The Greatest Sportsman Ever™

Handjob Bob

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Who is it?

Having just watched a Michael Jordan documentary, this man has to be up there - he was to Basketball what Maradonna/Pele was to football plus more.

Also, who in your opinion would be the Greatest British Sportsman Ever™?

I'll compile a list of each sports & names that define the very top benchmark for their specific sport.

Boxing
Ali
Sugar Ray Robinson
Joe Louis

Football
Maradona
Pele
Football Manager
Rinus Michels
Sir Matt Busby
Ernst Happel
Sir Alex Ferguson
Bill Shankly

Cricket
Don Bradman
Vivian Richards
Sir Walter Hammond
Dr WG Grace
Sir Gary Sobers

Basketball
Micheal Jordon

Ice Hockey
Wayne Gretzky

F1
Juan Manuel Fangio
Ayrton Senna

Golf
Jack Nicklaus
Tiger Woods

American Football
Jim Brown

Baseball
Babe Ruth

Tennis
Pete Sampras
Martina Navaratilova

Motorcycling
Giacomo Agostini
Valentino Rossi

Athletics
Jim Thorpe
Distance Runner
Haile Gebrselassie
Track
Haile Gabrisellasie
Edwin Moses
Jesse Owens
Michaeal Johnson
Usain Bolt
Cycling
Lance Armstrong
Skiing
Bjørn Dæhlie
Speed Skater
Johan Olav Koss
Swimming
Michael Phelps
Mark Spitz
Matt Biondi
Pole Vault
Yelena Isinbayeva
Sergei Bubka
Gymnastics
Nadia Comaneci
Hockey
Dyan Chand
Floris Jan Bovelander
Rowing
Steve Redgrave
 
I don't think we can actually compare differential sportsman and this may well never be known. Lets just stick to comparing individuals in their specific category of Sport.
 
Maradona
Ali
Jordan
Bradman

in that order?
 
Phil 'The Power' Taylor is the greatest British sportsman ever - 13 times world champion :D
 
Wayne Gretzky should be in that list for the sheer number of accomplishments he achieved in his chosen sport.

Regular season records (40)

1. Most goals: 894 in 1,487 games
2. Most goals, including playoffs: 1,016 in 1,487 regular season and 208 playoff games
3. Most goals, one season: 92 in 1981–82, 80-game schedule
4. Most goals, one season, including playoffs: 100 in 1983–84, 87 goals in 74 regular season games and 13 goals in 19 playoff games
5. Most goals, 50 games from start of season: 61 in 1981–82 (October 7, 1981 to January 22, 1982, 80-game schedule) and 1983–84 (October 5, 1983 to January 25, 1984), 80-game schedule
6. Most goals, one period: 4 (Tied with 10 other players) February 18, 1981
7. Most assists: 1,963
8. Most assists, including playoffs: 2,223
9. Most assists, one season: 163 in 1985–86, 80-game schedule
10. Most assists, one season, including playoffs: 174 in 1985–86, 163 assists in 80 regular season games and 11 assists in 10 playoff games
11. Most assists, one game: 7 (tied with Billy "The Kid" Taylor) done three times -- February 15, 1980; December 11, 1985; February 14, 1986
12. Most assists, one road game: 7 (tied with Billy Taylor) December 11, 1985
13. Most points: 2,857 in 1,487 games (894 goals, 1,963 assists)
14. Most points, including playoffs: 3,239 in 1,487 regular season and 208 playoff games. (1016 goals, 2223 assists)
15. Most points, one season: 215 in 1985–86, 80-game schedule (52 goals, 163 assists)
16. Most points, one season, including playoffs: 255 in 1984–85; 208 points in 80 regular season games and 47 points in 18 playoff games
17. Most overtime assists, career: 15
18. Most goals by a centre, career: 894
19. Most goals by a centre, one season: 92 in 1981–82, 80-game schedule
20. Most assists by a centre, career: 1,963
21. Most assists by a centre, one season: 163 in 1985–86, 80-game schedule
22. Most points by a centre, career: 2,857
23. Most points by a centre, one season: 215 in 1985–86, 80-game schedule
24. Most assists in one game by a player in his first season: 7 on February 15, 1980
25. Highest goals-per-game average, one season: 1.18 in 1983–84, 87 goals in 74 games
26. Highest assists-per-game average, career (300 min.): 1.321 -- 1,963 assists in 1,487 games
27. Highest assists-per-game average, one season: 2.04 in 1985–86, 163 assists in 80 games
28. Highest points-per-game average, one season (among players with 50-or-more points): 2.77 in 1983–84, 205 points in 74 games
29. Most 40-or-more goal season: 12 in 20 seasons
30. Most consecutive 40-or-more goal season: 12 from 1979–80 to 1990–91
31. Most 50-or-more goal seasons: 9 (tied with Mike Bossy)
32. Most 60-or-more goal seasons: 5 (tied with Mike Bossy)
33. Most consecutive 60-or-more goals seasons: 4 from 1981–82 to 1984–85
34. Most 100-or-more point seasons: 15
35. Most consecutive 100-or-more point seasons: 13 from 1979–80 to 1991–92
36. Most three-or-more goal games, career: 50 -- 37 three-goal (hat trick) games; nine four-goal games; four five-goal games
37. Most three goal games, one season: 10 (done twice) in 1981–82 and 1983–84
38. Longest consecutive assist scoring streak: 23 games in 1990–91, 48 assists
39. Longest consecutive point-scoring streak: 51 Games in 1983–84 (October 5, 1983 to January 28, 1984, 61 goals, 92 assists for 153 points)
40. Longest consecutive point-scoring streak from start of season: 51 in 1983–84; 61 goals, 92 assists for 153 points (October 5, 1983 to January 28, 1984)

Playoff records (15)

1. Most playoff goals, career: 122
2. Most playoff assists, career: 260
3. Most assists, one playoff year: 31 in 1988 (19 games)
4. Most assists in one series (other than final): 14 (tied with Rick Middleton) in 1985 Conference Finals (six games vs. Chicago)
5. Most assists in final series: 10 in 1988 (four games, plus suspended game vs. Boston)
6. Most assists, one playoff game: 6 (tied with Mikko Leinonen) on April 9, 1987
7. Most assists, one playoff period: 3 -- Three assists by one player in one period of a playoff game has been recorded on 70 occasions. Gretzky has had three assists in one period five times
8. Most points, career: 382 -- 122 goals and 260 assists
9. Most points, one playoff year: 47 in 1985 (17 goals and 30 assists in 18 games)
10. Most points in final series: 13 in 1988 three goals and 10 assists (four games plus suspended game vs. Boston, three goals)
11. Most points, one playoff period: 4 (tied with nine other players)
12. Most short-handed goals, one playoff year: 3 (tied with five other players) 1983
13. Most short-handed goals, one playoff game: 2 (tied with eight other players) April 6, 1983
14. Most game winning goals in playoffs, career: 24 (tied with Brett Hull)
15. Most three-or-more goals games (hat trick): 10 (eight three-goal games, two four-goal games)

All-Star records (6)

1. Most All-Star game goals: 13 (in 18 games played)
2. Most All-Star game goals, one game: 4 (tied with three players) 1983 Campbell Conference
3. Most All-Star game goals, one period: 4 1983 Campbell Conference, third period
4. Most All-Star game assists, career: 12 (tied with four players)
5. Most All-Star game points, career: 25 (13 goals, 12 assists in 18 games)
6. Most All-Star game points, one period: 4 (tied with Mike Gartner and Adam Oates) 1983 Campbell Conference, third period (four goals)

Unofficial Achievments

* Youngest player to score 50 goals in a season (19 years, two months)
* Most points by an NHL player in his first year: 137. He was not considered a rookie in his first year, so the rookie record belongs to Teemu Selanne with 132
* Most assists by an NHL player in his first year: 86. The rookie record is held jointly by Peter Stastny and Joe Juneau with 70 assists. Note that the record book gives Gretzky the record for most assists and points in a game as a first year player, but not the season totals
* Most 200 point seasons: 4. Gretzky owns the official record for most 100 point seasons. He is the only player to reach 200 points in a season
* Most consecutive 200 point seasons: 3
* Most 70 goal seasons: 4. The NHL has a record for most 60 goal seasons, but not 70. Eight players have achieved 70 goals.
* Most consecutive 70 goal seasons: 4
* Most 80 goal seasons: 2
* Most 90 goal seasons: 1. Gretzky is the only player to achieve this.
* Fastest 50 goals: 50 goals in 39 games. 50 goals in 50 games is labelled as the most difficult one to break of all of Gretzky's records. The NHL has an official record for the most goals in 50 games, but not the fastest 50 goals
* Fastest 100 points: 34 games in 1983–84
* Most seasons averaging over 2 points a game: 10. Mario Lemieux, the only other player in modern NHL history to do it, did it six times
* Most game winning goals in the playoffs: 24 (tied with Brett Hull)
* Most 100 assist seasons: 11
* Most consecutive 100 assist seasons: 11
* Most NHL and WHA regular season assists: 2,027
* Most NHL and WHA regular season points: 2,967
* Most NHL and WHA regular season and playoff goals: 1,072 (one more than Gordie Howe)
* Most NHL and WHA regular season and playoff assists: 2,297
* Most NHL and WHA regular season and playoff points: 3,369
* Most MVP awards (Hart Trophy): 9
* Most scoring championships (Art Ross Trophy): 10
* Largest margin of victory in the scoring race: 79 (in 1983–84)
* Most seasons where he was his team's leading scorer: 19
* Most official NHL records: 61 on retirement, 60 at present

The following are milestone records:

* Fastest 200 Goals (242 games)
* Fastest 400 Goals (436 games)
* Fastest 500 Goals (575 games)
* Fastest 600 Goals (718 games, one less than Mario Lemieux)
* Fastest 700 Goals (886 games)
* Fastest 800 Goals (1116 games)
* Fastest 1000 Points (424 games)
* Only Player To Reach 2000 Career Points

Awards

He won nine Hart Trophies, the NHL's most valuable player award, and eight of these were awarded in consecutive years from 1980–87. Gretzky holds the record for most MVP awards of any player in North American professional sports.


  • * Lou Kaplan Trophy (WHA rookie of the year) — 1979
  • * Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player) — 1980–87, 1989
  • * Art Ross Trophy (scoring champion) — 1981–87, 1990, 1991, 1994
  • * Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff most valuable player) — 1985, 1988
  • * Lester B. Pearson Award (outstanding player, voted by the players) — 1982–85, 1987
  • * Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (sportsmanship) — 1980, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999
  • * NHL Goal Scoring leader 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, now the Maurice Richard Trophy
  • * NHL Plus/Minus Award (best plus-minus rating) — 1982, 1984^, 1985^, 1987^
  • * Stanley Cup 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988
  • * Canada Cup 1984, 1987, 1991
  • * Clarence S. Campbell Bowl (Conference Champions) 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1993
  • * President's Trophy (NHL Regular Season Champion) 1986, 1987
  • * Chrysler-Dodge/NHL Performer of the Year – 1985–87
  • * Lester Patrick Trophy (outstanding service to hockey in the United States) — 1994
  • * Lou Marsh Trophy (Canadian athlete of the year) — 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989
  • * Lionel Conacher Award (Canadian male athlete of the year) — 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1999
  • * NHL All-Star Game MVP — 1983, 1989, 1999
  • * NHL MVP - Rendez-vous '87
  • * Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year: 1982
  • * Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year 1982
  • * Olympic Gold - Hockey (as Executive Director-Manager) 2002
  • * World Cup of Hockey (as Executive Director-Manager) 2004
 
There have been far too many greats in the field of boxing to pick just one. I could name about 10 fighters who all deserve to be in with a shout for greatest ever boxer.

Football is similar. Although Pele and Maradona are the two standout sportsmen, Georgie Best was just a good/influencial, but perhaps didn't get the chance to show off his skills to a wider audience.
 
Would go with Ali myself not only because of his sporting achievements but everything else that goes with him.

People from other sporting fields, like numerous sprinters or Haile Gebrselassie could be mentioned as well I guess.

He has broken 26 world records and won numerous Olympic and World Championship titles.
 
Would go with Ali myself not only because of his sporting achievements but everything else that goes with him.

People from other sporting fields, like numerous sprinters or Haile Gebrselassie could be mentioned as well I guess.

He has broken 26 world records and won numerous Olympic and World Championship titles.

And what's her name Yelena Isinbeyava as well.
 
Athlete, id go with Jordan/Lewis. Charisma it can only be Ali.
Acheivement Gretzky/Armstrong
Person to play sport: Roberto Clemente.
Impact: Woods/Tyson/Maradona.
1 billion loyal fans award: Tendulkar.
Amazing ability in their sporting field:Jordan/Warne/Senna

too difficult to choose overall winner, so lets go with our hearts: Roy Keane.
 
When I saw the thread title my first thought was Muhammed Ali, so I guess that'll be my answer.

Lots of contenders though. Impossible to narrow it down to just one.
 
I dont think boxing is hard at all, it would be between Ali or Robinson, with a special mention to Leonard and Duran.
Robinson greatest Welter of all time father of the modern form of boxing we see now and the left hook he used to put out Gene Fullmer, as he was going backwards was probably one of the best punches you will ever see thrown.
Ali and Robinson speak for themselves
Duran is very under rated when it come to discussion, he fought in 5 different decades held titles at 4 different weights and is probably the best lightweight ever holding that title for 7 years. Sadly despite his greatness is most fondly remembered for 'No Mas'
 
I dont think boxing is hard at all, it would be between Ali or Robinson, with a special mention to Leonard and Duran.
Robinson greatest Welter of all time father of the modern form of boxing we see now and the left hook he used to put out Gene Fullmer, as he was going backwards was probably one of the best punches you will ever see thrown.
Ali and Robinson speak for themselves
Duran is very under rated when it come to discussion, he fought in 5 different decades held titles at 4 different weights and is probably the best lightweight ever holding that title for 7 years. Sadly despite his greatness is most fondly remembered for 'No Mas'
How can you discuss boxing greats without mentioning Audley Harrison?
 
What about strength athletes or strongmen, do you guys think they would count in this discussion.

If you are going to accept Phil Taylor and darts I think it is reasonable!

The obvious recent example would be Mariusz Pudzianowski.
 
harrison902.jpg


Thats right sir hang your head in shame
 
Bradman's feat is quite simply unimaginable for anyone to come in and reach anywhere near that. Players like Hussey may manage it for a while, but to average that high is unobtainable even for the very best. Not sure that makes him the greatest sportsman though.
 
Michael Phelps deserves a mention too, as does Ed Moses, the greatest in the 400m hurdles in his time.

there's so many - but that cnut Martin Keown is not one of them.
 
Maradona.

What sets him apart from Jordan, Gretzky and the other Pro Star, is the sport he plays. I'm estimating that not many more than 500 million play Basketball whereas with football you're looking at 4 or 5 billion.

Jordan was phenomenal though.
 
Maradona.

What sets him apart from Jordan, Gretzky and the other Pro Star, is the sport he plays. I'm estimating that not many more than 500 million play Basketball whereas with football you're looking at 4 or 5 billion.

Jordan was phenomenal though.

:confused:

your saying that more than two thirds of the world play football?
 
I would say Sampras > Fed > Borg > Laver > Dog Dirt > Henman

I think you can safely put those 4 names on the list - until his recent slight loss of form, Federer looked like he was safely going to become the greatest ever
 
Ali was a great character and boxer but Rocky Marciano retired undefeated heavyweight champ but never got the acclaim that Ali did simply because he did not have the charisma.As for soccer there is one who stands out alone Pele,a master.The American sport greats are hard for us over here to judge because as most of their sports are not played on an international level we dont know alot about them
 
Not sure the list is correct though I have limited to zero knowledge about gay sports..Some additions

Boxing
Ali
Sugar Ray Robinson
Rocky Marciano

Football
Maradona
Pele
Di Stefano

Football Manager
Rinus Michels
Sir Matt Busby
Ernst Happel
Sir Alex Ferguson
Bill Shankly

Cricket
Don Bradman
Vivian Richards
Sir Walter Hammond
Dr WG Grace
Sir Gary Sobers


Basketball
Micheal Jordon

Ice Hockey
Wayne Gretzky

F1
Juan Manuel Fangio
Ayrton Senna

Golf
Jack Nicklaus
Tiger Woods

Athletics
Distance Runner
Haile Gebrselassie

Track
Carl Lewis
Edwin Moses
Jesse Owens
Michaeal Johnson
Usain Bolt - if he's free of fluids, i really doubt that



Cycling
Lance Armstrong
Skiing
Bjørn Dæhlie
Speed Skater
Johan Olav Koss
Swimming
Michael Phelps
Mark Spitz
Matt Biondi


Baseball
Babe Ruth

Tennis
Pete Sampras
Roger Federer
Björn Rune Borg
Rod Laver
Steffi Graf
Bille Jean King
Helen Wills Moody
Martina Navaratilova.



Pole Vault
Sergei Bubka

Gymnastics
Nadia Comaneci


Hockey
Dyan Chand
Floris Jan Bovelander


For posters who dunno about Dyan Chand try reading his wiki page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyan_Chand

Chess
Botvinik
Alekhine
Kasparov.



Not belittling Fergie or Shankly here but amongst Brits only Sir Matt Busby has an indefinable aura about him should probably pass on as the greatest manager of all time.
 
surely Schumacher should be under F1, i cant stand the bloke but he did win the title 7 times
 
surely Schumacher should be under F1, i cant stand the bloke but he did win the title 7 times

He should probably be fourth in the pecking order behind Fangio, Senna and Prost. For success in competitions thats very much relative to the competitors, I doubt the likes of Federer or Schumacher can really cut through.
 
I have

Linford Kristie
Freddie Flintoff
Ian Bottom
Nigel Short
Sir Tim Henmaan
John Barnes

Murrayah should also run them close by the time he calls it a day.

is this a serious or piss take list? I cant really tell