Is LeBron the greatest athlete of all time?

[Budadiiii]

When you factor in size, strength, speed, agility, instincts, hand-eye coordination and stamina and durability to a lesser degree, is he the greatest specimen of all time?


There are guys who compete in the Olympics for specific events and may show all time athleticism in one category... and some of you might even mention decathlon athletes... but has anyone had the size/strength/speed/coordination like LeBron?

He has everything, and makes it look effortless. That's how you know's he an all-time great athlete. Considering everything, he's the best athlete of all.

[Derivative]

Michael Jordan

[Money 23]

Wilt / Shaq / LeBron are by far the biggest genetic freaks that I can think of in terms of the things they could do at their size, while still being able to jump, and be quick.

[LBJ 23]

Bryan Clay is up there

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvHewtIfEVs

[The Iron Fist]

Bo Jackson>>>Lebron

[Money 23]

In football, Bo Jackson, Jim Brown, Deion Sanders, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, and Adrian Peterson were tremendous athletes.

[eliteballer]

LeBron's not that different from a guy like McGrady....but find me another Shaq.

[JMT]

Jim Brown, Bo Jackson, Wilt Chamberlain, Deion Sanders... all excelled at multiple sports at a high level.

LeBron is a genetic marvel; as fast a guy that size as I've ever seen. But to categorize him as the greatest athlete of all time is a big reach.

[The Iron Fist]

Jim Brown, Bo Jackson, Wilt Chamberlain, Deion Sanders... all excelled at multiple sports at a high level.

LeBron is a genetic marvel; as fast a guy that size as I've ever seen. But to categorize him as the greatest athlete of all time is a big reach.
Dave Winfield got drafted by MLB, NFL and NBA.

That was a baaaad dude on a sports field.

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/002/484/457/dave-winfield.97277730_display_image.jpg?1344366932

[Budadiiii]

Jim Brown, Bo Jackson, Wilt Chamberlain, Deion Sanders... all excelled at multiple sports at a high level.

LeBron is a genetic marvel; as fast a guy that size as I've ever seen. But to categorize him as the greatest athlete of all time is a big reach.
You're saying LeBron couldn't excel at other sports? Come on...

Stupid argument against him.

[The Iron Fist]

You're saying LeBron couldn't excel at other sports? Come on...

Stupid argument against him.
Prove that he can.

[tikay0]

Bo Jackson>>>Lebron

Pretty much this. He goes to my gym. His legs are the size of tree trunks (literally).

[Budadiiii]

Prove that he can.
Excelling in other sports doesn't = better athlete anyways dude.

Sports have specific skill sets you develop in order to succeed. Not necessarily athletic traits. You mean to tell me playing BASEBALL at a high level = better athlete? Dude that's a skill driven sport. Again, stupid argument.



Name a guy with the size/strength/speed/stamina/coordination/durability/instincts that LeBron has.


He almost wins by default because he's so big and doesn't give up much speed while being much bigger and stronger than the Bo Jackson's of the world. And then add in the the god damn coordination/explosiveness/agility :biggums:


He has everything and displays it much more than any football player ever has.

[Money 23]

Iverson was quite the athlete too, he was an amazing football player in college, and could've played college and maybe found a fit in the NFL at some point.

Let's also not forget Charlie Ward. Dude was an elite QB for Florida State and was the starting PG for the Knicks for quite sometime in the 90's and early 2000's.

[CavaliersFTW]

Nope.

7-1 1/16th w/o shoes
7-8 wingspan
9-7" standing reach
11.5" hand spread
9.5" hand width
258lbs-327lbs

*4.6 40 in barefeet @ 290lbs
*Convinced a HOF pro football coach he'd be the greatest football reciever of ALL TIME
*Ali stated after scouting Wilt practicing, that he'd be a tougher opponent and more skilled than Joe Fazier in the boxing ring
*Worked out with Arnold, and even Arnold was in awe about his raw strength
*2 time big-eight NCAA high jumper, jumped 6-7.75 in the pre fosbury high-jump era - also was elite at the HS level in the 440, long jump, and in the NCAA also competed in triple jump
*Professional Volleyball player
*Owns the NBA record book to this day. Nobody touches his records even 50 years later, how many sports have had athletes with records for that long, let alone the NUMBER of records he has? He was so damn dominant at the sport of basketball people to this day desperately search for excuses to explain his achievements.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tDn7lBlbaC8/T1BIb5WnVRI/AAAAAAAADIM/n46efDf56To/s800/Wilt%2520Chamberlain%2520football.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fe4Ni9coRas/T0noVgi85OI/AAAAAAAADBM/_1tkKlTPhDI/s0/November%252028%252C%25201956%2520-%2520Wilt%2520Dunks%2520his%2520free%2520throws.jp g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwvdsi6gLl8

Lebron also has the "multi-sport gifted athleticism" thing going for him. And has an insane body that is rarified in sports. Lebron actually is on par with Wilt in many things, perhaps even exceeding him in a few by small margins. But Lebron is miles behind Wilt in terms of two very important categories.
Size, and strength.

[Just2McFly]

Iverson was quite the athlete too, he was an amazing football player in college, and could've played college and maybe found a fit in the NFL at some point.

Let's also not forget Charlie Ward. Dude was an elite QB for Florida State and was the starting PG for the Knicks for quite sometime in the 90's and early 2000's.
:applause:

[RedBlackAttack]

The guys who were elite in multiple sports are the ones who immediately come to mind in any discussion involving "best athlete" ever.

Dave Winfield is one that people often forget, but he has to be in any discussion like this.

Winfield was a first-ballot baseball Hall of Famer, which is arguably the most difficult sport to achieve that honor. Amazing as a hitter, fielder and base-runner. A true all-around stud athlete.

But, that is just one aspect...

He was also the starting power forward on a National Championship Minnesota college team, drafted by the Hawks and later played for Utah...

And, just for good measure, he was also drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.


He is the only athlete ever to be drafted in three professional sports.

[JMT]

You're saying LeBron couldn't excel at other sports? Come on...

Stupid argument against him.

No, what's stupid is assuming that he would when he hasn't.

Sorry that calling him a "genetic marvel" and "the fastest guy that size ever", but being unwilling to give him the unilateral title of Greatest Athlete Ever, hurts your feelings or somehow diminishes your LeBron-fueled fantasies.

[Budadiiii]

No, what's stupid is assuming that he would when he hasn't.
All state receiver in high school. You mean to tell me if LeBron dedicated himself to football instead of basketball, that he wouldn't be in the NFL right now? Obviously you can't confirm that he would be, but based on logic and reason, it's safe to say LeBron could excel at the very least, one other sport.


I'm more speaking on athletic traits than skillsets... there is a difference....


You can be an elite "athlete" without actually having many athletic traits. Ala Tiger Woods. Think a little man.

[Nash]

LeBron's not that different from a guy like McGrady....but find me another Shaq.
Shaq is a monster athlete for basketball but in other sports he'd be just useless.

I think MJ, Lebron and some other athletic dudes in the NBA are freak of natures and could play plenty of other sports and not be too big and clumsy for it. I mean lot at a game like soccer, if you're 6-2 or taller you're usually tall and clumsy. Guys like Jordan and Lebron would have no problems fitting in.

[tmacattack33]

Ehh...idk.

[Budadiiii]

No.

Probably some NFL safety or running back. Many have 40 inch verticals. Many can bench 325 + pounds. Many have 4.30 40 yard dash times.



Basically:

Lebron and all NBA players are where they are because they have skills. Lebron has good handles, an average NBA jump shot (which would be better than 99% of random people walking around the streets), and elite passing vision. That's why he's a super-star.

An NFL safety is where he is because he's fast as shit and strong as sh*t.
Being able to dribble a basketball efficiently and have passing ability require a high amount of coordination and instincts which is what really sets him apart. It's not just the raw stats like size, strength, and speed, it's the fact that he's so ****ing balanced and coordinated, while being incredibly explosive and displaying crazy stamina and durability. He's the best all around athlete ever. You can't really argue it if you sit back and factor everything in.

[JMT]

He's the best all around athlete ever. You can't really argue it if you sit back and factor everything in.

You encourage others to "think a little"... and this is your take? :facepalm

[tmacattack33]

Being able to dribble a basketball efficiently and have passing ability require a high amount of coordination and instincts which is what really sets him apart. It's not just the raw stats like size, strength, and speed, it's the fact that he's so ****ing balanced and coordinated, while being incredibly explosive and displaying crazy stamina and durability. He's the best all around athlete ever. You can't really argue it if you sit back and factor everything in.

Maybe on the ball handling part, but i wouldn't say passing vision is an athletic trait. It's more of a mental skill. And jump shooting is a very specific thing.

But anyway, it seems like we are just trying to find out who would be the best at all the major sports combined. And I'd go with Deion Sanders there.

[Budadiiii]

You encourage others to "think a little"... and this is your take? :facepalm
Dude, what the ****? Do you have an argument against it? Not like I'm going out on a limb by saying this, and everything said on here is just an opinion anyways.

What's your argument? Who measures up as an overall athlete like LeBron?

[DuMa]

lebron is up there. he could have been an elite WR or TE in the NFL if he chose to be.

but i think Bo Jackson is just the best athlete i have ever seen. he just effortlessly excelled in everything he did.

[Budadiiii]

Maybe on the ball handling part, but i wouldn't say passing vision is an athletic trait. It's more of a mental skill. And jump shooting is a very specific thing.

But anyway, it seems like we are just trying to find out who would be the best at all the major sports combined. And I'd go with Deion Sanders there.
Yah, people are confusing sport skill sets with athletic traits.

I bet Tony Romo and Sam Bradford are better at more sports than LeBron... but are they better athletes in the purest form of the word? Of course not.

[FatComputerNerd]

Best athlete of all time = Jim Thorpe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Thorpe)

[tmacattack33]

lebron is up there. he could have been an elite WR or TE in the NFL if he chose to be.

but i think Bo Jackson is just the best athlete i have ever seen. he just effortlessly excelled in everything he did.

That's kinda a crazy thing to say.

Even if he was the nation's top WR as a WR his senior year of high school, he wouldn't be guaranteed to be at Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson's, and Larry Fitzgerald's level in the National Football League.

And he wasn't number one in the nation. He was apparently one of the best WR's in his state...and there are 50 states.

[tmacattack33]

Yah, people are confusing sport skill sets with athletic traits.

I bet Tony Romo and Sam Bradford are better at more sports than LeBron... but are they better athletes in the purest form of the word? Of course not.

Huh?

So now we are discussing athletic traits in the purest form of the word?

Well then an NFL safety or running back is going to easily beat Lebron in this. They are faster, stronger, and many will be able to match Lebron's vertical. It's no contest.

[Budadiiii]

That's kinda a crazy thing to say.

Even if he was the nation's top WR as a WR his senior year of high school, he wouldn't be guaranteed to be at Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson's, and Larry Fitzgerald's level in the National Football League.

And he wasn't number one in the nation. He was apparently one of the best WR's in his state...and there are 50 states.
Yes but.... Football was never his main sport and he stopped playing after his sophomore season if I'm not mistaken....

Imagine if it was his main sport and dedicated himself the same way he did towards basketball...


all hypotheticals but I bet football was just a leisure activity for him.

[Mr. Jabbar]

negged.

[The Iron Fist]

Excelling in other sports doesn't = better athlete anyways dude.

Sports have specific skill sets you develop in order to succeed. Not necessarily athletic traits. You mean to tell me playing BASEBALL at a high level = better athlete? Dude that's a skill driven sport. Again, stupid argument.



Name a guy with the size/strength/speed/stamina/coordination/durability/instincts that LeBron has.


He almost wins by default because he's so big and doesn't give up much speed while being much bigger and stronger than the Bo Jackson's of the world. And then add in the the god damn coordination/explosiveness/agility :biggums:


He has everything and displays it much more than any football player ever has.
Bo Jax was an all star with the best players of his era, and an all pro with the best players of his era. Michael Jordan tried baseball and didn't do shit. Dave Winfield was drafted by the three major sports leagues in america. Just because an athlete is gifted at one sport, doesn't mean he will excel at others because hes big and fast. Some of the best baseball players of all time weren't the fastest or strongest because thats a sport that requires incredible hand/eye coordination. So no, he doesn't almost win by default when there have been better athletes in history.

[miller-time]

Well then an NFL safety or running back is going to easily beat Lebron in this. They are faster, stronger, and many will be able to match Lebron's vertical. It's no contest.

Specifically who?

[TheMarkMadsen]

Buddaii argues his point worse than anybody i've seen :facepalm


idk if this nikka could convince me the sky was blue

[Budadiiii]

Huh?

So now we are discussing athletic traits in the purest form of the word?

Well then an NFL safety or running back is going to easily beat Lebron in this. They are faster, stronger, and many will be able to match Lebron's vertical. It's no contest.
Stronger? No. Faster with a ratio to their height and weight? No. Vertical? Even if they do, LeBron is much taller and bigger wingspan so again they don't match up ratio wise. Like I said, LeBron wins by default because of his size and the fact that is doesn't deduct other traits as much as it should set him a part.

[BrickingStar]

Huh?

So now we are discussing athletic traits in the purest form of the word?

Well then an NFL safety or running back is going to easily beat Lebron in this. They are faster, stronger, and many will be able to match Lebron's vertical. It's no contest.
Only agree with a few safety and barely a few RBs. Just because they can deliver blows to players on their blind sides with gear on does not make them stronger. And lebron has them beat on the Endurance department and not even close when factoring his measurements (weight/height)

[Budadiiii]

Buddaii argues his point worse than anybody i've seen :facepalm


idk if this nikka could convince me the sky was blue
I'm well aware of this. I'm terrible at explaining my point over the internet :facepalm

It doesn't help that I'm baked either

[tmacattack33]

Specifically who?


I haven't even been watching much football lately, but off the top of my head...


Peterson: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=58020&draftyear=2007&genpos=RB

6'1 217 lbs
40 time: 4.37
Max Bench press is apparently 350 lbs
38 inch vertical leap




Patrick Willis: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=17257&draftyear=2007&genpos=ILB

6'1 242 lbs
40 time: 4.37 as well
Can bench press 225 lbs for 22 reps
39 inch vertical leap

[TheMarkMadsen]

I'm well aware of this. I'm terrible at explaining my point over the internet :facepalm

It doesn't help that I'm baked either

:lol

i feel you man

[tmacattack33]

And it doesn't just have to be a super-star NFL RB or Safety.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft/combine/_/id/89

Here are some no name NFL players:

Damario Davis, LB, 6'2'' 235 lbs

40 time: 4.61
Vertical leap: 38.5
Bench press 225 lbs: 32 times


Nigel Bradham, LB, 6'2'' 241 lbs

40 time: 4.64
Vertical leap: 37.0
Bench press 225 lbs: 24 times

[BrickingStar]

And it doesn't just have to be a super-star NFL RB or Safety.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft/combine/_/id/89

Here are some no name NFL players:

Damario Davis, LB, 6'2'' 235 lbs

40 time: 4.61
Vertical leap: 38.5
Bench press 225 lbs: 32 times


Nigel Bradham, LB, 6'2'' 241 lbs

40 time: 4.64
Vertical leap: 37.0
Bench press 225 lbs: 24 timesUnless bench pressing is the only thing you factor for strength I don't see how both of those beat lebron in athleticism along with the fact those 3 are not the only variables for athleticism

[tmacattack33]

Unless bench pressing is the only thing you factor for strength I don't see how both of those beat lebron in athleticism along with the fact those 3 are not the only variables for athleticism

I'm sure those freak of natures can also squat a hell of a lot too. And curl. And military press.

I just listed bench pressing 225 lbs because that's one of the things every player does at the draft combine.

[RaininThrees]

Hard to compare athletes then and now, but Jim Thorpe has to be in the conversation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Thorpe


Considered one of the most versatile athletes of modern sports, he won Olympic gold medals for the 1912 pentathlon and decathlon, played American football (collegiate and professional), and also played professional baseball and basketball.

[SilkkTheShocker]

Bo Jackson by far. The guy who said Tmac and Lebron were equal is beyond stupid.

[Zodiac]

Herschel, are people forgetting that the guy is winning MMA Bouts at age 50.

[La Frescobaldi]

I always sit in wonder at the short-sighted threads that talk about "all time."

All time basketball player is one thing.

Anybody on ISH ever watch ancient Greek wrestlers?

Ever see a Roman Gladiator?

What about an Aztec warrior in full cry racing down the court bumping a rubber ball off his elbow trying to push it through a circle high up on the wall? Ullamaliztli players had to be some kinda athlete!!

How you gonna talk about all time anything?

And to talk about LeBron when there's guys like Jim Thorpe within recent history. :wtf: :wtf:

just amazing

[The Iron Fist]

Throw Jackie Robinson in the mix as well.

[RaininThrees]

I always sit in wonder at the short-sighted threads that talk about "all time."

All time basketball player is one thing.

Anybody on ISH ever watch ancient Greek wrestlers?

Ever see a Roman Gladiator?

What about an Aztec warrior in full cry racing down the court bumping a rubber ball off his elbow trying to push it through a circle high up on the wall? Ullamaliztli players had to be some kinda athlete!!

How you gonna talk about all time anything?

And to talk about LeBron when there's guys like Jim Thorpe within recent history. :wtf: :wtf:

just amazing

Click back a page to see Thorpe.

[eddiem4s]

I put the incredible Mark Madsen up there alongside the all powerful Danny Ainge.

[AngelEyes]

Bo Jax was an all star with the best players of his era, and an all pro with the best players of his era. Michael Jordan tried baseball and didn't do shit. Dave Winfield was drafted by the three major sports leagues in america. Just because an athlete is gifted at one sport, doesn't mean he will excel at others because hes big and fast. Some of the best baseball players of all time weren't the fastest or strongest because thats a sport that requires incredible hand/eye coordination. So no, he doesn't almost win by default when there have been better athletes in history.

Bo Jackson was playing baseball his entire life, Jordan hadn't played baseball since high school and picked it up again when he was 31. Most baseball players who aren't using PEDs are already past their prime or nearing the end of their prime at this age, not a fair comparison. If Jordan had kept playing baseball and had been serious about it at a much younger age, say 21, he would have been far more successful.

[Kellogs4toniee]

I always sit in wonder at the short-sighted threads that talk about "all time."

All time basketball player is one thing.

Anybody on ISH ever watch ancient Greek wrestlers?

Ever see a Roman Gladiator?

What about an Aztec warrior in full cry racing down the court bumping a rubber ball off his elbow trying to push it through a circle high up on the wall? Ullamaliztli players had to be some kinda athlete!!

How you gonna talk about all time anything?

And to talk about LeBron when there's guys like Jim Thorpe within recent history. :wtf: :wtf:

just amazing


Lol your taking this way too seriously. I think its safe to "assume" OP is talking about only modern sports, since you know... no one knows anything like name, height, speed of the warriors of old.

[La Frescobaldi]

Nope.

7-1 1/16th w/o shoes
7-8 wingspan
9-7" standing reach
11.5" hand spread
9.5" hand width
258lbs-327lbs

*4.6 40 in barefeet @ 290lbs
*Convinced a HOF pro football coach he'd be the greatest football reciever of ALL TIME
*Ali stated after scouting Wilt practicing, that he'd be a tougher opponent and more skilled than Joe Fazier in the boxing ring
*Worked out with Arnold, and even Arnold was in awe about his raw strength
*2 time big-eight NCAA high jumper, jumped 6-7.75 in the pre fosbury high-jump era - also was elite at the HS level in the 440, long jump, and in the NCAA also competed in triple jump
*Professional Volleyball player
*Owns the NBA record book to this day. Nobody touches his records even 50 years later, how many sports have had athletes with records for that long, let alone the NUMBER of records he has? He was so damn dominant at the sport of basketball people to this day desperately search for excuses to explain his achievements.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tDn7lBlbaC8/T1BIb5WnVRI/AAAAAAAADIM/n46efDf56To/s800/Wilt%2520Chamberlain%2520football.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fe4Ni9coRas/T0noVgi85OI/AAAAAAAADBM/_1tkKlTPhDI/s0/November%252028%252C%25201956%2520-%2520Wilt%2520Dunks%2520his%2520free%2520throws.jp g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwvdsi6gLl8

Lebron also has the "multi-sport gifted athleticism" thing going for him. And has an insane body that is rarified in sports. Lebron actually is on par with Wilt in many things, perhaps even exceeding him in a few by small margins. But Lebron is miles behind Wilt in terms of two very important categories.
Size, and strength.

Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest athlete I have seen in my lifetime.

[plowking]

I haven't even been watching much football lately, but off the top of my head...


Peterson: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=58020&draftyear=2007&genpos=RB

6'1 217 lbs
40 time: 4.37
Max Bench press is apparently 350 lbs
38 inch vertical leap




Patrick Willis: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=17257&draftyear=2007&genpos=ILB

6'1 242 lbs
40 time: 4.37 as well
Can bench press 225 lbs for 22 reps
39 inch vertical leap

Endurance is part of being an athlete. None of them could run out a basketball game for 40 minutes. While Lebron can put up comparable numbers on nearly all explosive activities bar the bench press. In fact, I'd say his running vertical is better. And his 40 time would be on par, at 6'9 and far heavier than both.

[The Iron Fist]

Bo Jackson was playing baseball his entire life, Jordan hadn't played baseball since high school and picked it up again when he was 31. Most baseball players who aren't using PEDs are already past their prime or nearing the end of their prime at this age, not a fair comparison. If Jordan had kept playing baseball and had been serious about it at a much younger age, say 21, he would have been far more successful.Jordan played baseball since he was a kid, he just sucked at it.

[AngelEyes]

Jordan played baseball since he was a kid, he just sucked at it.

He played in high school and stopped when he was about 15 or so. It was actually a minor achievement that he was able to be as good as he was, even if his average was putrid. He was actually improving in his last stages as a baseball player, even some of his minor league coaches mentioned this. If he had stuck with baseball through high school and maybe played it in college and tried to play in the minors in his early 20's, well then he would have been much improved.

[KOBE143]

No

GOATbrook :confusedshrug:

[pauk]

Jordan / Lebron / Shaq / Wilt

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Basketball players are generally better pure athletes than football players. Bigger divas and not as tough though.

[Kovach]

No, it is clearly Tiger Woods. He has won more ESPY awards than any other athlete.

[alenleomessi]

leo messi

[lakerspng]

bo jackson
jim thorpe
carl lewis
Wilt Chamberlain
Deion Sanders
Rafer Johnson
Jackie Robinson
Dave Winfield
Jim Brown

I would put them all ahead of LeBron... but he certainly is phenomenal

[redrich2000]

When you factor in size, strength, speed, agility, instincts, hand-eye coordination and stamina and durability to a lesser degree, is he the greatest specimen of all time?


There are guys who compete in the Olympics for specific events and may show all time athleticism in one category... and some of you might even mention decathlon athletes... but has anyone had the size/strength/speed/coordination like LeBron?

He has everything, and makes it look effortless. That's how you know's he an all-time great athlete. Considering everything, he's the best athlete of all.

Do you realise there are actually other countries in the world besides the US and in those countries they play a bunch of other sports? Have you watched any of those sports?