Has James Blake sticking around hurt his legacy?

HunterST · 02-13-2013, 03:04 PM

James Blake is one of my favorite players, but any real hope of him having a big success has been gone for a few years. Players and fans often talk about how players should retire when they're still close to their original ability to preserve their legacy.

Do you think JB sticking around and losing fairly often to players ranked outside the top 100, and even 200, has hurt his legacy?

BeHappy · 02-13-2013, 03:06 PM

He has no legacy. It's his life. It's nice to know these pro's actually love tennis.

HunterST · 02-13-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeHappy

He has no legacy. It's his life. It's nice to know these pro's actually love tennis.

Not sure what you mean by no legacy. He finished in the top 10 several years and is well known for overcoming a broken neck, zoster, and family problems.

I do agree it shows he loves the game.

BeHappy · 02-13-2013, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterST

Not sure what you mean by no legacy. He finished in the top 10 several years and is well known for overcoming a broken neck, zoster, and family problems.

I do agree it shows he loves the game.

I mean he never won a slam or made a final. I have never heard a decent career described as a legacy. People will not be talking about James Blake in 15 years.

President · 02-13-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeHappy

I mean he never won a slam or made a final. I have never heard a decent career described as a legacy. People will not be talking about James Blake in 15 years.

The mural on the front wall of my tennis club is a massive picture of James Blake ripping a backhand. He will be remembered...

Paul Murphy · 02-13-2013, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by President

The mural on the front wall of my tennis club is a massive picture of James Blake ripping a backhand. He will be remembered...

That would be a very good mural indeed.

El Diablo · 02-13-2013, 04:06 PM

When someone is one of your favorite players, you have very little objectivity. Legacy? His legacy is a little thin, beyond being a nice guy who got into the top 10 for a short time. He's been off the radar for too long for anyone to really pay attention to what he's doing now.

Paul Murphy · 02-13-2013, 04:53 PM

I love his style and like the guy but not sure what legacy he has to leave, other than the courage of coming back from that horrific injury.

BrooklynNY · 02-13-2013, 05:23 PM

James Blake is a hometown hero underdog, and that's why guys love him. I personally love his game - super talented. It's a shame he couldn't have done more when he was at his best. I think his legacy is more about being a guy who made it through adversity and was a success.

It's not like he is at the status of say a Lleyton Hewitt, as some other posters have alluded to.

Ace of Aces · 02-13-2013, 05:35 PM

He will be remembered for his forehand. No matter how long he plays, the videos of him belting lasers can't be erased.

NadalAgassi · 02-13-2013, 05:38 PM

A big no. He has had a very fine career, but he does not have any kind of significant legacy per say he could damage in the first place. It is riskier for a great of the game who has won slams to stay around too long, and have their head to heads and how they look overjudged, but for a player like Blake it is meaningless. Everyone knows what he was in his prime, a very brief top 5 player, and solid top 10 player for a few years, who was fun to watch but was never going to win a slam. The expected struggle of a player who isnt truly special in his 30s really changes nothing of that.

Paul Murphy · 02-13-2013, 05:44 PM

Saw him play live once on HC.
The guy was an excitement machine.
Wish his career hadn't been so affected by injuries.

DropShotArtist · 02-13-2013, 06:15 PM

legacy |ˈlegəsē|
noun ( pl. -cies)
an amount of money or property left to someone in a will.
• a thing handed down by a predecessor

So yes by definition Blake will have a legacy if he has children.

single_handed_champion · 02-13-2013, 06:49 PM

If the OP considers returning to play a professional sport after horrific injuries his legacy, then it only strengthens his legacy to stay around for as long as he can.

OddJack · 02-13-2013, 06:56 PM

No, simply because there is not much legacy to start with. There is no spot light on him to hurt or not hurt.

citybert · 02-14-2013, 10:46 AM

James Blake is the man, he should have no regrets with what he accomplished. And even was a college baller.

Blake agassi USO QF is def a top 10 night match esp when you factor in emotions and crowd.

JoelDali · 02-13-2013, 07:11 PM

If he had quit in 2010 he would have retired a mid tier GOAT in line with Wilander or Edberg.

Dragging it out has really hurt his GOATness rating.

Playing Donnay with cheesy hats doesn't help either.

BuggyDub · 02-13-2013, 10:41 PM

He did tell Pam Shriver where to go. Wouldn't we all like to do that? I wish his career would have been more successful for him, but he should play until it's no fun for him anymore, or his body has finally had enough. Same thing for Hewitt.

MasturB · 03-11-2013, 05:38 PM

After last night's match, Blake's Legacy should be safe.

Harry_Wild · 02-13-2013, 11:51 PM

If Blake at his age can make a final comeback like Goran Ivanisevic did; Blake will then have a legacy! But as of now; he just another tour pro trying to break back in to the top tier.

02-13-2013, 03:04 PM	#1
HunterST Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,707	Has James Blake sticking around hurt his legacy? James Blake is one of my favorite players, but any real hope of him having a big success has been gone for a few years. Players and fans often talk about how players should retire when they're still close to their original ability to preserve their legacy. Do you think JB sticking around and losing fairly often to players ranked outside the top 100, and even 200, has hurt his legacy?

02-13-2013, 03:06 PM	#2
BeHappy Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,444	He has no legacy. It's his life. It's nice to know these pro's actually love tennis. __________________ shazaam!!!

02-13-2013, 04:06 PM	#7
El Diablo Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,091	When someone is one of your favorite players, you have very little objectivity. Legacy? His legacy is a little thin, beyond being a nice guy who got into the top 10 for a short time. He's been off the radar for too long for anyone to really pay attention to what he's doing now. __________________ "I may be synthetic but I'm not stupid" Bishop, in "Aliens"

02-13-2013, 05:35 PM	#10
Ace of Aces New User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Mississippi Posts: 82	He will be remembered for his forehand. No matter how long he plays, the videos of him belting lasers can't be erased. __________________ The Big Four: Isner, Karlovic, Anderson and Janowic.

02-13-2013, 05:38 PM	#11
NadalAgassi Legend Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 9,656	A big no. He has had a very fine career, but he does not have any kind of significant legacy per say he could damage in the first place. It is riskier for a great of the game who has won slams to stay around too long, and have their head to heads and how they look overjudged, but for a player like Blake it is meaningless. Everyone knows what he was in his prime, a very brief top 5 player, and solid top 10 player for a few years, who was fun to watch but was never going to win a slam. The expected struggle of a player who isnt truly special in his 30s really changes nothing of that. __________________ TMF on Jan. 2011- Serena is washed up for good, TMF in Oct. 2009- Nadal has won his final slam, TMF in 2011- Woz will beat Serena at U.S Open