FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Tiger Woods vs. Lebron James. Tiger wins. Not that anyone watched "Who's Now" after the Vick/Donaghy/Bonds watch that has been over the past month but it still came down to the inevitable match-ups of a NBA superstar and the most popular athlete since Michael Jordan. Still hard to believe that a golfer is more popular than a basketball player.

Anyway looking back on it I can't say that Tiger is really "Who's Now" on ESPN. Sure he wins a lot of tournaments but he still a boring athlete who doesn't get in trouble. Thats not what makes ESPN at all. For instance if I were to ask a group of 100 average sports fans (watch sportscenter like twice a week) if they knew who Champ Bailey was, then I asked them if they knew who Pacman Jones was, which would you think get more responses? How about Ron Artest and Bruce Bowen? Fact is that negative stuff makes sportscenter alot more than positive athletes which is fine because it is a news show not a sports show. Outraged people attract more attention than impressed people.

So anyway I made a list of ESPN's real top-10 Who's Now. The qualifications are simple. Recognition of your name, On the field performance, Off the field Performance(good and bad attention you get), Interview personality(do you have any), and of course Highlights. First I have to say I'm doing this since 2000 since that really when the sports show with arguing columnlist took off. With that said I present my top-10 ESPN athletes:

10.Allen Iverson: He's gotten a bad rap (Get it) because he's a black athelete from Virginia and he weres baggy clothes and has tattoos and Cornrows but he has been someone who had the public eye for a while. Earlier this Decade he was way higher on this list due to some off the field issues and interviews ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI). The Fued with Larry Brown was also highly covered earlier this decade. Nowadays he is only a trade demand and a lawsuit which is a lot less then what he had came from. Still a polarizing figure just not as much lately. 

9. Michael Jordan: He dominated the 90's with Rings and Retirements, but his stint with the Wizards was pretty impressive. Considering highlights like this( http://youtube.com/watch?v=GISDKqmkFbk) and this (http://youtube.com/watch?v=E2lh7pmnnEw) and constant comparsions from Lebron James and Kobe Bryant, He still attracts attention of ESPN. His Front office decision making is alright for off the field performance athough if he messes up another top-3 pick then he might shoot up this list. His Interviews will never be the most memorable but he is still one of the most recognizable name in the NBA. 

8. Peyton Manning: Before the Ring he may have been higher simply due to so many people bringing attention to his playoff record but nowadays he can sit back comfortably, break records and do commercials. On the Field he is the best QB in the game but off the field he doesn't attract to much attetion although SNL was funny. His highlights aren't amazing since all of them are of him throwing a ball but nowadays he is probrobly one of the most recognizable NFL players today. He needs a nickname tho   

7. Tiger Woods: Aw yes the Who's Now Champion. If he wasn't so boring(all his interviews are the same) and his sport wasn't so boring it would be hard not to put him higher. Golf highlights aren't that spectacular but all he does is keep on winning. And Winning. And Winning. He wins so much that when he loses its the Cover story of Sports Illistrated. Maybe if he loosened up a little bit, maybe talk a little trash, told a joke or two, Did a touchdown dance after hitting a long putt, he would be a lot more popular. But then again who's need personality when your paid like him. 

6. Lebron James: Lebron James has been in the NBA 4 full seasons. I have known about Lebron James for 7 full years. Remember they were showing his games as a junior in high school? Remember the Hummer? Remeber the Jerseys? Thats how long he has been in the news? His Highlights are amazing, and his On the Court performance although slightly overrated is still pretty amazing. His Interviews are pretty good and he showed he can be funny at the ESPY's. ESPN will always have a home for him wheater its Skip Bayless not calling him a top-10 player(not true) or others saying he is better than Michael Jordan 4 years into the NBA(also not true). As long as he stays out of troubles way and continues to be funny he will continue to rise up this list.

5. Shaquille O' Neal: Extremely popular, Extremely Successful, Extremely Funny. One of my personal favorites who has always been in the news whether he liked it or not. Has a tragic break-up with Kobe which lead to the Infamous Christmas day meetings between the Lakers and the Heat. In a perfect sports world he would easily be number one on my list but since I'm talkin about ESPN the next 4 guys are a little bit more Infamous than he is Famous.

4. Kobe Bryant: Finally a list I can put Kobe ahead of MJ. Over the past 5 years I have not seen an athlete go threw as much drama as this guy. On the Court he is simply the best. Highlights, again one of the best. Off the field, Takes that cake too. One of the most loved/Hated on athletes maybe of all time. What other 3-time champion is scrutinized the way he is? Trade demands, Courtroom drama, and record breaking performances make you an ESPN superstar. Only three more have gotten more attention. 

3. Terrell Owens: I used to defend Terrell Owens. I used to defend his Drops. I even Defended when he wanted out of San Fran. I defended him when he say McNabb got tired in the superbowl. I hung on even after he asked for a new contract...But then...then ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=yYAB75A1Gmo) and ever since...You can't defend him. He is the most infamous non arrested athlete possibly of all-time. The sad thing is his nonsense may cost him a 1st ballot HOF induction. Still one of the most recognizable name is sports with highlights and interviews to back it up. Truly Who's Now on ESPN.

2. Alex Rodriguz: The Most talked about player on the Most talked about team in Sports. IF he didn't play for the Yankees, IF he wasn't invovled in the biggest Choke Job of all-time, IF he didn't have the best regular season stats and such Horrible postseason stats(1 RBI in last 57 times at the plate) Then this guy could be just another overpaid athlete who got too much attention. But now EVERYTHING this guy does gets attention. Also he is prime to take it to the next level over the next 7 years once he closes in on you know who. He may be even more Hated on than Kobe Bryant at this point. Even Yankee Fans boo him from time to time. Hell look at the Nicknames made up for him. Pay-Rod, May-Rod, A-Fraud,...the list goes on and on. He will be number one on this list if he continues to hit homeruns and play for the Yankees but right now he is still chasing one man.......

1. Barry Bonds: The unofficial winner of ESPN "Who's Now" and my personal best athlete of all time without a nickname. Funny story at work during one of his at-bats, I'm watching intensely to see if he will finnally do it, and some girl I work with  walks up and says "Is that Barry Bonds. I can't stand him. I really don't want him to break Babe Ruth's Record." WOW. It takes a lot of hate for someone who doesn't know baseball to hate you. Interviews, He's classic. On the field he's amazing. Off the field, he got that attention. Highlights Watch that 2002 World Series. The most Recognizable and talked about sports figure since 2000. Truly Who's Now of ESPN.

Honarable Mentions:

Michael Vick: As of Today should be on there but going into this year he didn't ever meet expectations. For all insane Highlights he has too many 9-21, 97 yards games. No MVP's no championships apperences...Very recognizable name, not so much game

Ron Artest: In the Same boat as Mike Vick. good on the court performance, Hell of an interview, Very Recognizable name, but No MVP's and a game that focuses more on offense he does not have the highlights. Still a figure on sportscenter a lot just always for the wrong things 

Mike Tyson: The Britney Spears of the sports world. Or possibly Britney Spears is the life version of Mike Tyson. Anyway he was big news when he was fighting Lennix Lewis and had the most craziest interviews EVER. But he hasn't won anything against a actual good fighter in God knows how long. Only reason you see Mike nowadays is court TV. But we all know the reality TV show is coming.

Brett Farve: The Streak is still going. Truly Amazing player but since 2000, younger people recognize him as a old man hanging on too long instead of the only NFL 3-time MVP. If he was on a better team he would make the list but he's stuck in Green Bay who is not going anywhere too fast.

Randy Moss: Highlights, Interviews, On the Field Performance, Off the field performance. A lot of recievers would not have jobs if they admitted to smoking weed, not playing hard all the time, and walk off the field seconds before a game ended..But not Randy. What happened in Oakland knock him off the list but New England has either potential for PTI and ATH to continue to talk about Randy Moss

Five Guys Primed for 2010 and beyond

Dwayne Wade: Young Superstar is funny and plays in a big city. Plus his team is old and Pat Riley will retire soon giving way to the opt out or trade demand.

Vince Young: Highlights highlights and more highlights. If he gets a little personality he will primed to be on ESPN all the time

Brady Quinn: He's been everything from a franchise QB to Overrated. People already love to hate him. If the Browns turn it around he will be a sportscenter regular

Greg Oden: Can either be Sam Bowie or Hakeem Olujuwon. Either way he is pretty funny and the Old Jokes will always be there.

O.J. Mayo: Any guy who throws the basketball off the backboard to themselves in thier last basketball game is primed for Sportscenter success. Be Prepared for highlights and Skip Bayless rants. Plus he already has the name for success