The Top 10 Athletes in Sports Right Now

The world of sports is filled with fantastic athletes who consistently amaze fans.

Who the top athletes are can be highly debatable.

While these men made the list  today, they could very well be replaced by a young phenom tomorrow. Someone is always striving to reach the top.

At the moment, these men are at the top of their game. 

Here are the Top 10 athletes in sports right now.

Enjoy.  

NHL Honorable Mention: Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby may be one of the most despised players in the NHL, but he is one of the best. 

Crosby played in just 41 games last year due to a concussion, but he tallied 66 points.

In fact, Crosby is already Hall of Fame material. He turned 24 on August 7, but his accolades are already astounding.

Sidney Crosby has scored more than 100 points in four of his six seasons. The two seasons that he hasn't were cut short due to injury.

Crosby has also won an Art Ross Trophy (most points/season), a Rocket Richard Trophy (most goals/season), a Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) and a Stanley Cup. 

Last but not least, Sidney Crosby scored the game-winning goal in overtime of the gold medal Olympic game in 2010 for his home country of Canada.

Hopefully Sidney Crosby will return to true form in the new season. 

Numbers like this cannot be denied. Crosby is one of the greats.  

MLB Honorable Mention: Adrian Gonzalez

At the moment, Adrian Gonzalez is the AL MVP.

He leads the majors in batting average at .348 and RBI with 91. 

Adrian Gonzalez has thrived in the friendly confines of Fenway Park.

He has helped make the Boston Red Sox one of the most feared lineups in baseball. 

Despite these numbers, Gonzalez comes up just short of the Top 10.

NBA Honorable Mention: Dirk Nowitzki and Blake Griffin

Dirk Nowitzki recently solidified his place in NBA history by winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Nowitzki put all doubt aside and propelled the Dallas Mavericks to a championship.

Dirk had a mini Jordan-like performance in the playoffs, averaging 27.7 points/game. He has won respect from all. 

This may not last long.

For now, though, Dirk Nowitzki is one of the top athletes. 

Blake Griffin may have missed his true rookie season due to injury, but he made up for it last season.

Griffin dazzled audiences and opponents with jaw-dropping dunks and all-out excellent play.

He averaged 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game as a rookie.

Blake Griffin will continue to "wow" NBA fans for years to come.  

NFL Honorable Mention: Andre, Calvin and Chris Johnson

All three of these men are superstars in the NFL. 

If you ask an opposing coach how they plan to stop these men you won't get a straight answer.

Truth be told, these men are absolutely astonishing. 

The three men combined for 32 TD in 2010. All three had more than 1,000 yards at their respective positions. 

Expect this trend to continue in 2011. 

No. 10: Sedin Twins

These two Swedish stars are too good to tell apart.

The Vancouver Canucks duo have won the Art Ross Trophy (most points/season) in consecutive years in the NHL.

Henrik won the Art Ross and Hart Memorial (MVP) in 2009-2010.

Daniel won the Art Ross this year and finished a close second in the MVP race this year behind Anaheim Ducks sniper Corey Perry.

In 10 NHL seasons, Henrik has 666 points while Daniel has 651.

Yes, even their stats are nearly identical. 

These guys seem to rub many the wrong way.

Nonetheless, they are two of the best.  

No. 9: Curtis Granderson

Some of you may be scratching your heads right now wondering, "How in the world is Curtis Granderson ranked above Adrian Gonzalez?"

This is how: The New York Yankees CF has hit 10 more homers than the Boston Red Sox slugger.

Curtis Granderson has also scored 22 more runs than Gonzalez and is only five behind the Red Sox first baseman in the RBI category.

Granderson is also the only man in the majors to score more than 100 runs at the moment. He also has 22 stolen bases compared to Adrian Gonzalez's one. 

Granderson's batting average may be lower than Gonzalez's, but Granderson is more valuable to his team.

Adrian Gonzalez may be named AL MVP at the end of the season, but Curtis Granderson is more valuable right now.  

No. 8: Jon "Bones" Jones

Jon "Bones" Jones has taken the world of MMA by storm. 

Jones is currently the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Regardless of how you feel about MMA, "Bones" is one of the baddest dudes on the planet right now. He is known for landing devastating elbow blows to his opponents. 

Jon "Bones" Jones is slated to defend his belt against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on September 24, 2011.

No. 7: Tom Brady

Tom Brady is the reigning NFL MVP.

For the first time in NFL history, Tom Brady was unanimously voted MVP. That says something in itself. 

In 2010, Brady threw for 3,900 yards with a remarkable 36 TD/ 4 INT ratio.

The New England Patriots fell short in the playoffs last year but will be back this year.

The Patriots picked up a new weapon for Tom Brady in the offseason.

Adding WR Chad Ochocinco is great for Tom Brady and frustrating for opponents. Ocho will only ensure more big numbers from Brady this year. 

Tom Brady is simply one of the best.  

No. 6: Tim Thomas

 At 37, Tim Thomas may have had the best season for a goaltender in NHL history.

Thomas won the Vezina Trophy (best goalie/season), the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) and the Stanley Cup.

Tim Thomas broke the record for regular season save percentage (.938). In the playoffs, he set the record for most saves (798) and most saves in the Stanley Cup Finals (238).

He only allowed eight goals in seven games in the Finals.

Tim Thomas won't have a season like this again, but this was one that made history.

These achievements put Tim Thomas at N. 6 on the list.

No. 5: Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao is regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Pacquiao is currently the WBO Welterweight World Champion. 

Right now the competition is slim for Manny Pacquiao.

He seems to be treading water while he waits for Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to shut up and box.

It's hard to tell if this fight will ever happen. The credibility and future of boxing rest on the fate of this fight.

For now, Manny Pacquiao is tops in the ring.  

No. 4: Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander is the best pitcher in baseball right now.

Verlander is tied for the MLB lead in wins with 16.

His 186 strikeouts and .87 WHIP also lead the league. Verlander is fifth in ERA at 2.30.

Justin Verlander is a threat to throw a no-hitter every time he takes the mound.

In fact, Verlander looks thoroughly upset every time he allows a hit. Now that's intense.

Justin Verlander is the most feared pitcher in MLB at the moment.  

No. 3: Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant has led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons. 

Durant is a powder keg that may go off for 40 points at a moment's notice.

Kevin Durant recently added to his folk hero status when he stepped onto the courts of famed Rucker Park in Harlem.

He dropped 66 in Rucker Park.

That takes Durant's prestige to an unforeseen level.

Durant doesn't hide behind his Twitter account like others in the NBA; he plays ball.

Who knows what Kevin Durant is capable of next? 

Kevin Durant is hands down one of the best athletes in the world right now. 

No. 2: Aaron Rodgers

The Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XLV behind QB Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns as he took home Super Bowl MVP honors.

He threw for 3,922 yards last season despite missing one game due to a concussion.

If he hadn't missed that game, he would have eclipsed the 4,000 yard mark for the third consecutive year.

Don't expect Aaron Rodgers to slow down anytime soon. Rodgers and the Packers look to defend their title this year.

Tom Brady may have won the regular season MVP but Rodgers one-upped him by winning the Super Bowl.

Aaron Rodgers has earned the right to be near the top of the list. 

No. 1: Lionel Messi

Love it or hate it, world football is the most popular sport on Earth.

Lionel Messi is the best player in the world's biggest game.

Messi is a marvel on the pitch, and he deserves credit here.

He is simply dominant.

Lionel Messi's moves are mesmerizing as he leaves crowds in awe and defenses in dismay.

Do yourself a favor and watch Messi whenever you can.

At this moment Lionel Messi is the best athlete in the world.