Initially, the steep rise of the phenom is typically mesmerizing.
Fans are enthralled with the early dominance, hypnotized by the highlights, captivated by the possibility that a new heir to a GOAT throne is emerging. As time passes, statistics begin to be projected outward, awards are compiled, measurements are made. Eventually, the conversation turns to history and legacy, which get complicated by comparisons of eras, playing styles, surrounding teammates, and even conspiracies about the hidden hand of a commissioner or league office facilitating the success.
This is usually when legacy and comparative greatness stops being a conversation and spins into a turf war, with boundaries often defined by fan geography, age, race or recency bias. Almost always, parts of the argument are fueled by an undertone of celebrity saturation, media ubiquity or “GOAT fatigue” — all of which begin to weigh on the perception of the player at the center of the maelstrom.
It’s a familiar “heavy is the head that wears the crown” group, bonded together by love, hatred, jealousy, envy and monumental levels of success. Tom Brady has a seat on the council. As do Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, an NBA trio that has defined basketball the way Zeus, Poseidon and Apollo have defined Greek mythology. Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal are among the ranks. As are Michael Phelps, Wayne Gretzky, Babe Ruth … on and on.
The Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady comparison mirrors golf’s Tiger Woods-Jack Nicklaus discussion when it comes to all-time greats. (Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)
If that group is not already part of the Patrick Mahomes story, it will be. Especially this week, when we’ll rifle through stories debating the chances the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has of tracking down Brady as the league’s GOAT of GOATs and how he’s stalking the records held by the the future Hall of Famer. We’ll get around to the topic of how much longer Mahomes can win before the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/as-patrick-mahomes-chases-tom-bradys-super-bowl-rings-visions-of-tiger-woods-goat-chase-creep-in-232538053.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-02-04 23:25:38
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