Michael Phelps ranked the best athlete of the 21st Century by ESPN

[BucciMane]

if you needed artificial help, suggesting you're a better athlete is comical. Also, Bonds can only be taken into account from 2000-2007. Ichiro did all his damage starting from 2001.


That said, the criteria seems bizarre. The Sportscentury list they had before made some sense. I'm not sure what went into this.

Yes, Bonds did his damage from 2000-2007 which was clearly more dominant than Ichiro for his entire MLB career. Bonds won four straight MVP's from 2001-2004.

Ichiro could have played at an all-star level for another ten years and Bonds should still be ahead.

 

[Jean toomer]

Simone Biles … and it’s not even close.

 

[BonafideDefacto]

It's a list u can't get right. I can do a Mt. Rushmore, but no 1-4

Tiger, No athlete on here revolutionized and changed a sport like Tiger did Golf. The 82 wins and 13 majors while putting golf in everyone's household

Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time, I'll give him that. Not just 1 swimming style, but multiple. He dominated not only the Olympics, but the sport for 14 years.

Serena, the most dominant female athlete of all time with over 20 Majors. Enough said.

Brady, no QB will ever duplicate his success. I can say that honestly. The 7th Super Bowl solidified him winning one with Belicheat. His ring count alone puts him on this list.

 

[Rev Leon Lonnie Love]

Obviously i'll be biased since boxing is my number 1 sport, but Floyd at 25???

 

[tremonthustler1]

Yes, Bonds did his damage from 2000-2007 which was clearly more dominant than Ichiro for his entire MLB career. Bonds won four straight MVP's from 2001-2004.

Ichiro could have played at an all-star level for another ten years and Bonds should still be ahead.

He did. and got to numbers even Bonds didn't get to.

By that logic, A-Rod would be ahead of his Bonds his goddamn self. The reason why both got docked is cuz both were on that juice.

 

[NZA]

my only gripe is mayweather should be top 10

 

[CHICAGO]

He did. and got to numbers even Bonds didn't get to.

By that logic, A-Rod would be ahead of his Bonds his goddamn self. The reason why both got docked is cuz both were on that juice.

DONT COMPARE AROD TO BONDS.

PPL WERE WILLING TO LET ARODS shyt
SLIP UNDER THE RUG AND HE STILL
CONTINUED USING AFTER THE LEAGUE
PUT TESTING AND RULES IN PLACE





​

 

[tremonthustler1]

DONT COMPARE AROD TO BONDS.

PPL WERE WILLING TO LET ARODS shyt
SLIP UNDER THE RUG AND HE STILL
CONTINUED USING AFTER THE LEAGUE
PUT TESTING AND RULES IN PLACE





​

you just described why I'd put Bonds in the Hall and not A-Rod, but if you leave it to the mercy of readers, half of em either care deeply or don't give a fukk at all.

 

[Lucky_Lefty]

Not shocked they gave it to a cac, but if any cac at least was credible to get it's him.

Serena
Bron
Tiger
Messi
Phelps
Bolt


all have valid arguments.

2 of them names ain't like the others.

 

[Primetime]

SOUNDS LIKE CAP.

NO WAY ESPN READERS
WOULD HAVE HAD SERENA AT #2
AND MESSI AT NUMBER 3

LIST WOULD HAVE BEEN
ALL AMERICAN MEN
WITH BRADY AT NUMBER 1.



​

There's just no logical explanation for Mayweather behind a Kevin Garnett or Diana Taursi. I think KG is phenomenal but i don't think he'd be in an objective top 25 of the past 24 years across all sports. I dunno what to even think of Taursi.

But if you told me the top 5 were 3 white guys + Lebron and Serena, that's about what i'd expect from American white folk.

 

[dizzy4111]

Phelps was must see TV for a long time. Most golds ever. I don't have a problem with it.

 

[Primetime]

Any "Greatest" list is opinionated.

Facts, tho at least if someone said the criteria is based off of ABC, i could say ok cool. Accolades, money generated, ratings, longevity, etc

But if it's just let's ask a buncha reddit posters to vote... yea that ain't really worth the energy tryna decipher why this person vs that person

 

[dizzy4111]

I saw they had Suzuki over Bonds, didn't care to read the rest of the list

Are you arguing Bonds had a better career in the 21st century than Ichiro? Because that's what this list is about.

 

[Ed MOTHERFUCKING G]

Floyd at 25 is CRAZY. I'd almost rather they hadn't even ranked him to disrespect him like that.

 

[OnlyOneBoss]

I got Brady at 1 personally

That type of longevity and dominance in an extremely physical game gives him higher praise from me