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transplant99 · 10-21-2013, 11:22 AM

I see a trend in these threads every time they pop up.

Younger people tend to think that because what they are seeing now, that this guy has to be as good or beter than that guy was "back then". And to some degree the older folks may memorialize those they watched when younger to a level that they might not be. Truth in both statements in my mind.

But,

In this case there is no way to overstate how great Wayne Gretzky was...and this coming from an avowed hater of ALL things Oiler. Regardless of any bias in who I cheer for...Wayne Gretzky is, was, and likely will always be the single best hockey player the game ever sees. This comes after some reflection through the years where i would have stated emphatically otherwise in favor of Bobby Orr or Mario and going back even further, Gordie Howe.

Truth is though that Wayne was on a level no one has ever been before or since. His athletic ability is being torn down here, which i find laughable, because he truly was one of the best athletes in ANY sport in his prime. What he was able to do with a puck in full flight or along the boards or behind the net or standing still etc....has never ever been matched, and when his hockey IQ was sprinkled in along with a plethora of really good teammates, the guy was quite simply...unstoppable. Who else that ever played the game is in that same category? Again Lemieux and Orr for spurts, and Howe but in a different way.

When you have a player that had 20+ more assists than Mario (who was 2nd in the league) had points in one season...only then can you begin to fathom how dominant he was. Add onto that he potted 50+ goals as well that year.

If you never saw WG live, its literally impossible to understand how insanely great he was. Thats not a knock on Crosby or any other great player the league has had, it just demonstrates how completely and totally dominant he was. I am very blessed to have watched his career from beginning to end along with all the other guys of his era and some before.

he is, was and probaly will be...the best ever.

10-21-2013, 11:22 AM	#149
transplant99 Fearmongerer Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign. Exp:	I see a trend in these threads every time they pop up. Younger people tend to think that because what they are seeing now, that this guy has to be as good or beter than that guy was "back then". And to some degree the older folks may memorialize those they watched when younger to a level that they might not be. Truth in both statements in my mind. But, In this case there is no way to overstate how great Wayne Gretzky was...and this coming from an avowed hater of ALL things Oiler. Regardless of any bias in who I cheer for...Wayne Gretzky is, was, and likely will always be the single best hockey player the game ever sees. This comes after some reflection through the years where i would have stated emphatically otherwise in favor of Bobby Orr or Mario and going back even further, Gordie Howe. Truth is though that Wayne was on a level no one has ever been before or since. His athletic ability is being torn down here, which i find laughable, because he truly was one of the best athletes in ANY sport in his prime. What he was able to do with a puck in full flight or along the boards or behind the net or standing still etc....has never ever been matched, and when his hockey IQ was sprinkled in along with a plethora of really good teammates, the guy was quite simply...unstoppable. Who else that ever played the game is in that same category? Again Lemieux and Orr for spurts, and Howe but in a different way. When you have a player that had 20+ more assists than Mario (who was 2nd in the league) had points in one season...only then can you begin to fathom how dominant he was. Add onto that he potted 50+ goals as well that year. If you never saw WG live, its literally impossible to understand how insanely great he was. Thats not a knock on Crosby or any other great player the league has had, it just demonstrates how completely and totally dominant he was. I am very blessed to have watched his career from beginning to end along with all the other guys of his era and some before. he is, was and probaly will be...the best ever.