OT: - Most influential U.S. athlete of the past 25 years? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

OT: Most influential U.S. athlete of the past 25 years?

CCSUblue said:
Influential.... Kaepernick. Sacrificed his career for the movement. Everyone learned not to protest.

Alternative would be Dirk. Dirk made the NBA what it is today where every 7 footer needs to be able to shoot the 3. He lead the massive influx of Euro talent.

Brady is probably the most well known. Most famous. Whatever. Not most influential.
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Brady's influence is more systems theory. Once someone threw 100mph more guys started doing it. Once someone ran a sub 4 mile more people started doing it. Brady changed the narrative for aging athletes. Now it's common to see guys play at a high level well into their 30s and early 40s. Granted it's not the 1:1 influence like some kid who picked up a golf club because of tiger. But it shares similarities with your dirk example, which i agree with.


I also agree that he is not the MOST influential.
 
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I like the Tiger and Caitlin Clark as answers. They helped their respective sports/leagues absolutely explode. Shaun White should probably be on this list. Not too many snow boarders in this generation that the Flying Tomato didn't influence.
 
Tiger & Caitlin would rank up at the top for me. Don't watch golf but I can't deny his influence on ratings and prize money, for Caitlin the difference in attendance/ratings and franchise valuations before and after her arrival in the WNBA are staggering.
 
lateralous said:
I like the Tiger and Caitlin Clark as answers. They helped their respective sports/leagues absolutely explode. Shaun White should probably be on this list. Not too many snow boarders in this generation that the Flying Tomato didn't influence.
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So, on Caitlin Clark.....

For what it's worth, she didn't win a title in the NCAA and she has 1 season in the WNBA (which I believe Paige Bueckers is outperforming so far in her 1st season). Beuckers was more heralded as a freshman in college until she got hurt. Can Clark actually win a title somewhere before she's mentioned with a Tiger Woods?
 
Jaydumo20 said:
Im gonna say Steph Curry. It can be argued that he transformed every single position on the basketball court.
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I love this and he changed the NBA and the importance of the three point shot ... Lebron certainly was great but the NBA is now heavily invested in the three point shot and Steph opened up that part of the game as it exists in today's NBA ... golf hasn't changed with Tiger, it's still the same game and right now, young kids don't know who he is but they sure know Scotty Sheffler
 
thekollieman said:
Serena Williams and Phelps are definitely in the conversation, although I’d never list them 1-2.
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I don’t think Phelps is very influential but Serena is. Some of the people listed are great but not influential. Kobe was very influential too even if he’s not as great as LeBron
 
Deepster said:
So, on Caitlin Clark.....

For what it's worth, she didn't win a title in the NCAA and she has 1 season in the WNBA (which I believe Paige Bueckers is outperforming so far in her 1st season). Beuckers was more heralded as a freshman in college until she got hurt. Can Clark actually win a title somewhere before she's mentioned with a Tiger Woods?
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I think that league would rather cut its nose than see Clark win. If they didn’t hate her so much, she might have a chance of being that influential and the league might have a chance at being profitable and getting raises. I would recommend Clark defect to another country and beat America in the Olympics. And, I’m not a fan of hers (or anybody else in the WNBA) apart from select UConn players.
 
Deepster said:
So, on Caitlin Clark.....

For what it's worth, she didn't win a title in the NCAA and she has 1 season in the WNBA (which I believe Paige Bueckers is outperforming so far in her 1st season). Beuckers was more heralded as a freshman in college until she got hurt. Can Clark actually win a title somewhere before she's mentioned with a Tiger Woods?
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Clark was first team all-WNBA and finished 4th in MVP voting her rookie year, I know we're all UConn fans but it's ok to acknowledge the impact she's had in the league. Based on your history I know you don't follow the women's game but for those who do the relevance of the WNBA before her arrival and after is clear as day to anyone who wants to be objective.
 
Jaydumo20 said:
Im gonna say Steph Curry. It can be argued that he transformed every single position on the basketball court.
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And who was Steph Curry influenced by other then his father of course it would be Ray. Ray did take Dell Curry to the 99 championship game btw. I would say Ray is pretty damn influential btw.
 
Tiger and Jordan are obvious.

I'd say the top 5 is probably adding Lebron, Brady and either Curry or Serena.
 
Deepster said:
So, on Caitlin Clark.....

For what it's worth, she didn't win a title in the NCAA and she has 1 season in the WNBA (which I believe Paige Bueckers is outperforming so far in her 1st season). Beuckers was more heralded as a freshman in college until she got hurt. Can Clark actually win a title somewhere before she's mentioned with a Tiger Woods?
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It’s not about performance or titles. It’s about influence. Only Tiger has had more Influence than Clark. BUT, will her influence last?
 
Being influential goes beyond your career btw, it can be argued that you can be more influential after your career. Tommy John is definetly influential to this day and will be for an eternity.
 
Deepster said:
So, on Caitlin Clark.....

For what it's worth, she didn't win a title in the NCAA and she has 1 season in the WNBA (which I believe Paige Bueckers is outperforming so far in her 1st season). Beuckers was more heralded as a freshman in college until she got hurt. Can Clark actually win a title somewhere before she's mentioned with a Tiger Woods?
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The question was “Influential”
 
Scoe said:
And who was Steph Curry influenced by other then his father of course it would be Ray. Ray did take Dell Curry to the 99 championship game btw. I would say Ray is pretty damn influential btw.
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I see @BigErnMcCracken is still bitter about Ray leaving his Celtics.
 
Scoe said:
Being influential goes beyond your career btw, it can be argued that you can be more influential after your career. Tommy John is definetly influential to this day and will be for an eternity.
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Just keep it simple man
 
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