Pj's all-time top 10: Men

[pangtongfan]

I would for sure put Cousins before Curry. Curry didnt struggle with figures like Cousisn did and still couldnt win a major title until his final season. Cousins dominated free skating in his own era, Curry didnt dominate either figures or free skating. If both were in their primes together Cousins would crush Curry in the free skating portion IMO. Curry struggled to beat guys like Hoffmann and Kovalev often in free skating, guys that Cousins always dominated in that portion. Curry was a wonderful artist but Cousins was overall a better free skater anyway with much bigger jumps, better spins, more speed and power by far, also great artistry and great versatility.

[prettykeys]

Who likes a golden performance with golden hair and golden costume and hip thrusts? Meeeeeee!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghKRIvwGrrA&t=1m40s

Some comments to describe this rockin' program:

he is bipolar xD

Plushenko is the figure skating!

This is an...interesting choice of music...

I also must make a .gif of the part where he wiggles up to the judges (2:55) LOL

[jatale]

I like PJ's men's list too. The women's list is far more contentious for a number of reasons, but I think primarily because the competition is deeper and the audience is much bigger. Unfortunately for the men in figure skating, just like the men in gymnastics, the women's side of the discipline attracts far more attention and more competitors.

[Bluebonnet]

I love PJ's list although I'd list them in different order.

My list is like this:

1. Dick Button - the grandfather of figure skating

2. John Curry - the definition of artistic skating

3. Kurt Browning - the genius in everything skating and beyond

4. Toller Cranston - the innovative skating

5. Alexei Yagudin - forever the name of this generation

6. Elvis Stojko - the new branch of figure skating

7. Brian Boitano - leading the golden age of men's figure skating in US

8. Evgeni Plushenko - the legend

9. Brian Orser - one of the famous Brian in Battle of the Brians

10. Patrick Chan - could be the legend of the next generation

[lavender]

I would list them differently if anything. Elvis should definitely be last on the list imo.

[ciocio]

Edit: Was Evgeny shy?? I like shy boys...

He still is.

[Dragonlady]

When Plushenko first started competing and touring in North America he was shy and also was not confident about his English. This might have given some American journalists the impression that he was stand-offish.

I've seen Plushenko treat other skaters disrespectfully at competitions and fans as well. Then they turn the TV cameras on him and he's all smiles. On a personal level, I agree with PJ.

[ciocio]

I've seen Plushenko treat other skaters disrespectfully at competitions and fans as well. Then they turn the TV cameras on him and he's all smiles. On a personal level, I agree with PJ.

You´ve said that many times. You didn´t tell us when and whom he disrespect.
Evgeni was very respectful to me when I´ve meet him, as well to many people I know.
I know fans who also felt disappointed when they met Yagudin, Joubert, and even Lambiel, who seems to be such a sweet guy.

[Boeing787]

I've seen Plushenko treat other skaters disrespectfully at competitions and fans as well. Then they turn the TV cameras on him and he's all smiles. On a personal level, I agree with PJ.

i 2nd you on this one.

[lavender]

I might be tempted to substitute Daisuke for Elvis because he's just such a standout for me.

Skaters like Jeff B, Lambiel, Daisuke have actual brillant skating skills and so much more in other areas that I don't think there would be room for Elvis.

[Mathman]

I've seen Plushenko treat other skaters disrespectfully at competitions and fans as well.

Not me. I have seen him live at cheesefests and on COI. He was the soul of politeness to the fans and was especially chivalrous toward the ladies in the show.

Maybe at more serious competitions he puts on his game face.

[Tonichelle]

Every skater has a few "ugly" moments.

[merrywidow]

So noone thinks Scott Hamilton (4 times World Champion, once Olympic champion) deserves to be on any list of Top 10 male skaters? I'd knock out Stojko & replace him with Hamilton.

[pangtongfan]

Not Hamilton's fault of course but he dominated one of the weakest quads ever for mens skating. Who was his biggest rival- Norbert Schramm? Orser, Fadeev, and Boitano were just starting and not real contenders yet (except for Orser in 84, but his figures being so weak guaranteed Hamilton winning even though that year Brian could skate circles around Scott in freestyle). All the old guard of the previous generation were gone and the skaters of Hamiltons generation (Simond, Schramm, Cerne, Bobrin, Santee) were unremarkable to put it mildly. He even admitted he knew after the 84 season ended he had to turn pro since he would probably have dropped to 4th or 5th in the World the very next year with all of Orser, Fadeev, Boitano, and Sabovcik ready to pass him with his limited jump content.

[Mathman]

But for total contribution to skating, Hamilton deserves a top spot because of his entrepreneurial talents.