Who is best athlete ever in Boston/New England?

[RodRustsGhost]

... but he wasn't the best basketball player of all-time, nor even the most dominant big man (Jordan and Shaq, respectively, and even Wilt in his own time)

That's simply wrong. Russell is the best basketball player of all time. Period. Jordan was not as dominating as Russel, nor was Shaq. Look at how Russel dominated Wilt Chamberlain. I'm sorry, but, i don't buy this 'not the greatest in his sport.' -- I admit that it might be arguable with Jordan, though, I wouldn't agree with the argument.

Bobby Orr did revolutionize the sport, as did some rules changes around that time to decrease goonism and increase scoring. I think it's wrong to dismiss the way the sport changed due to the Gretzky and his game. The trap was devised to in part to kill the kind of flying around that Gretzky did.

And Ted Williams was the greatest hitter, not just because he said it. In fact, I'm not sure he ever did. What he said, as I recall, was that he wanted to be called that. His goal was to be so good that when he walked down teh street.. people would say, "There goes the greatest hitter who ever lived" and holy crap, the guy did it. THat's pretty amazing.

Larry Bird..is my youth, and probably the one of theese guys that I most passionately adore. However, I have a hard time seeing him as the greatest. He was simply amazing though.

Tom Brady.. like i said.. getting there quickly.

 

[patchick]

I really couldn't argue with anybody who chose any of the top 5. Russell, Williams, Orr, and Bird make a truly amazing sports legacy for this town. One more ring and Brady joins them.

 

[primetime]

That's simply wrong. Russell is the best basketball player of all time. Period. Jordan was not as dominating as Russel, nor was Shaq. Look at how Russel dominated Wilt Chamberlain. I'm sorry, but, i don't buy this 'not the greatest in his sport.' -- I admit that it might be arguable with Jordan, though, I wouldn't agree with the argument.

Jordan wasn't as dominating, but was easily the better player (then again, in a fantasy draft of players in their prime, I pick Russell over Jordan, but I pick Shaq over Russell... there's a chance I pick Magic over Jordan, too). Shaq's dominance is made more poignant by the fact that unlike in Russell's time, every team had their own big man or two who were at least as tall as Shaq, yet he still was almost unstoppable. During Russell's time, the only big man who could actually oppose him was Wilt.

I think when all is said and done, Brady will be #1 on this list. But for now, Bobby Orr is up there. He played during an era when goonery had not been lessened, and unlike Gretzky actually stood up for himself.

 

[BSR]

Harry Agganis was possibly the best New England Athelete that almost was. I never saw him myself, but my father-in-law swears he is the best athelete he ever saw. Sadly, he died before he really had a shot to prove it.

http://www.coachwyatt.com/harryagganis.htm

 

[scout]

I see you're not a hockey fan. Russell was great, but he wasn't the best basketball player of all-time, nor even the most dominant big man (Jordan and Shaq, respectively, and even Wilt in his own time). Orr was the best hockey player of all time, the greatest defensive defenseman and offensive defenseman to ever play. He revolutionized the game.

I didn't realize fishing and dogfighting qualified as Boston sports, but okay.

Just to set the record straight. At 6 foot 9 inches, Jordan and Shaq, would not have triumped over Russell. Heck, the Chicago Bulls may not have even won a title had they played the Celtic (Bird/Parrish/McHale) or Laker (Magic/Worthy/Kareem) title teams. Shaq isn't even a consideration. He was not the athlete Russell was. Its not like Russell disappeared when he played Chamberlain. He just did other things to win the game. Russell playing against Shaq, not even close. You should read, "Let Me Tell You a Story", the last book by Red.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Bill Russell. He is The ONE.
Like Brady, Russell was a winner in a town that untill recently this 21st century had only the Celtics and briefly the Bruins as winners. The 6' 9" Russell like Brady did not have the off the charts physical stats or presumably ability of HOF rival 7' 2" Wilt Chamberlain, but Russell prevailed over Wilt time and again as does Brady vs Manning. Something like 11 Championships in 13 years. Bird was great but lacked the staying power of Russell.

My favs...
Russell
Brady
Bird
Williams

Saw them all play.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Bill Russell was the best player on teams that won 11 rings and Brady has twice as many votes right now. Who can vote for Brady over Bill Russell? Wow.

Cuz it was a long time ago and today's NFL athletes are, by far and away, are a more athletic collection of humans than the NBA was during Russell's day. Brady isn't dominant, but he's the one almost everyone would want leading their team in the 4th Brady is in the conversation for GOAT QB in the most physical/athletic sport there and he's doing it right now (before our eyes). Not saying, I would put him ahead of Bill, but I can see how others would, and I'd be hard pressed to argue real hard.

All that said - I didn't pick either. I went with Teddy Ballgame. The best HITTER in baseball history, IMO.

 

[PromisedLand]

No contest, it's Bobby Orr. I'm too young to have seen him play but my dad showed me old game tapes and the man just revolutionized how defense is played in the NHL and made grown men look like children on a nightly basis. Russel, Williams, etc were all tremendous athletes and icons but none of them literally changed the game the way Orr did.

Since you say you're too young to remember even Orr, who played in the late 60's to early 70's, you are obviously too young to remember Russell, so I'll forgive your ignorance.

I am old enough to have seen Russell, Williams, and Orr play, many times each (although I was only starting to become a sports fan when Williams retired). So I know a bit more about these legends than some of the younger posters. I'm not saying that makes me a better person, just that it gives me a better perspective for judging.

OK, you say that Orr changed the game. Absolutely true, but so did Russell, who also:

1. Won 11 championships to Orr's 2
2. fought discrimination that young people today probably can't even imagine - and became (along with fellow sports icon Jim Brown and others) a visible spokesperson and leader in the fight for civil rights.
3. Became the first black head coach in any major sport
4. At the same time that he was also a player
5. And still won a championship while filling both roles
6. Also won 2 NCAA championships (as has been mentioned)
7. And an Olympic Gold medal

Was he the most outstanding athlete in the narrow sense? In some ways, (rebounding, defense, leadership), yes - but in other ways he was not even the most outstanding athlete amongst his NBA contemporaries, in which he was exceeded by Wilt Chamberlain and perhaps even others. But when the game and season were on the line, there was NO ONE better - EVER - not only in Boston, but in ANY sport.

Brady is awesome - the greatest winner sports has seen in years.

Williams had the most amazing ability to hit a baseball - if he hadn't missed years in service to his country his stats would have been even more eyepopping, but he failed to deliver in his biggest moment - 1946 World Series.

Yaz had some great seasons and is the last man to win baseball's Triple Crown in 1967 - a year in which he almost singlehandedly led the Red Sox to the world series victory, but fell just short.

Orr was absolutely the most amazing athlete - he figuratively towered over all of his contemporaries in his ability to singlehandedly take over a game. Sadly, his career was cut short by injuries.

Bird led the Celtics to 3 championships - but that doesn't even come close to what Russell did.

For me, when you consider the greatest athlete you have to consider the ultimate goal of athletics, and that is winning. There is no question who the greatest winner was, and that is Bill Russell.

 

[Bostonian1962]

I say Bobby Orr hands down. Unfortunately, most of our members are probably too young to have witness his grace on the ice. To this day, I've never seen another hockey player take over a game the way he could. He was so much better than all the other player in the league, it was at times embaressing to watch them chase him around the rink.

I'd have to vote for Bill Russel as a close second to Mr Orr. Russel was great, but he has other players who have played at his level since then and some would argue Chamberlain was at Russel's level. Besides, we're talking greatest athlete here, not greatest player to lead their team to championships. Barry Sanders was far better than Emmit Smith, but Smith has a couple of rings.

Agree completely! Marvin Hagler should be on this list as well, but Bobby Orr changed the way hockey was played. The best offensive player in the game, as a defenseman. Finesse, power, skill, and simply a magician on skates. The fact that he was the best defensive player in the league at the same time he was the best offensive player spoke volumes.

When I was a kid, game after game after game had the Bruins trailing or tied with time running out. Bob Wilson on WBZ would say "and here comes Bobby". And he seemingly would score to tie or win the game every time. It was uncanny.

You're right though, the age of many here will cost Orr some votes. He was the best Boston athlete in my lifetime, and I LOVE everybody else on the list.

I met Bill Russell in Maui years ago, and he wasn't very pleasant to me, but I would have picked Orr regardless. Orr, by all accounts is also a great person to the fans.

 

[PonyExpress]

I see you're not a hockey fan. Russell was great, but he wasn't the best basketball player of all-time, nor even the most dominant big man (Jordan and Shaq, respectively, and even Wilt in his own time). Orr was the best hockey player of all time, the greatest defensive defenseman and offensive defenseman to ever play. He revolutionized the game.

I didn't realize fishing and dogfighting qualified as Boston sports, but okay.

Russell, Teddy Ballgame and Marvin Hagler were greater athletes than Orr. If you can't handle it, maybe you should take a valuum.

 

[PonyExpress]

Agreed X10000000

IMO, Fighters are the best athletes, and there is really no comparison. That being said, Marvelous Marvin was the best Middleweight I have ever seen. My vote goes to him, with Bill Russell a CLOSE second.

Can't argue. Marvelous is my favorite Boston athlete of all time.:rocker:

 

[Charlotte Pats Fan]

Russell, Teddy Ballgame and Marvin Hagler were greater athletes than Orr. If you can't handle it, maybe you should take a valuum.

Maybe you should put down the crack pipe :singing:

 

[National Sports Advisors]

Maybe you should put down the crack pipe :singing:

Bill Russell and it's not even close. Tom Brady is on his way to being a clear cut #2 though.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Really? Maybe back when, but today the best athletes play football or basketball. Many of the fight game's analysts have even said that the best heavyweights in the world are all in the NBA and NFL these days.

Maybe the best "Heavyweight" fighters. But there are still other (and more exciting divisons).

It takes MUCH, MUCH more physical and mental ability to be a world class prize fighter, than it does to be a football of Basketball player (imo).

Boxing is the toughest sport to dominate BY FAR.

 

[ClevTrev]

Bobby Orr was peerless. No one could control a game like him. I watched him play, and for me, there was no one else. He is the best ever in the NHL. Period. I grew up in the 50s and 60s, so I was around for those on the list.

Russell is second, but being second to Orr is in no way negative. Bird is a close third. Imagine the Celts without either of these guys during their eras. They would have been competitive teams, but not dominant.

Brady is still a work in progress. Let's let his body of work continue to develop, as he still has some exclamation points to add to his career. Evaluating it at this time is too soon. He very likely could be up there with Orr when he hangs them up.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Ted missed 43,44,and 45 and played 6 games in 52 and 37 in 53.

If you figure he would have hit 40 homers each year....that's another 200 and suddenly 500 is 700 and he might play in '61 to get Ruth's record.....

 

[scout]

Russell, Teddy Ballgame and Marvin Hagler were greater athletes than Orr. If you can't handle it, maybe you should take a valuum.

Basically, when Orr retired I gave up watching hockey. As great a hitter that Ted Williams was, he's comparable to Manny on defense. He wasn't a threat to steal bases. He was arguably the greatest hitter of all time, not the greatest athlete. There is nothing I could possibly say to you if you do not see the magnificence of Orr, maybe that's the problem, you've never seen him.

 

[cstjohn17]

LeKevin Smith is not on the list

 

[PatsSox363804]

Since you say you're too young to remember even Orr, who played in the late 60's to early 70's, you are obviously too young to remember Russell, so I'll forgive your ignorance.

I am old enough to have seen Russell, Williams, and Orr play, many times each (although I was only starting to become a sports fan when Williams retired). So I know a bit more about these legends than some of the younger posters. I'm not saying that makes me a better person, just that it gives me a better perspective for judging.

OK, you say that Orr changed the game. Absolutely true, but so did Russell, who also:

1. Won 11 championships to Orr's 2
2. fought discrimination that young people today probably can't even imagine - and became (along with fellow sports icon Jim Brown and others) a visible spokesperson and leader in the fight for civil rights.
3. Became the first black head coach in any major sport
4. At the same time that he was also a player
5. And still won a championship while filling both roles
6. Also won 2 NCAA championships (as has been mentioned)
7. And an Olympic Gold medal

Was he the most outstanding athlete in the narrow sense? In some ways, (rebounding, defense, leadership), yes - but in other ways he was not even the most outstanding athlete amongst his NBA contemporaries, in which he was exceeded by Wilt Chamberlain and perhaps even others. But when the game and season were on the line, there was NO ONE better - EVER - not only in Boston, but in ANY sport.

Brady is awesome - the greatest winner sports has seen in years.

Williams had the most amazing ability to hit a baseball - if he hadn't missed years in service to his country his stats would have been even more eyepopping, but he failed to deliver in his biggest moment - 1946 World Series.

Yaz had some great seasons and is the last man to win baseball's Triple Crown in 1967 - a year in which he almost singlehandedly led the Red Sox to the world series victory, but fell just short.

Orr was absolutely the most amazing athlete - he figuratively towered over all of his contemporaries in his ability to singlehandedly take over a game. Sadly, his career was cut short by injuries.

Bird led the Celtics to 3 championships - but that doesn't even come close to what Russell did.

For me, when you consider the greatest athlete you have to consider the ultimate goal of athletics, and that is winning. There is no question who the greatest winner was, and that is Bill Russell.

I've seen plenty of clips of Russell and I would put him second to Orr, which is in no way a bad thing. Yes winning is important but that's like saying that Derek Jeter is a greater player than Ted Williams was, he isn't and never will be on Teddy Ballgames level, although he is a surefire hall of famer in his own right.

Really the discrimination issues make him a great person and a greater role model but they're not really relevant to this discussion, in my opinion.

But hey I like hockey more than basketball in general so maybe I'm biased.

 

[Seacoast Fan]

We should point out though, how great it is and how lucky we are to even be having this conversation. Even though the Sox went 86 years without a title, the Bruins havent won crap since 72, the Celtics since 86, etc we've seen some of the best professional athletes ever to play their sports in this city.

Amen to that, brother...

I am not sure any city comes close, in an across the board (ie, major sports) comparison. NY, for example, doesn't have anyone to compare to Orr in hockey, Russell, Bird, and Cousy in basketball...