I know, I know, these top 10 lists are really overdone
these days but I've been thinking about this for a little while and I
haven't seen one on the board here so here we go:
# 10: Fedor Emelianenko (MMA): The PRIDE heavyweight
champ is considered by most to be, PFP, the most dominant
fighter on the planet today. No offense Mr. Tyson but Fedor is
truly "the baddest man on the planet" and you wouldn't last 30 seconds
against him. There are many other white MMA fighters who could
make a top twenty list; Matt Hughes and Chuck Liddell come
to mind but Fedor seems to be the consensus #1 MMA man.
#9: Jeremy Wariner (track): Reigning Olympic and World 400m
champion ran a 43.93 at the World Championships this year. So
white guys are slow are they? Fellow track athlete Alan Webb gets
an honorable mention here for running a 3:48.92 mile this past
year. He was ranked 7th in the world as well.
#8: Jaromir Jagr (Hockey): First in points, third in
assists and fourth in goals scored. Jagr seems the most complete
player in the game today. There are of course others who could
take his spot here; Hasek comes to mind but for now it's Jagr.
#7: Roman Sebrle (Track & Field): The Czech world
record holder in the decathlon could play tight end for any team in the
NFL. Could arguably be close to number one on my list just
depends on how much weight you want to give to running, jumping
and throwing in their purest form. Incredible athlete.
#6: Dirk Nowitzski (Basketball): Seven footer can run like
a guard and shoot the lights out. Averaging 25.9 points/ game
good for 7th in the NBA. Could put up 40 a night if they would
let him. Ranks in the top ten in every significant statistical
category in the NBA. Steve Nash is not to be forgotten as well.
#5: Tom Brady (American Football): Where to begin? How
about at the top: 3 Super Bowl rings (MVP in two of those
games), hadn't lost a playoff game until a couple of weeks ago
(now he's 10-1 I believe) and carried his team this year throwing
for over 4,000 yards when his team was decimated by injuries.
Clearly a cut above the others. Cool headedness in pressure
moments is his calling card. Peyton Manning and Brett Favre could
have just as easily made the list.
#4: Michael Phelps (Swimming): 8 Olympic medals, 6 of them
gold. He'll do it again in Beijing in '08 and cement himself as
America's greatest non-team sport athlete (even better than that Woods
guy I think). He is the gold standard in the water today.
There is not a more complete, well-rounded swimmer in the
pool. Before it's over he may end up number one on my list.
#3: Roger Federer (Tennis): Just won Australia. That
gives him 7 slams at age 24. He's already half way to Sampras'
unimaginable 14 slam titles. In an age of power tennis he is the
matador. The heavy hitters are dumbfounded by his shot making and
precision. He is the most consistent player on the tour. An
all-timer with class and dignity.
#2: Roger Clemons (Baseball): Cy Youngs, MVPs,
World Series rings, 341 wins, 4502 strikeouts, it goes on and on.
He is in the twilight of his career now and still had a sub 2
era this year. With run support he'd have won 20 games. No
other active pitcher save Greg Maddux has a body of work that can be
compared to that of Clemons' without eliciting howls of laughter.
The best.
#1: Lance Armstrong (Cycling): I know, I know...until
somebody steps forward with convincing proof that he's not then
he is clean. And as long as he is he's the best. His legs are
like concrete and his lungs are made of leather and his heart is
unquestioned. A fine example of the human spirit...and oh yeah
he's won the Tour De France 7 times. Ouch man.
SO there you go. A wholly impressive roster of stars. Now let the flaming begin.
these days but I've been thinking about this for a little while and I
haven't seen one on the board here so here we go:
# 10: Fedor Emelianenko (MMA): The PRIDE heavyweight
champ is considered by most to be, PFP, the most dominant
fighter on the planet today. No offense Mr. Tyson but Fedor is
truly "the baddest man on the planet" and you wouldn't last 30 seconds
against him. There are many other white MMA fighters who could
make a top twenty list; Matt Hughes and Chuck Liddell come
to mind but Fedor seems to be the consensus #1 MMA man.
#9: Jeremy Wariner (track): Reigning Olympic and World 400m
champion ran a 43.93 at the World Championships this year. So
white guys are slow are they? Fellow track athlete Alan Webb gets
an honorable mention here for running a 3:48.92 mile this past
year. He was ranked 7th in the world as well.
#8: Jaromir Jagr (Hockey): First in points, third in
assists and fourth in goals scored. Jagr seems the most complete
player in the game today. There are of course others who could
take his spot here; Hasek comes to mind but for now it's Jagr.
#7: Roman Sebrle (Track & Field): The Czech world
record holder in the decathlon could play tight end for any team in the
NFL. Could arguably be close to number one on my list just
depends on how much weight you want to give to running, jumping
and throwing in their purest form. Incredible athlete.
#6: Dirk Nowitzski (Basketball): Seven footer can run like
a guard and shoot the lights out. Averaging 25.9 points/ game
good for 7th in the NBA. Could put up 40 a night if they would
let him. Ranks in the top ten in every significant statistical
category in the NBA. Steve Nash is not to be forgotten as well.
#5: Tom Brady (American Football): Where to begin? How
about at the top: 3 Super Bowl rings (MVP in two of those
games), hadn't lost a playoff game until a couple of weeks ago
(now he's 10-1 I believe) and carried his team this year throwing
for over 4,000 yards when his team was decimated by injuries.
Clearly a cut above the others. Cool headedness in pressure
moments is his calling card. Peyton Manning and Brett Favre could
have just as easily made the list.
#4: Michael Phelps (Swimming): 8 Olympic medals, 6 of them
gold. He'll do it again in Beijing in '08 and cement himself as
America's greatest non-team sport athlete (even better than that Woods
guy I think). He is the gold standard in the water today.
There is not a more complete, well-rounded swimmer in the
pool. Before it's over he may end up number one on my list.
#3: Roger Federer (Tennis): Just won Australia. That
gives him 7 slams at age 24. He's already half way to Sampras'
unimaginable 14 slam titles. In an age of power tennis he is the
matador. The heavy hitters are dumbfounded by his shot making and
precision. He is the most consistent player on the tour. An
all-timer with class and dignity.
#2: Roger Clemons (Baseball): Cy Youngs, MVPs,
World Series rings, 341 wins, 4502 strikeouts, it goes on and on.
He is in the twilight of his career now and still had a sub 2
era this year. With run support he'd have won 20 games. No
other active pitcher save Greg Maddux has a body of work that can be
compared to that of Clemons' without eliciting howls of laughter.
The best.
#1: Lance Armstrong (Cycling): I know, I know...until
somebody steps forward with convincing proof that he's not then
he is clean. And as long as he is he's the best. His legs are
like concrete and his lungs are made of leather and his heart is
unquestioned. A fine example of the human spirit...and oh yeah
he's won the Tour De France 7 times. Ouch man.
SO there you go. A wholly impressive roster of stars. Now let the flaming begin.
