Gretzky or Orr?

[lmanchur.]

Over at the Other Sports Blitz Discussion Board (http://sports-central.org/community/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=973), we've been discussing the if best basketball player of all-time, Michael Jordan, is better or worse than the best hockey player of all-time, Wayne Gretzky.

HOWEVER, some would argue that Bobby Orr, easily the best all-time defenseman in the NHL, is actually better than Wayne Gretzky.

Who do you think is better? Gretzky or Orr? I'll post my opinions later!

:goof: NH2

[Wedge231]

Gretzky. He just has so many records...

[Marc]

I don't think there's any question it's Gretzky! I barely even know who Orr is.

[lmanchur.]

Well, Marc!.. you obviously aren't too good on NHL history, are you!?

For everyone's information, Bobby Orr was undoubtedly the greatest defenseman of all-time. He played for the Boston Bruins in the 70s and scored probably the most famous Stanley Cup winning goal... I forget the year, but he scored in overtime versus the St. Louis Blues, and just after he finished cutting across the net and putting the puck in the net, a Blues forward tripped Orr. Orr flew in the air, but his hands were up cheering!... It is most definitely the most famous picture of hockey history.

Anyways, a lot of people think Orr should have been named the NHL's top all-time player when The Hockey News released its Top 50 list in 1999. The reason? Orr was outstanding defensively. However, he had the offensive speed and grace of players like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux who would come in the 80s and 90s. He is the ONLY defenseman to lead the league in scoring, and he did it many times with 100+ point seasons.

However, he retired prematurely because of a nagging back injury.

I still go with Wayne Gretzky also, but there are VERY good cases for Bobby Orr...

[PeterDewar]

Althought I do respect Orr's talent and I do agree he had a whole bunch of it I still give Gretzky the nod as #1 with Orr 2nd or 3rd (Howe is in there too!).

[lmanchur.]

Yeah... Howe was pretty good!!!!!!

...however, I think The Hockey News did it right when they released their Top 50 players of all time (and eventually Top 100)..... Gretzky was #1 because of the obvious reasons already discussed, Orr was #2 because we was simply the best at his position, but wasn't, and never could have been as great as Gretzky because of his defensive position... offense, really, was just a bonus to him. Gordie Howe, if the list was done 20 years ealier, probably was #1, but his records were all over-taken by Gretzky, so it's only natural he should be #3.

[budman2]

99:D 99 :D theres just no contest, my opinion of course!!!:nod:

[iFroggy]

My vote goes to Gretsky.

[lmanchur.]

...that's just complete disrespect.

Who was that awesome basketball player????... Mikbeal Joben?

[budman2]

Originally posted by SC-Lee
...that's just complete disrespect.

Who was that awesome basketball player????... Mikbeal Joben? :confused: what???? :confused????

[Marc]

Originally posted by budman2
:confused: what???? :confused????
iFroggy mispelled Gretzky's name again, so Lee purposely mispelled Michal Jordan. It was sarcasm.

[budman2]

oh ! thanks for clearing that up, the site has a tendency to wander and i thought i missd it completly.

[NickHammy]

Mikbeal Joben.....L:)L

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by NickHammy
L:)L ...no laughing matter... I didn't say that jokingly, "Mikbeal Joben"..... right now as I type I am just shaking my head in disbelief............... :redhot:

[NickHammy]

that's sad...:(

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by NickHammy
that's sad...:( what is???... me for getting so upset?... or Patrick, mispelling Gretzky's name?