Is Michael Jordan the greatest athlete in the history of sports?

Question

Without a doubt. How many people you know at age 40 could score 40 & more points in a pro league, score 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assist, 3 steals, 1 block with the FLU in the NBA Finals, and average 26.9 ppg & score 55 points being out of shape & rusty (he done that after returning for the last 17 games in 95)?

As I describe, MJ at his worst is better then most at their best. MJ is the best athlete to ever exist.

p.s. The only athlete that comes close to MJ at age 40 is Benard Hopkins. That guy is amazing at 40. He's beating these younger boxers like he is still in his 20's. But the question is, is Michael Jordan the greatest athlete ever? Not the best aging athlete.

Answer 1

Come on what do u think the answer is !!!!


YES

Answer 2

umm two words....Lance Armstrong. Two more words....Olympic Decathletes. MJ had/has an insane amount of athletic ABILITY for his sport, but he proves you wrong without me having to answer.......remember his stint as a baseball player? If he was truly the "Best athlete to ever exist" then he wouldn't have stunk it up in AAA baseball. Plus I think once Dwayne Wade's career is over the D-wade vs. MJ discussion will be a heated one for years to come. And as much as I love B-hop he did lose and is no longer the champ, so that argument is out the window. The more I type, the more Atheletes i remember......how about Martina Navritalova playing in Wimbeldon at 50, or what about Federer winning 41 straight matches. Or Tiger Woods? Now if the question was "Is Michael Jordan the Greatest BASKETBALL player to ever exist?" then, for now at least, I'd have to say yes, but athlete, no. And thats my final answer.

ps Pele doesn't count because soccer sucks (just my opinion)

ADDENDUM: You can't say Russell or Wilt is better, because the talent they played against wasn't as good. I think Shaq (in his prime) or Garnett would have had 100pt games 25-30 years ago too. Plus MJ's shot over Eloh....greatest moment in NBA history IMO

Answer 3

greastest athlete is saying ALOT!! i loved watching MJ. his on and off court manor. but there are alot of great athletes at their sports. like you said, Bernard. also, Lance Armstrong at biking. you have Manning or Barry Sanders, or Pete Sampras. i don't think 1 person can be placed into that catagory. Deion Sanders played football and baseball in the same season. once flying from one game straight to another. THAT'S ATHLETISISM!!! so, i'm not giving a yes or no to this question. it's too hard. lol. (pure talent considered and not steroids and such)

Answer 4

There are thousands of athletes that you and I have never heard of that lived before our time. Michael Jordan is a great athlete and has made millions from endorsements, but George Foreman was a World Heavy Weight Champion and made a comeback to take the title again and is making millions from his grill.

Answer 5

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell were better athletes then Jordan. For Chamberlain, 30.1 ppg and 22.9 RPG and if statistic for blocking was kept, it would have been off the charts.
Also, Bill Russell, 15.1 ppg and 22.5 RPG.

I also think for pure athleticism, Dwight Howard is more physically gifted.

Answer 6

Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe, Pele, Wayne Gretsky then MJ. At least he's in the top 10. Not #1 though.

Answer 7

This debate would go on forever. I dont think hes the best athlete ever, because he couldnt play baseball. Here are the best people ever to play a particular sport.

Football: Jim Brown
Baseball: Babe Ruth
Basketball: Michael Jordan
Hockey: Wayne Gretzky
Soccer: Pele
Boxing: Muhummad Ali
Track: Jesse Owens
Cycling: Lance Armstrong
Others: Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders.

I dont know if Babe Ruth could excel at any of these other sports, except maybe boxing. If you go by straight up athleticism, you could argue for Jim Brown, because he was also All American at Lacrosse. I dont think MJ, Pele, or Armstrong would last a single play in the NFL. Jim Brown is tough enough to box, he could run fast, he has the stamina to play Basketball, but I dont know how good he would be on skates or on a bike. You have to be tough as nails to play hockey and alot of people cant even balance on skates, so you gotta give Gretzky credit too. That said, I dont think a single one of those people besides Gretzky could lead his teams to Stanley Cup victories like Gretzky did. I dont think anyone of those people but Armstrong could win 7 straight Tour de France races, and I dont think any of them but Ali could defend the Heavyweight Title multiple times. None of them could win 3 World Cup Soccer Tournaments but Pele, and I dont think any of those guys could keep up with Jesse Owens. Youve got to give MJ credit for making the minor leagues in Baseball, at least he tried and showed heart. Not many people could say they were pro at Football and Baseball, like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders did. Deion Sanders was arguably the best cornerback ever, and while not the best Baseball player, he still went pro. Bo Jackson was great at both sports. Its too tough to decide, but Id say maybe Jim Brown, because football is so tough, and he is the best ever. Id say its a tossup. You decide

Future Best Athletes ever:
Football: LaDainian Tomlinson, Reggie Bush,
Baseball: Alex Rodriguez
Basketball: LeBron James, Greg Oden, Dwayne Wade.
Hockey: Sidney Crosby

If these guys keep at their pace, then we could have them at the top of the lists in all their respective sports. When Greg Oden goes pro, he will likely be the #1 pick in the draft, and he is projected to be the next Bill Russell.

Answer 8

Er, NO.

Remember the Tall One and his disastrous attempt at baseball?

It takes unbelievable dexterity to play baseball, sheer physicality to play football, and all the skills in five different sports to play soccer.

I think Pele is the best athlete ever, and he is such a statesman, a wonderful person, that he stands way, way above anyone in the basketball world.

"Spotted from a young age, Pelé began playing for Santos Futebol Clube at just 15, his national team at 16, and won his first World Cup at 17. Despite numerous offers from European clubs, he stayed loyal to his club, remaining with them for two decades until his semi-retirement in 1975. Pelé played as an inside forward, striker, and what later became known as the playmaker position. Pelé's technique and natural athleticism have been universally praised; he was renowned for his unstoppable dribbling and visionary passing, as well as his pace, powerful shot, and an exceptional heading ability, but above all he was an exceptionally prolific goalscorer.

He is the all-time top scorer in the history of the Brazil national team and is the only footballer ever to win three World Cup titles as a player."

Answer 9

Mike was the greatest baskball player. I think Jim Thorpe may have been the best all-around athlete.

Answer 10

theres no doubt hes the best basketball player of all time hes got the rings to prove it but hes not the best athlete of all-time

Answer 11

I think Bill Russell (Boston Celtics) was a more important player in basketball. He revoluntionized the game - he changed the way teams were built and what players were expected to be. Jordan was a spectacular player but even he didn't dominate they way Russell did in his game. Check out the 13 championships to Russells credit.