9 Comments

I'm wondering, can he swim tho ? Juggle some balls ? Take a yoga or ballet class at a decent level of body organisation ? Even tho the demand is high and complex on a soccer field it is still very specificity oriented skillset.

My best athlete would be the one who 'have it all' ; can fight, can run, can organise his body to play team or solo sport quickly and with some efficiency. Maybe the best athlete isnt someone who owns one skillset but rather owns the capacity to learn it quick. To learn how to learn.

Ido Portal ?

Delighted to read you as usual sir,

thank you and happy new year. May you and yours thrive !

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"Having it all" is a great criteria for a top athlete, but it’s a criteria we don't know much about, which is why I didn't use it in this post. I wouldn't left be surprised if Messi was good at other activities, but I really don't know if he is. :)

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For my money it's Bo Jackson as greatest athlete. Played two pro sports and played them well. There aren't many athletes in history to have his speed and power combined abilities.

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That's all fine, and very interesting, but I think basketball meets all those criteria just as much, and I'm going with Steph Curry.

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Hi Todd, we've met, I believe, some time back. I really like the direction of your arguments in this piece, and am forced, this week of all weeks, to agree with your conclusion. I have some I-hope-productive disagreements or additions to your building blocks that might be fruitful in a public dialogue. But I wanted to check with you before sharing your post and my riposte. Or maybe just a phone conversation first would be better, on the topology of kinaesthesia.

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Hi Tom,

Thanks for the comment. Feel free to share the post and your response, would love to see it. If you want to talk on the phone you can send an e-mail to toddrhargrove@yahoo.com.

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“Bernstein uses the example of taking a cigarette and lighter from your pocket, shielding it from the wind and lighting it. ........most kids under eight would struggle with the dexterity required by this seemly simple action. “

I certainly hope most kids under 8 aren’t practicing this Level D movement!

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Haha. I shouldn't have used such a dumb example.

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In all seriousness, great article. Your support in Messi is well articulated . Leaves the reader to consider the mastery involved in all of the movement demands and challenges of the sporting world.

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