Mike C
Registered User
I'm not sure he's any more talented than Gretzky or Orr.
Connor McDavid will go down as the 2nd best player of all-time
- Thread starter HFpapi
- Start date
Howe and Orr definitely had the fitness and skill level to play in todays game, especially if they had modern equipment. Howe played over 2000 games of pro hockey and Orr literally changed the game just based on his style of play.
Montreal Shadow
Registered User
I agree with this. I cant see him cracking the top few; but, having watched a ton of prime Crosby and now McDavid, I think McDavid is more impactful and just plain better. Not to take anything from Crosby, because he has certainly been amazing.
There is one part of the game that is overlooked by those that discount Howe because he played so long ago. Not only was he so good that he played with a flat blade so he could switch hands mid-shift, people were also terrified of him because he was so nasty.
tom_servo
Registered User
McDavid. Mahomes. Ohtani. Jokic.
These guys are taking their leagues to strange new places.
These guys are taking their leagues to strange new places.
Definitely some generational players across the board right now. I know people hate when their “favorites” get overtaken, but I just love sports and really appreciate the talent and dedication these people have. It really is something to marvel at…
ETA: also: Messi
Video Nasty
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Marino was not blameless, but his defense was often bad and his run game completely inconsistent. Cook those two elements together and you have a great QB forced to sling the ball too often from behind in the hopes of coming back from huge holes his defense dug his offense into against much better all-around teams (49ers and Bills).
You’re not wrong about the perception that exists of Marino and any other athlete who never won a championship in their respective sport, but it’s too simplistic and has no finesse or nuance. Marino gets drafted to a team as strong as the 49ers and we’re very likely having very different discussions about his placement in history. We think about Montana and their offense, but from 1981 through 1990, their defense was 1st-4th in points allowed 8 times in those 10 seasons.
These are team sports. The team around these players still need to function as a unit and give the greatest player on their team a real shot to carry them and finish off a run.
A good hockey example is Mario missing 54 out of 80 games in 1990-1991 and the team still winning the division title to put them into good playoff position for him to work his magic (and missing 16 more games the next season and 6 games during their repeat playoff run where they were good enough to oust the Presidents’ trophy winning Rangers largely without him as well as take Game 1 without him in the next series against the Bruins).
Doesn’t take anything away from Lemieux, but it’s important to highlight how a capable team needs to be provided around the superstar by competent management for true success.
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While I love Messi, I don't think he fits the category of the others simply due to age.
Who's the most comparable right now in Football to the NA guys? Haaland? Mbappe maybe?
We're in a great era for talent across the games though.
Montreal Shadow
Registered User
Yeah, so both are small players who aren't physically or athletically impressive.
I'd bet prime Hull could outdo Kucherov in a fitness combine in damn near everything.
Fordy
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- May 28, 2008
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correct. my team already has had a bunch of players as good as mcdavid on it in my lifetime. doesn't feel like i'm missing much, i've seen my guys score more points in a regular season game than mcdavid ever will, i don't need to make sure i tune into edmonton games so i don't miss the best 3 point game of all time or whatever. wake me up when he's performing in the playoffs, i don't watch other teams in the regular season, and most hockey fans don't either
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Video Nasty
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Old head syndrome rears its head again. Decay away for all I care.
Fordy
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most people only watch their team. it’s just reality, and it’s especially true for the nhl. that means most people will only see mcdavid play in the playoffs
mattihp
Registered User
Haven't heard of the other guys, but I presume they win some more than McDavid. Scoring but never winning in a final isn't taking a league to a strange new place. It's just taking the league to the same place but more times.
tom_servo
Registered User
Ohtani is one of the top HR hitters and pitchers. Unprecedented player. Never even made the playoffs, yet still discussed as an all time great. Maybe baseball fans have a more primitive understanding of team sports than us.
Forget MVP. Shohei Ohtani Is Building a Case as the GOAT.
With two more home runs at the plate and 10 more strikeouts on the mound, the Angels’ two-way superstar is leaving his competitors behind and adding to his growing legend
www.theringer.com
Hamilton Bulldogs
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Ohtani is in another stratosphere in comparison to mcdavid, lol.Ohtani is one of the top HR hitters and pitchers. Unprecedented player. Never even made the playoffs, yet still discussed as an all time great. Maybe baseball fans have a more primitive understanding of team sports than us.
Forget MVP. Shohei Ohtani Is Building a Case as the GOAT.
With two more home runs at the plate and 10 more strikeouts on the mound, the Angels’ two-way superstar is leaving his competitors behind and adding to his growing legend
If McDavid puts on the pads and is up for awards for goalies, he can get by without winning.
tom_servo
Registered User
Why? I've been told the championship is all that matters.
I mean, if someone like Ohtani can't even make the playoffs...
Hamilton Bulldogs
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He's won a best on best international tournament where he won the WBC mvp and played professionally in japan for years and won a championship in that league. McDavid's top championship is a world championship in which he had 1 goal. So a little different here.
With that said, nobody will be putting him in their top 3 conversation if he plays till hes 40 and never wins a world series. Top 5? sure.
Bear of Bad News
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Skillwise yes. In the sense of total package as player in harmony with surroundings amd team concept there are several players better than him. If I want to build a team, I probably leave him out, at least as a center and captain. As a winger perhaps. A low key guy, just doing his thing.
gritdash60
Registered User
Connor Mcdavid is already the best player to ever play the game. Yep Gretzky has all the records etc, but it was when goalies didn't know you can go on you knees and defenders could'nt skate to save their lives. It actually isn't even close, current McDavid would've scored like 400 points per season back then. And yes, i am serious.
