Was former Patriots QB Tom Brady too low on ESPN's list of greatest athletes since 2000?

During the dog days of summer when every major sport is off, everyone tries to spark conversation with comparisons, rankings and evaluations, and ESPN has done just that in recent days.

After compiling over 70,000 votes from their contributors, ESPN has produced its list of top 100 athletes since the turn of the century with the top 25 coming out on Thursday. Unsurprisingly, only one former New England Patriots player made the cut - quarterback Tom Brady, who came in at No. 5.

Here's what Mike Reiss wrote about Brady:

"When Brady was asked which of his seven Super Bowl rings was his favorite, he was fond of answering: "The next one." That sums up the player whom Bill Belichick referred to as the "ultimate winner" who often played his best when the stakes were highest. Belichick noted how Brady entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick "with little to no fanfare" and left "as the most successful player in league history." Said Belichick: "His relentless pursuit of excellence drove him on a daily basis. His work ethic and desire to win were both motivational and inspirational to teammates and coaches alike.'"

What athletes were ahead of the greatest players to ever play arguably the most difficult position in pro sports?

• Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
• Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi
• Tennis star Serena Williams
• Swimmer Michael Phelps

Obviously, it's tough to compare athletes across sports, but Brady is one of the greatest winners in team sports with seven Super Bowl rings. An argument can certainly be made for him being moved up above any of the fourth who were ranked above him. The best of them would probably be made against James or Messi, as they all compete in team sports only.

While Brady may have had one fewer MVP than James, he won three more championships and one more championship MVP than him. Messi was considered the greatest in his sport (winning the Ballon d'Or) in eight separate years and won his league 10 times, the Champions League four times and the World Cup once.

So, you can have Messi above Brady, but the quarterback should probably be slid up at least one spot in front of James.