In the NFL, the wide receiver position is probably most associated with primadonna or diva-type players, i.e. talented pass-catchers who also like to trash talk, run their mouths, and generally make news off the field – think Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Michael Irvin, Antonio Brown, etc. During the past two decades or so of professional football, two of the brashest and best wide receivers who fit this mold were Chad Johnson and Keyshawn Johnson, who are actually related (Chad is Keyshawn’s cousin). At their relative peaks, each wide receiver was not only an annual 1,000-yard threat, but also generated weekly headlines unrelated to their in-game performances. While passing numbers have become increasingly inflated over time, both still have impressive career totals of 750+ receptions, 10,000+ receiving yards, and 60+ receiving touchdowns – given their similar career numbers, personalities, and familial relationship, it seems only natural to ask the question:
Who was better – Chad Johnson or Keyshawn Johnson?
With his selection to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020, Jarome Iginla represents perhaps the last of a dying breed of hockey player: the quintessential power forward (think Gordie Howe, Mark Messier, Cam Neely, Phil Esposito, or Eric Lindros). In fact, with both his physical style of play plus his knack for putting points on the board (career totals of 600+ goals and 1,300+ points), Iginla’s game in many ways resembles that of another great power forward from an earlier generation in Brendan Shanahan. Both were not only consistent point-per-game producers for two decades each, but were also not afraid to drop their gloves if necessary – see this fight between the pair from 2001. Thus, with Iginla rightfully joining Shanahan in the Hall of Fame, let us compare these two skilled physical forces and ask:
Who was better – Jarome Iginla or Brendan Shanahan?
In 1978, the winners of baseball’s annual MVP awards were Dave Parker and Jim Rice in the NL and AL, respectively, as each slugger hit above .300 with 30+ home runs, 100+ runs batted in, and 100+ runs scored. Overall, these two power-hitting outfielders were among the elite ballplayers of their era and each one retired with a .290+ career batting average, 2,400+ hits, 300+ home runs, 1,400+ runs batted in, and 1,200+ runs scored. However, while Rice was finally inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his 15th and final try, Parker never came close to reaching the 75% threshold during his time on the ballot; for supporters of Parker’s candidacy, they often point to the career of Rice as a benchmark given the close parallels between their careers – as such, let us compare these two feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s and ask:
Traditionally, point guards are the smallest players on the basketball court – short and relatively slight of build, yet fearless as floor generals, e.g. Isiah Thomas, John Stockton, Steve Nash, or Chris Paul. In recent times, though, the game has seen more and more “big” point guards dominating and controlling the court (think Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, or more recently, Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook); during the 2000s, two ballhandlers who fit this new mold of the physically dominant point guard were Baron Davis and Deron Williams – each measuring in at 6’3” and weighing 200+ pounds, the duo were among the league’s elite point guards in their prime with the ability to both score against smaller defenders and dish it out with the best of them. With each player having seen his brilliance come and gone, let us look back on their notable careers and ponder the question:
