Mystical Magical Creatures

OK so we have all heard of Ligers, I mean they're prally like my favorite animal. BUT can you imagine my disbelief when I came across the much lesser-known yet just as special Zonkey. Yes you heard correctly, the Zonkey, half-Zeebra half-Donkey. This plucky side-kick character is best known for his witty comments and surprising quickness. I challenge anyone to try and catch a Zonkey. It just can't be done. Seriously, they will make you look foolish and then crack a joke about it.

How does this pertain to sports you ask? Well I was watching a Lakers pre-season game the other night (pathetic I know) and it just hit me like a ton of bricks, Kobe Bryant is a mystical magical creature much like the legendary Liger. He is not simply one genotype like most of us, but a special combination of equally bad-ass yet different types. Kobe is a hybrid between Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and Keyshawn Johnson.

Let's analyze it, he has MJ's ability to get to the hoop and hang for the finish. Not to mention his tenacity on the defensive-end. He even sounds like him in his interviews, I am still waiting for the patented Jordan-tongue to show up sometime soon. Then of course you have all those game-winners, is there anyone you would rather have with the ball as the clock winds down than Mr. Clutch? Jerry West is the fracken Logo of the NBA shooting a 63 foot game-tying bucket, you can't get more money than that and clearly Kobe has those "no pressure genes" in him. And then on to the ball-handling skills reminiscent of another shooting guard known simply as "The Big O". His handles are not just impressive visually but more importantly they are effective dribbling skills. Of course he has some Keyshawn Johnson in him as he definitely wants the damn ball (which as all Lakers fans know led to superman heading east).

Anyways, let me know what you think. Maybe there is a better combo describing Kobe's skills? Are there other athletes in your opinion that appear to be a cross between previous greats? How about a little discussion on what combination would make the greatest athlete? All sports included, football, bball, baseball, ping-pong, jai-alai, etc.
Let me throw out a mix of ernie mckracken and donny (from Big Lebowski) as the ultimate bowling machine. "You're on a gravy train with biscuit wheels". Unstoppable.