NBA / Apr 21, 2009 / 10:00 am
Who were your five favorite athletes growing up?
Penny Hardaway (Sports Illustrated)
Over the weekend, ESPN asked LeBron to list his five favorite athletes growing up. LBJ’s answers: Michael Jordan, Deion Sanders, Penny Hardaway, Emmitt Smith and … LeBron (he was joking; we think).
Naturally that sparked the nostalgia around here, as we’ve been throwing around stories of our favorite athletes from back in the day, everyone from Steph to Tyson to Mike Schmidt.
Who were your five favorite athletes growing up?
-->
April 21st, 2009 at 10:07 am
Big Moose says:
First
MJ an even tho i didnt actally see him live watchin old Ali fights were sick
April 21st, 2009 at 10:08 am
.me says:
1-hulk hogan
2-ultimate warrior
3-ric flair (woooOOOooooooo)
4-michael jordan
5-great muta
April 21st, 2009 at 10:17 am
Scott says:
Kemp in a Sonics uni. Kordell Stewart as Slash. Outside of the obvious ones, MJ, Pippen, etc.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:19 am
Shakers says:
Larry Bird, Barry Sanders, Alan Trammell, Charles Woodson at Michigan, Jalen Rose at Michigan
April 21st, 2009 at 10:20 am
Lanfeas says:
Penny Hardaway, Magic Johnson, David Robinson, Isiah Thomas, Joe Montana
April 21st, 2009 at 10:21 am
PWEEZY says:
Bo Jackson, Ricky Henderson, Bruce Lee, MJ and Reggie Lewis
April 21st, 2009 at 10:21 am
knock knock says:
lebron would pick himself whatta bitch. whines about not getting calls cuz he already considers himself to be the greatest.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:22 am
James Blackburn says:
MJ, deion sanders, emmit smith, John Smoltz, and Larry Johnson
April 21st, 2009 at 10:23 am
Rare Air says:
MJ, Deion, Tiger when he first broke onto the scene, Jalen Rose, C Webb, Griffey
April 21st, 2009 at 10:24 am
Abe504 says:
Penny, David Robinson, Detroit Piston version of Grant Hill, Allen Iverson, Old footage of The Iceman George Gervin, and whatever was on the NBA of NBC with Marv Albert
April 21st, 2009 at 10:27 am
Big T says:
Jordan, Bo Jackson, Greg Maddux, Joe Montana, and David Justice
April 21st, 2009 at 10:28 am
Ric Hardwood says:
My Fave five
1. Larry Bird
2. Joe Montana
3. Michael Jordan
4. Mario Lemieux
5. Mike Tyson
April 21st, 2009 at 10:28 am
Raj S says:
Shaq, Barry Sanders, Roy Jones Jr., Kevin Garnett, Jerry Rice
April 21st, 2009 at 10:33 am
Patrick says:
Barkley and KJ for the suns, Kenny Lofton, Deion and Penny. Really liked the admiral too because he could take it up and dunk from anywhere.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:36 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
MJ, Bo Jackson, Jose Canseco(I think he’s an idiot now), Shaq, and Ronnie Lott.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:43 am
Benoit Benjamin says:
pippen, MJ, Kemp, Rodman and Dream;
April 21st, 2009 at 10:45 am
svigi says:
M.J. , Scottie , Penny , Grant Hill , Ray Allen
April 21st, 2009 at 10:49 am
karizmatic says:
Magic, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Bird, Tyson
April 21st, 2009 at 10:50 am
Lonman says:
Going to give my age away now…Mickey Mantle, Muhammed Ali (Casious Clay-Not at first because I liked Liston), Ron Santo, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcinder) and Dick Butkus. Walter Payton and MJ came along later and deserve to be on this list.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:53 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Randall Cunningham, Pip, Magic, MJ, and prime time
April 21st, 2009 at 10:54 am
loons says:
Derek Harper, Bernie Williams, Darryl Strawberry, Jordan, Martin Brodeur
April 21st, 2009 at 10:55 am
My 2 Cents says:
In no particular order:
Kemp, Barkley, Penny, Shaq, Wilkins
April 21st, 2009 at 10:56 am
Kobeef says:
Fab 5
1. Kobe
2. Mike Vick
3. Mike Tyson
4. Ken Griffey Jr.
5. Chris Webber
April 21st, 2009 at 10:57 am
thomasmmm says:
greg lemond, sugar ray leonard, curly neal, mark spitz, ben johnson
April 21st, 2009 at 11:00 am
BERN BROGDEN says:
Barry Sanders
Michael Jordan
Michael Johnston
Randall Cunningham
Walter Payton (I only knew about him then because he was the BEST RUNNING BACK EVER on Tecmo Bowl)
April 21st, 2009 at 11:00 am
SJ says:
In order:
Magic, Jordan, Bird, Reggie, Robinson… but there are a lot more names to list
April 21st, 2009 at 11:04 am
Matt says:
1) Shawn Kemp
2) Gary Payton
3) Don Mattingly
4) Jim Kelly
5) Rickey Henderson
April 21st, 2009 at 11:04 am
Steve A says:
Deion Sanders
Ken Griffey Jr
Allen Iverson
Greg Maddux
Jerry Rice
April 21st, 2009 at 11:06 am
Patrick Cassidy says:
1. Chris Mullin
2. Mike Schmidt
3. Rickey Henderson
4. Larry Bird
5. MJ
and for about two years … Christian Okoye. Seriously.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:06 am
ToAn says:
pete sampras, kobe, tiger, michael schumacher, jason kidd
April 21st, 2009 at 11:06 am
Taj says:
MY FAVES:
“Neon” Deion Sanders
Michael Jordan
Barry Sanders
Donovan Bailey
Cecil Fielder… Not very athletic!
April 21st, 2009 at 11:15 am
LakeShow84 says:
LMAO Brogden.. For reals though Walter Payton murdered fools on Tecmo Bowl.. dont forget Willie Gault catching everything and actually staying on his feet.. in the game that is lol
Walter Payton – Total yards from scrimmage AND retired early??
Ali (Rumble in the Jungle is the boxing match ever unless you like boxing brutality then its the Thrilla in Manilla but hey Ali was in both of those and WON both)
Jordan – Free throw line.. i remember a play against Utah when Stockton picked him near the top of the key.. Jordan had time to look pissed at first then chase him down and make him earn it at the line.. mean athlete..
Alex Rodriguez – Couldve been a quarterback, point guard or a short stop.. DAMN
My Older Brother – fucker was too good in football.. one handed catches on a 20-30 yard pass in stride or even in traffic?? made me sick..
April 21st, 2009 at 11:20 am
Jay says:
Tyson, Tiger, Mitch Richmond, Reggie Miller, Sammy Sosa
April 21st, 2009 at 11:23 am
Mikey says:
1) Mark McGwire
2) Jerry Rice
3) Rickey Henderson
4) Vlade Divac
5) Martina Hingis
What a weird grouping. Big Mac was the face of my beloved A’s (along with Rickey). Jerry Rice needs no explanation. Vlade Divac was a goofy underdog which was kind of like my view of the NBA growing up (note: I grew up 2 hours away from Chicago. I hated Michael Jordan with a passion. That’s all anyone would ever talk about when discussing the NBA). I’ve always thought Martina Hingis was strangely hot and she won a bunch.
Are we going to do a list of favorite current atheletes?
April 21st, 2009 at 11:27 am
Bifflefeet Bigsby says:
Bird, Mchale, Mattingly, Kukoc, Stockton, Hornacek, Schayes
April 21st, 2009 at 11:28 am
everybodyisslow says:
1.JORDAN
2.ROY JONES JR.
3.BARRY SANDERS
4.WALTER PAYTON
5.BARRY BONDS (WHILE ON ROIDS)
6.BOB PROBERT (PRE REHAB)
7.MIKE TYSON (PRE DON KING)
AND JUST BECAUSE ON THE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE (DENNIS RODMAN)
April 21st, 2009 at 11:28 am
Mikey says:
I forgot about Wade Boggs. He was my first favorite player.
Put him in the number 3 slot instead of Rickey Henderson.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:32 am
everybodyisslow says:
PENNY HARAWAY WAS REALLY EFFECTIVE POST SHAQ …. AND DONT SCREAM INJURIES CAUSE HE SUCKED FOR LIKE 2 YEARS AFTER SHAQ AND BEFORE HIS INJURY…
April 21st, 2009 at 11:33 am
Tmac says:
Latrell Sprewell
Barry Sanders
Ken Griffey Jr.
Michael Johnson
Allen Iverson
April 21st, 2009 at 11:36 am
Frank says:
My favs were:
Marco van Basten
Ruud Gullit
Frank Rijkaard
Jari Litmanen
Dennis Bergkamp
Do you guys even know them?
April 21st, 2009 at 11:39 am
Chaos says:
Michael Jordan
Bo Jackson
Ken Griffey Jr
Roy Jones Jr
Penny Hardaway
Barry Sanders
Pernell Whitaker
Alonzo Mourning
April 21st, 2009 at 11:45 am
Chicagorilla says:
1)Jordan or Pippen together
2)Jerry Stackhouse at UNC or Vince Carter from the Boing years
3)Mike Tyson in the 80’s or Roy Jones in the 90′s
4)Barry on 3rd in long and Deion Sanders on the corner or punt returning, Walter Payton anytime.
5)Charles Barkley before TNT or Shaq before the Lakers
April 21st, 2009 at 11:47 am
mules says:
Derrick Coleman, Drazen Petrovic, Gary Gait (lacrosse legend), Lawrence Moten, & anyone who put John Starks on his ass
April 21st, 2009 at 11:50 am
flavur says:
1) Mike Tyson
2) Michael Jordan
3) Tracy Mcgrady(Orlando)
4) Vince Carter(raptors)
5) Chauncey Billups
April 21st, 2009 at 11:56 am
SWAT says:
(H)akeem, Clyde, Bo Jackson, MJ (do yall remember tht sat morning cartoon with Gretzsky, bo, and MJ?) Barkley (barkely vs godzilla) and Frank “the big hurt” thomas
April 21st, 2009 at 11:58 am
qualityrolemodels says:
Rae Carruth
Lawrence Phillips
Mike Vick
Ugueth Urbina
Isaiah Rider
Latrell Spreewell
Ruben Patterson
Mike Tyson
Tanya Harding
and of course…O.J. Simpson
April 21st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
LoBezn0 says:
1. Dennis Rodman
2. Mike Tyson
3. Mookie Blaylock
4. Michael Jordan
5. Lawrence Taylor
April 21st, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Tee says:
Here are my broken into two somes and a three some
1.MJ and Scottie
2.Montana/Young and Rice
3.The Glove and Reinman
4.Kobe and Shaq
5.Maddox Glavine and Smoltz
April 21st, 2009 at 12:53 pm
mike says:
How has no one put down Mike Irvin???
Griffey and Roberto Alomar
Penny and Shaq
Jagr
April 21st, 2009 at 12:55 pm
hadoken says:
barkley, dan marino, bo jackson, darryl strawberry, prime
April 21st, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Ian says:
jay i think if you knew how sammy sosa really is you wouldnt put him on yuor list.
the admiral fav nba
paul oneill
griffey
edmonds fav mlb
since manu doesnt count since this list is growing up id give the 5th spot to david cone or reggie
April 21st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
jay says:
1. Randall Cunningham-He was that DUDE! Vick before it was even allowed to have athletes at the qb spot!
2. The Road Warriors-What ya’ll know about that old school NWA wrestling
3. Larry Johnson-A young LJ was quite beastly
4. Penny-He was good
5. Reggie Miller-Made it cool to be skinny with a wet-ass jumper!
April 21st, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Michael says:
1.Kobe Bryant
2.Allen Iverson
3.Pete sampras
4.Michael Johnson(The Sprinter)
5.Reggie Miller/Penny Hardaway
April 21st, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Austin Burton, "T.M.P." says:
1. Mike Tyson
2. Eric Metcalf (NFL)
3. Shawn Kemp/Gary Payton
4. Ken Griffey Jr.
5. Reggie Miller
6. Jerry Rice
7. Mike Powell (long jumper)
Sorry, I couldn’t keep it at five.
April 21st, 2009 at 1:25 pm
MC3 says:
MJ
Randall Cunningham
Primetime
Iverson when he was still known as “Bubbachuck”
The Fab Five (collectively because I wouldn’t want that to be my entire five in one shot)
April 21st, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Sanpitch says:
@45
i remember that cartoon.
dan marino
barry sanders/walter payton
john stockton
ultimate warrior (saw post 2 had him and remembered how cool that guy was)
clyde “the glide” drexler (i could relate to him cause i could dribble like him)
the junkyard dog
going back to wrestling, the undertaker scared the hell out of me when he burst onto the scene. that damn pall bearer and the body bags freaked the $*** out of me.
April 21st, 2009 at 1:48 pm
hahns says:
JOHN STARKS
patrick ewing
charles oakley
derek harper
larry johnson
April 21st, 2009 at 1:53 pm
shake&bake says:
Barry Sanders
Deion Sanders
Albert Belle
Nolan Ryan
Dominique Wilkins.
April 21st, 2009 at 1:57 pm
StukinaCubicle says:
Michael Jordan
Steve Young
Reggie Miller/Shawn Kemp
Bernie Williams
Andre Agassi
April 21st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
pig says:
Roy Keane
John Stockton
Ryan Giggs
Vince Carter
Ayrton Senna
April 21st, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Bruce says:
The Wife Beaters-
1. Warren – Wife Beater – Moon.
2. Cris – Wife Beater – Carter.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Sambuu says:
MJ, Kemp, Spree
April 21st, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Vinny says:
Ok i’m giving away my age, but wtf!
1Walt Frazier
2Earl Monroe
3Joe Namath
4Ali
5Tie Bruce Lee and Connie Hawkins
Ok because i never stop growing up,lol
1Jordan
2Bernard King
3Derek Jeter
4Doc
5Lawerence Taylor
April 21st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
BERN BROGDEN says:
@32 – Lakeshow – Dorsett too. He was nice!
Speaking of foul lines and MJ – what about that dunk he did after he clanked his freethrow? That may be the most “athletic” moment I remember from MJ growing up. I keep running it over and over in my mind.
Probably ’cause I saw it LIVE…well, on tv of course.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:43 pm
doc says:
1-MJ 2-Jerry Rice 3-AI 4-Randy Moss 5-Barry Sanders
April 21st, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Guitar Hero says:
Penny
MJ
Ewing
Mário Jardel
Vítor Baía
April 21st, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Luigi says:
in no order..i maturely grew up like in the start of the century and late 90′s
5 bballrs
Sacramento Kings [2000-2004] Bibby. C-Webb
Reggie Miller
T-Mac
VInsanity
Kobe
5 football players
Greatest Show on Turf [1998-2003] Kurt.Marshall.Issac.Torry.
Cris Carter
Steve McNair
Jerry Rice
Tim Brown
5 Misc.
Degeneration X
The Rock
Brock Lesnar
Peter Bondra
Tiger Woods
April 21st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Fresh says:
1 – Michael Jordan
2 – Penny Hardaway
3 – Larry Johnson
4 – Grant Hill
5 – Reggie Miller & John Starks
April 21st, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Luke says:
Reggie Miller
Barry Sanders
Mo Vaughn
Tim Hardaway
Hakeem Olajuwon
April 21st, 2009 at 6:03 pm
the scola says:
1. Gabriel Batistuta
2. Juan Sebastian Veron
3. Curtis Joseph (Leafs)
4. Tony Fernandez (Jays)
5. John Elway
April 21st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
David Brandon says:
1. mike
2. joe montana
3. cal ripken, jr
4. mario lemiuex
5. kobe
April 21st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
King says:
Jordan
Kobe
AI
PIP
KG
Duncan
April 21st, 2009 at 6:29 pm
King says:
Jordan
Kobe
AI
PIP
KG
Hakeem
had to take off Dunc and put the dream on there
April 21st, 2009 at 7:30 pm
money says:
Reggie Miller #31!!!
Shawn Kemp/Glove, Shaq, John Elway, Gretzky.
April 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Dagomar says:
van Basten
Bergkamp
Kluivart
Jordan
Barkley
April 21st, 2009 at 9:37 pm
eyeused2b says:
In order:
1. Scottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls)
2. Randall Cunningham (Philadelphia Eagles)
3. Art Monk (Washington Redskins)
4. Stacey Augmon (Atlanta Hawks)
5. Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)
April 21st, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Johnny Anonymous says:
1)Bruce Bowen
2)Greg Ostertag
3)Sasha “the machine” vujacic
4)Damon Jones
5)How did i forget Antoine Walker (he’s actually my number one)
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:47 am
Leoni says:
1 – Jordan
2 – Zico (one of the most outstanding soccer players ever – played for Flamengo, Udinese and Brasil National team – just youtube this guy)
3 – Tim Hardaway
4 – Bill Laimbeer (i know, i know)
And a five group
5 – Penny, reign man, Kenny and DC, Petrovic, Sabas, LJ. Romário, Bergkamp, Roberto Mancini, Mihajlovic, Askia Jones, Detlef S., J.Kidd, Nique and many others
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 am
rick773 says:
Jordan
Pippen
SWEETNESS
Hakeem Olajuwon(I bet Robinson still has nightmares about the dream shake)
Andre Bad Moon Rison (One of the most underated Receivers in the game)
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:46 am
Kudabeen says:
MJ
Pippen
Bo Jackson
Barry Sanders
Sprewell
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:37 am
zimzimma says:
fav5 – kemp, magic, ruud gullit, akeem, tyson
best5 – jordan, maradona, ali, tyson, magic
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
Sweet English says:
MJ
Goldburg
Micheal Owen
David Beckham
Hot Sauce – back in the day before the local league games sittin in my room watchin mixtape three that i got free with a pair of AND1 KG21′s (when AND1 knew how to design shoes that werent ugly as sin)
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Jayo says:
Lil Penny
Frank Thomas
Griffey Jr
Barry Sanders
Deion “PrimeTime” Sanders
Clyde “the Glide” Drexler
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Rob Grant says:
1. Magic Johnson
2. Ronnie Lott
3. Ken Griffey Jr.
4. Penny Hardaway
5. Bo Jackson
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:04 am
White Snoop says:
MJ
Shaq
Nick Van Exel
Tony Amonte
Martin Brodeur
—-
Zo
Shawn Kemp
April 27th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
troy says:
it goes primetime, pistol pete, bo jackson, mj, and the worm dennis rodman
April 29th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Big Sia says:
Scola’s list was greezy
I gotta go…
1. Vince Carter
2. John Elway
3. Tie Domi
4. Shawn Kemp
5. Ronaldo (Brazil)
May 7th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Daniel Bui says:
Not in an order:
Grant Hill, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Michael Jordan, Shaq, Penny
July 31st, 2009 at 11:17 pm
JW says:
1.Michael Jordan
2.Emmit Smith
3.Shaq
4.Allen Iverson
5.Michael Irvin
August 19th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Air Penny says:
1. Barry Sanders
2. Randy Moss
3. Michael Jordan
4. Penny Hardaway
5. Juan Gonzalez
November 7th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Andi says:
1. Michael Jordan
2. Scottie Pippen
3. Penny Hardaway
4. Grant Hill
5. Shawn Kemp