Why is hockey the only sport with a universally accepted GOAT?
- Thread starter Colin X
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Patrick Kane
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It's a lot closer than people think and I wouldn't even argue against it.
Lemieux was putting up ungodly numbers in his prime and he was literally playing with cancer and smoking a pack a day
If he played with the longevity of Gretzky and was able to stay healthy, he would be close to or would break some of those records. The man was an absolute tank and would bulldoze past 2-3 players, deke out another and so neat and gently, put the puck past the goalie.
Exhibit A:
And that was "past his prime" Mario (he put up 50 goals, 72 assists - 122 points- McDavid led NHL in scoring this year with 108)
Oh, I know. His points per game was higher than Gretzky's too until the very end of his career.It's a lot closer than people think and I wouldn't even argue against it.
Lemieux was putting up ungodly numbers in his prime and he was literally playing with cancer and smoking a pack a day
If he played with the longevity of Gretzky and was able to stay healthy, he would be close to or would break some of those records. The man was an absolute tank and would bulldoze past 2-3 players, deke out another and so neat and gently, put the puck past the goalie.
Exhibit A:
And that was "past his prime" Mario (he put up 50 goals, 72 assists - 122 points- McDavid led NHL in scoring this year with 108)
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Usain BoltIn like every other sport there’s atleast some debate to be had.
But ask who the greatest hockey player is and you’ll get “Gretzky“
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Lebron and Tyson
Ali maybe but i dont think you can say for MJ. There is a lot of old heads who think Kareem or Bill Russell is the best
for hockey it seems like its Wayne regardless of what generation you're from.
If an argument has to include “ifs” and “buts” it’s a bad argument that doesn’t hold weight.It's a lot closer than people think and I wouldn't even argue against it.
Lemieux was putting up ungodly numbers in his prime and he was literally playing with cancer and smoking a pack a day
If he played with the longevity of Gretzky and was able to stay healthy, he would be close to or would break some of those records. The man was an absolute tank and would bulldoze past 2-3 players, deke out another and so neat and gently, put the puck past the goalie.
Exhibit A:
And that was "past his prime" Mario (he put up 50 goals, 72 assists - 122 points- McDavid led NHL in scoring this year with 108)
Anybody putting Mario over Wayne is just an insane person.
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It's a lot closer than people think and I wouldn't even argue against it.
Lemieux was putting up ungodly numbers in his prime and he was literally playing with cancer and smoking a pack a day
If he played with the longevity of Gretzky and was able to stay healthy, he would be close to or would break some of those records. The man was an absolute tank and would bulldoze past 2-3 players, deke out another and so neat and gently, put the puck past the goalie.
Exhibit A:
And that was "past his prime" Mario (he put up 50 goals, 72 assists - 122 points- McDavid led NHL in scoring this year with 108)
All valid points, but longevity matters too. It’s why Duncan makes a valid argument when compared to Shaq. It’s why Dwyane Wade isn’t looked at higher on the list. It’s part of why jerry rice is unanimously looked at as the best receiver ever. While Moss was done at 34 and TO was producing up until he turned 37, rice was an all pro at 40.
Patrick Kane
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What makes you say that? If they are both healthy and playing at their absolute peak, it's probably even with MAYBE a slight edge to Mario. He's probably the most TALENTED player of all time and he ate like shyt, smoked a pack a day, was often injured and still absolutely dominated. He said it was the 87 Canada Team where he played with Wayne that he began taking his career more seriously with training but the man kept smoking. With all that in mind:
Lemieux has a better career adjusted points per game
Lemieux has the best single season adjusted points per game
Lemieux scored 80+ goals against butterfly goalies, Gretzky only hit 70 range (only lol)
Gretzky never scored more than 50 goals after the age of 29 - Lemieux scored 35 goals in 43 games after not playing for 4 years (at the age of 35)
Lemieux averaged 0.8 goals a season in three different DECADES - Wayne only did this over a span of 6 years
Lemieux was absolutely more talented and skilled than Gretzky, he just was never as healthy and didn't play with the same longevity. Not to mention he got absolutely destroyed playing in the era of pulling/slashing/holding (with no calls) and was never protected the way Gretzky was. On a nightly basis, he took an absolute beating and STILL dominated. It is absolutely much closer than people think and anyone who says Mario over Gretzky is not insane, there is an argument to be made.
There is no argument to be made because once you have to inject hypothetical situations into something it’s a baseless argument. Mario didn’t take care of himself. That’s on him.
And saying he was absolutely more talented is a farce.
Wayne is the unquestioned goat and Mario is just a what if scenario.
Black Ball
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Ali may be considered "The Greatest". But Ali isn't considered the greatest Fighter at all. SRR.
He had terrible back issues and then diagnosed with cancer I believe. I wouldn’t say he ‘didn’t take care of himself’
All people that would take Lemiuex over Gretzky can mentioned it "talent", and that is extremely subjective. Mario had the size, strength, etc, and there is no doubt about that. However, you talk about Lemiuex being hurt more often (had cancer as well), but Gretzky had taken beatings to his lower back throughout his entire career. When ranking players, you absolutely have to do it based on era. If you took Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin and put them back in the 80's with their current skill levels, they would have torn the league a new one.
Anyways, we all know neither Gretzky or Mario are the true GOAT.
