The Most Beautiful...In Sports
It's Pretty. It's So Prit-tah.Some things just look damn near perfect. Certain athletes, doing certain things on the field or court or the ice, make you stop and watch. And that action, that solitary movement, whatever it may be, is a thing of beauty.
Ken Griffey Jr.'s swing is on those beautiful things. Technically perfect. Smooth. Effortless. Graceful. So, what else would you consider the "sweetest in sports?" As a 30-year old, I've gone back in the archives to list only a few that I've witnessed and have always caused me to stop and admire. Hit us up with yours in the comments.
Junior's Oh-So-Sweet Stroke
Not an overly violent hack. Just a long, looping swing that causes ball to leap from bat. A perfect follow-through. Niiice. Over the duration of my "career" as a fan, I'd also throw a HT to Will 'The Thrill' Clark. Something about those lefty swings.
Ray Allen's Jump Shot
Whether draining a 20-footer in a Sonics uni, Celtic green or dropping it on Denzel as Jesus Shuttlesworth, Allen's silky smooth jumper is what every amateur baller wishes their shot could look like when it leaves their fingertips.
Doc Gooden's Delivery
Call me a homer, but there was something about watching #16 pitch. Outside of the electric heat and 12-6 curve, he just had a beautiful motion to the plate. That high leg kick, and a long, perfectly-choreographed stride. It was effortless and textbook, and then the ball simply exploded from his hand.
Jerry Rice's Receiving
I was never a huge Jerry Rice fan. Can't pinpoint why. I don't have anything against him, I just never found him to be that "exciting." Maybe it's because everything just looked so easy for him on the field. Arguably one of the best to ever play the sport, at any position, Rice just kind of glided out there. The tall, lean frame, the stride that seemed perpetually on autopilot, and the soft hands all combined to paint a pretty picture.
Pavel Bure's Skating
I am admittedly a casual hockey fan at best, and my viewing habits are belied by this "selection." But watching Pavel Bure skate during the mid 90s (particularly against the Rangers)was just...different. Not only did he appear to be playing at another speed, but the fluidity of his motions and moves on the ice seemed immune to the hard cuts and abrupt jabs of other skaters. He was equally as quick, actually quicker, but, when you watched, it looked like he was proceeding in slow motion.
I also never got sick of watching Brett Favre throw the ball, and there was something beautiful about Walter Payton with the pigskin tucked away beneath his arm. The most exciting back I've ever seen? Personally, I'd have to give the nod to Barry Sanders. But in terms of aesthetics...sweetness was it.
What say you Legend faithful?
Ken Griffey Jr.'s swing is on those beautiful things. Technically perfect. Smooth. Effortless. Graceful. So, what else would you consider the "sweetest in sports?" As a 30-year old, I've gone back in the archives to list only a few that I've witnessed and have always caused me to stop and admire. Hit us up with yours in the comments.
Junior's Oh-So-Sweet Stroke
Not an overly violent hack. Just a long, looping swing that causes ball to leap from bat. A perfect follow-through. Niiice. Over the duration of my "career" as a fan, I'd also throw a HT to Will 'The Thrill' Clark. Something about those lefty swings.
Ray Allen's Jump Shot
Whether draining a 20-footer in a Sonics uni, Celtic green or dropping it on Denzel as Jesus Shuttlesworth, Allen's silky smooth jumper is what every amateur baller wishes their shot could look like when it leaves their fingertips.
Doc Gooden's Delivery
Call me a homer, but there was something about watching #16 pitch. Outside of the electric heat and 12-6 curve, he just had a beautiful motion to the plate. That high leg kick, and a long, perfectly-choreographed stride. It was effortless and textbook, and then the ball simply exploded from his hand.
Jerry Rice's Receiving
I was never a huge Jerry Rice fan. Can't pinpoint why. I don't have anything against him, I just never found him to be that "exciting." Maybe it's because everything just looked so easy for him on the field. Arguably one of the best to ever play the sport, at any position, Rice just kind of glided out there. The tall, lean frame, the stride that seemed perpetually on autopilot, and the soft hands all combined to paint a pretty picture.
Pavel Bure's Skating
I am admittedly a casual hockey fan at best, and my viewing habits are belied by this "selection." But watching Pavel Bure skate during the mid 90s (particularly against the Rangers)was just...different. Not only did he appear to be playing at another speed, but the fluidity of his motions and moves on the ice seemed immune to the hard cuts and abrupt jabs of other skaters. He was equally as quick, actually quicker, but, when you watched, it looked like he was proceeding in slow motion.
I also never got sick of watching Brett Favre throw the ball, and there was something beautiful about Walter Payton with the pigskin tucked away beneath his arm. The most exciting back I've ever seen? Personally, I'd have to give the nod to Barry Sanders. But in terms of aesthetics...sweetness was it.
What say you Legend faithful?
26 comments:
Tony Dorsett turning it up and turning it on...he was untouchable when he kicked in the afterburners...
George Gervin's Finger roll, That was pretty damn graceful. I'd also have to include Lynn Swann in there (the man took Ballet classes, for Christ's sake).
nice. don't remember catching Iceman live, but the highlights are pretty. good call on swanny and dorsett.
Michael Johnson, Olympic sprinter, just glided.
Barry Sanders... when he changed direction. Nobody has ever changed direction as smoothly.
Clyde "The Glide" Drexler, his name said it all.
Can't argue with pick of Allen's J but I was always partial to Allan Houston's shot...something about it just seemed to me the epitome of how a jumpshot was supposed to look.
The dream shake
anon. allan houston's j was pretty. as a knicks fan, i can attest. i think i get clouded in the sense that my lingering memories are of him adorning a knee brace and painfully trying to get that lift he once had to let those jumpers fly
brazil soccer in the 90s. it was like the other team wasn't on the field
There's a lot of things associated with soccer.
A counter-attack goal like the one yesterday in the Holland-Italy game as well as a 30-yard free kick bending in to the top corner of the goal (see Beckham vs. Greece) should be at the top of the list.
Also, MJ soaring in the dunk contest against Dominique and hitting that jump shot against the Jazz and Bryon Russell was great with the fans in the background.
I think there's a lot of individual plays that could be considered beautiful.
Jeff George slinging the pigskin...complete disappointment in his career but I could watch him throw just throw the ball for days.
Dr J in his prime...the moves are jaw dropping.
Hate to repeat the abover commenter, but the one of the first I thought of before even reading the post was the incomprable DR J!!!
And agree to all of the above.
Love the post - keep them coming.
Fred Couples swing. Pure smooth beauty.
Loved to watch Jordan...specifically his post up game.
Can't leave out Federer, specifically at wimbledon. I know he just got smoked by nadal, but the past few years he's hit shots that are impossible. So smooth and effortless.
Present day, watching teams kick the football to Devin Hester, then watching Hester find and hit the seams.
The Skyhook, no question. Smooth, graceful, and picture-perfect every time. Down one point with 7 seconds left? Everybody in the building knew exactly what was coming, but nobody could do a damn thing about it. "Kareem to the dribble, swings left, shoots right, hook of 8...It's good!"
even though he blows now...i've always loved Zito's windup
Hakeem's Dream Shake
watching Mike Modano skate has always been a joy
a beckham run up and bending free kick
AI's crossover.
James Edwards from the "Bad Boyz" days of the Pistons had a turn around, fade-away jumper from the baseline that was just absolute textbook. You couldn't defend it. You just hoped he would miss.
james edwards. wow. nice turn around. great 'stache.
Griffey Jr has my favorite left-handed swing and Manny has my favorite right-handed swing.
Any give and go to Malone from Stockton was just plain euphoria.
But Barry running full speed into a pile and then backing square up and going around that same pile was the best stuff i've EVER seen.
Let us not forget Darryl Strawberry's graceful swing in his earlier days.
Tony Gwynn's simple swing. Same with Rod Carew. Watching Rickey Henderson lead off first. Magic Johnson leading a fast-break down the floor, for the 15th time this half, and the defense still can't stop him. For grace: a young Ali; for pure power and terror: Tyson.
Payne Stewart's golf swing. And Vendela (look her up).
Devin Hester returning kicks. Just watch him hurdle Todd Sauerbrun or take the Colts Super Bowl kickoff back, and it almost brings you to tears.
Just watching a professional boxer shadow box, jump rope and hit the speed bag. So many different guys to choose from.
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