Comments on: Is John Grant Jr. The Best Lacrosse Player… EVER?

By: Uncle_Reggie

Uncle_Reggie — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:32:00 +0000

Jr. Is one heck of a lacrosse player that is certain. Being an old timer growing up playing box lacrosse throughout southern Ontario, I am unfamiliar with field lacrosse because it was off the radar. However, GrantJr. excels at both games, and his statistics speak volumes to support a #1 status. I played in the generation of his father, and Jr. like many lacrosse players from Peterborough, Ontario come from a fine lineage. I was present for all six games of the 2012 Mann Cup at the Lake Show and once again Jr. shone. He is a force to be reckoned with every time he is on the floor. Up here in Canada, Jr. has stiff competition, but I believe that he is the premier lacrosse player in the world. He is a Peterborough boy, and the small city of Peterborough has produced an abundance of legendary players and teams! I hope that he has some good years ahead because he is a key component in the Lakers and the notorious Lake Show. Canadian box lacrosse reigns supreme!

By: Chris Bossert

Chris Bossert — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:31:00 +0000

Hard to top Gary Gait and Jim Brown could easily be in the discussion. Not sure if Jim Brown has carrier to compare, but when you change the game because of one player’s dominance it’s hard to discount that.

By: Derek Blasutti

Derek Blasutti — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:21:00 +0000

It’s tough to top Gary Gait. Junior benefitted from the change in box philosophy from playing both ends of the floor to playing O/D.

Gary Gait, especially early in his career, was a fantastic player at both ends of the floor. The guy was putting up loads of points while playing both ends.And when you think of what Gait brought to lacrosse, he was basically a pioneer for NCAA Field Lacrosse in the states. How far behind would Canada be if the Gaits didn’t make the trek down south? Paul was also an excellent player, but he wasn’t able to control a game like Gary. Paul was a sublime passer, but Gary was the guy who fought through traffic and finished it. Gary was doing it just as long as JR has as well, and at just as high a level.

By: Bobby DeFreze

Bobby DeFreze — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:01:00 +0000

It is incredibly hard to compare eras, and even different positions in the modern game, but I have to go with Junior as well. Everything you cited, not to mention multiple Mann Cup titles and OLA Season and Finals MVPs and scoring titles at both Junior and Senior levels.

A couple years ago when he was coming off surgery, he showed up to our men’s rec. box league here in Rochester and seeing that my team was short runners he asked me if he could run with us. Uhhh sure man I think we can find a spot for you! He spent the whole game trying to setup lesser-skilled players for shots and complimenting everyone on both teams.

Dude is a lax-rat, down to earth, and I have heard from my pro and ex-pro buddies he is a great teammate. Only player to win the MVP in the NLL and MLL in the same season. Five years ago I think there are some big arguments to make, but I think his recent accomplishments and consistency from start to present solidify him as the G.O.A.T.

By: connorwilson

connorwilson — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:51:00 +0000

super solid argument! he is so diverse, and so valuable. I mean his strong of MLL Defensive MVPs speaks volumes. Add in the scoring and Merrill is right up there. A great argument can be made for BM, I just think he needs to keep it going for longer… Unfair? Perhaps. But it’s the burden defenders bear. I was one in college. I feel you!

By: connorwilson

connorwilson — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:49:00 +0000

re: your last paragraph (and the second a bit) that’s why I could only really look at modern era players… hard to say anyone is better than a guy like Jimmy Lewis, so I stuck with the guys that we have all seen, and in comparable leagues/scenaris… as best I could anyway. ha?

By: Ryan Conwell

Ryan Conwell — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:48:00 +0000

My first reaction is to completely agree with you, but the one thing to make me pause is Brodie. Jr.’s stats are overwhelming, but that’s extremely difficult when you start comparing to defenders and goalies. How many goals has he prevented? How many forced turnovers? GBs, he’s untouched. He can also move as you say, seamlessly from a long pole to short stick in box and back. It’s not only just solid defense, but his scoring as a defender is way up there.

By: Luscious Dick Tacoma

Luscious Dick Tacoma — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:46:00 +0000

JGJr has 4 Mann Cup victories and 2 Mann Cup MVPs.

There are other possibilities; the argument for best ever brings up questions like field vs indoor, whether number of championships matter, participation in other sports (e.g. Jack Bionda playing both indoor for the Victoria Shamrocks and hockey for the Toronto Maple Leafs), and positional play.

But then bringing up players from the 50s makes me the old guy at the end of the bar who talks about the 1969 Mets as if the game is even comparable across the decades.