Please Stop Bleating About GOATS

Unscripted
By Keith Edmonds
Ink Spot Contributor 

I recently had a spirited debate — no, it was an argument! — regarding who I thought were the all-time best players in the big four professional sports: football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. I gave my list of names and tried to explain why I thought that the various players that I chose were the best. My friend was not trying to hear anything that I was saying. Then he lit the fire when he quipped: “Man, you’re picking all those old dudes! How are they the best?”

This is why I chose the word "spirited” to begin this particular story because, trust me, there are some other words that could have come into my description of our verbal sparring. But our boisterous examination of GOATS — greatest of all-times — got me thinking about why we argue with such ferocity to defend our sports heroes. Though they may be aging, or even deceased, we will protect their legacy to the bitter end and clash with anyone who tries to diminish their contributions.

So many athletes and coaches have created such an enormous impact on their sport that no one can rival. Whether it is through their work done off the field, or their dominance on it, there are a few things that can make people iconic, to be remembered forever.

When we consider awe-inspiring sports figures, some names just jump out at you that, in my opinion, if someone tried to dispute their significance, I just say “GTS” (which means "Google That Sh.." — I think you get the point). Can you dispute the supremacy of Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Ted Williams, Serena Williams, or Wayne Gretzky? These athletes showed skill and proficiency in their sport that is unmatched by today’s athletes as they separated themselves from the rest of their contemporaries. The problem that we have as fans is that we’re always trying to find someone in today's era that is comparable to them which will support our argument when it becomes heated over a cold Bud Light or Pepsi.

But what is it that makes these athletes special? Is it measured as a pure numbers game or should we account for immeasurable variables?

Unfortunately, the number of championships under one's belt seems to be the general measuring stick when determining who’s great. Yet, Allen Iverson, Barry Bonds, Charles Barkley, OJ Simpson, and Barry Sanders are just a few of those players that statistically could enter in the arena when discussing all-time greats, but would have to exit out that very same door if the argument is based on championships. It's a popular yet flawed metric. Put it this way, Juwan Howard sports two NBA title rings, and Barkley has none. Try and convince me that Howard is the better power forward.

“Sports today have evolved and so has the evolution of how we define greatness," Marc Wilson, The Orion (Chico State University's independent newspaper).

Man, this statement is so true! In our rush to find the next GOAT, we too often hear people say things like “This person is going to be great” or “Greatness is in their future,” so often that it makes me think that it’s like jellybeans: it depends on “what flavor you like when you reach in the bag” because that’s what you’ll pull out most times.

I recently heard ESPN’s Steven A. Smith loudly proclaim, “Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns is the next Kobe Bryant with what he’s shown this past season!” Really? Booker has played seven seasons, and last year was his first year in the playoffs. But then I had to change my thoughts to “(Smith) is entitled to his own opinion even though he must be crazy for saying that!”

Why can’t we enjoy the greatness of today’s athletes and those that came before them? I think we should just enjoy these athletes while we can and respect them for how well they play.

But in all honesty, isn’t this argument subjective? I mean, today I may feel one way about how I define the best, but tomorrow I may feel another way. Now if you want to argue, er, I meant debate me on this, then I’ll see you in an arena or stadium soon, and I’ll buy the cold one as we discuss our favorites.

Photo: Courtesy of Yahoo