Stephen's A-List: Top 5️⃣ Boston athletes of all-time | First Take

Stephen A. Smith is joined by Kendrick Perkins and Donnie Wahlberg as he gives his "A-List" of the top 5 Boston athletes of all-time.

[jt]

Bill Russell brought 11 championships to a city he was disrespected in because of the color of his skin. Yes we're talking about the sport, but the mental fortitude it takes to be a second class citizen and still bring excellence says way more about the athlete

[JAEWST]

Whenever Stephen A does the hockey, it's always a fun time

[antwonemothershed]

Stephen A leaves some ppl off the list bc he “didn’t see them play”… but then goes on to put Bill Russell #1. Gotta love it 😂

[oludarden]

Best list I've seen Steven A ever put up. I agree with Perk, too.

[Marcus_K]

I'd put Brady at #1. It's a close call, but as KP once said, Russel played against guys like Skip Bayless and Max Kellerman.

[shannoncurl]

Perk must not know Bill Russel’s story. Would’ve like to seen him educated. Man went through more than most in a historically racist city and still brought them 11 chips. That’s too many for the mans own hands. 🤷🏼‍♂️🐐

[gregoryevans]

Bill Russell 11 championships in 13 years and by the way was the player coach 3 of those years.

[worldtree]

Ranking Stephen A’s top 5 in categories

Pure Skill
1. Bird (No Debate)
2. Bill Russell
3. Bobby Orr
4. Tom Brady
5. David Ortiz

Stats
1. Bobby Orr (Some Key Stats Unrecorded)
2. Tom Brady
3. Bill Russell (Some Key Stats Unrecorded)
4. Larry Bird
5. David Ortiz

Impact
1. Bird (Saved NBA & Made It Global)
2. Russell (Broke Barriers & Defined NBA)
3. Orr (Revolutionized Defense & Strategy)
4. Brady (Influenced Great QBs & NFL Lore)
5. Ortiz (Face of Boston for an era)

Accomplishments
1. Russell (11 Rings, 5 MVPs, 3 1st Team, 1 All D)
2. Brady (7 Rings, 3 MVPs, 3 1st Team)
3. Orr (2 Rings, 3 MVPs, 8 1st Team, 8 Top Defenseman)
4. Bird (3 Rings, 3 MVPs, 9 1st Team, 3 All D)
5. Ortiz (3 Rings, 7 All Offense (🥈Slugger)

[ericbilodeau]

Ortiz above Orr? The disrespect. Those two aren't in the same class. Bobby the GOAT on defense. David Ortiz isn't even a top 20 MLB player

[xcwilliams]

Bradys greatest attribute was winning, and Russell inarguably did it better in Boston

[jarell]

Stephen A head turn at 6:25 was priceless 🤣

[TheLIKid]

How does Ted Williams not make it into the Top 5?

[gregorywilson]

I still put Bird as #2 even though didn’t win as many titles as Tom and Bill. Bird turned that Franchise around single handedly

[Thaeffintruth]

I'm not mad at all for seeing Bill Russell at #1 ....nicely done

[pickettmandi]

Teddy Ballgame HAS to be on the list. The purest hitter to have ever played.

[mrScore]

1.Kyrie Irving
2. Antonio Brown
3. Aaron Hernandez
4. Pablo Sandoval
5. Carl Crawford

[knowsmebyname]

Good list Stephen A. Thanks from a Boston fan.

[lionelsheja]

Bill Russell obliterated those records and expectations. 11 championships will never be matched.

[bleedingcrystal]

Ortiz over Ted Williams to represent baseball………nah I can’t get on board with that. Triple crown winner twice, last man to bat 400 plus 500 home runs and that isn’t even thinking about the fact that he missed prime years to serve in the military. It isn’t even close. Other than that I agree with who is on the list. I’d have Brady at 1 though

[jasonmagliano]

No love for Rocky Marciano? Undefeated, one of the greatest heavyweights to ever live