Top 25 Impact Athletes of the Last 25 Years (part 2)

Here are the top 10 impact athletes of the past quarter-century.  This is a continuation of last week's entry.  Enjoy...and feel free to debate!


10. Alexander Ovechkin (2005 – present), Washington Capitals – Ovechkin has brought something to the rink that was lacking for at least a decade - a bonafide, aggressive scoring machine. He has scored 45+ goals in each of the first five seasons in the NHL. When Ovie gets the puck, the opponents are almost always in retreat mode. He creates space each time his skates touch the ice for himself and teammates with his speed, attitude, and physicality. Ovechkin's style of play is by no means a precise one. He uses his severely curved stick to rip blazing shots at goaltenders from any and all angles. Ovie hasn't met a shot that he didn't like. He's not the two-way player that Sidney Crosby is. But, he dominates play nearly every time he comes over the boards. It is a rare occasion that a defender is able to take Ovechkin out of "his game." Unlike many other scoring forwards, Ovie is willing to throw his weight around. This has led to a number of questionable hits. He hasn't experienced the ultimate team success yet in the playoffs. His Capitals team is perennially in the running for the Presidents Trophy. They haven't been able to put together a true team effort in the postseason to win the Cup, but they will always be a threat. If the Caps goalies can shine in May and June, look for Ovie to be a Cup champion sooner rather than later. The way that he can take over a game is unparalleled. 
9. Roger Federer (1998 – present), Men’s Tennis – Federer has carried the torch of men's tennis after the departure of such iconic figures as Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. There has never been a more complete player ever to hit the tennis courts. His baseline play is superb, including a devastating forehand and a unique one-handed backhand. Federer's serve is not specifically designed to regularly deliver aces, but it is challenging for opponents to get a jump on it due to the very mechanical consistency of his toss. Although Roger does not approach the net often during his matches, his volley is among the game's best. His record supports the assessment as an all-time great - an astounding 16 career Grand Slam singles titles (six Wimbledon, five US Open, four Australian Open, and one French Open title), and he's only 29 years old. He held the #1 ranking for a record 237 consecutive weeks from 2004-2008. Federer certainly has a few great years left before he will no longer be able to maintain his era of excellence. It took Roger a few years on the pro tour to develop his overall game before he was an elite player. He became a professional in 1998, but didn't win his first major until defeating Mark Philippousis at Wimbledon in 2003. Over the past eight years, Federer has averaged two Grand Slams (out of four) each year. His championship run has occurred while having a share of worthy adversaries trying to dethrone him. Currently, Federer is entrenched in a great rivalry with Rafael Nadal. The two have had some epic matches in their careers, none greater than the 2008 Wimbledon Final, which Nadal won at dusk after nearly five hours. That match ended Roger's run of five consecutive Wimbledon championships. Federer has increased the level of the overall game by challenging his opponents to match him. Nadal is next in line and may someday overtake Federer as the game's best, but it’s still Roger’s crown.

Federer delivering a serve

8. LeBron James (2003 – present), Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat – King James is currently the world's most dominating basketball player. He was the coveted prize of the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery, one that happened to present his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers the opportunitiy to draft him with the #1 overall selection. James was a man amongst boys in high school. Every player who was drafted directly from high school before James experienced some growing pains before "making it" as a pro, even Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett. LeBron was the exception. He immediately sparked a downtrodden Cavaliers franchise into one of the most rabid fanbases in all of sports. Everyone wanted to see what the kid could do. What he could do was simply spectacular. As a physical specimen, James is part acrobat, but primarily a freight train. When LeBron James gets a head of steam driving to the basket, he is unstoppable. He has made the NBA even more of a one-on-one game with his attacking style, leaving officials no other option but to call a slew of fouls. While LeBron has become a significantly better perimeter shooter than early in his career, he is still more skilled at taking defenders off the dribble. He is especially indefensible on the fast break because of his ability to both finish and dish to teammates. I think it is a fair comparison to draw between him and Alexander Ovechkin - both aggressive, strong-willed, offensively oriented players with great regular season success but no postseason victories on the resume. James was supposed to be the next Michael Jordan, but Jordan never abruptly left his team via free agency via a one-hour television special. Jordan won early in his career, LeBron hasn't (yet). Now that James has bolted for South Beach, he has a sidekick or two in Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The problem is that Wade isn't a sidekick...he's an alpha male just like LeBron. Jordan's sidekicks were Scottie Pippen and (to a lesser extent) Dennis Rodman. They knew their place in the pecking order. As a result of poor team chemistry and coaching, the 2010 Miami Heat have begun the season slowly with a 10-8 record. No one can question James' superb talent. Everyone may question whether he will ever obtain the team accolades he desires...or will the one-on-one NBA game that James furthered ultimately be his undoing. After all, it's difficult to have two superstars vying to be #1.
7. Michael Phelps (2001 – present), United States swimmer – This is the most phenomenal athlete I've ever seen, period. His wingspan is 6'7", which allows his arms to act as paddles while having size 14 feet acting as flippers - a unique body structure for an elite swimmer, let alone an average guy. I personally think he has gills. He has set a whopping 39 world records (29 individual, 10 relay) throughout his swimming career. In one of the more glamorized sports of the Olympics, Michael Phelps holds the distinction of being the most medaled athlete of all-time (14 gold, 2 bronze medals). The previous record was nine medals. All the world's eyes were on Phelps in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as he attempted to surpass Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics. One of the heart-stopping moments occurred in the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay as the French team opened a wide lead on the Americans. Phelps began to rein in the French lead with his leg before Jason Lezak swam the anchor to surpass Frenchman Alain Bernard by 0.08 seconds for the most exciting relay in swimming history. Earlier, Bernard said, "The Americans? We're going to smash them. That's what we came here for," Look who's smashed now. The closest call of Phelps' Olympics wasn't even the relay. It came in the 100 meter butterfly when Milorad Čavić of Serbia got off to a half-body length lead that Phelps gradually closed over the past 25 meters. As Čavić glided into the wall with an apparent victory, Phelps employed a (usually ill-advised) quick half-stroke that propelled him to the wall just ahead of Čavić. The underwater photos were analyzed to determine that Phelps won by a mere 0.01 second. The other six gold medals proved "easier" for Phelps, so he was able to achieve his goal of eight golds. What an amazing series of performances in one week in August 2008! He forever changed the sport of swimming and the Olympic Games. Michael Phelps is the bar to which all other Olympian greats will be compared. Oh, and he's not done. Phelps will compete in the 2012 London Olympics before possibly retiring. He could reach 20 gold medals?!

Phelps swimming for gold in Beijing (Getty Images)

6. Barry Bonds (1986 – 2007), Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants – Bonds entered the league with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a prodigy - son of former baseball great, Bobby Bonds. He quickly established himself as a fantastic all-around "five tool" player - solid hitter for average and power, could steal bases with his great speed, tremendous outfield arm, and fielded his position of left field extremely well. Early in his career, Bonds' outstanding everyday play yielded success for the Pirates, earning three consecutive trips to the postseason and two MVP awards. Free agency came calling in 1992 and Bonds broke the hearts of Pittsburghers by signing with the San Francisco Giants. His two MVPs with the Pirates would pale in comparison to what he achieved in the City by the Bay. His game "transformed" after several successful seasons between 1993-2000 (averaging 40 HR, 106 RBI per season). Bonds became the single season Home Run King in 2001 with 73 home runs. I'll boldly state that this number will never be duplicated as the last three individuals who exceeded 60 HRs in a season are shrouded in performance-enhancing drug controversies (Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa). Bonds never hit 50 home runs in any other season, but he managed 73 dingers in only 476 at bats. So, the historical numbers are suspicious. Then there's Bonds' evident physical growth. Barry went through such a massive body change that he bulged from 185 pounds at the outset of his career to 228 pounds by the end. His hat size is rumored to have increased by 5/8 of a size and his feet grew 2 1/2 sizes, too - that doesn't normally happen with grown adults, does it? It's also interesting that his stolen bases tapered off drastically with the added weight. Let's get back to baseball - Barry was the most feared hitter for over a decade, by far. He was pitched around more often than any other batter, enduring 688 intentional walks and 2558 career walks (both all-time records). Bonds' longevity allowed him to break Hank Aaron's career homer mark of 755 in 2007 by notching 762 shortly before leaving the game. He officially retired in 2009 after no Major League team was interested in his services. Bonds has repeatedly denied steroid use, so it will be interesting to see what Hall of Fame voters do in 2012 with arguably the greatest player of his generation (and one of the top 3-4 players of all-time). McGwire has been left out in the cold, but will Bonds? The merit of skill is certainly deserving - 14 All-Star selections, 8 Gold Gloves, and 7 MVPs. The debate will soon begin.

It's really frightening to see the size difference after 20 years of baseball...among other things

5. Peyton Manning (1998 – present), Indianapolis Colts – No other player prepares for football quite like Manning does. His ability to read defenses, process information, set up blocking schemes, and change plays is simply the best...and that's all pre-snap. After he gets the ball from center Jeff Saturday, he uses his eyes to throw off defenses and moves around just enough in the pocket to create the best throwing lane for himself. Then, to top it off, he is physically gifted enough to make passes into very tight spots to receivers who sometimes aren't even open - this can be at the line of scrimmage, 40-50 yards downfield, or anywhere in between. Manning's exhaustive film study allows him to assimilate details of a team's defensive schemes, so he is rarely surprised when on the field - he's seen it all before...on film. Manning is the reason we hear commentators utter words like "cerebral." The NFL has become more of a passing league because people want to see the touchdown passes. After all, that's why defensive backs have been handicapped with how limited their contact on receivers are allowed to be, based on rule changes implemented several years ago. The one knock on his career is his postseason record - he has only enjoyed one Super Bowl victory along with a number of disappointments in trying to represent the AFC. Barring injury, Manning someday will own all of the prominent passing records in the NFL. He has been an elite quarterback since he entered the league, and there's no sign of him slowing down any time soon.
4. Shaquille O'Neal (1992 – present), Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics - There hasn't been a dominant center like Shaq since Wilt Chamberlain.  He entered the league as an unrefined yet athletic center.  No one could handle him then, and for the better part of his career, he was still impossible to defend.  At 7'1" and roughly 325 pounds, O'Neal has been an intimidating force that no single defender could handle.  The individual who had the most success guarding O'Neal was Vlade Divac, who Shaq claimed cheated and flopped.  But, Divac never really stopped O'Neal, he only slowed him down a little bit.  He quickly developed an arsenal of post moves - he could drop step, pivot, take a quick dribble towards the basket, or lower his shoulder to make enough space to release his half hook shot.  With O'Neal's game rounding into form, teams began to employ the "Hack a Shaq" strategy.  This required the opponent's big men to use their fouls to put O'Neal on the free throw line due to Shaq's ineptitude as a foul shooter (usually hovering around the 50% mark).  The most successful days in Shaq's career were spent with the Los Angeles Lakers.  He relished the spotlight and won three NBA championships from 2000 - 2002 alongside Kobe Bryant under the guidance of Phil Jackson.  After the years of success, everyone's egos seemed to inflate.  The court wasn't big enough for both Shaq and Kobe.  In 2004, Shaq's dedication to the sport was being questioned, as he showed up overweight and out of shape.  So, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak pulled off a blockbuster trade to deal O'Neal to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant, and a first round draft pick.  Surprisingly, this trade ended up being beneficial to both teams.  O'Neal and Dwyane Wade experienced the immediate success of an NBA Championship in 2006 with the Miami Heat while the Lakers won titles in 2009 and 2010 with Kobe being the primary weapon along with Odom and Pau Gasol being adequate role players.  Shaq's skills have diminished since his days in Miami and he has bounced around from team to team, searching for championship success.  He is currently the oldest player in the league with the Boston Celtics filling the need of a solid rebounder and post presence.  O'Neal has made 15 All-Star teams, won two scoring titles, one MVP award, and is in the top ten for points scored, field goals, and blocks.  The mountain of a man will wind up his career among the all-time greats, but his physical presence on the basketball court may never be equaled.

Earl Boykins wonders if the weather really is different for Shaquille O'Neal.

3. Lance Armstrong (1992 – 2005, 2009 – 2011), United States cyclist – Lance Armstrong received status of "legend" when he returned from his battle with testicular cancer and won the Tour de France in 1999...then he finished the next six consecutive Tours wearing the maillot jaune (yellow jersey) as well. What title do you give that - epic, immortal? How about "the best." Armstrong started his career as a highly regarded cyclist in 1992. He won a World Cycling Champion title and his first Tour de France stage victory in 1993. But, he hadn't put it all together for an entire Tour. In 1996, he was forced to bow out of the Tour de France due to illness during the seventh stage. Later that year, he had disappointing finishes in the time trial and road race at the Atlanta Olympics. Two short months after the Olympics, Armstrong was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer. A tumor had also metastasized to his lungs and brain. The outlook was bleak - his doctor gave Armstrong a 40% chance of survival. Forget cycling, this guy's life could be over. Lance endured two months of chemotherapy, as well as testicular and brain surgery. To the amazement of nearly everyone, the cancer went into remission within a year's time and Armstrong was chomping at bit to get back on the bike. So, he began training in January 1998, placing fourth in the Vuelta a España. A year later, his unbelievable streak of seven Tour de France wins (exceeding the previous record of five, most recently achieved by Spaniard Miguel Indurain) began. Armstrong was lethal in time trials and outstanding on the steep Alpine slopes. He and Jan Ullrich enjoyed a friendly, but competitive rivalry that always ended with Armstrong on top of the podium. In 2005, it appeared that Armstrong was riding off into the sunset when he retired following the Tour. He "took time off" to train for marathons, running both the New York City and Boston events in impressive sub 3-hour times. Lance called it "without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done." But, as many elite athletes do, Lance returned to the sport of cycling in 2009 and 2010. It is obvious that time has caught up with Armstrong as he finished third in 2009 and was forgettable in 2010 Tours. He intends to retire from international racing following next year's Tour Down Under in Australia. Due to Armstrong's recovery from cancer treatment, many riders have cast doubt upon Armstrong's achievements. They wonder how he could be so strong after a bout with a debilitating disease. Former teammeate Floyd Landis claims that Armstrong tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in 2002, and that there was a cover-up in place between team and race officials. As the doping and PED suspicion swirls, Lance has defended himself by saying that he is "the most tested athlete in the world," pointing to the frequent blood tests that he has taken. Following his cancer remission, Armstrong established the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997. To date, the foundation has raised over $325 million for cancer research with proceeds coming from corporate sponsorships, yellow Livestrong bracelets, and footwear. Armstrong has been an inspiration to cancer patients everywhere by what he has achieved on the bike. Off the bike, he continues to give patients hope with the Livestrong foundation today.
2. Mia Hamm (1991 – 2004), United States soccer – In a sport that rarely got national recognition, but is considered the "world's game," Mia Hamm made Americans aware of her sport during her reign as the world's best soccer player. All told, she played 275 games on the United States team, scoring 158 goals. That mark is an international record for any individual player, male or female. She was chosen by Pelé as one of FIFA's 125 best living players - only two women earned that distinction: Hamm and fellow American, Michelle Akers. When she was enrolled at the University of North Carolina, the womens' soccer team won the National Championship each year, only losing once in the 95 matches that she played. She averaged better than one goal per game as a Tar Heel. At age 19, Mia was the youngest member on America's first World Cup winner in 1991. The country, though, still had not embraced soccer. However, in 1999, Mia Hamm had become much more of a household name. The United States hosted the World Cup tournament and provided the host country a thrilling, shootout victory over China before a packed Rose Bowl crowd. This was the highest attendance for a women's sporting event ever. The sport of soccer has exploded at many levels in the U.S., but the predominant faction was youngsters - both girls and boys. In the past decade, kids flocked to the sport because of the success achieved by the United States team, thanks in large part to the efforts of Mia Hamm. She also led the way for Olympic gold medal-winning teams in 1996 and 2004, with a silver in 2000. As the 2004 Olympics closed, Hamm was selected by her fellow American Olympians of being Team USA's Closing Ceremony flagbearer. This may have had something to do with her announcing her retirement from the sport following the Games. So, she had a very appropriate sendoff to her career - carrying the flag at one last event...when, in reality, she carried it for her sport for thirteen years.
1. Tiger Woods (1996 – present), Men’s Golf – I don't know of any other athlete who has singularly created interest in his sport like Tiger Woods has. Woods was groomed to be a golfer since infancy. Most people have seen clips of him as a 2-year old pummeling a golf ball on the Mike Douglas show. Tiger broke 80 on a full 18 holes of golf at age 8. Tiger's father had a vision for him - and that was to become the world's greatest golfer. Well, he has achieved that. Woods has the most complete shot repertoire of anyone that the game has ever seen. He can drive the ball a mile, plus his shot-making inventiveness is second to none. Before Tiger hit the tour, who would think to use a fairway wood with a full swing to produce a flop shot of less than 15 yards from deep rough? None that I can recall. He is streaky when it comes to his short game, but the way he reads greens is exceptional. But, it's the bigger than life persona of Tiger Woods that puts him atop this list. He has changed golf from a middle-aged white man's game to being a sport for everyone - old, young, men, women, any race, you get the picture. The viewership of PGA events has grown exponentially since Woods became a professional. Networks pray that Woods plays in tournaments that they televise because people tune in just to see Tiger. The number of people who hit the links has increased as well due to the "Tiger effect." Heck, even golf movies have made a resurgence in popularity. Nothing can touch "Caddyshack," but "Tin Cup," "Happy Gilmore," and "The Legend of Bagger Vance" were all creatively done, successful movies in the Tiger Woods era. Woods' career has suffered setbacks in the past few years - the ACL tear he suffered at the 2008 US Open (that he won), as well as his scandalous personal life being unveiled to the world after Tiger's one-car crash last November. All of his mistresses then came forward with details of his affairs, effectively ending his marriage...and changing the way he played golf in 2010. Now single, Woods claims to have returned to his core values. Will we see the focus and intimidation that he brought to golf courses as recently as two years ago? Tiger has not yet overtaken Jack Nicklaus as the all-time winningest Major champion (Woods has 14, Nicklaus has 18), but he has half a career to win five more majors. I wouldn't count him out.

Will the 2008 US Open be Tiger's last Major Championship celebration?

Here are the best of the rest that I couldn't pass up at least giving a status of 'honorable mention.' These men and women would round out the Top 100 impact athletes who debuted in the past quarter-century:
1986: Greg Maddux, Andre Agassi, Brett Hull
1987: Rod Woodson, Cris Carter, Randy Johnson, Reggie Miller, Scottie Pippen, Aleksandr Karelin
1988: Pete Sampras, Joe Sakic, Thurman Thomas, Romario
1989: Ken Griffey, Jr., Derrick Thomas, David Robinson
1990: Emmitt Smith, Jaromir Jagr, Shannon Sharpe, Dominik Hasek
1991: Nicklas Lidstrom, Michael Johnson, Bjorn Daehlie
1992: Annika Sorenstam, Teemu Selanne, Oscar De La Hoya, Phil Mickelson
1993: Manny Ramirez, Will Shields, Michael Strahan
1994: Marshall Faulk, Venus Williams, Larry Allen, Jason Kidd, Kevin Mawae
1995: Derek Jeter, Serena Williams, Warren Sapp, Kevin Garnett
1996: Steve Nash, Jonathan Ogden, Terrell Owens, Allen Iverson
1997: Tim Duncan, Marion Jones, Lisa Leslie
1998: Dirk Nowitzki, Roy Halladay, Charles Woodson
2000: Tom Brady
2001: LaDainian Tomlinson, Rafael Nadal, Drew Brees, Michael Vick
2002: Apolo Anton Ohno
2003: Troy Polamalu, Carmelo Anthony, Antonio Gates, Dwyane Wade
2004: Usain Bolt, Dwight Howard, Larry Fitzgerald, Diana Tauarasi
2005: Chris Paul, Aaron Rodgers
2006: Shaun White, Nick Mangold
2007: Adrian Peterson, Darrelle Revis, Calvin Johnson
2008: Steven Stamkos, Chris Johnson, Derrick Rose
2009: Clay Matthews, Jr.
2010: Blake Griffin

Top 25 Impact Athletes of the Last 25 Years

The following is a list of athletes who have had a significant impact on how their sport is played. After long deliberation, I determined that I would include the top 25 athletes who have debuted in the past 25 years. So, if you’re looking for Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Jerry Rice, Mike Tyson, or even Alberto Tomba, they didn’t make the grade because their professional debut was prior to 1986. This week’s entry features the athletes I ranked 11 through 25. Next week’s will showcase the top ten. Enjoy!

25. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils (1991-present) – Brodeur has been the steady netminder of the Devils for 20 years. His career may be starting to decline, but he has enjoyed an amazing run. Brodeur has been the perfect complement to the Devils’ gritty defensive style. Rarely have the Devils had an elite scorer during Brodeur’s reign between the pipes. So, they’ve had to rely primarily on a defensive system that starts with a trapping scheme and ends with Marty doing an impersonation of a brick wall. Through the years, his puck handling and rebound control has been outstanding. The NHL actually adopted rules limiting the area where goalies could handle the puck due to Brodeur’s knack for getting pucks out of the corners and starting rushes going the other way. As a goalie, he has obtained just about every record imaginable (including 606 wins, 112 shutouts, 1093 games played) thanks to the sustained success of the team’s system and his ability to avoid injury, at least until the past few years. Imagine entering training camp each summer, knowing that you can count on your goalie for 70+ games and 38+ wins. That’s what the Devils had from 1997-2006. Brodeur has been the mainstay during the Cup titles of 1995, 2000, and 2003. He’s certainly brought a winning attitude to a franchise that didn’t experience much success prior to his arrival.
24. Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings (two stints), Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans – Randy burst onto the scene in 1998 as the deep threat that the Minnesota Vikings didn’t need. After all, they already had a great duo at the wide receiver position in Cris Carter and Jake Reed. Moss’ sketchy past made him a slight risk to team chemistry. But, his natural speed and pass-catching skills immediately shone through as he made Minnesota a title contender and revived Randall Cunningham’s career. Randall only needed to throw the ball deep in Randy’s vicinity and Moss could go up and get it, no matter the coverage. Moss’ career has been tumultuous, but his ability to force defenders to cover the deep pass has revolutionized the NFL passing game. In his stint with the New England Patriots, Moss still provided playmaking skills down the field, while allowing Tom Brady (and Matt Cassel) to throw underneath to receivers such as Wes Welker. This has given defensive coordinators nightmares as to how to defend the deep ball while covering fleet-footed guys catching short and intermediate routes. The trend of the NFL has seen the expansion of the passing game, and some of this can be attributed the physical specimen that is Randy Moss.

Moss getting behind the Jets' secondary

23. Brett Favre (1991-present), Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings – This man has been a legend at the quarterback position for the past two decades. What can be said about him that hasn’t already been said? He has started 295 consecutive regular season games, which is astounding given the pounding that QBs endure on a weekly basis. He doesn’t have the exceptional size or speed that other, more naturally-gifted athletes possess. The reason that Favre makes this list is his arm speed and his health. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a QB throw a ball harder, or attempt to throw it in a tighter window than Favre regularly does. Occasionally, his willingness to throw into coverage results in interceptions. But, his warrior mentality and consistent health throughout his career has made him the ultimate gunslinger. Favre has been able to carry teams on his back with minimal talent at the receiver position. You may question his on again, off again retirement stance and his loyalty, but Favre is second to none in the more voluminous NFL records (TDs, yards, starts, interceptions)…and that’s saying a mouthful considering guys like Montana, Marino, Unitas, and Elway played the game.
22. Kevin Durant (2007-present), Seattle Supersonics, Oklahoma City Thunder – After his first collegiate season with the Texas Longhorns, it was apparent that Durant had all the makings of becoming a future NBA superstar. He and Greg Oden, fellow draftee, were identified as the top two prospects of the draft. Portland ultimately chose Oden #1…and, in retrospect, was that a horrible decision. Oden, a center, has been injured throughout his brief career whereas Durant has put on a show. He is a blend of Larry Bird’s outside shooting with outstanding one-on-one moves in the vein of Kobe Bryant, inside the body of a 6’10” tall, smooth-moving version of George Gervin. Durant has the potential to be one of the two toughest players to defend in the NBA for years to come (along with LeBron James). He is tall enough that he could shoot over top a smaller defender, but he could easily attack the basket against a taller, slower opponent. So, why not play a zone? Well, Durant is quickly becoming a reliable passer to improved perimeter players on the Thunder roster, so you have to pick your poison. Kevin Durant has the best chance to carry on the lineage of NBA superstars from Bird/Magic --> Michael --> Kobe --> LeBron --> Durant. It’s frightening to think that the kid just turned 22 years old. If I were to do this list again in five years, I’d expect to see Durant in the top 10.
21. Kobe Bryant (1996-present), Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant had the pedigree of being one of the best high school basketball players ever. If ESPN had the foresight to televise high school games in 1995, Bryant would have become a star even sooner. His one-on-one abilities have been unparalleled since entering the NBA directly from Lower Merion High School. His on-court awareness and shot-making took a few years to develop. And, he was initially on teams where he wasn’t the primary option due to some big guy clogging the lane (Shaq). However, Bryant was able to mature as a premier all-around player under the tutelage of Phil Jackson. His man-to-man defense has earned him the distinction of being one of the best defenders in the league. There is no more clutch scorer currently in the NBA. If the game is on the line, Kobe has the ball…and quite often, he responds. Bryant makes this list because of his all-around ability as a player – offensive versatility (3-point shooter, deadly driving ability) and defensive prowess. I wouldn’t call any particular aspect of Bryant’s game as sport-defining, but he has five NBA titles, so he must be doing something right.

Kobe sinking a buzzer beater against the Sacramento Kings

20. Barry Sanders (1989-1998), Detroit Lions – Sanders was the most electrifying running back of all-time. He was “Must See” TV. Barry made runs of -3 where he was trapped in the backfield interesting. By no means was Sanders the best pass-catcher, nor was he an excellent blocker. He was simply the most elusive runner the NFL has ever seen. Defenses would game plan for Barry. Sanders never had a stellar offensive line to run behind in Detroit, but he made them look much better when the season statistics were tabulated. I distinctly recall a run he made on Thanksgiving Day against the Bears. It was vintage Barry. He had made it to the sideline, heading downfield. He appeared to be dead to rights, but Sanders stopped on a dime, jump-stepped to his left to avoid one defender, then quickly jump-stepped right back towards the sideline to avoid another, and proceed down the sideline for an amazing touchdown. There are other runners now with more speed (Chris Johnson), but no one can equal Barry’s moves, not even Adrian Peterson. Is it any surprise that the Detroit Lions haven’t been the same since Sanders left?
19. Albert Pujols (2001-present), St. Louis Cardinals – In my estimation, Pujols is the deadliest hitter in the Major Leagues today. He presents opposing pitchers with limited options as to how to battle him. If you pitch him away, he’ll drive the ball to right-center. Go inside? That’s dicey because if you leave it anywhere near the plate, the ball is gone. And, Pujols has an extremely good eye, as he often draws walks. If I were the hurler, I’d roll the ball across home plate and live to face another batter. Pujols is the model of consistency in his career – more than 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, .310 batting average or better, less than 80 strikeouts EACH YEAR FOR HIS FIRST TEN YEARS!! It is astonishing to think what we’ve seen in the steroid era of baseball. And, now we are treated to this man who performs at this amazing level, year in and year out without requiring any off-field “assistance.” His fielding prowess is solid, as well. Throughout his tenure in the big leagues, he has played third base, outfield, and is now primarily a first baseman…and one of the better ones in the National League.
18. Tim Lincecum (2007-present), San Francisco Giants – Nicknamed “The Freak,” Tim Lincecum offers opposing batters a nightmarish array of pitches to try and hit. He is a small guy that possesses a power pitcher’s repertoire – two different fastball grips that reach the mid-90s, a changeup that looks like a split-fingered fastball, a slider, and an insane curveball that breaks sharply just before reaching home plate. What complicates matters for hitters is his unusual delivery. He takes a long step towards home with a jerked motion that disguises the incoming pitch. Oh, and he actually has command over all of his pitches. It’s no wonder that he was named the National League Cy Young in 2008 and 2009. Lincecum has that long hair that looks just goofy as he throws. He has led the NL in strikeouts for each of his three full seasons. While 2010 wasn’t as dominating a season as the previous two, he was the stalwart arm in the Giants’ rotation as they won their first World Series in 54 years. He recorded 14 strikeouts against Atlanta in his first postseason performance, outdueled Phillies’ ace Roy Halladay in the NLCS, and hurled two solid outings in the World Series to defeat the Texas Rangers. The sky is the ceiling for this kid, as it is evident that hitters still haven’t deciphered how to attack “The Freak.”

Lincecum doesn't exactly look imposing, but his pitches are no joke.

17. Ray Lewis (1996-present), Baltimore Ravens – Lewis came into the league, and immediately established himself as a tackling machine. That isn’t how he defined his sport, though. Lewis plays with an unmatched passion for the game. In any interview, you can see the enthusiasm for football oozing out of him. If only we could all love our jobs as much as this man does. It is a sports cliché that an individual is the heart and soul of his team. But, Lewis is certainly that for his Baltimore squad. He infuses all of his defensive compatriots with his spirit, providing them with the “want to” to achieve more. He also carries the hopes of the home Baltimore crowd in the palm of his hands. Lewis has an explosion and tenacity when he recognizes the ball carrier or identifies a man in coverage that is his responsibility. For a big man, he moves extremely well at his inside linebacker position with his forte being stopping the run. As a Steelers fan, it is frustrating to see Lewis’ play not diminish significantly as he ages. He continues to make key plays at key moments. It doesn’t look like Father Time has caught up with Lewis yet at age 35. He still has a number of good years left in the tank. Uggghh.
16. Alex Rodriguez (1994-present), Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees – A-Rod has changed the game of baseball forever. His on-field legacy will forever be overshadowed by steroids, money, and ego. Rodriguez’s career will always be clouded in controversy with his admittance to taking performance-enhancing drugs during his time in Texas. Rodriguez signed the two richest contracts in sports history (10 years, $252 million and 10 years, $275 million). So, he is already viewed as a lightning rod, never mind the arrogance with which he plays. But, let’s look at his career between the white lines. As a highly touted high school player in the Miami area, Rodriguez broke into the majors as a shortstop in 1994. Prior to A-Rod, the shortstop position was never one where a dominant power hitter played. It was viewed as one where a fleet-footed, defensive minded player was preferred. But, Rodriguez played capably at the position while putting up astronomical numbers when he was with the Mariners and Rangers. When he was traded to the Yankees, he had to learn how to play third base because of some guy who’s a fixture at shortstop in pinstripes. Rodriguez has performed relatively well at the hot corner and now has a World Series title under his belt. He has 613 home runs at age 35. Bonds’ home run record is in severe jeopardy if Rodriguez doesn’t get injured, or feel the early effects of prolonged steroid use.
15. Mariano Rivera (1995-present), New York Yankees – Has an opposing pitcher ever been more automatic in shutting down a team? Everyone knows what Rivera is throwing and still can’t hit it. His split fingered fastball has just enough movement to fool the hitter into thinking balls are strikes and vice versa. There have been dominant closers, but ‘Mo’ is second to none because of his longevity and postseason mastery (Red Sox fans may scream about 2004, which is the only true flaw in Rivera’s stellar career). At age 41, the velocity hasn’t diminished all that much and he could probably continue for a couple more years. His ERA has been under 2.00 in seven of the past eight seasons. But, Rivera’s legacy is more than that. He effected a change in managerial strategy back in 1996. The Yankees had an established closer in John Wetteland. Rivera was just breaking in, but had electric stuff. Instead of casting aside the veteran save man, Joe Torre used Mo as a setup guy. With essentially two closers on the roster, Yankee pitchers could focus on getting past the sixth inning with a lead and turning over the game to Rivera and Wetteland. It worked quite effectively, as they hoisted the World Series trophy in 1996. Most skippers nowadays employ a similar approach with their bullpens.

Rivera delivering to another befuddled batter

14. Ichiro Suzuki (2001-present), Seattle Mariners – I know what you’re saying. Ichiro ahead of Pujols, A-Rod, how is that possible? He hasn’t won anything. But, he has revolutionized the leadoff position, and has also invigorated a fanbase outside of this country to Major League Baseball. With very little in the way of a supporting cast, Ichiro sets the table like no other player in my memory. He can make contact to any field, which allows him to poke the ball through whatever hole the infield has shown him. Ichiro is especially adept at lining the ball down the right field line. He takes extra bases if the outfield is slow to relay the ball to an infielder. It is no coincidence that Ichiro has topped the 200-hit plateau each of his ten seasons with his methodical approach to hitting. He racks up the stolen bases, taking some of the opposing pitchers’ attention away from the man at the plate. Also thanks to Ichiro’s quickness, he plays a Gold Glove-caliber right field (ten Gold Gloves in ten seasons). You would think that a guy of his rather diminutive stature would not possess any kind of throwing arm. Now, I’m not going to put him in the same category as Roberto Clemente or Paul O’Neill, but he can use his surprisingly powerful cannon of an arm to throw out runners anywhere on the diamond. Ichiro’s popularity among his native Japan is Beatle-esque, so there is a country full of Mariner fans. He has also widened the gateway for fellow Japanese players like Hideki Matsui and Daisuke Matsuzaka to traverse the Pacific to try their hand in the Major Leagues.
13. Sidney Crosby (2005-present), Pittsburgh Penguins – Crosby was the apple of every NHL general manager’s eye when the 2004 NHL lockout occurred because the #1 overall pick was done by a lottery system. And, Crosby was “the Next One.” Many analysts viewed him as the next big thing in hockey after Gretzky and Lemieux, and for once, the analysts were correct. He ended up going to the previously woeful Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby is certainly not the most physically imposing figure on the ice, nor does he have the biggest shot in the league. The one thing that he brings to the rink like no other is his hand-eye coordination. His unique skills along with his full rink vision allow him to instinctively make passes and shots that no other individual would attempt. I have heard Crosby described by Pittsburgh commentators as the “ultimate grinder.” He is willing to roll up his sleeves and dig in the corners for pucks with great proficiency. Crosby has endured significant pressure in his young career as the face of his sport. But, look at the results – a Stanley Cup title and a gold medal at this year’s Olympics courtesy of his game-winning overtime goal. He may not have been the best player in that tournament, but when the hopes of his native Canada fell on his shoulders, Crosby delivered.

Crosby hoisting the Stanley Cup as team captain at age 21

12. Mark McGwire (1986-2001), Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals – McGwire was an athlete that provided a much-needed resurgence of popularity to the sport of baseball. How he accomplished that feat can certainly be questioned now. But, in the summer of 1998, Big Mac and Sammy Sosa gave us fireworks on a semi-daily basis to bring us all back to baseball after the lingering effects of the 1994 strike left a sour taste in our mouths. This was a home run battle that will never be duplicated. Most power hitters that had attempted to break Roger Maris’ record had faded by August, but along went McGwire and Sosa, staying ahead of the pace. It helped that both competitors seemed to relish the spotlight, had interesting personalities, and enjoyed one-upping each other at every turn in the road. The respect that McGwire showed the Maris family when he finally broke the home run record was effervescent. McGwire used the national audience he drew in 1998 as a forum to plead for Maris to enter the Hall of Fame (without success). The big lumberjack of a man did more with his career than set the single-season home run record, but that’s what he will be remembered for. Off the field, his noncommittal congressional testimony regarding his steroid use has drawn harsh criticism. Hall of Fame voters have kept McGwire out of the hallowed halls, to date. Baseball simply doesn’t like its records tarnished.
11. Deion Sanders (1989-2005), Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens – “Prime Time” was one of the flashiest players in NFL history, but the flash didn’t outweigh the skill he displayed on the football field. As a cornerback, Sanders often took on an opponent’s best receiver and shadowed him everywhere he went, limiting offenses to rely on secondary options. The aspect of Deion’s game that may never be matched is his cover ability, thanks in large part to his speed. He ran a 4.1 second 40-yard dash prior to being drafted in 1989, the fastest time ever recorded at a pro workout day. The best solution to combating Sanders was utilizing a more physical receiver to try and work his way open, but Sanders’ had such great closing speed that receivers weren’t open for long, if at all. He was a poor tackler, so offenses tried to use that against him, especially in the running game. Sanders was such a game-changer in the passing game that his run support shortcomings were never a major issue. How can you forget Sanders’ returning capability? He scored 22 touchdowns in his career: nine on INT returns, six on punt returns, three on kickoff returns, one fumble recovery, and three receiving TDs. Sanders’ 19 defensive and special teams TDs remain an NFL record. Deion also played professional baseball adequately for parts of nine seasons. His speed was his primary asset at legging out hits, running down fly balls in the outfield, and stealing bases. Sanders will obviously be more well-known for his game-changing ability as a return specialist and cover guy in the NFL.

So, who did I miss? Feel free to comment on who you think belongs in the Top Ten.

Brad Childress - An Incompetent Leader

The 2010 Minnesota Vikings were supposed to challenge for a Super Bowl once Brett Favre finally agreed to return for his 20th season. That's certainly not how things look now, just beyond the halfway point of the season. The Vikings are 3-6, and looking up at divisional rivals Green Bay and Chicago with matching 6-3 records. Once Brett hopped on that purple and white private plane from Mississippi to Minnesota to join the Vikings in August, Minnesotans likely changed their 2010 outlook from "fringe playoff team" to "bonafide playoff team and possible title contender." But, no one could foresee the upheaval that their head coach has created.

Look at the talent on this team - they are absolutely loaded  with unique talents at positions all over the field. Adrian Peterson is arguably the best running back in football. He runs hard, catches the ball out of the backfield, and has seemingly corrected a case of "fumbleitis" that plagued him last year. Jared Allen has been one of the premier pass rushing defensive ends over the last few seasons. His numbers are down a bit this season, but he's still in prime condition and has a nonstop motor. The Williams Wall (Pat and Kevin) keep runners looking to the outside because the middle is occupied with those two hole-pluggers. Of course, we all know Brett Favre.. He's old, but still can throw passes most other NFL quarterbacks cannot. Favre's problem this season has been consistency. Perhaps that can be attributed to his late reporting to camp or the injuries at the wide receiver position (Sidney Rice, the team's #1 WR, has missed the entire season to date). Visanthe Shiancoe quietly has become one of the NFL's elite tight ends. He catches everything that is thrown in his direction and has become Favre's favorite target, especially in the red zone.  Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie have made Pro Bowls on the offensive line, too!

Before examining the current state of the Vikings further, let's take a step back and look at Childress' career. He has experienced many successes since coming into the NFL, and even in the college ranks. The crowning jewels in Brad Childress' coaching career have been:
1. Running backs coach at Wisconsin when Ron Dayne ruled the college football landscape.
2. Quarterbacks coach / offensive coordinator for the Eagles, overseeing the development of Donovan McNabb in a West Coast offense.
3. Head coaching Brett Favre to his finest season as a professional in 2009 with 33 TD passes and only 7 interceptions.

I believe that Brad Childress can be a very effective coach when focused on one specialized area. However, his ability to provide leadership to 53 players and nearly a dozen coaches is what I am calling into question. When Childress was an offensive coordinator with the Eagles (1999-2005), he did no playcalling. That responsibility was handled by head coach, Andy Reid. Childress may have helped to hone McNabb's craft as a quarterback, but he never managed the game. And, he never managed an entire team before filling the Minnesota Vikings head coaching vacancy in 2006. He was selected by owner Zygi Wilf, after a brief interviewing process of candidates that included three other NFL assistants. But, Zygi Wilf is admittedly not a "football person" and more of a businessman.

The quarterback braintrust (featuring McNabb) with Childress during his Philly days.

Each year, the team was on the rise, with increasing win totals each of the last four years under Childress (2006: 6-10, 2007: 8-8, 2008: 10-6, 2009: 12-4). They made the playoffs behind the shaky arm of Tarvaris Jackson in 2008. As the Vikings prepared for the 2009 season, it reminded me of Randy Quaid's line in Major League - "You're old Mother Hubbard and only Vaughn's in the cupboard!!" The Vikings were on the cusp of being an elite team, except at the QB position. Jackson just couldn't make all the throws and Childress knew it. So, the Vikings enticed Favre out of yet another retirement. Tarvaris was "Mild Thing" Ricky Vaughn, Favre was "Wild Thing" Vaughn with the bad hair cut, black-rimmed glasses, and earring. The Vikings fell only one game short of the Super Bowl primarily due to turning over the ball five times against the New Orleans Saints.

The head coach looked to be deserving of his contract extension through 2013 that was signed last season. At the time, owner Zygi Wilf said, “Brad has done a tremendous job leading this football team and we value the positive environment he has created for the Minnesota Vikings on and off the field, He has continued to positively impact this team and create a strong foundation for future success." Wow...what a difference a year makes.

Childress, speaking at a press conference, with his dry brand of humor (that no one gets).

Often times, teams experience a Super Bowl hangover. Teams that lose in the conference championship game usually come back hungrier than ever, especially if they are able to retain key players from the previous season's playoff run and avoid injuries.

Year    AFC Championship Loser             NFC Championship Loser
            (next season's record)                     (next season's record)

2009    New York Jets (7-2)                         Minnesota Vikings (3-6)
2008    Baltimore Ravens (9-7)*                 Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)*
2007    San Diego Chargers (8-8)*            Green Bay Packers (6-10)#1
2006    New England Patriots (16-0)*       New Orleans Saints (7-9 )
2005    Denver Broncos (9-7)                     Carolina Panthers (8-8)#2
2004    Pittsburgh Steelers (15-1)*           Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
2003    Indianapolis Colts (12-4)*             Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)*
2002    Tennessee Titans (12-4)*             Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)*
2001    Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5-1)*        Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)*
2000    Oakland Raiders (10-6)*                Minnesota Vikings (5-11)#3
1999    Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)             Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)*

* Made the playoffs
#1 The Green Bay Packers experienced the end of the Brett Favre era and the beginning of the Aaron Rodgers regime in 2007. There were growing pains in year one.
#2 Steve Smith was injured early in the 2005 season, and never regained the form of his breakout 2004 season for the Carolina Panthers.
#3 The 2000 Minnesota Vikings were forced to deal with the tragic death of offensive lineman, Korey Stringer, due to heat stroke during training camp. A cloud hung over the team all season.

Between 2000-2009, the average winning percentage of teams the year after they experienced a conference championship defeat is 62% (200-123-1). Of those 20 teams, 13 made the playoffs, and 11 won at least one playoff game. 

So, why didn't Minnesota come out with the fire that so many others in their situation did? It is evident to me that the Minnesota Vikings' soap opera season has been the primary contributor to their win/loss total this season. After all, they had the ultra-talented roster in place. So, what is going wrong with the "Bold and the (Not So) Beautiful Vikings" these days?

1. Brad Childress has let Brett Favre walk all over him. Favre left the Vikings dangling two straight years in training camp. Would he or wouldn't he sign? The saga led to a fantastic 2009 season, but add another year to Favre's aging body and the gunslinger in him couldn't be suppressed for two straight years - too many mistakes, too inconsistent. Childress never set a timetable demanding a decision from Favre. That was a necessary step, not only to ensure that Favre develops chemistry with the offense, but to stand up and take the reins as head coach. Strike one.

2. Last time I checked, it's usually a good idea to check with your boss before you fire somebody that works for him. Although the Randy Moss experiment proved to be a failure in Minnesota, a head coach may want to run it by the man paying the bills before dropping one of the all-time great receivers for attitude problems. If Brad Childress had any kind of leadership whatsoever, perhaps working with Randy would be the way to go. In listening to Cris Carter (once teammate and mentor to Randy Moss), Moss has significant issues with male authority figures. I'm not saying that the 33-year old should be coddled. I'm suggesting that you treat him like a grown man and make him accountable for his play on the field and his post-game tirades. Strike two.

Moss decided that the media wasn't good enough to interview him, so he did it himself.

3. As recently as two weeks ago, Viking wide receiver Percy Harvin missed a Wednesday and Thursday practice with a sprained ankle. He was hobbling around the field on Friday, trying to get in some work so that he could play against Arizona. Childress went so far as to say that Harvin needed to be examined more thoroughly because he was unable to get around the field, questioning Harvin's effort in that practice. The coach and player nearly came to a fistfight, having to be separated by players before things went too far. Sources quoted at least one teammate telling Harvin, “You just did what a lot of us have been wanting to say for years.” Strike three, you're out??

The proverbial butting of heads between coach and player, but don't do it too hard (Harvin suffers migraines as it is).

As if that weren't enough, there are also discrepancies on injuries like that of Bernard Berrian this week. According to Childress, Berrian hurt himself during pre-game, so he did not play despite being active. Berrain used the almighty Twitter to respond by asking that his heart or toughness not be questioned. No matter where the truth lies, players have given up on Childress. It is evident by the words used by Vikings players in the media, and by their play on the field.

It is my belief that successful football franchises have the following fundamental principles in place: 
Clear communication from ownership / coaches - Meetings with players, press conferences with the media, and game-planning techniques. These need to be done with a singular purpose and an authoritative voice. Wishy-washy won't cut it at the professional level.
Strong on-field leadership - Whether it's offense or defense, there needs to be a 'coach on the field' who reads the opposition and makes instantaneous decisions that affect outcomes of games.
A winning attitude - Does a player celebrate a meaningless touchdown like he just hit the dance floor? Do the players stick up for one another like brothers?
Players who do not wilt in the spotlight - The right play can be called at the right time, but players need to execute when it matters the most.

The 2010 Minnesota Vikings have suffered through woeful leadership, as well as public (and almost assuredly, private) backstabbing. This has transcended across all phases of the game. Players are "playing for themselves first," as Brett Favre stated. It takes heroic comebacks to defeat the hapless Arizona Cardinals at home? Personnel decisions made by the head coach are questioned by the owner. Fights between coach and player occur, turning most players against the coach. The fundamental basics for successful football have been deteriorated beyond repair for this season. A fresh start with a common voice is needed. If Zygi Wilf continues to waffle in his stance regarding Childress' future, it will backfire. This can't be a week-to-week tryout for a man who has been in charge for nearly five years. Brad Childress is a known commodity. Wilf needs to disregard the financial aspect of firing Childress and do what it best for the team. To quote the immortal Seinfeld, "You should just do it like a Band-Aid. One motion, right off!"

Zygi Wilf watches on as Childress leads Minnesota against the Patriots (photo by Pioneer Press: Chris Polydoroff)