Did Beckham take Brady or Zidane to the ESPYs?
While David Beckham is most likely enjoying a romantic honeymoon with French footballer Zinedine Zidane, it was Landon Donovan who got the shaft at the 2008 ESPY awards.
Who am I to question the great and powerful ESPYs? While David Beckham is likely the prettiest player in the MLS (as evident by the ESPY nod), I don’t think you can hand over the Best Player award to Becks so casually – especially since Donovan, his LA Galaxy teammate, leads the league in scoring with 11 goals and 7 assists. Not to mention the fact that Edson Buddle, also of the Galaxy, has tallied 11 goals this season. Buddle notched two hat tricks this season while Donovan has one of his own.
While Beckham has been solid (impressive even) with 5 goals and 7 assists, he’s not the best player – in my book. I think this is like comparing Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash (both appropriately soccer appreciators). Sure, I like to watch Nash dish out assists, but the best player on the court is Kobe.
I’ve watched the Galaxy several times on the tube this season, and traveled up to the nation’s capital for DC United’s 4-1 thrashing of the celestial boys from Hollywood. Beckham wasn’t the best player on the field that day – nor was he the best player on the Galaxy. DC United’s Luciano Emilio (11 goals, 2 assists) might have been in this conversation, but his slow start probably takes him out of the discussion.
The only mania quite as silly as the ESPYs this week had to be Becks make out session with Zidane, his former teammate at Real Madrid. Calling Zidane “the greatest player of all time” was about as confusing to me as the New York Giants picking up the ESPY award for Best Upset.
Appalachian State’s victory over Michigan should have been a hands-down winner for Best Upset after the Mountaineers (Div 1-AA) knocked off the Wolverines in Ann Arbor last season. App. State was up against greater odds than the Super Bowl champion Giants, who had played down to the wire against the Pats during the regular season in a 38-35 loss. So it wasn’t a shocker — despite the fact that New England came into the game undefeated.
So the ESPYs should have used instant replay to correct these calls, but they didn’t. We’ll call it the Brady factor. Tom Brady + David Beckham = porno hot. Beating Brady in the Super Bowl is still sports sexiness. And Becks—-is Hollywood.
Tags: Appalachian State, David Beckham, DC United, Edson Buddle, ESPY Awards, Kobe Bryant, LA Galaxy, Landon Donovan, Luciano Emilio, Major League Soccer, Michigan Wolverines Football, MLS, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Steve Nash, Tom Brady, Zinedine Zidane
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Statistics mean nothing in soccer. Landon is very good, though too inconsistent. Buddle? Outrageously inconsistant and mostly just on a hot streak for the last 1-2 months. Beckham is better than Landon and far far better than Buddle. Beckham’s been at the very least very effective in every single game he’s played for LA. That’s not true for Landon and not even close to true for Buddle.
Comment by Different Perspective on July 18, 2008
Your perspective is a good one. Buddle is definitely not in the same league as Donovan or Beckham, stats or no stats. I can buy the consistency argument… still think Donovan is deserving this season. If we’re talking about who I really like to watch play, it would be Schelotto.
Comment by Den Cotton on July 18, 2008
Wow. What a cynical, sanctimonious,self righteous hater you are - and clearly clueless - it’s not so unusual that Zidane is considered by Beckham to be the greatest player ever. Zidane is definitely the greatest player of the last 20 years and considered by many people throughout the world as one of the top 5 players the game has ever seen. You’re obviously judging him based on the incident at the final. Then why are you engaging in your own lovefest with the ugly Landon Donovan? the epitome of poor sportsmanship and btw, he is indirectly responsible for killing someone…but you overlook all of that. Hypocrite.
Comment by hellhathnofury on July 18, 2008
Do you really think Donovan is that ugly?
I’m not a Donovan fan — despite a quickie lovefest — but he’s been impressive in the MLS this season. People don’t like him because he hasn’t lived up to expectations in the World Cup. He’s having a good year.
Come on, I don’t hate Zidane. He’s just not the greatest player of all time. But his ability to handle the ball is amazing. Top 20 of all time.
Comment by Den Cotton on July 18, 2008
Don’t forget that Donovan failed in Europe playing for a German club that has been top 8 in the league on average for the past few seasons. By the way I have Zidane as te 4th best player of all-time.
1.) Diego Maradona
2.) Pele
3.) Johann Cruyff
4.) Zinedine Zidane
Zidane was sucessful at two of Europe’s biggest clubs. Won everything as a player, which can’t be said about Cruyff, or Pele who never played in Europe. Maradona failed at Barcalona, but was succesful at Napoli. So I believe that it is entirely normal for someone to say Zidane is the Greatest. If you didn’t have him top 10, then I would call you insane.
Comment by Frankie on July 19, 2008
As far as Donovan goes, he has to carry American soccer. No matter what he does –outside of winning a World Cup (not likely) — he is going to be criticized. I’m not suggesting that Beckham isn’t a better player than Donovan career-wise; they play different positions and Beckham has played in higher class leagues. But Donovan, THIS season, has 7 assists (as a striker) and 11 goals in 13 games. Sure, stats aren’t going to decide the games, but there aren’t a lot of strikers putting up those kind of assist numbers in the MLS, along with leading the league in goals.
A lot of people put Zidane in the top 5, even ahead of Maradona. I wouldn’t, but there is a book called 100 Greatest Ever Footballers that has Zidane at 5th ahead of Mararadon 6th. I think it’s an awful list, but it’s all a matter of opinion of players from different eras. I’d like to see George Best in the top 20. But he’s not in the top 100 on this one…
http://soccerlens.com/top-100-greatest-ever-footballers/3888/
Comment by Den Cotton on July 19, 2008
clearly, your knowledge of football is very limited and insignificant. first off, if you think that the espys are an adequate basis for comparisons between top athletes you are either a sadly mistaken fellow or have been mislead by the corruption and perverted propaganda that goes along hand in hand with american sports.
furthermore, lack of insight is displayed on your part by ur continual insistance that zidane is not if not the best, then one of the best ever. youve claimed taht hes not a legend, and taht hes only top 20 all time.
my friend, i challenge you to name the other ninteen.
either you wont be able to, or youll throw out random names that youve gotten after a quick reference session with google. hell, the way youre going, youll probably claim becks is in the top twenty all time.
im sorry to say that you sir, are an incompitant journalist
Comment by immanuel on July 20, 2008
Immanuel,
The ESPYs are not not an adequate basis for comparison; and that is the point.
Secondly, nowhere did I say that Zidane was not a legend. He was an amazing player. I said I did not think he was the greatest player of all time. I think that would have to belong to either Pele or Maradona, and I’m not wavering on that. So here’s your list… I know you’re dying to pick it apart…
1) Pele
Eusebio
2) Maradona
3) Cruyff
4) Beckenbauer
5) Lev Yashin
6) Garrincha
7) Ronaldo
9) Romario
10) George Best
11) Zidane
12) Figo
13) Platini
14) Gullit
15) Cafu
16) Maldini
17) Van Basten
18) Alfredo Di Stefano
19) Bobby Charlton
20) Stanley Matthews
Comment by Den Cotton on July 20, 2008
I definitely believe Zidane is the greatest player of all time. I mean, the man held the World Cup, Euro Cup and UEFA Champions League all at the same time. I’ve never seen more dominating performances by a midfielder. He’s the only true midfield Maestro the world has ever seen, his impact on a match has no equal.
Comment by SoZe on July 21, 2008
Having multiple titles at the same time is a compelling argument. One thing to keep in mind is that Pele was part of three World Cup winners — although injured for the ‘62 Cup. And with Garrincha and Pele on the field together, Brazil never lost a match. Many people forget about Garrincha, partly because Pele scored more goals, but also because of his off-field issues with alcoholism. In fact, one of the beautiful moves Zidane had in his arsenal was a move from Garrincha, who was regarded as perhaps the best dribbler the game has ever seen.
Comment by Den Cotton on July 21, 2008
zizou the best ive seen.
Comment by thutthu on July 22, 2008
Valid point about Pélé and Garrincha, but we’re talking about the best player of all time, and many consider Garrincha to have been Pélé’s equal, you never could say Zidane had an equal on any squad. Perhaps Pélé and Garrincha never lost a match together, but to say that Zidane didn’t carry France to the World Cup finals twice would be a bold statement to say the least. If anything, bringing up Garrincha would lessen Pélé’s individual impact and glory.
Zidane played his first major tournament in ‘96 where they were knocked out in penalties, then he took them and won the World Cup against Brazil in ‘98. They won the European Championship in 2000. He was injured in 2002, didn’t play the first two matches and France crashed out of the first round without scoring a goal. 2004 was the year Grece squeezed past them with a 1-0 victory and ended up winning the tournament. Back in 2006, he carries them to the final only to go out suspended. I know you know all of this, as a Football writer, I’m sure you’ve seen most of these matches as well, but I’m simply trying to illustrate the impact Zizou has not only on a match, but on his team. 2008 saw France crash out in the first round with a single goal and no wins. Zidane has snatched up the biggest silverware on the biggest stages in Juventus, Madrid and on the international scene. Wherever he goes, he’s been a winner.
Also, not really related but I wanted to bring this up since no one else has, when you speak of consistent winning, you don’t have Cantona on your list of the 20 all-time greats, and he won every single year in England if you don’t count the season where he was suspended for kicking a fan. You can argue that he never really did much on the International stage, but the same can be said about George Best, though he didn’t count the likes Ginola and JPP among his ranks.
Comment by SoZe on July 22, 2008
You make a good point about Garrincha, but also remember that Pele won the WC in ‘70 without him — although many suggest that was the greatest team ever assembled. Garrincha also led Brazil in the ‘62 WC final without Pele, who was injured. I think when people refer to Garrincha as Pele’s equal, they are mistaken. Garrincha was a much better ball handler by most accounts, and incredibly deceptive with various fakes and feints to freeze a defender. Many Brazilians, in fact, claim that Garrincha was the better player.
I think when you are talking about Pele and Maradona, everyone else is on a second tier, in my opinion — except for perhaps Garrincha. But it’s really a matter of opinion and taste. George Best was quoted as saying he thought Ruud Gullit was better than Maradona, partly because he was tough to knock off the ball. You could probably say the same about Zidane. Many soccer fans would completely disagree with Best comparing Gullit to Maradona — and perhaps think it was insane.
And putting a top 20 list of greatest players is virtually impossible — because there are so many teams and players throughout the world. By the way, I’m not sure George Best belongs in the top 20 or not, but he’s a sentimental favorite of mine. I just think he was amazing to watch.
Comment by Den Cotton on July 22, 2008
I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one. I would never consider Zidane second tier to any player, I still watch Brazil V. France 2006 every month or so, my all-time favourite performance by any player in any match.
George Best would be in my top 10.
Comment by SoZe on July 23, 2008
Fair enough… I think I’ve turned into one of those old guys who just likes to sit around and reminisce about the old days — even thought I’m not that old.
Comment by Den Cotton on July 23, 2008
Dude you just whowed your lack of knowldge of this game. first of all ZIdane is considered the best player on the planet. acoording to alot of football experts. as well as most of the footballers even pele and maradona who say his is the best theve seen and they love to watch. just ask sir alex furgie about zizou. anyways just wanted to tell you please if yoy dont know none about this game. stay out of it.
Comment by Joe on July 31, 2008
“even pele and maradona who say his is the best theve seen”
Joe,
You seem to be implying that Pele and Maradona said that Zidane was better than they were. Because that’s what it sounds like to me. If that is the case, you cannot expect me to believe that, and I hope you are not making up facts to support your argument. I can believe that they said Zidane is the best player of recent. I don’t need to ask Alex Ferguson to formulate an opinion. I like to watch Zidane too, but it doesn’t make him the best player of all time nor does it put him in the same sentence as Pele or Maradona.
Comment by Den Cotton on July 31, 2008
This topic has got me thinking about a valid argument that comes up when comparing players of different eras. Could the old players (i.e. Maradona, Pele, Garrincha, etc.) play as well against the defenders of the generation that Zidane played against? When I look at the old clips of Maradona and more so of Pele’s days, the defenders seemed to be less combative and physical. One sporting director, said that Zidane is a breath of fresh air because he is very elegant and masterful when he plays in a time when the game is harder, faster, and sometimes not beautiful. I know it will be impossible to compare players of different eras subjectively which is why many try to use objective measures such as trophies and individual titles won. But I fell as though the titles that Zidane won as well as his masterful elegance merits his comparison with the all time greats.
One more point I would like to make about Zidane, if things worked a little differently, he probably would have been World Player of the Year five times. In 2002, he won the Champions League with a stunning goal but was hampered with thigh injury leading to France’s early exit. Had he stayed healthy, France might have gotten further, and Zizou might have won Player of the Year. What about the fifth? We all know what happened in 2006. He was the best player of the WC and only lost the number one spot to Canavaro by 4 votes. I know I am speaking in terms of hypotheticals, but it is an attempt to show how great of a player he is.
Comment by brook on August 1, 2008
I agree wit Joe. Just to add on the number of Laurels for zidane, he was also voted as the best player of the last 50 years by a poll conducted by UEFA.We always felt the presence of Pele or Maradona on the field but never did we see the impact of a presence felt so deeply. The Magic , the touch , can nevr be re-created. I still remember Lizarazu saying that “whenever we dont know what to do, we pass the ball to zizou and he does it”. I mean c’mon we are talking about presence. U r the best Zizou
Comment by Anup_India on August 1, 2008
Some good points. I’m not sure everyone would agree with the game being rougher now… but I think defenders are probably better from a technical standpoint — so I can see your point. I’ll admit I favor South American players.
Comment by Den Cotton on August 1, 2008
7) Ronaldo
Eusebio
9) Romario
10) George Best
11) Zidane
12) Figo
funny listing!
Comment by mute on August 11, 2008