Best use of talent in sports history

[Clarkmeister]

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The opposite of the biggest waste of tallent.

I nominate Tom Brady.

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If you seriously vote Brady, then you also have to vote Rice, and obviously Rice would win that one.

[dlk9s]

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I know you guys are saying Eckstein sarcastically, but they guy does deserve some credit for being not-that-bad with relatively little talent. (Then again I'm a huge Cards fan.)

Not saying he wins this category or anything. I'd have to think on it. Interesting topic.

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Yeah, I know. He's definitely a good player. It's just funny how some in the media make him out to be the Lord Our Savior.

[Gregatron]

Joe Dumars?
Kevin Johnson?
Joe Montana?
Fred McGriff?

Don't flame please. Just brainstorming.

[AJW]

Paul Dickov

Small about 5'6" no great pace technically adequate in all departments but not really good in any one thing. Dickov has made a career for him self Playing at the highest level and even making ten appearances for his country, all off the back of hard work and being physical. Every time the ball is played to an opposition defender he chases after it and forces the defender to play it earlier then they would like inevitable defenders make mistakes and give possession away around their area.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Woods, Federer. Loads more talent than other people, nearly all of it's been capitalized upon.

[Oski]

Pete Rose

[btmagnetw]

bill russell

[JaredL]

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David Beckham.

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Are you serious?

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If OP meant on the marketing end then Beckham would be a great answer.

[BreakfastBurrito]

I'd go with guys who 1) maxed out their potential, 2) were lucky enough not to miss significant time for injury or any other reason, and 3) sustained a level of excellence for exceptionally long periods.

Football:

Jerry Rice
Rod Woodson
Darrell Green
Brett Favre

Basketball:

John Stockton
Jordan (even with the hiatus)
Kareem
Karl Malone

Baseball:

Hank Aaron
Ty Cobb
Barry Bonds

Hockey:

Wayne Gretzky
Ray Bourque
Mark Messier
Chris Chelios
Steve Yzerman

Tennis:

Jimmy Connors
Ken Rosewall

Track & Field:

Carl Lewis
Michael Johnson
Edwin Moses
Jan Zelezny

Wrestling:

Alexander Karelin

[rubbrband]

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!