Mario Returns?

[lmanchur.]

Later today, it will be official that Mario Lemieux will attempt a comeback in hockey... does anyone think he can do it? I'm not old enough to remember Guy Lafleur, but I heard that his attempted comeback was unsucessful. On the other hand, Michael Jordan made a very successful comeback, however, hockey is much more physically demanding than basketball.

While you guys ponder over your decisions about whether this is a good idea or bad idea on Lemieux's part, let me go over a few things

...the closest to 200 points in a season without getting 200 points (199)
...two Stanley Cups
...scored the infamous game winning goal in the 1987 Canada Cup
...scored a goal in the first minute of the first shift in his first NHL game
...3-year waiting period was waived so he could get into the Hockey Hall of Fame immediately
...the second fastest player to score 500 goals (605 games.. Gretzky took just 575 games)
...*currently* holds the record for most points/game (of all players with over 500 games played) with 2.005 (this could go down if he returns.)
...made three improbable comebacks -- one from Hodgkin's disease and two from back surgury -- only to become a seemingly even bigger on-ice prescence than before he left
...despite missing over 20 games due to Hodgkins disease, he won the scoring title in 1992-'93 with 160 points in just 60 games... that caps it off.. I can't say any more!!... that stat is simply outstanding!!!!!

:goof: J2

[Wedge231]

I think he is kinda old but he could do it as in the past. Though this time he is much older.

[Marc]

I have mixed feelings. On the positive side, he will help boost hockey popularity and be good for business, but on the other hand, he risks tarnishing his golden career and legacy by coming back and trying to compete at only a shadow of his former self. I can't stand athletes who don't know when it's time to put the boots up and keep them up.

Originally posted by SC-Lee
On the other hand, Michael Jordan made a very successful comeback, however, hockey is much more physically demanding than basketball.
What's your basis for this? Do you mean in better physical shape or is just more physical?

[lmanchur.]

I mean it's just more physical... you don't see body checks into rock hard (well, in some arenas it's "rock hard") pexi glass in basketball, do you!?... you don't see hits in the open ice and knee-to-knee collisions in basketball, do you!?...

I see what you were asking though, and I realize that you have to pretty much be in the same phsyical shape for either sport...

[Wedge231]

C'mon it is so obvious hockey is more physical than basketball. I never saw actual checking in basketball or people hitting each other with sticks. Sure PJ Brown body slammed Charlie Ward but that doesn't count. Hockey is just a much tougher sport and is just about as fast if not faster than a basketball game.

[lmanchur.]

Yeah.. ok, but now we're off topic... so will the physical factor come into play with Mario?... I mean, he's been injured time after time after time. Apparantley he's been training for 3 months but last week Don Cherry (Hockey Night Canada commentator) advised Eric Lindros to NOT come back at this point in the season because all the players are at their peak performance level right now... the coldness of the muscles from the offseason is completely gone, and they aren't tired from having played just a few months.

What about Lemieux?... it will be interesting to hear what Cherry says this week.

[Marc]

Sorry if I'm going even more off-topic, but you have to realize a lot of threads on boards go off-topic eventually. :)

I never directly said basketball was more physical than hockey, but I thought he meant that you have to be in better shape to play hockey, which you don't. It was just a misunderstanding.

[Wedge231]

Yeah. Both sports you need to be in about the same physical shape.

[lmanchur.]

that is what i said :)

...so now.. how does this apply to Mario!?... will he be able to stand up to the physical demands of ice hockey again at the NHL level?.. apparantley he's been training hard for 3 months or so, but is that enough when you've been away from the game for three years after playing it every day for the previous 30 years!?

[Wedge231]

I doubt it is enough for him to be in top shape compared to the top players of the league but he could surprise us.

[lmanchur.]

Yes, I'm hoping he does "surprise us." It would be a shame for him to ruin an aboslutely perfect career with a comeback.. however, I guess you could turn that around and say the reason he's coming back is because the first few years weren't exactly perfect.

[Wedge231]

I guess he is just going to try to comeback and I don't know whether he expects to do as well as he had done preiously. I don't know what to think, we'll just have to wait and see.

[ppsprotec]

Mario is not stupid.He obviously likes something about the game to come back.It could be the crack down on clutching and grabbing.Hay M.J.,when did Mario show that he is"A SHADOW OF HIS FORMER SELF."For one,I am sure that Mario has many highlites to come.(Mario for Lindros?)Thats gotta hurt.PPS.

[Peck]

Well i think Lemeauix will become himself eventually but i sounds doubtful like Jordan he was playing baseball during his break but Lemeaux........ So there is a difference.

[Marc]

From: http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/ce/multi/0,1329,3263440_60,00.html


The sport of hockey takes the business of passing the torch from generation to generation very seriously. So, apparently, does Mario Lemieux.

With a younger generation of stars unable to carry the torch for the National Hockey League, Lemieux grabbed it back and held it high again in a stunning comeback performance.

Did any of you guys see his return? One goal and 2 assists isn't too bad for being gone from the game for seventy months!

[Wedge231]

Yes. I saw some of it. He did very well considering he hasn't played in a long time.