Who is the greatest Canadian athlete ever?

[calgaryballer]

As mentioned earlier, even when everyone was racking up huge points totals, Gretzky was finishing 60, 70, 90(!!!) points ahead of his next closest competition

 

[Ravin]

The poll says otherwise. :lesmug:

 

[Ravin]

As mentioned earlier, even when everyone was racking up huge points totals, Gretzky was finishing 60, 70, 90(!!!) points ahead of his next closest competition

It was the goons and their soft hands passing Gretzky the puck. :mynigga:

 

[ssags11]

It was the goons and their soft hands passing Gretzky the puck. :mynigga:

Come on now, Gretz was more of a play maker than goal scorer even though he scored a ridiculous amount of goals.

 

[ssags11]

Yes, I read them. The H2H thing gave Gretz the win, and the others provided some anecdotes for Orr while still conceding Gretz is probably a better player. I can find you message board threads about just about anything (Shawn Bradley > Michael Jordan because he's so tall!), so lets pretend you didn't try and pass that off. No one is saying Orr wasn't amazing, but GRETZKY IS THE BEST HOCKEY PLAYER OF ALL TIME

And if you read my first post I also give it up to Gretz also. I think everyone missed that. Next thing you know I am being accused of homerism and being stupid. My only point is there is a debate and it is closer than most of you are saying. That is all. Nothing more, those links have a lot of stats and data behind them, not just opinions. I am sure you can shift through and pick out the important parts and throw away the obvious opinions.

 

[ssags11]

Yes I read them. The CBC one is Kelly doing emails on interesting topics. So basically picks what he wants. Again, one person making a single debate, not a large enough group.

And no, I am telling you, we don't hunt down Orr like we do Gretzky. That isn't me speaking out of my ass, that is just me telling you how it is. Interesting little story, and I'll start by posting this image.

Why I post that image is because there was probably little discussion about putting Wayne on the front of that cover. Now go to a month ago.

In a meeting we had, we needed a cover for this issue. Of all the players we did a "where are they now" on, Bobby Orr was probably the biggest name. But the issue was, was Orr "sexy enough for the front cover". Yes, we actually had to talk about it, and the art person had to make the cover up and get peoples opinions on it in order for us to make it the cover. We thought of some other options like making it more big words, and doing a line up of players such as Orr, Iafrate, Lindros, and others in the issue, but instead we kept with the big photo of Orr.

The biggest hockey magazine in the world was not 100% sure on Orr being good enough for the cover. This is by no means a shot at Orr, or his play. But the reality is, he isn't as big as you want him to be, and trying to downgrade Wayne's play to make Orr better is just a head scratcher.

Even tailback has put Wayne into a league of his own. Not just best hockey player, but best athlete period.



:facepalm:

Crosby: 434GP - 223G - 386A - 609P
Malkin: 427GP - 208G - 319A - 527P

82 more points in 7 more games. Do I really need to go on.

I would hope Malkin is the best of his team )right now) considering he has PLAYED THE LAST TWO FUCKING YEARS WITHOUT A CONCUSSION. But lets be honest, Crosby is the best player in the NHL, and I guarantee you if the talk of "who could beat Wayne's records" ever were to come up, the only name that would appear would be Crosby.

Oh lordy, and I am the homer, you are trying to put Crosby in with the Great One but I'm a fool for suggesting Orr is closer to Gretzky than you are giving him credit for? Give me a break.

You magazine cover story is a joke. They talking about sexiest and somehow you turn it into popularity. Orr is hands down the second most popular player hockey has seen, right after Wayne. What's next Crobsy and the Penguins are the best franchise that ever existed?

 

[MVPete]

Holy fuck this ssags guy sucks already.

 

[Ravin]

Oh lordy, and I am the homer, you are trying to put Crosby in with the Great One but I'm a fool for suggesting Orr is closer to Gretzky than you are giving him credit for? Give me a break.

You magazine cover story is a joke. They talking about sexiest and somehow you turn it into popularity. Orr is hands down the second most popular player hockey has seen, right after Wayne. What's next Crobsy and the Penguins are the best franchise that ever existed?

:facepalm: Are you really this stupid?

The magazine cover story actually shows perfectly that he isn't as popular as you think because putting Orr on the cover had to actually be talked about and voted on because of the power he has with his image. They are trying to sell the magazine, and didn't think Orr on the cover would sell at first.

I am not trying to put Crosby beside Wayne, I am just stating what many in the media will do once Crosby is done his career. Actually, there has already been a bunch of articles about the two and comparing them. I'm sure a bunch of none penguin fans would easily agree with me on this one, because Crosby is the best player right now in hockey and has been for awhile.

Hell, I would even go as far to say Orr is not the second most popular. Maybe to you in Boston, but not to the rest of us. I'm not taking anything away from what Orr did as a player. He is still top 4 no matter what list anyone makes, and changed the way defence play. But to say all this stuff, have no real evidence other then "I watched him, I know", well means shit to everyone. Considering about 5-6 people have come into this thread and said "Wayne > Orr" should easily show the debate isn't as strong as you want it to be.


And of course the Penguins are the best franchise that ever existed. Who you think, Boston? :kanye:

 

[calgaryballer]

If you're point is to say that it should be Gretzky --- Orr instead of Gretzky ----------- Orr, this was the worst series of posts in the history of man. There are two sports in which the #1 guy is clearly defined. Basketball (Jordan) and hockey (Gretzky). Everything else is a debate over #2 and there are at least 3-4 guys who have a decent claim at that spot.

Now, to say he is 'hands down the second most popular player hockey has ever seen' is a joke and a travesty. I am sure that the legions of French fans would take you to the wall over Rocket Richard or Beliveau. Mikita and Hull were icons in Chicago. You have to keep in mind that there were only 12 teams in the league when Hull was winning MVPs. Gordie Fucking Howe was coming off twenty seasons in Detroit, I'm pretty sure he was damn popular. Bobby Clarke was turning Philly in to a team not to be fucked with. And these guys are solely contemporaries of Orr. I haven't even mentioned later players like LaFleur, Bossy, Lemiuex, Roy, Messier etc. Messier is probably uber famous just from his Lays commercials.

 

[ssags11]

:facepalm: Are you really this stupid?

The magazine cover story actually shows perfectly that he isn't as popular as you think because putting Orr on the cover had to actually be talked about and voted on because of the power he has with his image. They are trying to sell the magazine, and didn't think Orr on the cover would sell at first.

I am not trying to put Crosby beside Wayne, I am just stating what many in the media will do once Crosby is done his career. Actually, there has already been a bunch of articles about the two and comparing them. I'm sure a bunch of none penguin fans would easily agree with me on this one, because Crosby is the best player right now in hockey and has been for awhile.

Hell, I would even go as far to say Orr is not the second most popular. Maybe to you in Boston, but not to the rest of us. I'm not taking anything away from what Orr did as a player. He is still top 4 no matter what list anyone makes, and changed the way defence play. But to say all this stuff, have no real evidence other then "I watched him, I know", well means shit to everyone. Considering about 5-6 people have come into this thread and said "Wayne > Orr" should easily show the debate isn't as strong as you want it to be.

And of course the Penguins are the best franchise that ever existed. Who you think, Boston? :kanye:

When you can find me a reputable list that does not have Orr at number 2 than I will shut up. But there is no list that has him below two. The hockey trinity has always been Gretz Orr and Howe and in that order. So twist away and keep trying to throw in my face my opinion is based only because of where I am from. If you look in this thread you will see a couple of people have put Orr's name in the ring....but I guess everyone is stupid if they don't agree with you.

Crosby = best player. Not sure about that. I think Malkin and Ovy have a say in that matter. I fully expect Ovy to bounce back from whatever is going on with him. Even Stamkos is close behind. Like you said about Orr, injuries matter and Crosby is one dirty Matt Cooke hit away from being out of the game. I don't say that to be mean or nasty, but that last concussion David Krecji barely touched him. I hope he is able to come back healthy and play for another 15 years but I think we have seen what happens to concussion prone NHL players. I hope I am wrong.

 

[ssags11]

If you're point is to say that it should be Gretzky --- Orr instead of Gretzky ----------- Orr, this was the worst series of posts in the history of man. There are two sports in which the #1 guy is clearly defined. Basketball (Jordan) and hockey (Gretzky). Everything else is a debate over #2 and there are at least 3-4 guys who have a decent claim at that spot.

Now, to say he is 'hands down the second most popular player hockey has ever seen' is a joke and a travesty. I am sure that the legions of French fans would take you to the wall over Rocket Richard or Beliveau. Mikita and Hull were icons in Chicago. You have to keep in mind that there were only 12 teams in the league when Hull was winning MVPs. Gordie Fucking Howe was coming off twenty seasons in Detroit, I'm pretty sure he was damn popular. Bobby Clarke was turning Philly in to a team not to be fucked with. And these guys are solely contemporaries of Orr. I haven't even mentioned later players like LaFleur, Bossy, Lemiuex, Roy, Messier etc. Messier is probably uber famous just from his Lays commercials.

I am thinking age has a factor in all this. Go around to games in other cities especially in Canada. Go ask the older generation. Go watch the opening credits to HNIC, he is everywhere. "The Goal" is probably the most famous hockey picture around and guess who it features?

Basically this conversation has turned into one of the stupidest debates I have ever have. I myself am not even liking it. So, this will be it for me.

 

[sraczk2011]

"The Goal" is probably the most famous hockey picture around and guess who it features?

Holy fucking shit. You really dug up a 4 year old thread to type this drivel?

 

[Ravin]

You jump back and forth from 'popular' to 'best' and they are two different things. Thank fuck you are not posting on this anymore because every time we comment on one, you just back to the other. Being the best doesn't equal popularity. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Orr just is not that popular.

It has turned into a stupid debate of a pure homer trying to push his favorite team/player higher in status then he is. I'm sorry you are in a very small minority of people who actually think Orr is more popular then Gretzky. I'm still waiting for ESPN's Bobby Orr film. Can you tell me when that is going to be on?

 

[ssags11]

You jump back and forth from 'popular' to 'best' and they are two different things. Thank fuck you are not posting on this anymore because every time we comment on one, you just back to the other. Being the best doesn't equal popularity. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Orr just is not that popular.

It has turned into a stupid debate of a pure homer trying to push his favorite team/player higher in status then he is. I'm sorry you are in a very small minority of people who actually think Orr is more popular then Gretzky. I'm still waiting for ESPN's Bobby Orr film. Can you tell me when that is going to be on?

There was a Bobby Orr film made, sorry to burst your bubble. ESPN also picked him at 31st for best athlete of the century. Sorry, to burst your bubble on that one too.

http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016391.html

Here's the film maybe you should buy it

http://www.1channel.ch/watch-626085-ESPN-SportsCentury-Bobby-Orr

 

[Ravin]

:facepalm: God, why do I feel this guy is going to be the next klesheen but with a Bruins jersey on.

 

[ssags11]

:facepalm: God, why do I feel this guy is going to be the next klesheen but with a Bruins jersey on.

Basically, you won't let me walk away from this. What's pissing me off, is you don't like my opinion and because of that you just keep calling me stupid.

You threw in my face ESPN hasn't made a movie but guess fucking what... they did. So fuck off, you lose buttercup now take your medicine instead of continuing to be an asshole. I proved you wrong but you still come at me that I am a dumb ass. ESPN has him at 31 best athlete of the century so fuck off again. All this fucking time of telling me how wrong I am and bammm there it is. So, don't fucking tell me he is no where close to Gretz, because he is. Or is everyone that thinks so a fucking Boston homer...says the guy that tried to put Crosby in the same sentence of Gretzky. Whats fucking funnier is you tell me it's the media doing it not you...guess fucking what brainiac, I posted plenty of media that tells you how great Orr was.

Basically, you're a douche, it's clear to me now. When you don't agree with someone you regressed to all internet tough guy comebacks. "you're a homer" "you are a dumb ass" Grow up kid.

 

[wr50l]

Ravin, you're being schooled by a guy whose fundamental point I actually disagree with. 50 posts vs 6,000, but who's really the noob?

 

[ssags11]

Ravin, you're being schooled by a guy whose fundamental point I actually disagree with. 50 posts vs 6,000, but who's really the noob?

Dude, I don't even like my fundamental point. I threw it out there for discussion not for a battleground argument, I see I clearly made a mistake in trying to have some fun. I clearly stated in my original point I do give it up to Gretz as being the best. But few people went ballistic about me even daring to mention Orr's name. Then I posted several media articles that this is a possible debate, that it isn't just Gretz heads and shoulders above everyone. That Orr can be mentioned in the same sentence and that still was meet with rage and anger. Does Orr beat him...no he does not but to be discounted like he was just an ordinary player is more retarded than me saying he is the best.

The one thing that the talking heads mention that Gretzky did not do, is Orr changed the way the game was played and is played now. Not taking away anything Gretzky did but he did not change the game, Wayne raised the bar. And with that, I am done.

 

[Fappin Raptor]

Lists are stupid. For greatest hockey player Gretzky is number one. No debating that. 2-infinite are debatable. (I personally put Howe at 2 :lesmug

As a Wings fan and American I despise Crosby, but saying Ovy may be better or close to better than him is disgusting. Ovy is overrated.

 

[ssags11]

Lists are stupid. For greatest hockey player Gretzky is number one. No debating that. 2-infinite are debatable. (I personally put Howe at 2 :lesmug

As a Wings fan and American I despise Crosby, but saying Ovy may be better or close to better than him is disgusting. Ovy is overrated.

I am not a fan of either but excluding last year, Ovy has been outstanding. Shit man, he has 4 -50 and 1 -46 goal seasons, well over a point per game guy, Whether you like him or not, he is in the discussion.

And yeah, Crosby is a total fucking cry baby bitch, just watching him makes me puke. If he is not crying over being touched, he is using a kleenex to wipe the tears away.