Steve Nash showed a great example of being a leader last night. Playing with one of your eyes shut after a Tim Duncan elbow shot and still drops 20 points and nine assists to help the Phoenix Suns sweep the San Antonio Spurs to advance to the NBA Western Conference Finals. So I was thinking who are the Top 10 Best Leaders in all of sports. Not the best player, but someone who gives it there all every single night. Here's my list and let the debates begin.
1) SS Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
- Nobody has done it any better with dealing with the New York media and performed as well in his career as Jeter. He has won five World Series titles (1996, 1998-2000, 2009), won the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove award four times, rookie of the year in 1995, and selected as an All-Star 10 times. He's the only player to win All-Star game MVP and World Series MVP in the same year. He's yet to win the American League MVP and he still gets the job done.
2) QB Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings
- I know he gets a lot of bad press about his retirement decisions, but he's a quarterback you would love to have on Sundays. 40-year old Favre almost took the Vikings to the Super Bowl with an ankle injury. He's the only player to win the MVP three years in a row (1995-97), played in five NFC Championships, played in two Super Bowls (won with the Green Bay Packers over the New England Patriots in 1996 season), and won eight division titles (seven with the Packers and one with the Vikings). He holds NFL records in consecutive games, touchdowns, passing yards, pass completions, pass attempts, and victories as a quarterback.
3) SG Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
- No matter how many injuries, Kobe has competed and still proves he's one of the best NBA players in the league. He won four NBA titles (2000-2002, and 2009) including winning Finals MVP last season, won the gold medal in the Summer Olympics for USA Basketball in 2008, won his only MVP in 2007-08, won two scoring titles (2006-07), won first-team All-NBA and defensive-team on eight different occasions. During the summer, the man is still in the gym and continues to get better and improves his game every year.
4) QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
- We all thought Reggie Bush would be the face of the Saints franchise, but Drew Brees is not only the face of the Saints, he's the face of the entire city of New Orleans. He led the Saints to a Super Bowl XLIV title this past season and won the Super Bowl MVP. He brought so much joy to this city, especially after Hurricane Katrina broke the hearts of many in the city. He won Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 and and was selected to four Pro Bowls. Him and his wife teamed up for the Brees Dream Foundation to help advance research in the fight against Cancer and provide care, opportunities, and education for children in need.
5) 1B Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
- With this crazy steroid era in the MLB, it's good to see someone play the game the right way. He won the World Series over the Detroit Tigers in 2006, won the National League MVP three times, and selected to the All-Star game eight times. won Slugger of the Year five times, and won rookie of the year in 2001. Him and his wife started a foundation called "The Pujols Family Foundation," which dedicates to the love,care, and development of people with Down syndrome and their families.
6) QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
- The Colts couldn't ask for a better quarterback for their franchise. Manning led his team to Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears in 2006. He won four MVPs, holds the most consecutive seasons with seven 4,000 passing yards (1999-2004), and leads the franchise in passing touchdowns, wins, completions, attempts, and passing yards. He has his own foundation called the "Peyback Foundation," to help disadvantage kids.
7) QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots
- The sixth-round 2000 draft pick has played in four Super Bowls and won three out of four titles. He won the Super Bowl MVP twice and been to five Pro Bowls. He threw a single-season record 50 touchdown passes and led the team to an undefeated regular-season in 2007. He won his only MVP award in 2007
8) LB Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
- It's always a joy to watch Lewis play football every Sunday. I've never seen anyone have the passion of the game like this man. The Miami Hurricane alum led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV in the 2000 season. He was only the second linebacker to win the Super Bowl MVP and the first to win it on a winning team. He won the defensive player of the year twice in 2000 and 2003 and was selected to the Pro Bowl 11 times.
9) C Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Sidney is only 22 years old and he's accomplished so much in four seasons in the NHL. Last season, he was the youngest captain to lead his team to the Stanley Cup title. In this year's Winter Olympics, he hit Canada's game-winning goal over the United States in overtime to lead his country to a gold medal. This season, he won the Rocket Richard Trophy (most goals in a regular season). In 2007, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) and Art Ross Trophy (Most points in the regular season).
10) SF LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
- The 25-year old small forward continues to get better and better in six seasons in the NBA. In the last two seasons, he has won two MVP awards. The six-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA first team continues to make his team better and better. He led his team to the NBA Finals and two Eastern Conference Finals.
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