"N" is for Next, as in I am skipping the letter "M" and saving it for last as the featured list. The "N" list features a pair of former teammates, a pair of southpaws who preferred different surfaces and a pair who made plaid pants look good.
10) Larry Nance (NBA)
9) Scott Niedermayer (NHL)
8) Cam Neely (NHL)
7) Ozzie Newsome (NFL)
6) Greg Norman (Golf)
5) Jack Nicklaus (Golf)
4) Steve Nash (NBA)
3) Rafael Nadal (Tennis)
2) Dirk Nowitzki (NBA)
1) Martina Navratilova (Tennis)
This was really a 4-way battle for the #1 spot, with the prolonged dominance of Navratilova edging out her three male competitors. Nowitzki's recent success is fresh and may have swayed my current opinion over Nadal and Nash. Yes, Jack Nicklaus is #5, keeping in mind the context of these lists. I remember Larry Nance winning one of the first dunk contests I watched. He gets the final spot over a couple more NHLers in Mats Naslund and Joe Nieuwendyk.
Sports Blog specializing in Bracketology
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "L" - Post 1980
"L" is for Lethal, as in the manner this group went about their careers. The list includes lethal backhands, lethal defenders, lethal punchers and lethal stickmen.
10. Barry Larkin (MLB)
9. Ivan Lendl (Tennis)
8. Greg Louganis (Diving)
7. Steve Largent (NFL)
6. Sugar Ray Leonard (Boxing)
5. Nicklas Lidstrom (NHL)
4. Ray Lewis (NFL)
3. Ronnie Lott (NFL)
2. Carl Lewis (Track)
1. Mario Lemieux (NHL)
Lemieux was a fairly easy choice for #1, as its tough for an Olympian like Lewis who fades in and out of the limelight to have the same impact as an all-time great in his sport. This list also features easily 2 of the Top 5 NFL defensive players of my lifetime Lott and Ray Lewis. Larkin nabbed the final spot over James Lofton and the fast-rising Tim Lincecum.
10. Barry Larkin (MLB)
9. Ivan Lendl (Tennis)
8. Greg Louganis (Diving)
7. Steve Largent (NFL)
6. Sugar Ray Leonard (Boxing)
5. Nicklas Lidstrom (NHL)
4. Ray Lewis (NFL)
3. Ronnie Lott (NFL)
2. Carl Lewis (Track)
1. Mario Lemieux (NHL)
Lemieux was a fairly easy choice for #1, as its tough for an Olympian like Lewis who fades in and out of the limelight to have the same impact as an all-time great in his sport. This list also features easily 2 of the Top 5 NFL defensive players of my lifetime Lott and Ray Lewis. Larkin nabbed the final spot over James Lofton and the fast-rising Tim Lincecum.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "K" - Post 1980
"K" is for King-Sized, as in the totals that this list put up in their careers. Whether it be scoring, assists, home runs, sacks or touchdown passes, this list knew how to put up the king-sized numbers.
10. Ilya Kovalchuk (NHL)
9. Jeff Kent (MLB)
8. Paul Konerko (MLB)
7. Alex Kovalev (NHL)
6. Paul Kariya (NHL)
5. Jevon Kearse (NFL)
4. Bernard King (NBA)
3. Jari Kurri (NHL)
2. Jim Kelly (NFL)
1. Jason Kidd (NBA)
This was a tough call for #1. Kelly put up huge numbers in the K-Gun and led the Bills to those unprecedented four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, but was overshadowed at his position by some of his peers. Kidd is currently 2nd all-time in NBA history in assists, 3rd in steals and 3rd in 3-pointers made, ranking as arguably the top point guard of his time. He also now has the championship that eluded Kelly. Hockey dominates the remainder of the list, including Kovalchuk, who beats out the likes of Tom Kite and Ian Kinsler for the final spot.
10. Ilya Kovalchuk (NHL)
9. Jeff Kent (MLB)
8. Paul Konerko (MLB)
7. Alex Kovalev (NHL)
6. Paul Kariya (NHL)
5. Jevon Kearse (NFL)
4. Bernard King (NBA)
3. Jari Kurri (NHL)
2. Jim Kelly (NFL)
1. Jason Kidd (NBA)
This was a tough call for #1. Kelly put up huge numbers in the K-Gun and led the Bills to those unprecedented four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, but was overshadowed at his position by some of his peers. Kidd is currently 2nd all-time in NBA history in assists, 3rd in steals and 3rd in 3-pointers made, ranking as arguably the top point guard of his time. He also now has the championship that eluded Kelly. Hockey dominates the remainder of the list, including Kovalchuk, who beats out the likes of Tom Kite and Ian Kinsler for the final spot.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "J" - Post 1980
"J" is for Jam-Packed, as this list is packed with some of the greats of the past 30+ years. It has quality at the top and exceptional depth.
10. Bo Jackson (NFL & MLB)
9. Chipper Jones (MLB)
8. Jaromir Jagr (NHL)
7. Randy Johnson (MLB)
6. Derek Jeter (MLB)
5. Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR)
4. LeBron James (NBA)
3. Michael Johnson (Track)
2. Magic Johnson (NBA)
1. Michael Jordan (NBA)
For me, this was another no-brainer for the #1 spot. Michael Jordan would be at the top of every list (but would he have been as great as Michael Vordan?). I am also fairly clear on my opinion of all this LeBron is the best player ever hogwash. He is great, but he is only 3rd at his sport on this list. Baseball dominates the lower portion of the list, with two-sport star Jackson garnering the final spot. Honorable mention to Edgerrin James and all the other Johnsons out there.
10. Bo Jackson (NFL & MLB)
9. Chipper Jones (MLB)
8. Jaromir Jagr (NHL)
7. Randy Johnson (MLB)
6. Derek Jeter (MLB)
5. Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR)
4. LeBron James (NBA)
3. Michael Johnson (Track)
2. Magic Johnson (NBA)
1. Michael Jordan (NBA)
For me, this was another no-brainer for the #1 spot. Michael Jordan would be at the top of every list (but would he have been as great as Michael Vordan?). I am also fairly clear on my opinion of all this LeBron is the best player ever hogwash. He is great, but he is only 3rd at his sport on this list. Baseball dominates the lower portion of the list, with two-sport star Jackson garnering the final spot. Honorable mention to Edgerrin James and all the other Johnsons out there.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "I" - Post 1980
"I" is for impressive, as in least impressive. The ninth letter of the alphabet brings the least impressive list of 10 names thus far.
10. Mark Ingram (NFL)
9. Raul Ibanez (MLB)
8. Goran Ivanisevic (Tennis)
7. Qadry Ismail (NFL)
6. Raghib Ismail (NFL)
5. Andre Iguodala (NBA)
4. Jarome Iginla (NHL)
3. Hal Irwin (Golf)
2. Michael Irvin (NFL)
1. Allen Iverson (NBA)
Iverson vs Irvin was a good battle for #1 on this list. I will take the diminutive Iverson's individual accomplishments over the "Playmaker", who had more modest individual but better team success. Who is the better Ismail? I have Raghib, who was a bit more celebrated in college and had a similar NFL career to his younger brother. The final spot went to the currently incarcerated elder Mark Ingram over really no one, as this list stretched the limits fast. Marc Iavaroni anyone?
10. Mark Ingram (NFL)
9. Raul Ibanez (MLB)
8. Goran Ivanisevic (Tennis)
7. Qadry Ismail (NFL)
6. Raghib Ismail (NFL)
5. Andre Iguodala (NBA)
4. Jarome Iginla (NHL)
3. Hal Irwin (Golf)
2. Michael Irvin (NFL)
1. Allen Iverson (NBA)
Iverson vs Irvin was a good battle for #1 on this list. I will take the diminutive Iverson's individual accomplishments over the "Playmaker", who had more modest individual but better team success. Who is the better Ismail? I have Raghib, who was a bit more celebrated in college and had a similar NFL career to his younger brother. The final spot went to the currently incarcerated elder Mark Ingram over really no one, as this list stretched the limits fast. Marc Iavaroni anyone?
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "H" - Post 1980
"H" is for huge or humongous, as in the totals that this list put up in several categories. Whether it be rebounds, goals, saves, receiving yards or stolen bases, the "H" list is not short on numbers.
10. Dwight Howard (NBA)
9. Roy Halladay (MLB)
8. Brett Hull (NHL)
7. Martina Hingis (Tennis)
6. Trevor Hoffman (MLB)
5. Dominik Hasek (NHL)
4. Torry Holt (NFL)
3. Marvin Harrison (NFL)
2. Evander Holyfield (Boxing)
1. Rickey Henderson (MLB)
Rickey himself claims to be the greatest of all-time, so the least I can do is make him the greatest "H" of the last 31 years. Based on quotes alone, Rickey would top this list...A reporter once asked Rickey if he talked to himself, “Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I’m trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?”
The Holt/Harrison debate is a good one. I always felt Harrison was considered to be in the group ahead of Holt. Hoffman is the all-time saves leader, but did not seem as dominant as the appropriately nicknamed "Dominator". The physically imposing Howard takes the final spot on the list and is poised to ascend higher. Quality professionals Tim Hardaway and Todd Helton were top omissions.
10. Dwight Howard (NBA)
9. Roy Halladay (MLB)
8. Brett Hull (NHL)
7. Martina Hingis (Tennis)
6. Trevor Hoffman (MLB)
5. Dominik Hasek (NHL)
4. Torry Holt (NFL)
3. Marvin Harrison (NFL)
2. Evander Holyfield (Boxing)
1. Rickey Henderson (MLB)
Rickey himself claims to be the greatest of all-time, so the least I can do is make him the greatest "H" of the last 31 years. Based on quotes alone, Rickey would top this list...A reporter once asked Rickey if he talked to himself, “Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I’m trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?”
The Holt/Harrison debate is a good one. I always felt Harrison was considered to be in the group ahead of Holt. Hoffman is the all-time saves leader, but did not seem as dominant as the appropriately nicknamed "Dominator". The physically imposing Howard takes the final spot on the list and is poised to ascend higher. Quality professionals Tim Hardaway and Todd Helton were top omissions.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "G" - Post 1980
"G" is for "Great One", which is pretty self-explanatory on this list. In addition to the one who carries that title, the "G" list also includes some of the greatest hitters, defenders, pass-catchers, drivers and forehands to ever play their positions.
10. George Gervin (NBA)
9. Eddie George (NFL)
8. Vladmir Guerrero (MLB)
7. Tony Gonzalez (NFL)
6. Tony Gwynn (MLB)
5. Jeff Gordon (NASCAR)
4. Kevin Garnett (NBA)
3. Ken Griffey Jr. (MLB)
2. Steffi Graf (Tennis)
1. Wayne Gretzky (NHL)
#1 and #2 were immediately written in ink when this list started. I went back and forth on the Griffey vs Garnett ranking and finally sided with Griffey, who was the best player in baseball for the decade of the 90's, a title Garnett cannot claim about his sport for any decade. I also wavered on Gordon, but his Winston Cup Titles edged out the batting titles of Tony Gwynn. The "Ice Man" garnered the final spot on the list, edging Tom Glavine.
10. George Gervin (NBA)
9. Eddie George (NFL)
8. Vladmir Guerrero (MLB)
7. Tony Gonzalez (NFL)
6. Tony Gwynn (MLB)
5. Jeff Gordon (NASCAR)
4. Kevin Garnett (NBA)
3. Ken Griffey Jr. (MLB)
2. Steffi Graf (Tennis)
1. Wayne Gretzky (NHL)
#1 and #2 were immediately written in ink when this list started. I went back and forth on the Griffey vs Garnett ranking and finally sided with Griffey, who was the best player in baseball for the decade of the 90's, a title Garnett cannot claim about his sport for any decade. I also wavered on Gordon, but his Winston Cup Titles edged out the batting titles of Tony Gwynn. The "Ice Man" garnered the final spot on the list, edging Tom Glavine.
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