Who's the greatest handball player in your book and why?

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Permalink Reply by Joey "The Hitman" on March 14, 2010 at 8:38pm

Well, that's a tough one! Of all time? Right now? Big Blue or Small Ball?

I'd go with Buddy Gant (or Vic Hershkowitz) for All-Time and a toss-up between Rook or Justin for current.
I think Rook is definitely physically built for the sport but Justin is (to me) the greatest player right now.

As for small ball, I'd say Satish.

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Permalink Reply by JASON on March 15, 2010 at 2:18pm

Hey Joey, thanks for the response!!!
I would have loved to see Vic Hershkowitz play against the top of our time so between him and Buddy who knows. I'm with you on Buddy, the dude was to much. As of Rook and Justin, I only got to see Justin in video's and that suck's because he looks real good. the video I saw of him was actually against rook and seems to me he gave it to him. Is he really that good? As for small ball I'll go with Sitish in our era all time I'll say Durso, his serve was CRAZY!! I was partners with Satish for a while and he had a nice serve too, but Durso had it more dangerous. This is all just my opinion though.

Joey thanks for responding cool answers, I think the average handball player wouldn't even have known about Vic Hershkowitz.

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Permalink Reply by JoooooGGGGG on March 14, 2010 at 10:34pm

Without a shadow of a doubt,,,the greatest one wall player of all time is Joe Durso. The records speak for themselves, and the man is still a threat in any doubles tournament. S.I.'s greatest top 50 all time NYC,,,the man dominated the sport for so long,,,,title after title. Nowadays the most dominant big blue player is Rookie.

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Permalink Reply by JASON on March 15, 2010 at 2:50pm

I agree that Durso was Great!! but of all time, Really? When living in New York and traveling he was mentioned as having one of the nastiest serves but all around game, Na. I got to see him play alot and my over view of him was exactly the same great serve and player, but not the greatest. The average player would not fair well against him though. Every time I seen him play against top players he lost, and im not saying this to try to win a point its the truth. I remember when he played Ray Lopez from Brooklyn when Ray was still considered a B+ player and he destroyed Durso not even breaking a sweat. The most impressing game with him was against Rook in a singles tournament at Coney Island, wow what a serve, had Rook all over the place. As of Rook he has been dominating for a while most def has to go down in the top 5 maybe 3rd of all time? what you think?

My top 5: (Single Players)

1. Buddy
2. Angelo
3. Rookie
4. Cricket
5. Durso

I would have loved to see Cricket play more. I seen him come out to play when he was freed, he was lost never the same. I think he would have been Rookies arch enemy. Did you get to see him play? How was he in your book? Thanks for responding!! Im sure Durso is going to be the best in many's mind.

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Permalink Reply by gary ortega on March 15, 2010 at 3:28pm

how come know one mentions billy the kid anymore,i mean this dude used to zip emmit and buddy would just quit cause he didn't get his serve,i know he played marquez and durso but i dont' know the outcome of those games were

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Permalink Reply by JASON on March 15, 2010 at 7:05pm

Yea, you do have a point he was nasty heard one time that he was making a come back? I did get to see him play a couple of time's, yea I'll def put him in my top 10 maybe knock out Cricket or Durso to put in my top 5. And if so I will take out Durso. Gary that was a good choice of a player. I wish I would have seen more of him.
Good One!!!

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Permalink Reply by Joey "The Hitman" on March 16, 2010 at 12:16am

There's a youtube video of Justin beating Rookie at KOTC '08 and another of Rookie punishing Justin in a non-tournie game at KOTC '09. Joe G, I believe you was there for that one.


By the way, I remember seeing an old Gantt vs Billy Hau video and Gantt looked like he gave up at the end. I also remember seeing Gantt smash Rook in his skinnier days. lol

Joe G, I sort of agree with your answer. On paper Durso has been dominating. He definitely has the most (10 single 1-wall) titles. Can't take that from the man.
I just remember reading a lot about how they frowned upon letting certain players into their "circle" and because of that kept a lot of good players out. I guess you would know better being in out-of-state tournies better than I.
But these are all just opinions anyway.

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Permalink Reply by JASON on March 16, 2010 at 4:49am

I can still give Durso credit because I don't really think he had top quality players around him all the time (Not that there aren't any good players in Coney Island) , as did the West 4 crew and he did still compete at there level. One thing I started to think about was I really didn't see Durso active in many Tournaments outside of Brighten Beach, Correct me if I am wrong but just don't recall seeing him in any. Maybe you can help me Joe G or somebody, would like to know, I've really never thought of it before. And Gary made a real good point I totally forgot of Billy The Kid the dude was sick. Any comments on Billy Guy's or Cricket? Has anybody heard anything about Cricket? Is he playing again?

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Permalink Reply by JoooooGGGGG on March 16, 2010 at 10:31am

You gotta understand Durso prime years are far from the prime years of say RAy Lopez, prime to prime Durso would wipe the floor with Ray Lopez, and thats coming from a guy that is big time fan of Lopez. Joe's game overall game was unmatched in my opinion. Now of course Buddy had a better finesse game, but Joe's overall game at his peak was second to none. Joe played mostly small ball, but dominated with big ball also. Even at his age currently he still fucks with people. I have some footage of Buddy vs Durso, and other various matches from the years back.

Cricket's true talent was never fully realized. He traveled down the wrong path at times. Billy serve and power were crazy, easily one of the best in my opinion. Its sad because Big blue in past was never really documented so a lot of the results and matches are stories pasted down. But on paper , and what i have seen with my own two eyes Joe was the best of all time.

My list
1 Joe Durso
2 Buddy Gant
3. Billy the Kid
4 Rookie
5 Angel M.

Btw, nice discussion here, good job Jason.

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Permalink Reply by JASON on March 17, 2010 at 1:36am

I personally started to think about what Gary said by Introducing Billy The Kid, and putting it to thought I feel I rather leave Durso. For some reason as I reflect on there game's Durso stand's out more to me. So yea Durso will stay in my Top 5 and Billy will go down in my top 10, sorry Gary :). I just cant see him beating My top 5 in the majority of game's excluding Cricket I feel there would have been a back and forth but that's my opinion. It's like Joe G said it suck Handball wasn't as popular back in the days everything was passed down. Good List Joe G.

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Permalink Reply by JoooooGGGGG on March 16, 2010 at 10:34am

I was there that day when Justin was playing Rookie before the start of KOTC, Justin had to leave and not play cuz of work. They were just messing around but it was alot of fun to watch, and they both were getting it in. IMO, there is no greater threat to Rookie in singles than Justin these days, i know Gio and some other guys have beaten him. However, I think Justin can do it on a more consistent basis.

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Permalink Reply by jack on March 16, 2010 at 9:52pm

I WOUL DHAVE TO SAY ROOKIE he has been so much better than everyone for around 15 yrs now , now geo and justing are on hi s level, but for 1 game to win i would pick rookie today,also the game is so much more popular, now these new generation kids are learning to play in school on teams, they are learnong small ball and big ball, they are learning to play from the beginning with 2 hands,they play indoor all winter, there is a a bunch of kids 16 to 19 who are hi b/s and low /A. players, IF I HAD TO PICK A WINNER FOR TODAY I PICK ROOKIE,BUT GEO AND JUSTIN HAVE ABOUT 8 YRS TO 12 YRS TO IMPROVE ON WHAT ALREADY IS INCREDIBLE GAMES,THEY MIGHT SURPASS EVERYONE

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