The debate over the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) is always a hot one, starting a sports conversation among fans and athletes alike for who they think stands above all others. Over the past few days, a few NASCAR drivers have chimed in to weigh in on their respective sports’ GOATs.
Among them was Noah Gragson, who sounded off on a GOAT that, in his words, has been ‘bigger than basketball.’
Noah Gragson, driver of the #10 car for Stewart-Haas Racing, shared his thoughts on a social media clip posted on NASCARonNBC. Like so many others, Gragson recognized the greatness of all-time athletic icons. He talked about Tiger Woods, the man who revolutionized the game of golf, and Michael Phelps who won more Olympic medals than any other person in history.
He said, “It would be hard to go against Tiger Woods or Micheal Phelps. I think they’re both pretty dominant.”
But he didn’t stop there. The other pick Gragson made isn’t a typical NASCAR driver selection — which shows just how much an athlete can bring to the sports world outside his or her sport. He named Caitlin Clark.
Clark’s historic college career at Iowa made her a household name, and her incredible, dominant first season in the WNBA earned her the Rookie of the Year Award. Her impact on the Fever and the WNBA as a whole simply cannot be understated.
“Even Caitlin Clark, she’s a GOAT. She’s been able to be bigger than basketball, women’s basketball. So I look at people like that who check every box,” Gragson said.
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Some of Clark college milestones include records in points, assists, and three-pointers, marking her as cornerstone asset for her team and WNBA in general. In her debut season, she achieved multiple Triple-Doubles (first ever for a Rookie) and set a WNBA record for the most single-game assists. This, along with her ‘Caitlin Clark effect’ from her days in college, has elevated women’s basketball in the minds of fans and athlete alike.
NBA vs. NFL: Hemric, Elliott, and Smith Pick Their Favorite
Meanwhile, other NASCAR drivers gave their respective picks for their GOAT, showcasing the variety of opinions that greatness comes in. NBA legend Michael Jordan was chosen by Kaulig Racing’s Daniel Hemric, a testament to Jordan’s ability to get the job done in pressure situations.
“I feel like back against the wall, he [Jordan] hits, you know, game-winning shots, you know, must-win series,” said Daniel Hemric.
On the other hand, Chase Elliott and Zane Smith named NFL quarterback Tom Brady as their GOAT. In their eyes, Brady’s seven Super Bowl wins and staying so long in a physically grueling sport have cemented him as one of the all-time greats.
Denny Hamlin’s Take: — Micheal Jordan ‘Was Never the Best Shooter’
While Noah Gragson caused caused a stir by categorizing Caitlin Clark as a GOAT, Denny Hamlin shared his own opinion on the matter of greatness in a recent interview in the New York Times.
As a driver who has shown great self-awareness, Hamlin said true GOAT status often doesn’t come from being the best at one skill, but rather maintaining a high level in many different skills. He said: “I don’t think you can be the best at everything. I just don’t think it’s possible.”
“When Michael Jordan was at his peak, he was never the best shooter… But he was a really good shooter and a really good defender. There was always someone who was a better passer.”
That’s sure to drive debate all on it’s own, but the point still stands.
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