while carrying deer meat
20. Braves pitcher Tom Glavine breaks rib vomiting up in-flight meal on plane
2. Cardinals kicker Bill Gramatica blows out knee celebrating field goal
3. Soccer player Alex Stepney breaks jaw from yelling too loudly
4. Celtics guard Tony Allen blew out knee dunking needlessly after the whistle
5. Padres outfielder Milton Bradley blows ACL arguing with an umpire
6. Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress shoots self in the leg with own gun
7. Angels first baseman Kendry Morales breaks leg celebrating game-winning grand slam
8. NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson breaks wrist after falling off the top of a golf cart while clowning around
9. Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya gets arm inflammation from too much “Guitar Hero”
10. Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa sprained ligaments in back sneezing
11. Jaguars kicker Chris Hanson cuts self with an axe in motivational speech
12. Orlando Brown receives serious eye injury when refs flag hits him in the eye
13. Suns guard Kevin Johnson dislocated his shoulder when Charles Barkley high-fived him too hard
14. Vince Coleman injured his leg when the tarp machine rolled over him
15. Padres pitcher Adam Eaton stabs self trying to open DVD with a knife
16. Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan hurts knee creaming Wes Helms with shaving cream pie celebration
17. Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs sprained muscles in back taking off cowboy boots
18. Tigers infielder Brandon Inge strains oblique picking up a pillow
19. Rockies infielder Clint Barmes broke collarbone falling while carrying deer meat
20. Braves pitcher Tom Glavine breaks rib vomiting up in-flight meal on plane
Monday, July 26, 2010
Stupid Rule Costs Castroneves IRL Race
One of the dumbest rules in sports played a huge factor in the outcome of Sunday’s IndyRacing League race in Edmonton, Canada. It cost three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves a win and gave one to Scott Dixon, a driver who never led a lap the entire race.
With just a few laps remaining in the race rookie driver Simona De Silvestro went off course and stalled bringing out a caution. This caution set up a restart with four laps remaining with Castroneves in first place, his Roger Penske Racing teammate Will Power, who had led the majority of the race, in second place and Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon in third place.
On the restart Castroneves was penalized for blocking Power. Following the perceived block, Power tried to make a move around Castroneves going into the first turn and was passed by Dixon for second place. The IRL reviewed the play and called for Castroneves to be black flagged, which results in a drive through penalty down pit lane.
Castroneves didn’t heed the IRL’s black flag and remained on the track and in front of Dixon until the checkered flag flew. Castroneves was the first driver to the finish, but the IRL race competition boss Brian Barnhart immediately gave the win to Dixon. Thus, Dixon became the first driver that I’ve personally seen in any form of motorsports to win a race without actually leading a lap.
Following the race Castroneves jumped out of his car noticeably outraged and stomped over to the IRL scoring tower pointing up toward the tower and screaming. Castroneves also pushed multiple race officials and grab one by the shirt collar. Some would think these actions as an overreaction, but certainly they were justifiable based on the outcome of the race.
The no blocking rule in the IRL is implemented as a safety issue. Blocking could result in contact between two cars, which could lead to an accident. Blocking is against the rules in certain motorsports leagues like the IRL, but not in others like NASCAR. Stock cars are much safer than the cart style cars used in the IRL.
In my opinion, taking blocking out of a motorsports league takes much of the defensive strategy out of the racing. If you can’t block the car behind you then there is absolutely nothing to stop faster cars from passing you for position or the win.
That is just one of the reasons that the IRL’s no blocking rules is one of the worst rules in all of sports. The other reason is that sometimes blocking isn’t as obvious as switching positions on the track by swerving back and forth, as was the case at Edmonton on Sunday. Despite the fact that Power, Dixon and Barnhart said that Castroneves did indeed block on the restart, it wasn’t visibly noticed on the television broadcast and the entire three-man broadcast team on the Versus network admitted that they thought the call by the IRL was a bad one.
The blocking rule in the IRL is right up there with sudden-death overtime in NFL regular season games as one of the worst rules in sports and should be looked into by the IRL.
With just a few laps remaining in the race rookie driver Simona De Silvestro went off course and stalled bringing out a caution. This caution set up a restart with four laps remaining with Castroneves in first place, his Roger Penske Racing teammate Will Power, who had led the majority of the race, in second place and Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon in third place.
On the restart Castroneves was penalized for blocking Power. Following the perceived block, Power tried to make a move around Castroneves going into the first turn and was passed by Dixon for second place. The IRL reviewed the play and called for Castroneves to be black flagged, which results in a drive through penalty down pit lane.
Castroneves didn’t heed the IRL’s black flag and remained on the track and in front of Dixon until the checkered flag flew. Castroneves was the first driver to the finish, but the IRL race competition boss Brian Barnhart immediately gave the win to Dixon. Thus, Dixon became the first driver that I’ve personally seen in any form of motorsports to win a race without actually leading a lap.
Following the race Castroneves jumped out of his car noticeably outraged and stomped over to the IRL scoring tower pointing up toward the tower and screaming. Castroneves also pushed multiple race officials and grab one by the shirt collar. Some would think these actions as an overreaction, but certainly they were justifiable based on the outcome of the race.
The no blocking rule in the IRL is implemented as a safety issue. Blocking could result in contact between two cars, which could lead to an accident. Blocking is against the rules in certain motorsports leagues like the IRL, but not in others like NASCAR. Stock cars are much safer than the cart style cars used in the IRL.
In my opinion, taking blocking out of a motorsports league takes much of the defensive strategy out of the racing. If you can’t block the car behind you then there is absolutely nothing to stop faster cars from passing you for position or the win.
That is just one of the reasons that the IRL’s no blocking rules is one of the worst rules in all of sports. The other reason is that sometimes blocking isn’t as obvious as switching positions on the track by swerving back and forth, as was the case at Edmonton on Sunday. Despite the fact that Power, Dixon and Barnhart said that Castroneves did indeed block on the restart, it wasn’t visibly noticed on the television broadcast and the entire three-man broadcast team on the Versus network admitted that they thought the call by the IRL was a bad one.
The blocking rule in the IRL is right up there with sudden-death overtime in NFL regular season games as one of the worst rules in sports and should be looked into by the IRL.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
10 Least Deserving Athlete Nicknames
There aren't many athletes who have nicknames that aren't deserving. Here are 10 I found.
1. "King James" LeBron James
2. "Baby Jordan" Harold Miner
3. "Princess" Danica Patrick
4. "Pudge" Ivan Rodriguez
5. "Happy" Kevin Harvick
6. "Captain Clutch" Acie Law IV
7. "Franchise" Steve Francis
8. "King Felix" Felix Hernandez
9. "Fourth Quarter Vince" Vince Young
10. "Dice K" Daisuke Matsuzaka
Honorable Mention: "The Professional" Eli Manning
Possible One for the Future: "Sliced Bread" Joey Logano
1. "King James" LeBron James
2. "Baby Jordan" Harold Miner
3. "Princess" Danica Patrick
4. "Pudge" Ivan Rodriguez
5. "Happy" Kevin Harvick
6. "Captain Clutch" Acie Law IV
7. "Franchise" Steve Francis
8. "King Felix" Felix Hernandez
9. "Fourth Quarter Vince" Vince Young
10. "Dice K" Daisuke Matsuzaka
Honorable Mention: "The Professional" Eli Manning
Possible One for the Future: "Sliced Bread" Joey Logano
$50 Million Dollar Baby
Overall number one NFL draft pick Sam Bradford from the Oklahoma Sooners is reportedly going to be the highest paid player in football without ever even playing a down in the league.
The St. Louis Rams are probably going to have to give Bradford a deal in the neighborhood of $50 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It’s a sign that rookie contracts are continuing to rise in the NFL. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford who was taken as the first overall draft pick last year was given a contract worth $41.5 million.
It is utterly ridiculous to think that Bradford could make more money than Super Bowl winning quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Drew Brees.
It’s dangerous for teams like the Rams to basically be forced into signing these outrageous contracts by agents and players when overall number one picks can prove to be busts. Bradford could easily become a great quarterback like Peyton Manning or Troy Aikman, but he could just as easily become a bust like JaMarcus Russell, David Carr and Tim Couch.
It’s also dangerous for the Rams to give Bradford so much money because he’s already proven to be injury prone. Bradford was seriously injured in his final year at college with the Sooners and forced to miss the majority of the season. He’ll surely be knocked around like a rag doll in the NFL, especially with the Rams only having the 24th projected offensive line in the league, according to football.about.com.
It would seem that the only real way for the NFL to avoid the rising rookie salaries would be to go to a rookie scale salary like the NBA does. In the NBA the draft picks have there own assigned salaries that ensures that the first overall pick makes more than the second pick and the second pick makes more than the third and so on. The contracts are each for two years with team options for a third and fourth.
The NBA has it 100 percent right when it comes to rookie contracts. The NFL desperately needs to go that route to ensure that unproven players like Bradford aren’t the richest athletes in the sport.
The St. Louis Rams are probably going to have to give Bradford a deal in the neighborhood of $50 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It’s a sign that rookie contracts are continuing to rise in the NFL. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford who was taken as the first overall draft pick last year was given a contract worth $41.5 million.
It is utterly ridiculous to think that Bradford could make more money than Super Bowl winning quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Drew Brees.
It’s dangerous for teams like the Rams to basically be forced into signing these outrageous contracts by agents and players when overall number one picks can prove to be busts. Bradford could easily become a great quarterback like Peyton Manning or Troy Aikman, but he could just as easily become a bust like JaMarcus Russell, David Carr and Tim Couch.
It’s also dangerous for the Rams to give Bradford so much money because he’s already proven to be injury prone. Bradford was seriously injured in his final year at college with the Sooners and forced to miss the majority of the season. He’ll surely be knocked around like a rag doll in the NFL, especially with the Rams only having the 24th projected offensive line in the league, according to football.about.com.
It would seem that the only real way for the NFL to avoid the rising rookie salaries would be to go to a rookie scale salary like the NBA does. In the NBA the draft picks have there own assigned salaries that ensures that the first overall pick makes more than the second pick and the second pick makes more than the third and so on. The contracts are each for two years with team options for a third and fourth.
The NBA has it 100 percent right when it comes to rookie contracts. The NFL desperately needs to go that route to ensure that unproven players like Bradford aren’t the richest athletes in the sport.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Greatest Athletes by Numbers
#99
1. Wayne Gretzky (Hockey)
2. George Mikan (Basketball)
3. Jason Taylor (Football)
#98
1. Tony Siragusa (Football)
2. Jessie Armstead (Football)
3. Casey Hampton (Football)
#97
1. Simeon Rice (Football)
2. Jeremy Roenick (Hockey)
3. Cornelius Bennett (Football)
#96
1. Pavel Bure (Hockey)
2. Cortez Kennedy (Football)
3. Bill Voiselle (Baseball)
#95
1. Richard Dent (Football)
2. Sam Adams (Football)
3. Greg Lloyd (Football)
#94
1. Charles Haley (Football)
2. Demarcus Ware (Football)
3. Dana Stubblefield (Football)
#93
1. Doug Gilmore (Hockey)
2. John Randle (Football)
3. Richard Seymour (Football)
#92
1. Reggie White (Football)
2. Michael Strahan (Football)
3. Ted Washington (Football)
#91
1. Dennis Rodman (Basketball)
2. Sergei Fedorov (Hockey)
3. Kevin Greene (Football)
#90
1. Bob Kurland (Basketball)
2. Neil Smith (Football)
3. Jevon Kearse (Football)
#89
1. Mike Ditka (Football)
2. Gino Marchetti (Football)
3. Fred Dryer (Football)
#88
1. Marvin Harrison (Football)
2. Michael Irvin (Football)
3. Alan Page (Football)
#87
1. Dave Casper (Football)
2. Dwight Clark (Football)
3. Sidney Crosby (Hockey)
#86
1. Hines Ward (Football)
2. Buck Buchanan (Football)
3. Dante Lavelli (Football)
#85
1. Jack Youngblood (Football)
2. Nick Buoniconti (Football)
3. Mark Duper (Football)
#84
1. Shannon Sharpe (Football)
2. Randy Moss (Football)
3. Stirling Sharpe (Football)
#83
1. Ted Hendricks (Football)
2. Andre Reed (Football)
3. Mark Clayton (Football)
#82
1. Raymond Berry (Football)
2. Ozzie Newsome (Football)
3. John Stallworth (Football)
#81
1. Tim Brown (Football)
2. Terrell Owens (Football)
3. Dick Lane (Football)
#80
1. Jerry Rice (Football)
2. Kellen Winslow (Football)
3. Steve Largent (Football)
#79
1. Harvey Martin (Football)
2. Roosevelt Brown (Football)
3. Bob St. Claire (Football)
#78
1. Bruce Smith (Football)
2. Anthony Munoz (Football)
3. Jackie Slater (Football)
#77
1. Red Grange (Football)
2. Ray Bourque (Hockey)
3. Willie Roaf (Football)
#76
1. Lou Groza (Football)
2. Orlando Pace (Football)
3. Marion Motley (Football)
#75
1. Deacon Jones (Football)
2. Howie Long (Football)
3. Joe Greene (Football)
#74
1. Merlin Olsen (Football)
2. Bob Lilly (Football)
3. Bruce Matthews (Football)
#73
1. John Hannah (Football)
2. Ron Yary (Football)
3. Joe Klecko (Football)
#72
1. Carlton Fisk (Baseball)
2. Dan Dierdorf (Football)
3. Ed Jones (Football)
#71
1. Alex Karras (Football)
2. Tony Boselli (Football)
3. George Connor (Football)
#70
1. Sam Huff (Football)
2. Jim Marshall (Football)
3. Art Donovan (Football)
#69
1. Mark Schlereth (Football)
2. Tim Krumrie (Football)
3. Jared Allen (Football)
#68
1. Jaromir Jagr (Hockey)
2. Will Shields (Football)
3. Kevin Mawae (Football)
#67
1. Bob Kuechenberg (Football)
2. Ed White (Football)
3. Russell Maryland (Football)
#66
1. Mario Lemieux (Hockey)
2. Ray Nitschke (Football)
3. Alan Faneca (Football)
#65
1. Elvin Bethea (Football)
2. Tom Mack (Football)
3. Gary Zimmerman (Football)
#64
1. Randall McDaniel (Football)
2. Jerry Kramer (Football)
3. Jack Reynolds (Football)
#63
1. Willie Lanier (Football)
2. Gene Upshaw (Football)
3. Lee Roy Selmon (Football)
#62
1. Jim Langer (Football)
2. Guy McIntyre (Football)
3. Scot Shields (Baseball)
#61
1. Bill George (Football)
2. Curley Culp (Football)
3. Josh Beckett (Baseball)
#60
1. Chuck Bednarik (Football)
2. Otto Graham (Football)
3. Scott Schoenweis (Baseball)
#59
1. Jack Ham (Football)
2. Seth Joyner (Football)
3. Todd Jones (Baseball)
#58
1. Jack Lambert (Football)
2. Derrick Thomas (Football)
3. Jonathan Papelbon (Baseball)
#57
1. Dwight Stephensen (Football)
2. Johan Santana (Baseball)
3. Clay Matthews (Football)
#56
1. Lawrence Taylor (Football)
2. Andre Tippett (Football)
3. Chris Doleman (Football)
#55
1. Junior Seau (Football)
2. Derrick Brooks (Football)
3. Dikembe Mutombo (Basketball)
#54
1. Randy White (Football)
2. Goose Gossage (Baseball)
3. Brian Urlacher (Football)
#53
1. Don Drysdale (Baseball)
2. Harry Carson (Football)
3. Artis Gilmore (Basketball)
#52
1. Ray Lewis (Football)
2. Mike Webster (Football)
3. Buck Williams (Basketball)
#51
1. Dick Butkus (Football)
2. Randy Johnson (Baseball)
3. Ichiro Suzuki (Baseball)
#50
1. Mike Singletary (Football)
2. David Robinson (Basketball)
3. Rebecca Lobo (Basketball)
#49
1. Ron Guidry (Baseball)
2. Bobby Mitchell (Football)
3. Charlie Hough (Baseball)
#48
1. Jimmie Johnson (Auto Racing)
2. Torii Hunter (Baseball)
3. Sam McDowell (Baseball)
#47
1. Tom Glavine (Baseball)
2. Mel Blount (Football)
3. Jack Morris (Baseball)
#46
1. Lee Smith (Baseball)
2. Andy Pettitte (Baseball)
3. Todd Christensen (Football)
#45
1. Bob Gibson (Baseball)
2. Pedro Martinez (Baseball)
3. Archie Griffin (Football)
#44
1. Hank Aaron (Baseball)
2. Jerry West (Basketball)
3. Reggie Jackson (Baseball)
#43
1. Richard Petty (Auto Racing)
2. Dennis Eckersley (Baseball)
3. Jack Sikma (Basketball)
#42
1. Jackie Robinson (Baseball)
2. Ronnie Lott (Football)
3. Mariano Rivera (Baseball)
#41
1. Tom Seaver (Baseball)
2. Eddie Matthews (Baseball)
3. Wes Unseld (Basketball)
#40
1. Gale Sayers (Football)
2. Elroy Hirsch (Football)
3. Bill Laimbeer (Basketball)
#39
1. Roy Campanella (Baseball)
2. Larry Csonka (Football)
3. Dominik Hasek (Hockey)
#38
1. Curt Schilling (Baseball)
2. George Rogers (Football)
3. Rocky Colavito (Baseball)
#37
1. Doak Walker (Football)
2. Shaun Alexander (Football)
3. Lester Hayes (Football)
#36
1. Robin Roberts (Baseball)
2. Gaylord Perry (Baseball)
3. Jerome Bettis (Football)
#35
1. Phil Niekro (Baseball)
2. Frank Thomas (Baseball)
3. Rickey Henderson (Baseball)
#34
1. Walter Payton (Football)
2. Shaquille O’Neal (Basketball)
3. Hakeem Olajuwon (Basketball)
#33
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Basketball)
2. Larry Bird (Basketball)
3. Tony Dorsett (Football)
#32
1. Jim Brown (Football)
2. Magic Johnson (Basketball)
3. Sandy Koufax (Baseball)
#31
1. Greg Maddux (Baseball)
2. Reggie Miller (Basketball)
3. Dave Winfield (Baseball)
#30
1. Nolan Ryan (Baseball)
2. Ken Griffey Jr. (Baseball)
3. Orlando Cepeda (Baseball)
#29
1. Rod Carew (Baseball)
2. Eric Dickerson (Football)
3. John Smoltz (Baseball)
#28
1. Cale Yarborough (Auto Racing)
2. Marshall Faulk (Football)
3. Bert Blyleven (Baseball)
#27
1. Juan Marichal (Baseball)
2. Carlton Fisk (Baseball)
3. Vladimir Guerrero (Baseball)
#26
1. Rod Woodson (Football)
2. Wade Boggs (Baseball)
3. Billy Williams (Baseball)
#25
1. K.C. Jones (Basketball)
2. Fred Biletnikoff (Football)
3. Gail Goodrich (Basketball)
#24
1. Willie Mays (Baseball)
2. Jeff Gordon (Auto Racing)
3. Kobe Bryant (Basketball)
#23
1. Michael Jordan (Basketball)
2. LeBron James (Basketball)
3. Ryne Sandberg (Baseball)
#22
1. Emmitt Smith (Football)
2. Elgin Baylor (Basketball)
3. Jim Palmer (Baseball)
#21
1. Roberto Clemente (Baseball)
2. Tim Duncan (Basketball)
3. David Pearson (Auto Racing)
#20
1. Barry Sanders (Football)
2. Mike Schmidt (Baseball)
3. Frank Robinson (Baseball)
#19
1. Johnny Unitas (Football)
2. Bob Feller (Baseball)
3. Tony Gwynn (Baseball)
#18
1. Peyton Manning (Football)
2. Dave Cowens (Basketball)
3. Charlie Joiner (Football)
#17
1. John Havlicek (Basketball)
2. Dizzy Dean (Baseball)
3. Matt Kenseth (Auto Racing)
#16
1. Joe Montana (Football)
2. George Blanda (Football)
3. Whitey Ford (Baseball)
#15
1. Bart Star (Football)
2. Hal Greer (Basketball)
3. Tom Heinsohn (Basketball)
#14
1. Pete Rose (Baseball)
2. Ernie Banks (Baseball)
3. AJ Foyt (Auto Racing)
#13
1. Wilt Chamberlain (Basketball)
2. Dan Marino (Football)
3. Alex Rodriguez (Baseball)
#12
1. Tom Brady (Football)
2. Terry Bradshaw (Football)
3. John Stockton (Basketball)
#11
1. Mark Messier (Hockey)
2. Isiah Thomas (Basketball)
3. Elvin Hayes (Basketball)
#10
1. Pele (Soccer)
2. Fran Tarkenton (Football)
3. Chipper Jones (Baseball)
#9
1. Ted Williams (Baseball)
2. Gordie Howe (Hockey)
3. Bob Petit (Basketball)
#8
1. Cal Ripken Jr. (Baseball)
2. Yogi Berra (Baseball)
3. Troy Aikman (Football)
#7
1. Mickey Mantle (Baseball)
2. John Elway (Football)
3. Craig Biggio (Baseball)
#6
1. Bill Russell (Basketball)
2. Stan Musial (Baseball)
3. Julius Erving (Basketball)
#5
1. Joe DiMaggio (Baseball)
2. Johnny Bench (Baseball)
3. Brooks Robinson (Baseball)
#4
1. Lou Gehrig (Baseball)
2. Bobby Orr (Hockey)
3. Brett Favre (Baseball)
#3
1. Babe Ruth (Baseball)
2. Dale Earnhardt (Auto Racing)
3. Allen Iverson (Basketball)
#2
1. Derek Jeter (Baseball)
2. Rusty Wallace (Auto Racing)
3. Charley Gehringer (Baseball)
#1
1. Oscar Robertson (Basketball)
2. Ozzie Smith (Baseball)
3. Warren Moon (Football)
#0/00
1. Robert Parrish (Basketball)
2. Jim Otto (Football)
3. Al Oliver (Baseball)
1. Wayne Gretzky (Hockey)
2. George Mikan (Basketball)
3. Jason Taylor (Football)
#98
1. Tony Siragusa (Football)
2. Jessie Armstead (Football)
3. Casey Hampton (Football)
#97
1. Simeon Rice (Football)
2. Jeremy Roenick (Hockey)
3. Cornelius Bennett (Football)
#96
1. Pavel Bure (Hockey)
2. Cortez Kennedy (Football)
3. Bill Voiselle (Baseball)
#95
1. Richard Dent (Football)
2. Sam Adams (Football)
3. Greg Lloyd (Football)
#94
1. Charles Haley (Football)
2. Demarcus Ware (Football)
3. Dana Stubblefield (Football)
#93
1. Doug Gilmore (Hockey)
2. John Randle (Football)
3. Richard Seymour (Football)
#92
1. Reggie White (Football)
2. Michael Strahan (Football)
3. Ted Washington (Football)
#91
1. Dennis Rodman (Basketball)
2. Sergei Fedorov (Hockey)
3. Kevin Greene (Football)
#90
1. Bob Kurland (Basketball)
2. Neil Smith (Football)
3. Jevon Kearse (Football)
#89
1. Mike Ditka (Football)
2. Gino Marchetti (Football)
3. Fred Dryer (Football)
#88
1. Marvin Harrison (Football)
2. Michael Irvin (Football)
3. Alan Page (Football)
#87
1. Dave Casper (Football)
2. Dwight Clark (Football)
3. Sidney Crosby (Hockey)
#86
1. Hines Ward (Football)
2. Buck Buchanan (Football)
3. Dante Lavelli (Football)
#85
1. Jack Youngblood (Football)
2. Nick Buoniconti (Football)
3. Mark Duper (Football)
#84
1. Shannon Sharpe (Football)
2. Randy Moss (Football)
3. Stirling Sharpe (Football)
#83
1. Ted Hendricks (Football)
2. Andre Reed (Football)
3. Mark Clayton (Football)
#82
1. Raymond Berry (Football)
2. Ozzie Newsome (Football)
3. John Stallworth (Football)
#81
1. Tim Brown (Football)
2. Terrell Owens (Football)
3. Dick Lane (Football)
#80
1. Jerry Rice (Football)
2. Kellen Winslow (Football)
3. Steve Largent (Football)
#79
1. Harvey Martin (Football)
2. Roosevelt Brown (Football)
3. Bob St. Claire (Football)
#78
1. Bruce Smith (Football)
2. Anthony Munoz (Football)
3. Jackie Slater (Football)
#77
1. Red Grange (Football)
2. Ray Bourque (Hockey)
3. Willie Roaf (Football)
#76
1. Lou Groza (Football)
2. Orlando Pace (Football)
3. Marion Motley (Football)
#75
1. Deacon Jones (Football)
2. Howie Long (Football)
3. Joe Greene (Football)
#74
1. Merlin Olsen (Football)
2. Bob Lilly (Football)
3. Bruce Matthews (Football)
#73
1. John Hannah (Football)
2. Ron Yary (Football)
3. Joe Klecko (Football)
#72
1. Carlton Fisk (Baseball)
2. Dan Dierdorf (Football)
3. Ed Jones (Football)
#71
1. Alex Karras (Football)
2. Tony Boselli (Football)
3. George Connor (Football)
#70
1. Sam Huff (Football)
2. Jim Marshall (Football)
3. Art Donovan (Football)
#69
1. Mark Schlereth (Football)
2. Tim Krumrie (Football)
3. Jared Allen (Football)
#68
1. Jaromir Jagr (Hockey)
2. Will Shields (Football)
3. Kevin Mawae (Football)
#67
1. Bob Kuechenberg (Football)
2. Ed White (Football)
3. Russell Maryland (Football)
#66
1. Mario Lemieux (Hockey)
2. Ray Nitschke (Football)
3. Alan Faneca (Football)
#65
1. Elvin Bethea (Football)
2. Tom Mack (Football)
3. Gary Zimmerman (Football)
#64
1. Randall McDaniel (Football)
2. Jerry Kramer (Football)
3. Jack Reynolds (Football)
#63
1. Willie Lanier (Football)
2. Gene Upshaw (Football)
3. Lee Roy Selmon (Football)
#62
1. Jim Langer (Football)
2. Guy McIntyre (Football)
3. Scot Shields (Baseball)
#61
1. Bill George (Football)
2. Curley Culp (Football)
3. Josh Beckett (Baseball)
#60
1. Chuck Bednarik (Football)
2. Otto Graham (Football)
3. Scott Schoenweis (Baseball)
#59
1. Jack Ham (Football)
2. Seth Joyner (Football)
3. Todd Jones (Baseball)
#58
1. Jack Lambert (Football)
2. Derrick Thomas (Football)
3. Jonathan Papelbon (Baseball)
#57
1. Dwight Stephensen (Football)
2. Johan Santana (Baseball)
3. Clay Matthews (Football)
#56
1. Lawrence Taylor (Football)
2. Andre Tippett (Football)
3. Chris Doleman (Football)
#55
1. Junior Seau (Football)
2. Derrick Brooks (Football)
3. Dikembe Mutombo (Basketball)
#54
1. Randy White (Football)
2. Goose Gossage (Baseball)
3. Brian Urlacher (Football)
#53
1. Don Drysdale (Baseball)
2. Harry Carson (Football)
3. Artis Gilmore (Basketball)
#52
1. Ray Lewis (Football)
2. Mike Webster (Football)
3. Buck Williams (Basketball)
#51
1. Dick Butkus (Football)
2. Randy Johnson (Baseball)
3. Ichiro Suzuki (Baseball)
#50
1. Mike Singletary (Football)
2. David Robinson (Basketball)
3. Rebecca Lobo (Basketball)
#49
1. Ron Guidry (Baseball)
2. Bobby Mitchell (Football)
3. Charlie Hough (Baseball)
#48
1. Jimmie Johnson (Auto Racing)
2. Torii Hunter (Baseball)
3. Sam McDowell (Baseball)
#47
1. Tom Glavine (Baseball)
2. Mel Blount (Football)
3. Jack Morris (Baseball)
#46
1. Lee Smith (Baseball)
2. Andy Pettitte (Baseball)
3. Todd Christensen (Football)
#45
1. Bob Gibson (Baseball)
2. Pedro Martinez (Baseball)
3. Archie Griffin (Football)
#44
1. Hank Aaron (Baseball)
2. Jerry West (Basketball)
3. Reggie Jackson (Baseball)
#43
1. Richard Petty (Auto Racing)
2. Dennis Eckersley (Baseball)
3. Jack Sikma (Basketball)
#42
1. Jackie Robinson (Baseball)
2. Ronnie Lott (Football)
3. Mariano Rivera (Baseball)
#41
1. Tom Seaver (Baseball)
2. Eddie Matthews (Baseball)
3. Wes Unseld (Basketball)
#40
1. Gale Sayers (Football)
2. Elroy Hirsch (Football)
3. Bill Laimbeer (Basketball)
#39
1. Roy Campanella (Baseball)
2. Larry Csonka (Football)
3. Dominik Hasek (Hockey)
#38
1. Curt Schilling (Baseball)
2. George Rogers (Football)
3. Rocky Colavito (Baseball)
#37
1. Doak Walker (Football)
2. Shaun Alexander (Football)
3. Lester Hayes (Football)
#36
1. Robin Roberts (Baseball)
2. Gaylord Perry (Baseball)
3. Jerome Bettis (Football)
#35
1. Phil Niekro (Baseball)
2. Frank Thomas (Baseball)
3. Rickey Henderson (Baseball)
#34
1. Walter Payton (Football)
2. Shaquille O’Neal (Basketball)
3. Hakeem Olajuwon (Basketball)
#33
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Basketball)
2. Larry Bird (Basketball)
3. Tony Dorsett (Football)
#32
1. Jim Brown (Football)
2. Magic Johnson (Basketball)
3. Sandy Koufax (Baseball)
#31
1. Greg Maddux (Baseball)
2. Reggie Miller (Basketball)
3. Dave Winfield (Baseball)
#30
1. Nolan Ryan (Baseball)
2. Ken Griffey Jr. (Baseball)
3. Orlando Cepeda (Baseball)
#29
1. Rod Carew (Baseball)
2. Eric Dickerson (Football)
3. John Smoltz (Baseball)
#28
1. Cale Yarborough (Auto Racing)
2. Marshall Faulk (Football)
3. Bert Blyleven (Baseball)
#27
1. Juan Marichal (Baseball)
2. Carlton Fisk (Baseball)
3. Vladimir Guerrero (Baseball)
#26
1. Rod Woodson (Football)
2. Wade Boggs (Baseball)
3. Billy Williams (Baseball)
#25
1. K.C. Jones (Basketball)
2. Fred Biletnikoff (Football)
3. Gail Goodrich (Basketball)
#24
1. Willie Mays (Baseball)
2. Jeff Gordon (Auto Racing)
3. Kobe Bryant (Basketball)
#23
1. Michael Jordan (Basketball)
2. LeBron James (Basketball)
3. Ryne Sandberg (Baseball)
#22
1. Emmitt Smith (Football)
2. Elgin Baylor (Basketball)
3. Jim Palmer (Baseball)
#21
1. Roberto Clemente (Baseball)
2. Tim Duncan (Basketball)
3. David Pearson (Auto Racing)
#20
1. Barry Sanders (Football)
2. Mike Schmidt (Baseball)
3. Frank Robinson (Baseball)
#19
1. Johnny Unitas (Football)
2. Bob Feller (Baseball)
3. Tony Gwynn (Baseball)
#18
1. Peyton Manning (Football)
2. Dave Cowens (Basketball)
3. Charlie Joiner (Football)
#17
1. John Havlicek (Basketball)
2. Dizzy Dean (Baseball)
3. Matt Kenseth (Auto Racing)
#16
1. Joe Montana (Football)
2. George Blanda (Football)
3. Whitey Ford (Baseball)
#15
1. Bart Star (Football)
2. Hal Greer (Basketball)
3. Tom Heinsohn (Basketball)
#14
1. Pete Rose (Baseball)
2. Ernie Banks (Baseball)
3. AJ Foyt (Auto Racing)
#13
1. Wilt Chamberlain (Basketball)
2. Dan Marino (Football)
3. Alex Rodriguez (Baseball)
#12
1. Tom Brady (Football)
2. Terry Bradshaw (Football)
3. John Stockton (Basketball)
#11
1. Mark Messier (Hockey)
2. Isiah Thomas (Basketball)
3. Elvin Hayes (Basketball)
#10
1. Pele (Soccer)
2. Fran Tarkenton (Football)
3. Chipper Jones (Baseball)
#9
1. Ted Williams (Baseball)
2. Gordie Howe (Hockey)
3. Bob Petit (Basketball)
#8
1. Cal Ripken Jr. (Baseball)
2. Yogi Berra (Baseball)
3. Troy Aikman (Football)
#7
1. Mickey Mantle (Baseball)
2. John Elway (Football)
3. Craig Biggio (Baseball)
#6
1. Bill Russell (Basketball)
2. Stan Musial (Baseball)
3. Julius Erving (Basketball)
#5
1. Joe DiMaggio (Baseball)
2. Johnny Bench (Baseball)
3. Brooks Robinson (Baseball)
#4
1. Lou Gehrig (Baseball)
2. Bobby Orr (Hockey)
3. Brett Favre (Baseball)
#3
1. Babe Ruth (Baseball)
2. Dale Earnhardt (Auto Racing)
3. Allen Iverson (Basketball)
#2
1. Derek Jeter (Baseball)
2. Rusty Wallace (Auto Racing)
3. Charley Gehringer (Baseball)
#1
1. Oscar Robertson (Basketball)
2. Ozzie Smith (Baseball)
3. Warren Moon (Football)
#0/00
1. Robert Parrish (Basketball)
2. Jim Otto (Football)
3. Al Oliver (Baseball)
Greatest or Funniest Sports Names
1. Dick Trickle (Auto Racing)
2. Coco Crisp (MLB)
3. Rusty Kuntz (MLB)
4. Johnny Dickshot (MLB)
5. Will Power (Auto Racing)
6. Dick Pole (MLB)
7. Harry Colon (NFL)
8. Jack Glasscock (MLB)
9. Milton Bradley (MLB)
10. World B. Free (NBA)
11. Chief Kickingstallionsims (College Basketball)
12. Dick Butkus (NFL)
13. Urban Shocker (MLB)
14. Picabo Street (Skiing)
15. God Shammgod (College Basketball)
16. Ben Gay (NFL)
17. Howard Johnson (MLB)
18. Major Applewhite (College Football)
19. Scott Speed (Auto Racing) *Note Only because he’s an auto racer
20. D’Brickashaw Ferguson (NFL) Note* It would’ve been higher had he played basketball
21. Kimbo Slice (MMA)
22. Pokey Reese (MLB)
23. Evan Longoria (MLB)
24. Quentin Jammer (NFL)
25. Tim Duncan *Note Only because he plays basketball
2. Coco Crisp (MLB)
3. Rusty Kuntz (MLB)
4. Johnny Dickshot (MLB)
5. Will Power (Auto Racing)
6. Dick Pole (MLB)
7. Harry Colon (NFL)
8. Jack Glasscock (MLB)
9. Milton Bradley (MLB)
10. World B. Free (NBA)
11. Chief Kickingstallionsims (College Basketball)
12. Dick Butkus (NFL)
13. Urban Shocker (MLB)
14. Picabo Street (Skiing)
15. God Shammgod (College Basketball)
16. Ben Gay (NFL)
17. Howard Johnson (MLB)
18. Major Applewhite (College Football)
19. Scott Speed (Auto Racing) *Note Only because he’s an auto racer
20. D’Brickashaw Ferguson (NFL) Note* It would’ve been higher had he played basketball
21. Kimbo Slice (MMA)
22. Pokey Reese (MLB)
23. Evan Longoria (MLB)
24. Quentin Jammer (NFL)
25. Tim Duncan *Note Only because he plays basketball
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Gallardo Stands Up Against Immigration Law
Milwaukee Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo has done something that I love to see from athletes and really anybody in general. He’s standing up for something that he believes in.
Gallardo has announced that he will boycott the 2011 MLB All Star game in Arizona because of the state’s new immigration law. Gallardo is an All Star this season, but won’t play in Tuesday night’s game due to injury.
The new immigration law in Arizona takes effect on July 29 and requires police, while enforcing other laws, to ask a person’s immigration status if the officer believes that the person might be in this country illegally.
Essentially officers could ask and probably will be asking any person of Latin heritage about their immigration status.
Baseball is a sport that has a high percentage of Latin players and the All Star game being played in Arizona in 2011 is something that will be bothersome to many of those players. Gallardo is the first All Star caliber player to come out and say with all certainly that they will boycott the 2011 All Star game if it isn’t moved to another location. Other players will likely follow suit throughout the next year.
Kansas City Royals closer Joakim Soria and Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde, both All Stars this season, said that they would stay away from the 2011 All Star game as well if there ends up being a Latino protest.
St. Louis Cardinals slugging All Star Albert Pujols has already expressed his dislike for the law and Los Angeles Dodgers All Star shortstop Rafael Furcal said that he would wait for guidance from the player’s union on the situation, according to ESPN.com.
While the controversial Arizona law is a huge talking point for many of the Latin ballplayers, others don’t seem to want to talk about it. New York Yankees All Stars Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez both didn’t have much to say on the subject.
Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has said repeatedly that he won’t move the 2011 All Star game to another location.
Personally I think that Selig should move the game to another location. The location that I would choose would be the Washington Nationals new ballpark in Washington, D.C.
If Selig doesn’t move the All Star game from Arizona in 2011 and the immigration law in that state doesn’t change than there is a likelihood that there will be a protest from many, if not all of the Latin ballplayers. The result would be that the “All Star game” really wouldn’t be filled with many “All Stars.” The protest would make the game less exciting, if it even happens at all.
Latin players boycotting the 2011 would probably prove to have a negative reaction among many sports and baseball fans. However, it would be a move that I would support 100 percent. The players should stand up for what they believe is right … and I think that is doing the right thing.
Gallardo has announced that he will boycott the 2011 MLB All Star game in Arizona because of the state’s new immigration law. Gallardo is an All Star this season, but won’t play in Tuesday night’s game due to injury.
The new immigration law in Arizona takes effect on July 29 and requires police, while enforcing other laws, to ask a person’s immigration status if the officer believes that the person might be in this country illegally.
Essentially officers could ask and probably will be asking any person of Latin heritage about their immigration status.
Baseball is a sport that has a high percentage of Latin players and the All Star game being played in Arizona in 2011 is something that will be bothersome to many of those players. Gallardo is the first All Star caliber player to come out and say with all certainly that they will boycott the 2011 All Star game if it isn’t moved to another location. Other players will likely follow suit throughout the next year.
Kansas City Royals closer Joakim Soria and Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde, both All Stars this season, said that they would stay away from the 2011 All Star game as well if there ends up being a Latino protest.
St. Louis Cardinals slugging All Star Albert Pujols has already expressed his dislike for the law and Los Angeles Dodgers All Star shortstop Rafael Furcal said that he would wait for guidance from the player’s union on the situation, according to ESPN.com.
While the controversial Arizona law is a huge talking point for many of the Latin ballplayers, others don’t seem to want to talk about it. New York Yankees All Stars Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez both didn’t have much to say on the subject.
Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has said repeatedly that he won’t move the 2011 All Star game to another location.
Personally I think that Selig should move the game to another location. The location that I would choose would be the Washington Nationals new ballpark in Washington, D.C.
If Selig doesn’t move the All Star game from Arizona in 2011 and the immigration law in that state doesn’t change than there is a likelihood that there will be a protest from many, if not all of the Latin ballplayers. The result would be that the “All Star game” really wouldn’t be filled with many “All Stars.” The protest would make the game less exciting, if it even happens at all.
Latin players boycotting the 2011 would probably prove to have a negative reaction among many sports and baseball fans. However, it would be a move that I would support 100 percent. The players should stand up for what they believe is right … and I think that is doing the right thing.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Don't give Heat the Championship Already
Attention NBA fans!
Don’t assume that the Miami Heat will automatically win a championship next year now that they have signed LeBron James and Chris Bosh and re-signed Dwyane Wade. Don’t assume they will be the best team in the NBA. Don’t assume they will be the best team in the Eastern Conference. And, don’t even assume that they will be the best team in their own division.
The Heat very well could end up doing all of that, but don’t just act like it’s a given. In fact, it’s still a long way off.
There are two reasons why the Heat might not be destined as the next NBA Champions:
1) Who will the Heat get to fill out the roster?
Signing James and Bosh and re-signing Wade means that the Heat has spent almost all of their cap room. All that remains on their roster besides those three are Mario Chalmers and their recent draft selections, all which came in the second round. The Heat must fill out the remainder of the roster with what little cash that they have remaining. This means that they will likely have to fill out their rosters with cheap D-League players and has-been veterans looking to choose a championship possibility over money. If the Heat were to fill out their roster with D-League talent, i.e. players who haven’t been good enough thus far to even make the Clippers, Nets or Timberwolves, and past their prime players, than I personally don’t think James, Wade and Bosh would be enough to raise a championship banner. If this is what the Heat plan on doing than I don’t even think they’ll be better than the Orlando Magic, who play in the Heat’s division. The Magic are stacked from one to 12, something the Heat likely won’t be. Not to mention the Heat would likely have to go through the back-to-to champion Lakers to win a ring, which won’t be easy to do because the Lakers core will be returning.
However, the Heat has already made two good decisions since James announced he was signing with them. They have gotten rid of the contract of bust and troubled player Michael Beasley, trading him to the Timberwolves for a future draft pick and signed sharpshooter Mike Miller, who would make a good addition to almost any NBA roster.
2) Can James, Wade and Bosh mesh on the same roster?
It’s pretty much been proven that a team needs two stars to win an NBA championship. In recent years we’ve seen it with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in Chicago, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, Bryant and Pau Gasol in Los Angeles, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Los Angeles, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in Houston, Tim Duncan and David Robinson in San Antonio and many others. Only twice have we seen it with three stars: Larry Bird, Robert Parrish and Kevin McHale in Boston in the ‘80s and Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in Boston three seasons ago. Keep in mind that McHale was merely a sixth man and the Boston “big three” of late were arguably past their prime and put their egos (what little they seem to have) aside.
I personally think that Wade and Bosh could play on a team together very nicely. However, I’m not confident that James can set aside his massive ego and numbers to do it. It probably won’t take us very long to find out.
If the Heat can surround James, Wade and Bosh with championship-type role players and if the new “big three” as I’m sure they will be dubbed can get along than the Heat should win a championships or championships rather easily. However, these are two big questions that must be answered first.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Undeserving All Star
Atlanta Braves utilityman Omar Infante should be enjoying his selection to his first ever MLB All Star Game, but instead he’s being ridiculed left and right by fans and media alike claiming he’s the “worst” All Star of all time.
Well, to set things straight, Infante isn’t the worst All Star of all time, but he certainly shouldn’t be an All Star.
If fans and media want to blame someone for Infante’s inclusion on the National League’s All Star roster it definitely shouldn’t be Infante but Philadelphia Phillies and National League All Star manager Charlie Manuel.
Players are selected to the All Star game one of three ways. 1) Voted in by the fans for the starting positions and the final roster spot. 2) Selected by their peers. 3) Chosen by the manager of the league. Infante was one of Manuel’s selections for the roster.
Baseball players who don’t deserve to be All Stars generally make the squad on a yearly basis, due to the rule that states that every one of the MLB’s 30 teams must have at least one representative in the game. This is the reason that Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Evan Meek, Baltimore Orioles infielder Ty Wigginton and Kansas City Royals reliever Joakim Soria made the All Star game rosters.
Infante wasn’t one of these cases. The Braves have four other All Stars (Jason Heyward, Brian McCann, Martin Prado and Tim Hudson) on the roster and are tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for having the most players in the National League on the roster. The Braves also have one of the biggest snubs from the game on their team in first baseman Troy Glaus.
Why did Manuel choose Infante for the National League squad?
The answer is really quite simple. Infante is the most flexible player in all of baseball. Infante can literally play any position. He’s played all three outfield positions and all of the infield positions (beside catcher and pitcher) pretty frequently in his career. In a pinch I’m sure Infante could even catch and pitch. Infante’s flexibility would make him useful in an extra inning game like the 15 inning match the game saw two years ago. I believe that it’s pretty unlikely that Infante even sees playing time in the game unless that very situation occurs.
Does Infante’s flexibility mean he deserves to be an All Star?
No.
It’s ridiculous to think that Infante should be an All Star over much more deserving players who were snubbed like Glaus, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, Colorado Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo, Milwaukee Brewers infielder Casey McGehee and New York Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey.
I’m a Braves fan and really like Infante and believe he is an integral part of the team, but he’s just not All Star worthy.
Well, to set things straight, Infante isn’t the worst All Star of all time, but he certainly shouldn’t be an All Star.
If fans and media want to blame someone for Infante’s inclusion on the National League’s All Star roster it definitely shouldn’t be Infante but Philadelphia Phillies and National League All Star manager Charlie Manuel.
Players are selected to the All Star game one of three ways. 1) Voted in by the fans for the starting positions and the final roster spot. 2) Selected by their peers. 3) Chosen by the manager of the league. Infante was one of Manuel’s selections for the roster.
Baseball players who don’t deserve to be All Stars generally make the squad on a yearly basis, due to the rule that states that every one of the MLB’s 30 teams must have at least one representative in the game. This is the reason that Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Evan Meek, Baltimore Orioles infielder Ty Wigginton and Kansas City Royals reliever Joakim Soria made the All Star game rosters.
Infante wasn’t one of these cases. The Braves have four other All Stars (Jason Heyward, Brian McCann, Martin Prado and Tim Hudson) on the roster and are tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for having the most players in the National League on the roster. The Braves also have one of the biggest snubs from the game on their team in first baseman Troy Glaus.
Why did Manuel choose Infante for the National League squad?
The answer is really quite simple. Infante is the most flexible player in all of baseball. Infante can literally play any position. He’s played all three outfield positions and all of the infield positions (beside catcher and pitcher) pretty frequently in his career. In a pinch I’m sure Infante could even catch and pitch. Infante’s flexibility would make him useful in an extra inning game like the 15 inning match the game saw two years ago. I believe that it’s pretty unlikely that Infante even sees playing time in the game unless that very situation occurs.
Does Infante’s flexibility mean he deserves to be an All Star?
No.
It’s ridiculous to think that Infante should be an All Star over much more deserving players who were snubbed like Glaus, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, Colorado Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo, Milwaukee Brewers infielder Casey McGehee and New York Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey.
I’m a Braves fan and really like Infante and believe he is an integral part of the team, but he’s just not All Star worthy.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
40 Most Overrated Athletes
40 Most Overrated Athletes:
1. Danica Patrick, Indy Racing League
2. David Beckham, Soccer
3. Michelle Wie, LPGA Tour
4. Kimbo Slice, MMA
5. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
6. Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys
7. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Andy Roddick, Tennis
9. Kasey Kahne, NASCAR
10. Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs
11. Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs
12. Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees
13. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston Red Sox
14. J.D. Drew, Boston Red Sox
15. Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers
16. Albert Haynesworth, Washington Redskins
17. Sergio Garcia, PGA Tour
18. Joel Zumaya, Detroit Tigers
19. Antwain Jamison, Cleveland Cavaliers
20. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
21. Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers
22. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
23. Brian Vickers, NASCAR
24. Carlos Beltran, New York Mets
25. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
26. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
27. Adam Dunn, Washington Nationals
28. Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints
29. Mike Vick, Philadelphia Eagles
30. Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets
31. Matt Hasselback, Seattle Seahawks
32. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
33. Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR
34. Ron Artest, Los Angeles Lakers
35. Tracy McGrady, New York Knicks
36. Eli Manning, New York Giants
37. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
38. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
39. Manny Pacquiao, Boxing
40. Floyd Mayweather, Boxing
1. Danica Patrick, Indy Racing League
2. David Beckham, Soccer
3. Michelle Wie, LPGA Tour
4. Kimbo Slice, MMA
5. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
6. Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys
7. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Andy Roddick, Tennis
9. Kasey Kahne, NASCAR
10. Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs
11. Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs
12. Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees
13. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston Red Sox
14. J.D. Drew, Boston Red Sox
15. Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers
16. Albert Haynesworth, Washington Redskins
17. Sergio Garcia, PGA Tour
18. Joel Zumaya, Detroit Tigers
19. Antwain Jamison, Cleveland Cavaliers
20. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
21. Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers
22. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
23. Brian Vickers, NASCAR
24. Carlos Beltran, New York Mets
25. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
26. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
27. Adam Dunn, Washington Nationals
28. Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints
29. Mike Vick, Philadelphia Eagles
30. Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets
31. Matt Hasselback, Seattle Seahawks
32. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
33. Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR
34. Ron Artest, Los Angeles Lakers
35. Tracy McGrady, New York Knicks
36. Eli Manning, New York Giants
37. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
38. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
39. Manny Pacquiao, Boxing
40. Floyd Mayweather, Boxing
45 Worst Trades in Sports History
1. Boston Red Sox trade Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $100,000 dollars and a $300,000 loan
2. St. Louis Hawks trade Bill Russell to Boston Celtics for Ed Macauley & Cliff Hagan
3. Charlotte Hornets trade Kobe Bryant to LA Lakers for Vlade Divac
4. Atlanta Falcons trade Brett Favre to Green Bay Packers for 1st round draft pick
5. Milwaukee Bucks trade Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to LA Lakers for Elmore Smith, Junior Bridgemann and Dave Meyers
6. 76ers trade Wilt Chamberlain to Lakers for Jerry Chambers, Archie Clark & Darrall Imhoff
7. Minnesota Vikings trade five players and eight draft picks (three of which become Emmitt Smith, Darren Woodson & Alan Harper) to Dallas Cowboys for Herschel Walker and four draft picks
8. Cincinnati Reds trade Christy Matthewson to New York Giants for Amos Rusie
9. Edmonton Oilers trade Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas and three 1st round draft picks
10. Chicago Cubs trade Lou Brock and two others to St. Louis Cardinals for Ernie Broglio, Bobby Shantz & Doug Clemens
11. Golden State Warriors trade Robert Parrish and third overall draft pick (which became Kevin McHale) to Boston Celtics for first overall pick (Joe Barry Carroll) and Ricky Brown
12. Cleveland Indians trade Joe Jackson to Chicago White Sox for Larry Chappell, Braggo Roth & Ed Klepfer
13. Houston Astros trade Joe Morgan, Jack Billingham, Cesar Cedeno & Ed Armbrister to Cincinnati Reds for Lee May, Tommy Helms & Jimmy Stewart
14. Detroit Tigers trade John Smoltz to Atlanta Braves for Doyle Alexander
15. Seattle SuperSonics trade Scottie Pippen to Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice
16. Boston Red Sox trade Jeff Bagwell to Houston Astros for Larry Andersen
17. New York Mets trade Nolan Ryan and three others to California Angels for Jim Fregosi
18. Baltimore Colts trade John Elway to Denver Broncos for Mark Hermann, Chris Hinton and 1st round draft pick
19. Montreal Expos trade Randy Johnson and two others to Seattle Mariners for Mark Langston and Mike Campbell
20. Chicago White Sox trade Sammy Sosa to Chicago Cubs for George Bell 21. Cincinnati Reds trade Frank Robinson to Baltimore Orioles for Milt Pappas
22. Oakland A’s trade Mark McGwire to St. Louis Cardinals for T.J. Matthews, Blake Stein and Eric Ludwick
23. Philadelphia 76ers trade Charles Barkley to the Phoenix Suns for Tim Perry, Jeff Hornacek and Andrew Lang
24. New Jersey Nets trade Julius Erving to Philadelphia 76ers for $3 million
25. Philadelphia Phillies trade Ryne Sandberg & Larry Bowa to Chicago Cubs for Ivan DeJesus
26. Boston Red Sox trade Tris Speaker to Cleveland Indians for Sam Jones, Fred Thomas and cash
27. Milwaukee Bucks trade Dirk Nowitzki & Pat Garrity to Dallas Mavericks for Robert Traylor
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade Steve Young to San Francisco 49ers for 2nd & 4th round draft picks
29. San Diego Padres trade Ozzie Smith and others to the St. Louis Cardinals for Garry Templeton and others
30. Utah Jazz trade Dominique Wilkins to Atlanta Hawks for John Drew, Freeman Williams and cash
31. New Orleans Saints trade all six of their 1999 draft picks and a future 1st & 3rd Round draft pick to Washington Redskins to move up in draft to take Ricky Williams
32. Cleveland Indians trade Jeff Kent, Julian Tavarez & Jose Vizcaino to San Francisco Giants for Matt Williams
33. Indianapolis Colts trade Marshall Faulk to St. Louis Rams for 2nd & 5th round draft picks
34. New York Mets trade Tom Seaver to Cincinnati Reds for Pat Zachary, Doug Flynn & Steve Henderson
35. Rams trade Jerome Bettis to Pittsburgh Steelers for 2nd & 4th round draft picks
36. Washington Wizards trade Richard Hamilton, Hubert Davis & Brian Simmons to Detroit Pistons for Jerry Stackhouse, Brian Cardinals and Ratko Varda
37. Memphis Grizzlies trade Pau Gasol to LA Lakers for Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie, Javaris Crittenten and Marc Gasol
38. Atlanta Falcons trade 5th overall pick (which became LaDanian Tomlinson) and 3rd round pick to San Diego Chargers for 1st overall draft pick (which became Michael Vick)
39. Houston Astros trade Kenny Lofton & Dave Rhule to Cleveland Indians for Eddie Taubensee & Willie Blair
40. Tampa Bay Rays trade Bobby Abreu to Philadelphia Phillies for Kevin Stocker
41. San Diego Padres trade Fred McGriff to Atlanta Braves for Melvin Nieves, Donnie Elliott and Vince Moore
42. Seattle Mariners trade Jason Varitek & Derek Lowe to Boston Red Sox for Heathcliff Slocumb
43. Chicago Blackhawks trade Dominik Hasek to Buffalo Sabres for Stephane Beauregard and 4th round draft pick
44. Oakland Raiders trade Randy Moss to New England Patriots for 4th round draft pick
45. New York Knicks trade two first round draft picks for Eddy Curry
2. St. Louis Hawks trade Bill Russell to Boston Celtics for Ed Macauley & Cliff Hagan
3. Charlotte Hornets trade Kobe Bryant to LA Lakers for Vlade Divac
4. Atlanta Falcons trade Brett Favre to Green Bay Packers for 1st round draft pick
5. Milwaukee Bucks trade Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to LA Lakers for Elmore Smith, Junior Bridgemann and Dave Meyers
6. 76ers trade Wilt Chamberlain to Lakers for Jerry Chambers, Archie Clark & Darrall Imhoff
7. Minnesota Vikings trade five players and eight draft picks (three of which become Emmitt Smith, Darren Woodson & Alan Harper) to Dallas Cowboys for Herschel Walker and four draft picks
8. Cincinnati Reds trade Christy Matthewson to New York Giants for Amos Rusie
9. Edmonton Oilers trade Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas and three 1st round draft picks
10. Chicago Cubs trade Lou Brock and two others to St. Louis Cardinals for Ernie Broglio, Bobby Shantz & Doug Clemens
11. Golden State Warriors trade Robert Parrish and third overall draft pick (which became Kevin McHale) to Boston Celtics for first overall pick (Joe Barry Carroll) and Ricky Brown
12. Cleveland Indians trade Joe Jackson to Chicago White Sox for Larry Chappell, Braggo Roth & Ed Klepfer
13. Houston Astros trade Joe Morgan, Jack Billingham, Cesar Cedeno & Ed Armbrister to Cincinnati Reds for Lee May, Tommy Helms & Jimmy Stewart
14. Detroit Tigers trade John Smoltz to Atlanta Braves for Doyle Alexander
15. Seattle SuperSonics trade Scottie Pippen to Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice
16. Boston Red Sox trade Jeff Bagwell to Houston Astros for Larry Andersen
17. New York Mets trade Nolan Ryan and three others to California Angels for Jim Fregosi
18. Baltimore Colts trade John Elway to Denver Broncos for Mark Hermann, Chris Hinton and 1st round draft pick
19. Montreal Expos trade Randy Johnson and two others to Seattle Mariners for Mark Langston and Mike Campbell
20. Chicago White Sox trade Sammy Sosa to Chicago Cubs for George Bell 21. Cincinnati Reds trade Frank Robinson to Baltimore Orioles for Milt Pappas
22. Oakland A’s trade Mark McGwire to St. Louis Cardinals for T.J. Matthews, Blake Stein and Eric Ludwick
23. Philadelphia 76ers trade Charles Barkley to the Phoenix Suns for Tim Perry, Jeff Hornacek and Andrew Lang
24. New Jersey Nets trade Julius Erving to Philadelphia 76ers for $3 million
25. Philadelphia Phillies trade Ryne Sandberg & Larry Bowa to Chicago Cubs for Ivan DeJesus
26. Boston Red Sox trade Tris Speaker to Cleveland Indians for Sam Jones, Fred Thomas and cash
27. Milwaukee Bucks trade Dirk Nowitzki & Pat Garrity to Dallas Mavericks for Robert Traylor
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade Steve Young to San Francisco 49ers for 2nd & 4th round draft picks
29. San Diego Padres trade Ozzie Smith and others to the St. Louis Cardinals for Garry Templeton and others
30. Utah Jazz trade Dominique Wilkins to Atlanta Hawks for John Drew, Freeman Williams and cash
31. New Orleans Saints trade all six of their 1999 draft picks and a future 1st & 3rd Round draft pick to Washington Redskins to move up in draft to take Ricky Williams
32. Cleveland Indians trade Jeff Kent, Julian Tavarez & Jose Vizcaino to San Francisco Giants for Matt Williams
33. Indianapolis Colts trade Marshall Faulk to St. Louis Rams for 2nd & 5th round draft picks
34. New York Mets trade Tom Seaver to Cincinnati Reds for Pat Zachary, Doug Flynn & Steve Henderson
35. Rams trade Jerome Bettis to Pittsburgh Steelers for 2nd & 4th round draft picks
36. Washington Wizards trade Richard Hamilton, Hubert Davis & Brian Simmons to Detroit Pistons for Jerry Stackhouse, Brian Cardinals and Ratko Varda
37. Memphis Grizzlies trade Pau Gasol to LA Lakers for Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie, Javaris Crittenten and Marc Gasol
38. Atlanta Falcons trade 5th overall pick (which became LaDanian Tomlinson) and 3rd round pick to San Diego Chargers for 1st overall draft pick (which became Michael Vick)
39. Houston Astros trade Kenny Lofton & Dave Rhule to Cleveland Indians for Eddie Taubensee & Willie Blair
40. Tampa Bay Rays trade Bobby Abreu to Philadelphia Phillies for Kevin Stocker
41. San Diego Padres trade Fred McGriff to Atlanta Braves for Melvin Nieves, Donnie Elliott and Vince Moore
42. Seattle Mariners trade Jason Varitek & Derek Lowe to Boston Red Sox for Heathcliff Slocumb
43. Chicago Blackhawks trade Dominik Hasek to Buffalo Sabres for Stephane Beauregard and 4th round draft pick
44. Oakland Raiders trade Randy Moss to New England Patriots for 4th round draft pick
45. New York Knicks trade two first round draft picks for Eddy Curry
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
My American League All Star Team
With the MLB All Star Game two weeks away, here's my final American League roster.
Lineup:
1. RF Ichiro Suzuki- Mariners
2. SS Derek Jeter- Yankees
3. 1B Miguel Cabrera- Tigers
4. 3B Evan Longoria- Rays
5. CF Josh Hamilton- Rangers
6. DH Vladimir Guerrero- Rangers
7. 2B Robinson Cano- Yankees
8. LF Vernon Wells- Blue Jays
9. C Joe Mauer- Twins
SP David Price- Rays
Bullpen:
Clay Buchholz- Red Sox
Jon Lester- Red Sox
Phil Hughes- Yankees
Andy Pettitte- Yankees
CC Sabathia- Yankees
Mariano Rivera- Yankees
Jose Valverde- Tigers
Andrew Bailey- A's
Joakim Soria- Royals
Ervin Santana- Angels
Carl Pavano- Twins
Matt Garza- Rays
Reserves
C Victor Martinez- Red Sox
1B Justin Morneau- Twins
1B Paul Konerko- White Sox
1B Kevin Youkilis- Red Sox
2B Ben Zobrist- Rays
SS Alex Gonzalez- Blue Jays
3B Alex Rodriguez- Yankees
OF Magglio Ordonez- Tigers
OF Alex Rios- White Sox
OF Shin-Soo Choo- Indians
OF Torri Hunter- Angels
OF Nick Markakis- Orioles
Lineup:
1. RF Ichiro Suzuki- Mariners
2. SS Derek Jeter- Yankees
3. 1B Miguel Cabrera- Tigers
4. 3B Evan Longoria- Rays
5. CF Josh Hamilton- Rangers
6. DH Vladimir Guerrero- Rangers
7. 2B Robinson Cano- Yankees
8. LF Vernon Wells- Blue Jays
9. C Joe Mauer- Twins
SP David Price- Rays
Bullpen:
Clay Buchholz- Red Sox
Jon Lester- Red Sox
Phil Hughes- Yankees
Andy Pettitte- Yankees
CC Sabathia- Yankees
Mariano Rivera- Yankees
Jose Valverde- Tigers
Andrew Bailey- A's
Joakim Soria- Royals
Ervin Santana- Angels
Carl Pavano- Twins
Matt Garza- Rays
Reserves
C Victor Martinez- Red Sox
1B Justin Morneau- Twins
1B Paul Konerko- White Sox
1B Kevin Youkilis- Red Sox
2B Ben Zobrist- Rays
SS Alex Gonzalez- Blue Jays
3B Alex Rodriguez- Yankees
OF Magglio Ordonez- Tigers
OF Alex Rios- White Sox
OF Shin-Soo Choo- Indians
OF Torri Hunter- Angels
OF Nick Markakis- Orioles
Monday, June 28, 2010
My National League All Star Team
With the MLB All Star game just 2 weeks away, this is my final all star roster that I'd choose for the National League this season.
Lineup:
1. SS Hanley Ramirez- Marlins
2. 3B David Wright- Mets
3. 1B Albert Pujols- Cardinals
4. DH Ryan Howard- Phillies
5. RF Ryan Braun- Brewers
6. LF Andre Ethier- Dodgers
7. CF Corey Hart- Brewers
8. 2B Martin Prado- Braves
9. C Miguel Olivo- Rockies
SP Ubaldo Jimenez- Rockies
Bullpen:
Roy Halladay- Phillies
Mike Pelfrey- Mets
Chris Carpenter- Cardinals
Adam Wainwright- Cardinals
Roy Oswalt- Astros
Tim Lincecum- Giants
Josh Johnson- Marlins
Tim Hudson- Braves
Billy Wagner- Braves
Heath Bell- Padres
Arthur Rhodes- Reds
Reserves
C Brian McCann- Braves
1B Joey Votto- Reds
1B Troy Glaus- Braves
1B Adrian Gonzalez- Padres
1B Adam Dunn- Nationals
2B Chase Utley- Phillies
SS Brandon Phillips- Reds
3B Scott Rolen- Reds
OF Johnny Gomes- Reds
OF Chris Young- Diamondbacks
OF Andrew McCutchen- Pirates
OF Marlon Byrd- Cubs
OF Matt Holliday- Cardinals
Lineup:
1. SS Hanley Ramirez- Marlins
2. 3B David Wright- Mets
3. 1B Albert Pujols- Cardinals
4. DH Ryan Howard- Phillies
5. RF Ryan Braun- Brewers
6. LF Andre Ethier- Dodgers
7. CF Corey Hart- Brewers
8. 2B Martin Prado- Braves
9. C Miguel Olivo- Rockies
SP Ubaldo Jimenez- Rockies
Bullpen:
Roy Halladay- Phillies
Mike Pelfrey- Mets
Chris Carpenter- Cardinals
Adam Wainwright- Cardinals
Roy Oswalt- Astros
Tim Lincecum- Giants
Josh Johnson- Marlins
Tim Hudson- Braves
Billy Wagner- Braves
Heath Bell- Padres
Arthur Rhodes- Reds
Reserves
C Brian McCann- Braves
1B Joey Votto- Reds
1B Troy Glaus- Braves
1B Adrian Gonzalez- Padres
1B Adam Dunn- Nationals
2B Chase Utley- Phillies
SS Brandon Phillips- Reds
3B Scott Rolen- Reds
OF Johnny Gomes- Reds
OF Chris Young- Diamondbacks
OF Andrew McCutchen- Pirates
OF Marlon Byrd- Cubs
OF Matt Holliday- Cardinals
The James Game
Never have I seen a professional sports league revolve around one athlete the way the NBA is going to revolve around LeBron James in free agency this offseason.
There are around five to 10 teams with enough salary cap space to sign James. All 30 teams have a shot at obtaining James through a sign and trade, which is a less likely scenario.
Free agency begins on Thursday, July 1 at 12:01 a.m. and that’s when five reported teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets will reportedly start wooing James. No team can sign James before July 8.
It turns out that the team with the most likely chance of signing James isn’t necessarily the one that will give him the most money, but the team that will surround him with the most talent.
The Heat has the most available cap space with $44 million available. Following the Heat, the Knicks have $35 million open, the Bulls have $30 million open and the Nets have $27 million open.
The Heat has the unusual opportunity to sign three max-contract players. This would almost certainly include re-signing point guard Dwyane Wade. Of all the free agents, Wade is the one who’s expressed the most interest in remaining with his current team. The Heat could then add a third huge contract in a Chris Bosh or Amar’e Stoudemire type player.
NBA experts have expressed that this scenario might be the best for James to win a championship, but maybe not the most likely. James and Wade are the type of players where they should be their respective team’s best player. Some just can’t see Wade playing Scottie Pippen to James’ Michael Jordan.
Another likely scenario would have James going to the Bulls. This is the scenario that I predict will happen. The Bulls are a young team with all of the great makings of a championship contender if they added one or two pieces. Those pieces could turn out to be James and Bosh and then this team would shoot past the Orlando Magic and any others as the best team in the Eastern Conference and possibly all of the NBA. The starting lineup of James, Bosh, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng would instantly be the best starting five in the NBA. Of course, this is just a prediction.
The other likely scenario would simply involve James re-signing with the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers would then likely have to acquire a Bosh-type player through a sign and trade.
The month of July is definitely going to be an exciting one in the NBA. After July the entire 2010-2011 season could be completely changed. Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics could drastically fall and teams like the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and other could drastically improve and become championship-caliber teams.
The only thing that is completely clear at this moment is that at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday the James game is going to start.
There are around five to 10 teams with enough salary cap space to sign James. All 30 teams have a shot at obtaining James through a sign and trade, which is a less likely scenario.
Free agency begins on Thursday, July 1 at 12:01 a.m. and that’s when five reported teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets will reportedly start wooing James. No team can sign James before July 8.
It turns out that the team with the most likely chance of signing James isn’t necessarily the one that will give him the most money, but the team that will surround him with the most talent.
The Heat has the most available cap space with $44 million available. Following the Heat, the Knicks have $35 million open, the Bulls have $30 million open and the Nets have $27 million open.
The Heat has the unusual opportunity to sign three max-contract players. This would almost certainly include re-signing point guard Dwyane Wade. Of all the free agents, Wade is the one who’s expressed the most interest in remaining with his current team. The Heat could then add a third huge contract in a Chris Bosh or Amar’e Stoudemire type player.
NBA experts have expressed that this scenario might be the best for James to win a championship, but maybe not the most likely. James and Wade are the type of players where they should be their respective team’s best player. Some just can’t see Wade playing Scottie Pippen to James’ Michael Jordan.
Another likely scenario would have James going to the Bulls. This is the scenario that I predict will happen. The Bulls are a young team with all of the great makings of a championship contender if they added one or two pieces. Those pieces could turn out to be James and Bosh and then this team would shoot past the Orlando Magic and any others as the best team in the Eastern Conference and possibly all of the NBA. The starting lineup of James, Bosh, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng would instantly be the best starting five in the NBA. Of course, this is just a prediction.
The other likely scenario would simply involve James re-signing with the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers would then likely have to acquire a Bosh-type player through a sign and trade.
The month of July is definitely going to be an exciting one in the NBA. After July the entire 2010-2011 season could be completely changed. Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics could drastically fall and teams like the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and other could drastically improve and become championship-caliber teams.
The only thing that is completely clear at this moment is that at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday the James game is going to start.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
2010 ESPY Nominations (And, My Picks)
2010 ESPY Nominations:
(Not all award categories are listed)
Male Athlete of the Year:
Drew Brees, NFL
Kobe Bryant, NBA
LeBron James, NBA
Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR
Albert Pujols, MLB
My Pick: Jimmie Johnson
Female Athlete of the Year:
Maya Moore, NCAA
Diana Taurasi, WNBA
Lindsey Vonn, Skiing
Serena Williams, Tennis
My Pick: Maya Moore
Best Championship Performance:
Drew Brees, Super Bowl XLIV
Anthony Johnson, Big Sky Conference Championship
Michael Phelps, World Swimming Championships
Shaun White, Winter Olympics
My Pick: Drew Brees
Best Breakthrough Athlete:
Britney Griner, Baylor women’s basketball
Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
John Wall, Kentucky men’s basketball
My Pick: John Wall
Best Record-Breaking Performance:
Usain Bolt, 100 & 200-meter World Records
Brett Favre, NFL record for consecutive starts
Roger Federer, Most Grand Slam Titles
Connecticut Women’s Basketball, Longest winning streak in NCAA history
My Pick: Brett Favre
Best Upset:
Frankie Edgar over BJ Penn, MMA
Hawaii upsets #1 Alabama, NCAA softball
Northern Iowa shocks #1 Kansas, NCAA Men’s basketball
Y.E. Yang stuns Tiger Woods, PGA Championship
My Pick: Northern Iowa over Kansas
Best Game:
Twins best Tigers in extra innings (MLB Playoff tiebreaker)
Canada edges USA in Olympic overtime game
Duke beats Butler in NCAA Men’s Championship
My Pick: Duke over Butler
Best Moment:
Phil Mickelson, 2010 Masters
Joannie Rochette, Winter Olympics
New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV
My Pick: Phil Mickelson
Best Play:
Brett Favre throws game-winning TD vs. 49ers
Fordham’s Brian Kownacki flips over Iona’s catcher to score run
Rajon Rondo’s hustle leads to basket against Orlando in playoff win
Mark Buehrle’s opening day defensive gem off his leg, into foul territory, diving flip for out
My Pick: Mark Buehrle
Best Team:
Alabama, College Football
Chicago Blackhawks, NHL
Connecticut, Women’s Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
New Orleans Saints, NFL
New York Yankees, MLB
My Pick: New York Yankees
Best Sports Movie:
“Big Fan”
“Invictus”
“The Blind Side”
“The Damned United”
“The Karate Kid”
My Pick: “Invictus”
Best Coach/Manager:
Gene Auriemma, Connecticut women’s basketball
Joe Girardi, New York Yankees
Phil Jackson, LA Lakers
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke men’s basketball
Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
Nick Saban, Alabama football
My Pick: Phil Jackson
Best NFL Player:
Drew Brees, Saints
Brett Favre, Vikings
Peyton Manning, Colts
Chris Johnson, Titans
Darrelle Revis, Jets
Charles Woodson, Packers
My Pick: Drew Brees
Best MLB Player:
Zach Greinke, Royals
Derek Jeter, Yankees
Tim Lincecum, Giants
Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Joe Mauer, Twins
Best NBA Player:
Kobe Bryant, Lakers
LeBron James, Cavaliers
Dwight Howard, Magic
Kevin Durant, Thunder
Dwyane Wade, Heat
My Pick: Kobe Bryant
Best Driver:
Kyle Busch, NASCAR Nationwide Series/Sprint Cup Series
Dario Franchitti, IRL
Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Ron Hornaday, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Tony Schumacher, F1
My Pick: Jimmie Johnson
Best Golfer:
Tiger Woods
Ernie Els
Phil Mickelson
My Pick: Phil Mickelson
Best Male Collegiate Athlete:
Blake Geoffrion, Wisconsin hockey
Mark Ingram, Alabama football
Evan Turner, Ohio State basketball
John Wall, Kentucky basketball
Garrett Wittels, Florida International baseball
My Pick: Garrett Wittels
Best Female Collegiate Athelte:
Tina Charles, Connecticut basketball
Megan Hodge, Penn State volleyball
Maya Moore, Connecticut basketball
Megan Lagenfeld, UCLA softball
My Pick: Maya Moore
(Not all award categories are listed)
Male Athlete of the Year:
Drew Brees, NFL
Kobe Bryant, NBA
LeBron James, NBA
Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR
Albert Pujols, MLB
My Pick: Jimmie Johnson
Female Athlete of the Year:
Maya Moore, NCAA
Diana Taurasi, WNBA
Lindsey Vonn, Skiing
Serena Williams, Tennis
My Pick: Maya Moore
Best Championship Performance:
Drew Brees, Super Bowl XLIV
Anthony Johnson, Big Sky Conference Championship
Michael Phelps, World Swimming Championships
Shaun White, Winter Olympics
My Pick: Drew Brees
Best Breakthrough Athlete:
Britney Griner, Baylor women’s basketball
Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
John Wall, Kentucky men’s basketball
My Pick: John Wall
Best Record-Breaking Performance:
Usain Bolt, 100 & 200-meter World Records
Brett Favre, NFL record for consecutive starts
Roger Federer, Most Grand Slam Titles
Connecticut Women’s Basketball, Longest winning streak in NCAA history
My Pick: Brett Favre
Best Upset:
Frankie Edgar over BJ Penn, MMA
Hawaii upsets #1 Alabama, NCAA softball
Northern Iowa shocks #1 Kansas, NCAA Men’s basketball
Y.E. Yang stuns Tiger Woods, PGA Championship
My Pick: Northern Iowa over Kansas
Best Game:
Twins best Tigers in extra innings (MLB Playoff tiebreaker)
Canada edges USA in Olympic overtime game
Duke beats Butler in NCAA Men’s Championship
My Pick: Duke over Butler
Best Moment:
Phil Mickelson, 2010 Masters
Joannie Rochette, Winter Olympics
New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV
My Pick: Phil Mickelson
Best Play:
Brett Favre throws game-winning TD vs. 49ers
Fordham’s Brian Kownacki flips over Iona’s catcher to score run
Rajon Rondo’s hustle leads to basket against Orlando in playoff win
Mark Buehrle’s opening day defensive gem off his leg, into foul territory, diving flip for out
My Pick: Mark Buehrle
Best Team:
Alabama, College Football
Chicago Blackhawks, NHL
Connecticut, Women’s Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
New Orleans Saints, NFL
New York Yankees, MLB
My Pick: New York Yankees
Best Sports Movie:
“Big Fan”
“Invictus”
“The Blind Side”
“The Damned United”
“The Karate Kid”
My Pick: “Invictus”
Best Coach/Manager:
Gene Auriemma, Connecticut women’s basketball
Joe Girardi, New York Yankees
Phil Jackson, LA Lakers
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke men’s basketball
Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
Nick Saban, Alabama football
My Pick: Phil Jackson
Best NFL Player:
Drew Brees, Saints
Brett Favre, Vikings
Peyton Manning, Colts
Chris Johnson, Titans
Darrelle Revis, Jets
Charles Woodson, Packers
My Pick: Drew Brees
Best MLB Player:
Zach Greinke, Royals
Derek Jeter, Yankees
Tim Lincecum, Giants
Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Joe Mauer, Twins
Best NBA Player:
Kobe Bryant, Lakers
LeBron James, Cavaliers
Dwight Howard, Magic
Kevin Durant, Thunder
Dwyane Wade, Heat
My Pick: Kobe Bryant
Best Driver:
Kyle Busch, NASCAR Nationwide Series/Sprint Cup Series
Dario Franchitti, IRL
Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Ron Hornaday, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Tony Schumacher, F1
My Pick: Jimmie Johnson
Best Golfer:
Tiger Woods
Ernie Els
Phil Mickelson
My Pick: Phil Mickelson
Best Male Collegiate Athlete:
Blake Geoffrion, Wisconsin hockey
Mark Ingram, Alabama football
Evan Turner, Ohio State basketball
John Wall, Kentucky basketball
Garrett Wittels, Florida International baseball
My Pick: Garrett Wittels
Best Female Collegiate Athelte:
Tina Charles, Connecticut basketball
Megan Hodge, Penn State volleyball
Maya Moore, Connecticut basketball
Megan Lagenfeld, UCLA softball
My Pick: Maya Moore
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time
100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time
Criteria: The main things that went into the making of the list are the statistical categories and accolades that you see below each player's name. I didn't want to "punish" the many players who also played in the ABA, so I included their ABA stats, but did not include MVP awards or championships won in the ABA.
1. Michael Jordan- Bulls, Wizards
Points: 32,292
Rebounds: 6,672
Assists: 5,633
Championships: 6
MVPs: 5
All Star: 14
2. Wilt Chamberlain- Warriors, 76ers, Lakers
Points: 31, 419
Rebounds: 23,924
Assists: 4,643
Championships: 2
MVPs: 4
All Star: 13
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- Bucks, Lakers
Points: 38, 387
Rebounds: 17,440
Assists: 5,660
Championships: 6
MVPs: 6
All Star: 19
4. Bill Russell- Celtics
Points: 14,522
Rebounds: 21,620
Assists: 4,100
Championships: 11
MVPs: 5
All Star: 12
5. Magic Johnson- Lakers
Points: 17,707
Rebounds: 6,559
Assists: 10,141
Championships: 5
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12
6. Oscar Robertson- Royals, Bucks
Points: 26,710
Rebounds: 7,804
Assists: 9,887
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12
7. Larry Bird- Celtics
Points: 21,791
Rebounds: 8,974
Assists: 5,695
Championships: 3
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12
8. Shaquille O’Neal- Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers
Points: 28, 255
Rebounds: 12,921
Assists: 3,000
Championships: 4
MVPs: 1
All Star: 15
9. Kobe Bryant- Lakers
Points: 25,790
Rebounds: 5,410
Assists: 4,766
Championships: 5
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12
10. Moses Malone- Braves, Rockets, 76ers, Bullets, Hawks, Bucks, Spurs
Points: 29,580
Rebounds: 17,834
Assists: 1,936
Championships: 1
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12
11. Karl Malone- Jazz, Lakers
Points: 36,928
Rebounds: 14,968
Assists: 5,248
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 14
12. Hakeem Olajuwon- Rockets, Raptors
Points: 26,946
Rebounds: 13,748
Assists: 3,058
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12
13. Elgin Baylor- Lakers
Points: 23,149
Rebounds: 11,463
Assists: 3,650
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Stars: 11
14. Jerry West- Lakers
Points: 25,192
Rebounds: 5,366
Assists: 6,238
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13
15. Julius Erving- Nets, 76ers
Points: 30, 026
Rebounds: 10,525
Assists: 5,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 16
16. Elvin Hayes- Rockets, Bullets
Points: 27,313
Rebounds: 16,279
Assists: 2,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12
17. Tim Duncan- Spurs
Points: 20,641
Rebounds: 11,335
Assists: 3,093
Championships: 4
MVPs: 2
All Star: 12
18. Bob Pettit- Hawks
Points: 20,880
Rebounds: 12,849
Assists: 2,369
Championships: 1
MVPs: 2
All Star: 11
19. Rick Barry- Warriors, Rockets
Points: 25,279
Rebounds: 6,963
Assists: 4,952
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11
20. John Stockton- Jazz
Points: 19,711
Rebounds: 4,051
Assists: 15,806
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10
21. Charles Barkley- 76ers, Suns, Rockets
Points: 23,757
Rebounds: 12,546
Assists: 4,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9
22. Patrick Ewing- Knicks, SuperSonics, Magic
Points: 24,815
Rebounds: 11,607
Assists: 2,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11
23. David Robinson- Spurs
Points: 20,790
Rebounds: 10,497
Assists: 2,441
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 10
24. George Gervin- Spurs, Bulls
Points: 26,595
Rebounds: 5,602
Assists: 2,798
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12
25. Allen Iverson- 76ers, Nuggets, Pistons, Grizzlies
Points: 24,368
Rebounds: 3,394
Assists: 5,624
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 11
26. John Havlicek- Celtics
Points: 26, 295
Rebounds: 8,007
Assists: 6,114
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13
27. Kevin Garnett- Timberwolves, Celtics
Points: 22,267
Rebounds: 12,188
Assists: 4,719
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13
28. Nate Thurmond- Warriors, Bulls, Cavaliers
Points: 14, 437
Rebounds: 14,464
Assists: 2,575
Championships: 0
MVP: 0
All Star: 7
29. Jason Kidd- Mavericks, Suns, Nets
Points: 16,142
Rebounds: 6,185
Assists: 10,923
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10
30. Bob Cousy- Celtics, Royals
Points: 16,960
Rebounds: 4,786
Assists: 6,955
Championships: 6
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13
31. Alex English- Bucks, Pacers, Nuggets, Mavericks
Points: 25,613
Rebounds: 6,538
Assists: 4,351
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
32. Clyde Drexler- Trail Blazers, Rockets
Points: 22,195
Rebounds: 6,677
Assists: 6,125
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10
33. Dominique Wilkins- Hawks, Clippers, Celtics, Spurs, Magic
Points: 26,668
Rebounds: 7,167
Assists: 2,677
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9
34. Isiah Thomas- Pistons
Points: 18,822
Rebounds: 3,478
Assists: 9,061
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12
35. Dan Issel- Nuggets
Points: 27,482
Rebounds: 11,133
Assists: 2,907
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
36. Gary Payton- SuperSonics, Bucks, Lakers, Celtics, Heat
Points: 21,813
Rebounds: 5,269
Assists: 8,966
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9
37. Hal Greer- 76ers
Points: 21,586
Rebounds: 5,665
Assists: 4,540
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10
38. Reggie Miller- Pacers
Points: 25, 279
Rebounds: 4,182
Assists: 4,141
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
39. George Mikan- Lakers
Points: 10,156
Rebounds: 4,167
Assists: 1,245
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
40. Artis Gilmore- Bulls, Spurs, Celtics
Points: 24,941
Rebounds: 16,330
Assists: 3,050
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11
41. Walt Bellamy- Packers, Zephyrs, Bullets, Knicks, Pistons, Hawks, Jazz
Points: 20,941
Rebounds: 14,241
Assists: 2,544
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
42. Dolph Schayes- Nationals, 76ers
Points: 18,438
Rebounds: 11,256
Assists: 3,072
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12
43. Robert Parish- Warriors, Celtics, Hornets, Bulls
Points: 23,334
Rebounds: 14,715
Assists: 2,180
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9
44. Scottie Pippen- Bulls, Rockets, Trail Blazers
Points: 18,940
Rebounds: 7,494
Assists: 6,135
Championships: 6
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
45. Paul Arizin- Warriors, Bullets
Points: 16,266
Rebounds: 6,129
Assists: 1,665
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10
46. Dave Cowens- Celtics, Bucks
Points: 13,516
Rebounds: 10,444
Assists: 2,910
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7
47. Lenny Wilkens- Hawks, SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers
Points: 17,722
Rebounds: 5,030
Assists: 7,211
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9
48. Walt Frazier- Knicks, Cavaliers
Points: 15,581
Rebounds: 4,803
Assists: 5,040
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
49. Jerry Lucas- Royals, Warriors, Knicks
Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 12,942
Assists: 2,732
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
50. LeBron James- Cavaliers
Points: 15,251
Rebounds: 3,861
Assists: 3,810
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 6
51. Dave Bing- Pistons, Bullets, Celtics
Points: 18,327
Rebounds: 3,420
Assists: 5,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
52. Willis Reed- Knicks
Points: 12,183
Rebounds: 8,414
Assists: 1,186
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7
53. Earl Monroe- Bullets, Knicks
Points: 17,454
Rebounds: 2,796
Assists: 3,594
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
54. Pete Maravich- Hawks, Jazz, Celtics
Points: 15,948
Rebounds: 2,747
Assists: 3,563
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
55. Nate Archibald- Royals, Kings, Nets, Celtics, Bucks
Points: 16,481
Rebounds: 2,046
Assists: 6,476
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
56. Bob Lanier- Pistons, Bucks
Points: 19,248
Rebounds: 9,698
Assists: 3,007
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
57. Bob McAdoo- Braves, Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, Nets, Lakers, 76ers
Points: 18,787
Rebounds: 8,048
Assists: 1,951
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5
58. Paul Pierce- Celtics
Points: 19,899
Rebounds: 5,417
Assists: 3,401
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
59. Steve Nash- Suns, Mavericks
Points: 14,771
Rebounds: 3,025
Assists: 8,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 7
60. Gail Goodrich- Lakers, Suns, Jazz
Points: 19,181
Rebounds: 3,279
Assists: 4,805
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
61. Dirk Nowitzki- Mavericks
Points: 21,111
Rebounds: 7,802
Assists: 2,465
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9
62. Adrian Dantley- Braves, Pacers, Lakers, Jazz, Pistons, Mavericks, Bucks
Points: 23,177
Rebounds: 5,451
Assists: 2,830
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
63. Billy Cunningham- 76ers
Points: 16,310
Rebounds: 7,981
Assists: 3,305
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
64. Tom Chambers- Clippers, SuperSonics, Suns, Jazz, Hornets, 76ers
Points: 20, 049
Rebounds: 6,703
Assists: 2,283
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
65. Bernard King- Nets, Jazz, Warriors, Knicks, Bullets
Points: 19,655
Rebounds: 5,060
Assists: 2,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
66. Sam Jones- Celtics
Points: 15,411
Rebounds: 4,301
Assists: 2,209
Championships: 10
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
67. Wes Unseld- Bullets
Points: 10,624
Rebounds: 13,769
Assists: 3,822
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5
68. Dave DeBusschere- Pistons, Knicks
Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 9,618
Assists: 2,497
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
69. Kevin McHale- Celtics
Points: 17,335
Rebounds: 7,122
Assists: 1,670
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
70. James Worthy- Lakers
Points: 16,320
Rebounds: 4,708
Assists: 2,791
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
71. Bill Sharman- Capitols, Celtics
Points: 12,665
Rebounds: 2,779
Assists: 2,101
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
72. Bill Walton- Trail Blazers, Clippers, Celtics
Points: 6,215
Rebounds: 4,923
Assists: 1,590
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 2
73. George McGinnis- Pacers, 76ers, Nuggets
Points: 17,009
Rebounds: 9,233
Assists: 3,089
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
74. Alonzo Mourning- Hornets, Heat, Nets
Points: 14,311
Rebounds: 7,137
Assists: 946
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
75. Joe Dumars- Pistons
Points: 16, 401
Rebounds: 2,203
Assists: 4,612
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
76. Ray Allen- Bucks, SuperSonics, Celtics
Points: 20,965
Rebounds: 4,434
Assists: 3,755
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9
77. Spencer Haywood- SuperSonics, Knicks, Jazz, Lakers, Bullets
Points: 17,111
Rebounds: 8,675
Assists: 1,541
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
78. Mitch Richmond- Warriors, Kings, Wizards, Lakers
Points: 20,497
Rebounds: 3,801
Assists: 3,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
79. Chris Webber- Warriors, Bullets, Kings, 76ers, Pistons
Points: 17,182
Rebounds: 8,124
Assists: 3,526
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
80. Tim Hardaway- Warriors, Heat, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers
Points: 15,373
Rebounds: 2,855
Assists: 7,095
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
81. Maurice Cheeks- 76ers, Spurs, Knicks, Hawks, Nets
Points: 12,195
Rebounds: 3,088
Assists: 7,392
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
82. Tommy Heinsohn- Celtics
Points: 12,194
Rebounds: 5,749
Assists: 1,318
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
83. Vince Carter- Raptors, Nets, Magic
Points: 19,498
Rebounds: 4,536
Assists: 3,551
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
84. Dennis Johnson- SuperSonics, Suns, Celtics
Points: 15, 535
Rebounds: 4,749
Assists: 5,499
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
85. Kevin Johnson- Cavaliers, Suns
Points: 13,127
Rebounds: 2,404
Assists: 6,711
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3
86. Grant Hill- Pistons, Magic, Suns
Points: 15,498
Rebounds: 5,611
Assists: 3,019
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
87. Dikembe Mutombo- Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks, Rockets
Points: 11,729
Rebounds: 12,389
Assists: 1,240
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
88. Dennis Rodman- Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Mavericks
Points: 6,683
Rebounds: 11,954
Assists: 1,600
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 2
89. Chris Mullin- Warriors, Pacers
Points: 17,911
Rebounds: 4,034
Assists: 3,450
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
90. David Thompson- Nuggets, SuperSonics
Points: 13,422
Rebounds: 2,448
Assists: 1,939
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
91. Tracy McGrady- Raptors, Magic, Rockets, Knicks
Points: 17,534
Rebounds: 4,871
Assists: 3,799
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
92. Shawn Kemp- SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Magic
Points: 15,347
Rebounds: 8,834
Assists: 1,704
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
93. Neil Johnston- Warriors
Points: 10,023
Rebounds: 5,856
Assists: 1,269
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
94. Mark Aguirre- Mavericks, Pistons, Clippers
Points: 18,458
Rebounds: 4,528
Assists: 2,871
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3
95. Dwayne Wade- Heat
Points: 11,967
Rebounds: 2,298
Assists: 3,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
96. Connie Hawkins- Suns, Lakers, Hawks
Points: 11,528
Rebounds: 5,459
Assists: 2,556
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
97. Jack Twyman- Royals
Points: 15,840
Rebounds: 5,424
Assists: 1,861
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
98. Sidney Moncrief- Bucks, Hawks
Points: 11,931
Rebounds: 3,575
Assists: 2,793
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
99. Ed Macauley- Bombers, Celtics, Hawks
Points: 11, 234
Rebounds: 4,325
Assists: 2,079
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
100. Mark Price- Cavaliers, Bullets, Warriors, Magic
Points: 10,989
Rebounds: 1,898
Assists: 4,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
Criteria: The main things that went into the making of the list are the statistical categories and accolades that you see below each player's name. I didn't want to "punish" the many players who also played in the ABA, so I included their ABA stats, but did not include MVP awards or championships won in the ABA.
1. Michael Jordan- Bulls, Wizards
Points: 32,292
Rebounds: 6,672
Assists: 5,633
Championships: 6
MVPs: 5
All Star: 14
2. Wilt Chamberlain- Warriors, 76ers, Lakers
Points: 31, 419
Rebounds: 23,924
Assists: 4,643
Championships: 2
MVPs: 4
All Star: 13
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- Bucks, Lakers
Points: 38, 387
Rebounds: 17,440
Assists: 5,660
Championships: 6
MVPs: 6
All Star: 19
4. Bill Russell- Celtics
Points: 14,522
Rebounds: 21,620
Assists: 4,100
Championships: 11
MVPs: 5
All Star: 12
5. Magic Johnson- Lakers
Points: 17,707
Rebounds: 6,559
Assists: 10,141
Championships: 5
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12
6. Oscar Robertson- Royals, Bucks
Points: 26,710
Rebounds: 7,804
Assists: 9,887
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12
7. Larry Bird- Celtics
Points: 21,791
Rebounds: 8,974
Assists: 5,695
Championships: 3
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12
8. Shaquille O’Neal- Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers
Points: 28, 255
Rebounds: 12,921
Assists: 3,000
Championships: 4
MVPs: 1
All Star: 15
9. Kobe Bryant- Lakers
Points: 25,790
Rebounds: 5,410
Assists: 4,766
Championships: 5
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12
10. Moses Malone- Braves, Rockets, 76ers, Bullets, Hawks, Bucks, Spurs
Points: 29,580
Rebounds: 17,834
Assists: 1,936
Championships: 1
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12
11. Karl Malone- Jazz, Lakers
Points: 36,928
Rebounds: 14,968
Assists: 5,248
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 14
12. Hakeem Olajuwon- Rockets, Raptors
Points: 26,946
Rebounds: 13,748
Assists: 3,058
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12
13. Elgin Baylor- Lakers
Points: 23,149
Rebounds: 11,463
Assists: 3,650
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Stars: 11
14. Jerry West- Lakers
Points: 25,192
Rebounds: 5,366
Assists: 6,238
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13
15. Julius Erving- Nets, 76ers
Points: 30, 026
Rebounds: 10,525
Assists: 5,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 16
16. Elvin Hayes- Rockets, Bullets
Points: 27,313
Rebounds: 16,279
Assists: 2,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12
17. Tim Duncan- Spurs
Points: 20,641
Rebounds: 11,335
Assists: 3,093
Championships: 4
MVPs: 2
All Star: 12
18. Bob Pettit- Hawks
Points: 20,880
Rebounds: 12,849
Assists: 2,369
Championships: 1
MVPs: 2
All Star: 11
19. Rick Barry- Warriors, Rockets
Points: 25,279
Rebounds: 6,963
Assists: 4,952
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11
20. John Stockton- Jazz
Points: 19,711
Rebounds: 4,051
Assists: 15,806
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10
21. Charles Barkley- 76ers, Suns, Rockets
Points: 23,757
Rebounds: 12,546
Assists: 4,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9
22. Patrick Ewing- Knicks, SuperSonics, Magic
Points: 24,815
Rebounds: 11,607
Assists: 2,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11
23. David Robinson- Spurs
Points: 20,790
Rebounds: 10,497
Assists: 2,441
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 10
24. George Gervin- Spurs, Bulls
Points: 26,595
Rebounds: 5,602
Assists: 2,798
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12
25. Allen Iverson- 76ers, Nuggets, Pistons, Grizzlies
Points: 24,368
Rebounds: 3,394
Assists: 5,624
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 11
26. John Havlicek- Celtics
Points: 26, 295
Rebounds: 8,007
Assists: 6,114
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13
27. Kevin Garnett- Timberwolves, Celtics
Points: 22,267
Rebounds: 12,188
Assists: 4,719
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13
28. Nate Thurmond- Warriors, Bulls, Cavaliers
Points: 14, 437
Rebounds: 14,464
Assists: 2,575
Championships: 0
MVP: 0
All Star: 7
29. Jason Kidd- Mavericks, Suns, Nets
Points: 16,142
Rebounds: 6,185
Assists: 10,923
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10
30. Bob Cousy- Celtics, Royals
Points: 16,960
Rebounds: 4,786
Assists: 6,955
Championships: 6
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13
31. Alex English- Bucks, Pacers, Nuggets, Mavericks
Points: 25,613
Rebounds: 6,538
Assists: 4,351
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
32. Clyde Drexler- Trail Blazers, Rockets
Points: 22,195
Rebounds: 6,677
Assists: 6,125
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10
33. Dominique Wilkins- Hawks, Clippers, Celtics, Spurs, Magic
Points: 26,668
Rebounds: 7,167
Assists: 2,677
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9
34. Isiah Thomas- Pistons
Points: 18,822
Rebounds: 3,478
Assists: 9,061
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12
35. Dan Issel- Nuggets
Points: 27,482
Rebounds: 11,133
Assists: 2,907
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
36. Gary Payton- SuperSonics, Bucks, Lakers, Celtics, Heat
Points: 21,813
Rebounds: 5,269
Assists: 8,966
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9
37. Hal Greer- 76ers
Points: 21,586
Rebounds: 5,665
Assists: 4,540
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10
38. Reggie Miller- Pacers
Points: 25, 279
Rebounds: 4,182
Assists: 4,141
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
39. George Mikan- Lakers
Points: 10,156
Rebounds: 4,167
Assists: 1,245
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
40. Artis Gilmore- Bulls, Spurs, Celtics
Points: 24,941
Rebounds: 16,330
Assists: 3,050
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11
41. Walt Bellamy- Packers, Zephyrs, Bullets, Knicks, Pistons, Hawks, Jazz
Points: 20,941
Rebounds: 14,241
Assists: 2,544
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
42. Dolph Schayes- Nationals, 76ers
Points: 18,438
Rebounds: 11,256
Assists: 3,072
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12
43. Robert Parish- Warriors, Celtics, Hornets, Bulls
Points: 23,334
Rebounds: 14,715
Assists: 2,180
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9
44. Scottie Pippen- Bulls, Rockets, Trail Blazers
Points: 18,940
Rebounds: 7,494
Assists: 6,135
Championships: 6
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
45. Paul Arizin- Warriors, Bullets
Points: 16,266
Rebounds: 6,129
Assists: 1,665
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10
46. Dave Cowens- Celtics, Bucks
Points: 13,516
Rebounds: 10,444
Assists: 2,910
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7
47. Lenny Wilkens- Hawks, SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers
Points: 17,722
Rebounds: 5,030
Assists: 7,211
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9
48. Walt Frazier- Knicks, Cavaliers
Points: 15,581
Rebounds: 4,803
Assists: 5,040
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
49. Jerry Lucas- Royals, Warriors, Knicks
Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 12,942
Assists: 2,732
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
50. LeBron James- Cavaliers
Points: 15,251
Rebounds: 3,861
Assists: 3,810
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 6
51. Dave Bing- Pistons, Bullets, Celtics
Points: 18,327
Rebounds: 3,420
Assists: 5,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
52. Willis Reed- Knicks
Points: 12,183
Rebounds: 8,414
Assists: 1,186
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7
53. Earl Monroe- Bullets, Knicks
Points: 17,454
Rebounds: 2,796
Assists: 3,594
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
54. Pete Maravich- Hawks, Jazz, Celtics
Points: 15,948
Rebounds: 2,747
Assists: 3,563
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
55. Nate Archibald- Royals, Kings, Nets, Celtics, Bucks
Points: 16,481
Rebounds: 2,046
Assists: 6,476
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
56. Bob Lanier- Pistons, Bucks
Points: 19,248
Rebounds: 9,698
Assists: 3,007
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
57. Bob McAdoo- Braves, Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, Nets, Lakers, 76ers
Points: 18,787
Rebounds: 8,048
Assists: 1,951
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5
58. Paul Pierce- Celtics
Points: 19,899
Rebounds: 5,417
Assists: 3,401
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
59. Steve Nash- Suns, Mavericks
Points: 14,771
Rebounds: 3,025
Assists: 8,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 7
60. Gail Goodrich- Lakers, Suns, Jazz
Points: 19,181
Rebounds: 3,279
Assists: 4,805
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
61. Dirk Nowitzki- Mavericks
Points: 21,111
Rebounds: 7,802
Assists: 2,465
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9
62. Adrian Dantley- Braves, Pacers, Lakers, Jazz, Pistons, Mavericks, Bucks
Points: 23,177
Rebounds: 5,451
Assists: 2,830
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
63. Billy Cunningham- 76ers
Points: 16,310
Rebounds: 7,981
Assists: 3,305
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
64. Tom Chambers- Clippers, SuperSonics, Suns, Jazz, Hornets, 76ers
Points: 20, 049
Rebounds: 6,703
Assists: 2,283
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
65. Bernard King- Nets, Jazz, Warriors, Knicks, Bullets
Points: 19,655
Rebounds: 5,060
Assists: 2,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
66. Sam Jones- Celtics
Points: 15,411
Rebounds: 4,301
Assists: 2,209
Championships: 10
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
67. Wes Unseld- Bullets
Points: 10,624
Rebounds: 13,769
Assists: 3,822
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5
68. Dave DeBusschere- Pistons, Knicks
Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 9,618
Assists: 2,497
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
69. Kevin McHale- Celtics
Points: 17,335
Rebounds: 7,122
Assists: 1,670
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
70. James Worthy- Lakers
Points: 16,320
Rebounds: 4,708
Assists: 2,791
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
71. Bill Sharman- Capitols, Celtics
Points: 12,665
Rebounds: 2,779
Assists: 2,101
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
72. Bill Walton- Trail Blazers, Clippers, Celtics
Points: 6,215
Rebounds: 4,923
Assists: 1,590
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 2
73. George McGinnis- Pacers, 76ers, Nuggets
Points: 17,009
Rebounds: 9,233
Assists: 3,089
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
74. Alonzo Mourning- Hornets, Heat, Nets
Points: 14,311
Rebounds: 7,137
Assists: 946
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
75. Joe Dumars- Pistons
Points: 16, 401
Rebounds: 2,203
Assists: 4,612
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
76. Ray Allen- Bucks, SuperSonics, Celtics
Points: 20,965
Rebounds: 4,434
Assists: 3,755
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9
77. Spencer Haywood- SuperSonics, Knicks, Jazz, Lakers, Bullets
Points: 17,111
Rebounds: 8,675
Assists: 1,541
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
78. Mitch Richmond- Warriors, Kings, Wizards, Lakers
Points: 20,497
Rebounds: 3,801
Assists: 3,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
79. Chris Webber- Warriors, Bullets, Kings, 76ers, Pistons
Points: 17,182
Rebounds: 8,124
Assists: 3,526
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
80. Tim Hardaway- Warriors, Heat, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers
Points: 15,373
Rebounds: 2,855
Assists: 7,095
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
81. Maurice Cheeks- 76ers, Spurs, Knicks, Hawks, Nets
Points: 12,195
Rebounds: 3,088
Assists: 7,392
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
82. Tommy Heinsohn- Celtics
Points: 12,194
Rebounds: 5,749
Assists: 1,318
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
83. Vince Carter- Raptors, Nets, Magic
Points: 19,498
Rebounds: 4,536
Assists: 3,551
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
84. Dennis Johnson- SuperSonics, Suns, Celtics
Points: 15, 535
Rebounds: 4,749
Assists: 5,499
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
85. Kevin Johnson- Cavaliers, Suns
Points: 13,127
Rebounds: 2,404
Assists: 6,711
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3
86. Grant Hill- Pistons, Magic, Suns
Points: 15,498
Rebounds: 5,611
Assists: 3,019
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
87. Dikembe Mutombo- Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks, Rockets
Points: 11,729
Rebounds: 12,389
Assists: 1,240
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8
88. Dennis Rodman- Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Mavericks
Points: 6,683
Rebounds: 11,954
Assists: 1,600
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 2
89. Chris Mullin- Warriors, Pacers
Points: 17,911
Rebounds: 4,034
Assists: 3,450
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
90. David Thompson- Nuggets, SuperSonics
Points: 13,422
Rebounds: 2,448
Assists: 1,939
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
91. Tracy McGrady- Raptors, Magic, Rockets, Knicks
Points: 17,534
Rebounds: 4,871
Assists: 3,799
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
92. Shawn Kemp- SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Magic
Points: 15,347
Rebounds: 8,834
Assists: 1,704
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
93. Neil Johnston- Warriors
Points: 10,023
Rebounds: 5,856
Assists: 1,269
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
94. Mark Aguirre- Mavericks, Pistons, Clippers
Points: 18,458
Rebounds: 4,528
Assists: 2,871
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3
95. Dwayne Wade- Heat
Points: 11,967
Rebounds: 2,298
Assists: 3,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
96. Connie Hawkins- Suns, Lakers, Hawks
Points: 11,528
Rebounds: 5,459
Assists: 2,556
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
97. Jack Twyman- Royals
Points: 15,840
Rebounds: 5,424
Assists: 1,861
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6
98. Sidney Moncrief- Bucks, Hawks
Points: 11,931
Rebounds: 3,575
Assists: 2,793
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5
99. Ed Macauley- Bombers, Celtics, Hawks
Points: 11, 234
Rebounds: 4,325
Assists: 2,079
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7
100. Mark Price- Cavaliers, Bullets, Warriors, Magic
Points: 10,989
Rebounds: 1,898
Assists: 4,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4
Friday, June 18, 2010
He's No M.J.
Last night the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics to win the 2010 NBA Finals and Kobe Bryant won his fifth career ring, but the one thing that kept running through my mind during game seven of the NBA Finals was: “Kobe is no M.J.”
There has been debate for a while now, and it’s been magnified during the playoffs this year, that Kobe Bryant could possibly be as good as Michael Jordan. I’ve heard one sports commentator even ask the question what would it take for Bryant to be thought of as the greatest player of all time, like Jordan. Is six championships enough? Seven? Eight? Even more?
After watching last night’s basketball game I’ve come to the decision that Kobe Bryant never will be as great as Michael Jordan. Not even if he wins as many championships (or more) and scores as many points.
Why?
Because last night, in the biggest game he could ever possibly play in, he didn’t play like the greatest of all time.
He didn’t even play like top five or top 10 all time (which he should have). Bryant did score 23 points last night, which while not up to his usual self isn’t a low number. However, he shot six for 24 from the field for a lowly 25% field goal percentage.
In six NBA Finals appearances, Jordan never shot 25% or worse. This was the second time in Bryant’s five championships (not counting the Finals he lost) that he’s shot 25% or worse.
Bryant was forcing up shots last night that Jordan never would have even dreamed of taking. He’d throw up shots while being double or even triple teamed that would have taken some heavy praying to reach the bottom of the basket.
I’ll never doubt that Bryant is a great basketball player. As previously mentioned he’s easily in the top 10 and could reach the top five before his career comes to an end.
However, comparing him to Michael Jordan would mean that Bryant is the greatest of all time. After watching his performance in last night’s game it’s impossible to call him that.
There has been debate for a while now, and it’s been magnified during the playoffs this year, that Kobe Bryant could possibly be as good as Michael Jordan. I’ve heard one sports commentator even ask the question what would it take for Bryant to be thought of as the greatest player of all time, like Jordan. Is six championships enough? Seven? Eight? Even more?
After watching last night’s basketball game I’ve come to the decision that Kobe Bryant never will be as great as Michael Jordan. Not even if he wins as many championships (or more) and scores as many points.
Why?
Because last night, in the biggest game he could ever possibly play in, he didn’t play like the greatest of all time.
He didn’t even play like top five or top 10 all time (which he should have). Bryant did score 23 points last night, which while not up to his usual self isn’t a low number. However, he shot six for 24 from the field for a lowly 25% field goal percentage.
In six NBA Finals appearances, Jordan never shot 25% or worse. This was the second time in Bryant’s five championships (not counting the Finals he lost) that he’s shot 25% or worse.
Bryant was forcing up shots last night that Jordan never would have even dreamed of taking. He’d throw up shots while being double or even triple teamed that would have taken some heavy praying to reach the bottom of the basket.
I’ll never doubt that Bryant is a great basketball player. As previously mentioned he’s easily in the top 10 and could reach the top five before his career comes to an end.
However, comparing him to Michael Jordan would mean that Bryant is the greatest of all time. After watching his performance in last night’s game it’s impossible to call him that.
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