Athlete of the decade? Who do you think should take the title?
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Well in the U.S alone 17 million watched the masters, which is one of the 4 major tournaments and 10million watched the NBA finals. How many watched each overseas i donno but 7million is a pretty big difference since both would have viewers overseas. You can search U.S ratings by looking up the Nesilsen(spelling) ratings.
With the whole team vs single sport discussion i know since in my post i stated i played both golf and basketball at a high level compared to average people. I also coached youth basteketball and soccer so I know the best kid doesn't mean you win.
I rate the best athlete by how dominate they were and how they changed their game or forced other the game to change for them. Team sports can be changed due to individuals. Look at how golf courses have been lengthened to "tiger proof" them and how the type of defense that is played in the NBA has changed due to players like Jordan, Kobe, LeBorn, which has led to new players to copy them.
With the whole team vs single sport discussion i know since in my post i stated i played both golf and basketball at a high level compared to average people. I also coached youth basteketball and soccer so I know the best kid doesn't mean you win.
I rate the best athlete by how dominate they were and how they changed their game or forced other the game to change for them. Team sports can be changed due to individuals. Look at how golf courses have been lengthened to "tiger proof" them and how the type of defense that is played in the NBA has changed due to players like Jordan, Kobe, LeBorn, which has led to new players to copy them.
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Reminds me of Kingpin, where Ishmael enters the bowling tournament and says "Wow it's such an honor to be in the presence of such great athletes" as all the bowlers are sitting with their beer guts and nachos lmao
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Bruce, with all due respect I've got to disagree with you. The reason I have to disagree is actually because of basketball. Look no further than Michael Jordan. Tiger Woods changed the sport of golf. Michael Jordan changed sports period. Endorsements were never spoken of until the Nike endorsement with Michael Jordan. People killed each other over those shoes. A pair of them sold on ebay for over $50,000. A single basketball player CAN change the sport forever. You know about basketball so I know you'll agree with me here, when you see the Chicago Bulls you see Jordan. Yeah, the team won those championships but they wouldn't have come even close without Jordan. Kuhoc and Pipen, whatever, Jordan won those rings. If someone asked me who dominated their sport most, Jordan or Tiger, I really don't think I could choose.
And about Golf not being an international sport, that's debatable, highly in fact. Look at the tour, you've got a black American, an Indian, several guys from Scandinavia, the list goes on and on. Do as many people play it as basketball, of course not, but many, many people watch it. Just playing devil's advocate here but golf is up there as far as international sports go. Soccer is still the quintessential international sport though. By far.
And about Golf not being an international sport, that's debatable, highly in fact. Look at the tour, you've got a black American, an Indian, several guys from Scandinavia, the list goes on and on. Do as many people play it as basketball, of course not, but many, many people watch it. Just playing devil's advocate here but golf is up there as far as international sports go. Soccer is still the quintessential international sport though. By far.
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I can't believe they gave it to jimmy johnson, I'm not like mad they did, but I just never thought it would got to a racecar driver.
When Floyd is sitting on the floor of the ring wondering where that Tonka truck came from?
This post deprives you of being allowed to have an opinion on sports. Your can replace Tiger Woods and Phelps and to a certain degree Lance into each on of your numbers. Each did it by themselves (again, Lance maybe not as much), saying Phelps hasn't done much is ridiculous, and the "finds competitors comment is just a tribute to boxing. Phelps didn't have to seek out competitors, it's the Olympics. Woods doesn't either, the chance at a multi-million dollar purse does that for him. And saying Woods isn't an athlete but an F1 driver is is ridiculous. If sitting in a hot vehicle for hours on end makes someone an athlete every soldier serving in Iraq and Afghanistan during the summer months should be in the running. The Athlete of the decade is decide by who dominates the most at their sport. Can you drive a golf ball 400 yards? Nope, even if he had the technique I doubt you'd be strong enough to swing a golf club that hard. Tiger is no slouch physically. He training physically more than most other athletes. I'm not saying Pacquaio shouldn't be in the running but to demise the others as "not athletes" because they don't get punched in the face in their sport is retarded.
Lets see how you like karting for 2 hrs straight! F1 drivers have to got through some of the toughest training, and they train YEAR ROUND, they never stop. To say they are not athletes is stupid. STUPID!
Sure, golf may not be physically demanding, but it takes skill, and practice, hard work... Lots of work. That **** is NOT easy to hit a ball that far. Technique is so crazy.
No, I'm not at all saying they're not. I know its hard. What I am saying though is that if you're going to include them you have to include golf as well. They're persevering over unbelievable strains in an effort to "out-endure" their competition are they not? Exactly. This combined with an ability to "out-drive" their peers is what determines the victor. That being said, it doesn't require an individual to be a physical phenomenon. You and I both know that their are plenty of drivers who in their youth, or even now, are not in near the "athletic" shape of other athletes. Could Usain Bolt be a successful F1 driver? Assuming he had some innate skill (which is required to be an F1 driver, training alone won't do it) and some serious track time is absolutely within the realm of possibility. I don't think anyone can deny (especially those who have played golf) the Tiger Woods has skills that cannot be duplicated regardless of how strong you were or how much you've practiced golf. I mean surely their are many other outstanding golfers who have even dedicated their lives to the sport and he's beaten them by more than 8 strokes in the nations most competitive matches.
What I'm getting at is that define what is "athletic" is beyond subjective. For instance, their are NFL linemen that absolutely dominate their positions. God forbid a normal man face them in an alley let alone on the grid iron they'd stand no chance. But these same "athletes" are considered obese by our own standards. Furthermore, can a jockey be considered an athlete? All he does is ride the horse that will ultimately win the race (I'm being facetious)? If we can't then we really can't consider anyone an athlete other than those who have can't gain any advantage in their sport from any other individual or for that matter their equipment. Phelps couldn't be considered because he wears a swimming suit that aids him in winning races. Woods cannot because of his golf clubs which can only be assumed to aid him in his victories, Lance can't because of his teammates and his bike, etc...
What I'm getting at is that define what is "athletic" is beyond subjective. For instance, their are NFL linemen that absolutely dominate their positions. God forbid a normal man face them in an alley let alone on the grid iron they'd stand no chance. But these same "athletes" are considered obese by our own standards. Furthermore, can a jockey be considered an athlete? All he does is ride the horse that will ultimately win the race (I'm being facetious)? If we can't then we really can't consider anyone an athlete other than those who have can't gain any advantage in their sport from any other individual or for that matter their equipment. Phelps couldn't be considered because he wears a swimming suit that aids him in winning races. Woods cannot because of his golf clubs which can only be assumed to aid him in his victories, Lance can't because of his teammates and his bike, etc...
F1 drivers are not crazy muscular, but they are INCREDIBLY strong, insane strong. Think more fighter pilot or astronaut. They have to endure not just in time, but they have to have the strength to muscle a 1200lb, 900hp upside down airplane that loads up to 3+Gs in turns, and 5+Gs in braking.
Think about it... if your leg was 20lbs, at maximum braking at Monza, your leg would become 100lbs! Can you think of any athlete that can constantly be put though that kind of abuse?
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What the ****?!
Lets see how you like karting for 2 hrs straight! F1 drivers have to got through some of the toughest training, and they train YEAR ROUND, they never stop. To say they are not athletes is stupid. STUPID!
Sure, golf may not be physically demanding, but it takes skill, and practice, hard work... Lots of work. That **** is NOT easy to hit a ball that far. Technique is so crazy.
Lets see how you like karting for 2 hrs straight! F1 drivers have to got through some of the toughest training, and they train YEAR ROUND, they never stop. To say they are not athletes is stupid. STUPID!
Sure, golf may not be physically demanding, but it takes skill, and practice, hard work... Lots of work. That **** is NOT easy to hit a ball that far. Technique is so crazy.
No, He couldn't do it. He much too muscular and would hit fatigue much too soon.
F1 drivers are not crazy muscular, but they are INCREDIBLY strong, insane strong. Think more fighter pilot or astronaut. They have to endure not just in time, but they have to have the strength to muscle a 1200lb, 900hp upside down airplane that loads up to 3+Gs in turns, and 5+Gs in braking.
Think about it... if your leg was 20lbs, at maximum braking at Monza, your leg would become 100lbs! Can you think of any athlete that can constantly be put though that kind of abuse?
F1 drivers are not crazy muscular, but they are INCREDIBLY strong, insane strong. Think more fighter pilot or astronaut. They have to endure not just in time, but they have to have the strength to muscle a 1200lb, 900hp upside down airplane that loads up to 3+Gs in turns, and 5+Gs in braking.
Think about it... if your leg was 20lbs, at maximum braking at Monza, your leg would become 100lbs! Can you think of any athlete that can constantly be put though that kind of abuse?
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mr. m
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Mar 24, 2004 09:31 PM
