Best 50 Atlethes of 2011

To come up with this list, it will take almost a year to study and numerous computations, but according to Timothy Rapp(Featured Columnist) on December 19, 2011  --- it's foolproof.


This article from: bleacherreport.com

50. LeBron James

There is no way I can win here.

Some of you will point to his performance in the Finals as evidence that he shouldn't make this list. Others will note that his 26.7 PPG (second in the league), 7.5 RPG and 7.0 APG made him a legitimate MVP candidate last year, and that combined with the fact that he got to the Finals in the first place earned him a higher place on this list.

Both sides make compelling arguments, so let's split the difference and start our list with LeBron.


49. Floyd Mayweather


It is hard to include boxers on a list like this, especially when a guy like Mayweather only fights once a year AND the finish of that fight was controversial (though Mayweather was clearly ahead of Victor Ortiz in their fight when the fourth-round knockout when down).

But how can you keep the fighter widely considered either the best or second-best pound-for-pound fighter in the world off of this list, especially when he looked sharp in his only fight of the year? He may not have done enough to find himself higher on this list, but he did nothing to suggest he isn't worthy of being here.

48. Xavi

Xavi is one of three Ballon d'Or finalists, given annually to FIFA's player of the year. As you can probably guess, the other two players are from La Liga, one also plays for Barcelona and each will be making an appearance on this list.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the most obvious foreshadowing ever.


47. The Klitschko Brothers

Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko continued their stranglehold on the heavyweight division in boxing this year. Vitali defeated Odlanier Solis and Tomasz Adamek to retain his WBC title, while Wladimir defeated David Haye to win the WBA (Super) belt and retain the WBO, IBF, IBO and The Ring heavyweight titles.

Got all that?

The first family of the heavyweight division maintained their place on the throne this year.


46. Ryan Kesler

Kesler won the the NHL's Selke Award last season as the league's best defensive forward. It should be noted that he was excellent offensively as well, accumulating 73 points and a +24 plus/minus while leading the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Finals.

And all while pestering opponents with his chippy play. He was arguably the NHL's most complete player last season, and thus deserves recognition here.