[Mick]

I think Steph is great (and seems like a nice guy), but Lebron has unequivocally been the best player of the last decade (which includes all four of his rings covering his Miami, second Cleveland stint, and Lakers runs). Lebron, IMO, is the closest comparison in terms of individual performance along with impact on his sport (in terms of raising salaries, global prominence etc.) and sports culture to Tiger of the names you mentioned. Lebron has been charitable with his I Promise Schools, but he has been polarizing (with people liking and disliking him) similar to Tiger. Lebron, like Tiger, regardless of how you feel about him, is definitely talked about (and talking about him has essentially allowed people like Skip Bayless to achieve prominence of their own).

Fair, that’s why I said in contention.  I also restricted it to the last ten years, James’ peak of dominance was about 10 years ago (MVPs 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), while Steph’s peak was more like 5 years ago (his MVPs were 2015, 2016).

Funny thing about Bayless.  Although Skip Bayless comes across as a total jerk on TV, it’s all an act, and he’s a kind person in real life.  My uncle plays golf with him; I think Bayless likes the fact that my uncle is not a sports fan.

BC

Wish I could remember where I read the article, but a few years back, a writer (without Bayless' cooperation) said that Skip had a lot of talent, but at a certain point Skip came to a crossroads where he could either be a great sportswriter or (paraphrased) a jerk for money, sort of in the Glenn Dickey/Lowell Cohn tradition, and he chose the latter.  Apparently his mentor (and I don't remember who it was) was somewhat disappointed. I knew both Mark Purdy and Bud Geracie a little bit, but I've never asked either about their thoughts on Bayless. My guess is that they'd probably prefer to keep them private.

Incidentally, I don't know many athletes or celebrities around sports, but my take on the few that I do is that they're terrific people (Roger Maltbie, Julie Inkster, Ron Rivera, Geracie and Purdy).

[Mick]

I think Steph is great (and seems like a nice guy), but Lebron has unequivocally been the best player of the last decade (which includes all four of his rings covering his Miami, second Cleveland stint, and Lakers runs). Lebron, IMO, is the closest comparison in terms of individual performance along with impact on his sport (in terms of raising salaries, global prominence etc.) and sports culture to Tiger of the names you mentioned. Lebron has been charitable with his I Promise Schools, but he has been polarizing (with people liking and disliking him) similar to Tiger. Lebron, like Tiger, regardless of how you feel about him, is definitely talked about (and talking about him has essentially allowed people like Skip Bayless to achieve prominence of their own).

Fair, that’s why I said in contention.  I also restricted it to the last ten years, James’ peak of dominance was about 10 years ago (MVPs 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), while Steph’s peak was more like 5 years ago (his MVPs were 2015, 2016).

Funny thing about Bayless.  Although Skip Bayless comes across as a total jerk on TV, it’s all an act, and he’s a kind person in real life.  My uncle plays golf with him; I think Bayless likes the fact that my uncle is not a sports fan.

BC

Wish I could remember where I read the article, but a few years back, a writer (without Bayless' cooperation) said that Skip had a lot of talent, but at a certain point Skip came to a crossroads where he could either be a great sportswriter or (paraphrased) a jerk for money, sort of in the Glenn Dickey/Lowell Cohn tradition, and he chose the latter.  Apparently his mentor (and I don't remember who it was) was somewhat disappointed. I knew both Mark Purdy and Bud Geracie a little bit, but I've never asked either about their thoughts on Bayless. My guess is that they'd probably prefer to keep them private.

Incidentally, I don't know many athletes or celebrities around sports, but my take on the few that I do is that they're terrific people (Roger Maltbie, Julie Inkster, Ron Rivera, Geracie and Purdy).