ANYONE can dunk a basketball on a 10ft. goal these days…..but you try and hit a fastball going 95mph and then tell me who’s the most athletic?? Ask Billy Crystal when you see him next!!
MLB is at the bottom of my athletic list. It takes amazing eye-hand coordination, but when the majority of the time you are either standing still or sitting then I can’t rank it high on athleticism. Certain football positions are very athletic, but others less so. The top two have to be basketball and hockey. I have respect for both. The stamina to run up and down that court for that long at that intensity while performing high level skills is certainly athletic. However, hockey. The intensity of a hockey shift is much greater than basketball minute for minute (they just play fewer minutes). The pounding they take, the skill to maneuver a puck, and yes, it’s on ice. That has to count for something. But basketball looks more athletic. The acrobatic dunk or no-look pass has an athletic quality that is hard to describe. It’s a wash.
No, no, no… I am going to have to go with Joe on this one as I have been to my fair share of Basketball games being a UMASS Alum. Those boys and girls have to run so fast back and forth on the court, jumping and dribbling and throwing. In Baseball most of those fat slobs sit in the dug out or stand on the bases for most of the game and do nothing but curse each other off, pick their noses, and chew tabacco.
Basketball has my vote. Hockey would be a close second because of the speed and endurance that are both required. As someone else said, there’s a lot of sitting in MLB.
You need to factor in physicality to the game. Sure, basketball has a little pushing, but nothing compared to hockey or football (unless you count fighting with the fans, then basketball would be higher on my list). If you’re basing it purely on aerobic fitness, then basketball and hockey would top the list. Who has both? Well, hockey of course. Soccer however, not on your list, would top all 4 of your choices for aerobic fitness and physicality.
Gotta second Lucas Pauls…soccer would take the cake, but very few here know anything about it. Such a shame.
Something to consider: Just because a person plays a sport that requires less running doesn’t automatically mean that the person is less athletic. That is a judgement on the sport itself, not the player who plays it.
It’s hockey. Very good basketball players and teams, however, those with players who are not afraid to run and pass and defend–make for wonderful athletic events (see 80’s Lakers/Celtics, for example). As much as I like the cars that go fast and turn left, I wouldn’t consider Tony Stewart to be an athlete. As for the best-conditioned athlete, that might just go to the boxer.
My Uncle Stan is right that one of the hardest feats of all the sports is to hit a baseball screaming at you at 90plus miles per hour. Holy cow. Count me out. However, that’s a single feat. I’m talking about overall athletic-ness.
As for those of you yelling at your computer screens: “Joe, what about soccer players?” I’m only considering major athletic leagues of the US and until MLS players don’t have to work a second job at Home Depot in order to pay the rent they just can’t compete. That’s time they aren’t spending preparing and practicing their true craft. Now if stamina were the only criterion, soccer players would win. Hands down.
While I will concede that hockey players are great athletes and that doing it all on ice is impressive, I’ll still argue that bball players are better overall athletes. Just as you might argue that ice should be considered in this argument, I would argue that air be considered when thinking of the bball player. Quite a bit of time is spent in the air at the NBA level. Those guys are playing in two dimensions, if you will - on the ground and in the air. It’s amazing what they can do in the air. It finally comes down to this for me, when I imagine a hockey player and a bball player going through agility tests that measure athletic ability, I can’t imagine the hockey player keeping up.
definitely basketball, hands down. in hockey they are on ice. I can shove myself just a little and make it all the way down the rink, so they exert less force. And most of the time they just make wide turns when turning around. not saying its easy, but its not back and forth basketball.
although, I think a baseball player climbing a wall and catching a would be home run ball is much more athletic than a dunk. Baseball definitely is last, although they are the smartest.
JOe, are you trying to make yourself feel more athletic?? haha. you don’t have to, not after i saw you churn out those 40 miles on a mt bike like it was NUTHIN’!
Imagine Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, and Mario Lemieux–all of them in their prime–putting on a show and exhibiting their athleticism. OK, it’s a tie.
I’ll concede that baseball players may not be the most athletic and basketball is the most “athletic” sport, as long as you acknowledge Jeremiah’s comment about baseball players being the “smartest”!!!! Deal or no deal??
Basketball is the most accessible and playable sport by the general population (of the US). Why is that…because it’s easy. That’s right I said it, basketball is easy. Anyone can dribble, pass, and shoot a basketball. Heck I have a great video of my son at two years old doing just that (see here)!
Here is how the athleticism should be ranked…with proof to back it up!
Once again, Jason, let me outline to you what I thought was obvious in the original post: we’re talking professional athletes. Not two year old kids with a nerf hoop. And by the way, I’ve seen you play bball - there’s nothing easy about that.
As far as MLB, I have two words: John Kruk.
I also agree with Joe on basketball. I think hockey requires a great deal of stamina and athleticism but is played on a single plane. Basketball is played on the ground AND in the air. It also requires the full participation of every player on the floor at all times. You say soccer is more athletic? I played and coached soccer. Yes, it requires a lot of ability and stamina but rarely are 100% of the players on the field moving 100% of the time that the ball is in play. Even in hockey, I respect what a goalie does but that’s one player on the team that rarely moves more than 3 feet to either side no matter where the puck is. I go with basketball!
lol.. c’mon guys… it’s not like spinning in the air to dunk a basketball happens in a 3rd or 4th dimension. It’s still the same plane, you’re just a few feet above it. I’ve gotta go hockey again, athleticism should be measured not just by stamina and agility, but also by physicality in the game and degree of difficulty. Single players scoring 30+ points in a game compared to maybe 3 goals total in hockey? Seems like that points to hockey being a tad more difficult, and by judging ALL the criteria, making hockey players the most athletic in your big 4 sports.
Kenny, a few feet above? Hardly, my friend. You must not be taking in any of the NBA within the past two decades because these guys are definitely doing things in the air that you can’t even begin to imagine. It’s simply amazing. And physicality? I get that hockey players get in fights (big deal with all that gear on!) but until you’ve sat court-side (I’ve had that pleasure when the Knicks played the Heat with a healthy Shaq) then you can’t speak to the physicality of bball. Again, simply amazing. I hear a lot about how old bball players are beat up and can hardly walk (see Bill Walton) but nothing about the bodies of hockey players when they get old. And you can’t hardly bring points scored into the equation when hockey is a defensive game and bball is an offensive game. That’s just not good criteria. And once again, degree of difficulty is up in the air. I highly doubt that a bball player could get on ice and do the things a hockey player could do but I KNOW that a hockey player couldn’t get on a court and do the things a bball player can do. Again, I try to picture both these athletes in neutral agility tests and the hockey player doesn’t stand a chance.
I can. Watching Mario or Wayne attempt to drive to the hoop using both their right and left hands while spinning and jumping at the same time. Yikes.
Again, just because it’s on ice does not mean these guys are better athletes but it seems that no matter how many times I say this, you ain’t gonna hear it.
Agility tests, Kenny. You can’t honestly say that hockey players would out-perform bball players, can you?
Along with certain NFL players (WRs, RBs, DBs, and a few other guys at various positions like Jevon Kearse, etc.), NBA players are the freakish athletes, way above the level of hockey players.
Playing on ice? While difficult, it really doesn’t demonstrate some extraordinary athletic talent. Are you gonna tell me that water polo players are more athletic than basketball players because they play in water? I don’t think so.
Welcome to the blog of Joe Hays, minister for Christ's Church for Brooklyn. We are a loving community of believers who seek to be the hands and feet of Christ, in service to our neighbors in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn and beyond.
Welcome to the blog of Joe Hays, minister for Christ's Church for Brooklyn. We are a loving community of believers who seek to be the hands and feet of Christ, in service to our neighbors in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn and beyond.
Joe,
ANYONE can dunk a basketball on a 10ft. goal these days…..but you try and hit a fastball going 95mph and then tell me who’s the most athletic?? Ask Billy Crystal when you see him next!!
Uncle Stan
Try playing a sport with a stick and a little bitty rubber object with two blades on your feet, and oh yeah, you’re also on ice…
MLB is at the bottom of my athletic list. It takes amazing eye-hand coordination, but when the majority of the time you are either standing still or sitting then I can’t rank it high on athleticism. Certain football positions are very athletic, but others less so. The top two have to be basketball and hockey. I have respect for both. The stamina to run up and down that court for that long at that intensity while performing high level skills is certainly athletic. However, hockey. The intensity of a hockey shift is much greater than basketball minute for minute (they just play fewer minutes). The pounding they take, the skill to maneuver a puck, and yes, it’s on ice. That has to count for something. But basketball looks more athletic. The acrobatic dunk or no-look pass has an athletic quality that is hard to describe. It’s a wash.
Too bad nobody in America watches soccer…
No, no, no… I am going to have to go with Joe on this one as I have been to my fair share of Basketball games being a UMASS Alum. Those boys and girls have to run so fast back and forth on the court, jumping and dribbling and throwing. In Baseball most of those fat slobs sit in the dug out or stand on the bases for most of the game and do nothing but curse each other off, pick their noses, and chew tabacco.
In order of most athletic to least: hockey, basketball, football, baseball.
Oops - sorry, that was my comment above. I’m sure Kenny would put baseball higher up than I would.
Basketball has my vote. Hockey would be a close second because of the speed and endurance that are both required. As someone else said, there’s a lot of sitting in MLB.
No, it takes top-notch physical prowess and athleticism to sit in a car and drive in a circle at high speeds.
(this is really kenny…
You need to factor in physicality to the game. Sure, basketball has a little pushing, but nothing compared to hockey or football (unless you count fighting with the fans, then basketball would be higher on my list). If you’re basing it purely on aerobic fitness, then basketball and hockey would top the list. Who has both? Well, hockey of course. Soccer however, not on your list, would top all 4 of your choices for aerobic fitness and physicality.
Gotta second Lucas Pauls…soccer would take the cake, but very few here know anything about it. Such a shame.
Something to consider: Just because a person plays a sport that requires less running doesn’t automatically mean that the person is less athletic. That is a judgement on the sport itself, not the player who plays it.
It’s hockey. Very good basketball players and teams, however, those with players who are not afraid to run and pass and defend–make for wonderful athletic events (see 80’s Lakers/Celtics, for example). As much as I like the cars that go fast and turn left, I wouldn’t consider Tony Stewart to be an athlete. As for the best-conditioned athlete, that might just go to the boxer.
my turn to weigh in.
My Uncle Stan is right that one of the hardest feats of all the sports is to hit a baseball screaming at you at 90plus miles per hour. Holy cow. Count me out. However, that’s a single feat. I’m talking about overall athletic-ness.
As for those of you yelling at your computer screens: “Joe, what about soccer players?” I’m only considering major athletic leagues of the US and until MLS players don’t have to work a second job at Home Depot in order to pay the rent they just can’t compete. That’s time they aren’t spending preparing and practicing their true craft. Now if stamina were the only criterion, soccer players would win. Hands down.
While I will concede that hockey players are great athletes and that doing it all on ice is impressive, I’ll still argue that bball players are better overall athletes. Just as you might argue that ice should be considered in this argument, I would argue that air be considered when thinking of the bball player. Quite a bit of time is spent in the air at the NBA level. Those guys are playing in two dimensions, if you will - on the ground and in the air. It’s amazing what they can do in the air. It finally comes down to this for me, when I imagine a hockey player and a bball player going through agility tests that measure athletic ability, I can’t imagine the hockey player keeping up.
Are the agility tests on the court or on the ice?
Teach lebron to skate, and ill take him on the ice or the court
definitely basketball, hands down. in hockey they are on ice. I can shove myself just a little and make it all the way down the rink, so they exert less force. And most of the time they just make wide turns when turning around. not saying its easy, but its not back and forth basketball.
although, I think a baseball player climbing a wall and catching a would be home run ball is much more athletic than a dunk. Baseball definitely is last, although they are the smartest.
JOe, are you trying to make yourself feel more athletic?? haha. you don’t have to, not after i saw you churn out those 40 miles on a mt bike like it was NUTHIN’!
Imagine Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, and Mario Lemieux–all of them in their prime–putting on a show and exhibiting their athleticism. OK, it’s a tie.
I’ll concede that baseball players may not be the most athletic and basketball is the most “athletic” sport, as long as you acknowledge Jeremiah’s comment about baseball players being the “smartest”!!!! Deal or no deal??
Uncle Stan
Basketball is the most accessible and playable sport by the general population (of the US). Why is that…because it’s easy. That’s right I said it, basketball is easy. Anyone can dribble, pass, and shoot a basketball. Heck I have a great video of my son at two years old doing just that (see here)!
Here is how the athleticism should be ranked…with proof to back it up!
Video Proof:
1. Hockey Video
2. Football Video
3. Basketball Video
Once again, Jason, let me outline to you what I thought was obvious in the original post: we’re talking professional athletes. Not two year old kids with a nerf hoop. And by the way, I’ve seen you play bball - there’s nothing easy about that.
As far as MLB, I have two words: John Kruk.
I also agree with Joe on basketball. I think hockey requires a great deal of stamina and athleticism but is played on a single plane. Basketball is played on the ground AND in the air. It also requires the full participation of every player on the floor at all times. You say soccer is more athletic? I played and coached soccer. Yes, it requires a lot of ability and stamina but rarely are 100% of the players on the field moving 100% of the time that the ball is in play. Even in hockey, I respect what a goalie does but that’s one player on the team that rarely moves more than 3 feet to either side no matter where the puck is. I go with basketball!
Philip and Joe chose BASKETBALL??? I’m fainiting!!
lol.. c’mon guys… it’s not like spinning in the air to dunk a basketball happens in a 3rd or 4th dimension. It’s still the same plane, you’re just a few feet above it. I’ve gotta go hockey again, athleticism should be measured not just by stamina and agility, but also by physicality in the game and degree of difficulty. Single players scoring 30+ points in a game compared to maybe 3 goals total in hockey? Seems like that points to hockey being a tad more difficult, and by judging ALL the criteria, making hockey players the most athletic in your big 4 sports.
Kenny, a few feet above? Hardly, my friend. You must not be taking in any of the NBA within the past two decades because these guys are definitely doing things in the air that you can’t even begin to imagine. It’s simply amazing. And physicality? I get that hockey players get in fights (big deal with all that gear on!) but until you’ve sat court-side (I’ve had that pleasure when the Knicks played the Heat with a healthy Shaq) then you can’t speak to the physicality of bball. Again, simply amazing. I hear a lot about how old bball players are beat up and can hardly walk (see Bill Walton) but nothing about the bodies of hockey players when they get old. And you can’t hardly bring points scored into the equation when hockey is a defensive game and bball is an offensive game. That’s just not good criteria. And once again, degree of difficulty is up in the air. I highly doubt that a bball player could get on ice and do the things a hockey player could do but I KNOW that a hockey player couldn’t get on a court and do the things a bball player can do. Again, I try to picture both these athletes in neutral agility tests and the hockey player doesn’t stand a chance.
oh my… I can’t think of a clumsier, less agile moment in sports history than seeing Shaq on skates.
I can. Watching Mario or Wayne attempt to drive to the hoop using both their right and left hands while spinning and jumping at the same time. Yikes.
Again, just because it’s on ice does not mean these guys are better athletes but it seems that no matter how many times I say this, you ain’t gonna hear it.
Agility tests, Kenny. You can’t honestly say that hockey players would out-perform bball players, can you?
Hockey? Please. Toughness does not equal athleticism.
NBA players are some of the most athletic people on this planet. Many are off the charts in any measure of athleticism you can imagine.
Speed? Check.
Vertical leap? Check.
Agility? Check.
Strength? Check.
Stamina? Check.
Coordination? Check.
Along with certain NFL players (WRs, RBs, DBs, and a few other guys at various positions like Jevon Kearse, etc.), NBA players are the freakish athletes, way above the level of hockey players.
Playing on ice? While difficult, it really doesn’t demonstrate some extraordinary athletic talent. Are you gonna tell me that water polo players are more athletic than basketball players because they play in water? I don’t think so.