For instance, in baseball, a perfect game is considered by many to be the pinnacle of a pitcher’s career. Only 18 players have ever accomplished the feat in the entire history of MLB; two of them happening this season by Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics on May 9, and Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies on May 29.

Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox pitched one just last year on July 23, 2009 against the Tampa Bay Rays, and prior to him Randy Johnson had one five years earlier for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Atlanta Braves on May 18, 2004 in a 2-0 win.

Of course any baseball enthusiast also remembers the two pitched prior to that by the New York Yankees’ David Wells and David Cone on May 17, 1998 and July 18, 1999 respectively. Yet, it is a rare occurrence, despite the number of times it’s happened in the past two decades.

According to Wikipedia, by definition a perfect game is both a no-hitter and a shutout. To define it further, it’s a game in which a pitcher (or combination of pitchers) pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base.

Now that is obviously a pretty special accomplishment. However, it’s not even the rarest of feats in baseball, let alone other sports.

Perhaps you’re thinking batting .400 is a rarer feat. Nope. While its rarity is emphasized by the fact no one has accomplished it in nearly 70 years (not since Ted Williams batted .406 in 1941), it’s actually occurred 35 times, with 1887 being a banner year, seeing 10 players bat over .400, including Tip O’Neill, who batted a MLB record .485 that year.

There are two notable accomplishments in baseball that are rarer, but still not the rarest. Blasting four home runs in a single game has only been accomplished 15 times in MLB history. An equally rare occurrence is recording an unassisted triple-play. That’s where one player is responsible for recording all the outs in a triple play without any assistance from another player.

However, as with the home-run feat, it’s happened 15 times in MLB history.

The rarest baseball feat of all is hitting for the natural cycle. Only 14 players in the history of professional baseball have been able to do it, making it incredibly rare.

However, football has some notable feats that are even rarer.

For instance, only ten quarterbacks in the history of the NFL have thrown for more than 500 yards, included among them the Miami Dolphins Hall-of-Fame QB Dan Marino, who threw for 521 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 44-30 loss to the New York Jets on October 16, 1988.

Sadly, I was there to witness that game, and had to endure the loss. However, Dan is still the Man.

An even rarer feat in football is rushing for more than 250 yards. Only 9 running backs in the history of the NFL have accomplished the feat.

Hockey has that beat with one of their notable accomplishments in the sport. Only eight times in the history of the NHL has a player scored six or more goals in one game.

A notable accomplishment I have to mention in hockey is Mario Lemieux’s banner day on December 31, 1988 where he scored only five goals, but is the only player in NHL history who has scored five goals in one game to score them in five different ways. He scored an even-strength goal, a power-play goal, a short-handed goal, a penalty goal, and an empty net goal.

Tennis has an equally rare feat, with players notching 50 or more aces in a match only eight times in the sports’ history, including the record of 113 set by John Isner this year at Wimbledon in a match against Nicolas Mahut, who recorded the second-most ever with 103.

Talk about a match.

However, none of these notable accomplishments can match basketball’s Mt. Everest of achievements.

Some may believe it’s a scoring record, and while scoring 70 or more points in a game has only been accomplished 10 times, making it as rare or rarer an accomplishment as most listed above (and consequently, Wilt Chamberlain recorded six of those ten occurrences, which is one of the many reasons I believe he’s the G.O.A.T.), it pales in comparison to the one that really matters.

Only four players in the long history of the National Basketball Association have recorded a Quadruple-Double. It’s a feat so rare it boggles the mind that anyone ever really accomplishes it.

Defined as a performance in which a player accumulates a double digit number total in four of five statistical categories—points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots—in a game, it’s something that every versatile player in the NBA strives for, but only four have done.

The last player to do it was “The Admiral”, David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, who recorded 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks in a game against the Detroit Pistons on February 17, 1994.

The other three players to have etched their names into the history books?

Nate Thurmond of the Chicago Bulls was the first to do it, scoring 22 points, grabbing 14 boards, dishing out 13 assists, and blocking 12 shots in a game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 18, 1974.

Alvin Robertson of the San Antonio Spurs followed that amazing accomplishment with one of his own 12 years later, as he had 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals (the only player to accomplish the quadruple-double with steals being one of the categories) in a game against the Phoenix Suns on February 18, 1986.

The next player, Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets, actually recorded two quadruple-doubles, but his first one was taken away by the NBA, as they stripped him of one of his assists after reviewing the game tape.

That first game, on March 3, 1990 against the Golden State Warriors saw Hakeem put forth a brilliant effort, as he recorded 29 points, 18 rebounds, 9 (10 originally) assists, and 11 blocked shots. The whirling dervish seemed to do whatever he wanted to on the floor, and was a wonder to behold.

The Milwaukee Bucks probably wish the NBA had skipped reviewing that game tape that night. For less than a month later, on March 29, 1990, they faced Hakeem on another night he was the essence of versatile dominance. This time the NBA couldn’t take anything away from him, as he recorded 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 blocks to notch his first “official” quadruple-double.

Four years later David Robinson would add his own name to the historic three who had preceded him, but it’s been a long 15 years since then, and there is a level of anxiety among NBA fans as to when it will happen again.

Some of the reason for the rarity of the feat obviously has to do with the fact the statistic as a statistic hasn’t even been around that long. The concept of a triple-double and quadruple-double only goes back to about 1980. Supposedly either former Los Angeles Lakers public relations director Bruce Jolesch or Philadelphia 76ers media relations director of the time Harvey Pollack coined the phrase “triple-double” and the stat was born.

The fact blocks weren’t even noted as a stat for much of the early years of the NBA does tend to lend credence to many people’s view that if they had been recorded quadruple-doubles probably would have been far less rare than they are. Wilt Chamberlain probably recorded quite a number of them in his career.

One notable triple-double Wilt had is actually known as the NBA’s only Double-Triple-Double, where Wilt tallied 25 points, 22 rebounds, and 21 assists in a game against the Detroit Pistons on February 2, 1968. Considering many notable media personalities have stated Wilt frequently had 20 or more blocks in a game, it’s conceivable he actually recorded the game’s only Double-Quadruple-Double that night.

Speaking of triple-doubles, one of the rarest of occurrences in the NBA is having two teammates record triple-doubles in the same game. It’s not the Mt. Everest as the quadruple-double is only because it’s not an accomplishment by a single player.

However, it’s only happened twice in the history of the NBA, with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls doing it first on January 13, 1989 in a game against the lowly Los Angeles Clippers (Jordan recorded 41 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, while Pippen had 15 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds).

The second time happened on April 7, 2007, as basketball fans witnessed teammates Vince Carter and Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets make history. Carter had 46 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Kidd had 10 points, 16 rebounds, and 18 assists.

Both of those games were amazing to watch, and bring me to the point of this article. Are we about to see history being made over and over again by this Miami Heat South Beach Superteam composed of the “Three Kings”?

I truly believe Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are almost certain to be the next pair of teammates to notch a triple-double in the same game. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they do it multiple times over the next five years.

Furthermore, one or both of them are almost certain to record a quadruple-double in that span as well, which will make their feats even more incredible.

Finally, I will be the first to put it out there that I believe LeBron James will be the first player in the history of the NBA to record a quintuple-double.

Yes, that’s right, I said it, I believe LeBron James will have a night where he reaches double digits in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots.

So, beyond the fact I believe the Miami Heat as a team will shatter every team record imaginable, I also believe King James will cement himself in immortality by becoming the first player to ever do the unthinkable.

Quintuple-Double is going to be a word that becomes synonymous with LeBron James in the future. You won’t be able to say one without thinking the other.

Are you ready for that, NBA fans?

I believe the Miami Heat, with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and company are the greatest roster ever assembled in sports history, by any sports franchise.

The depth and greatness of their talent, almost all of it in its prime, is something we simply haven’t seen in any sport. There have been teams that have come close, but I think Miami’s takes that honor.

I further believe this coming year is just the start of a dynasty that will, when it’s over and done with, be considered the greatest in all of sports history (yes, yes, I’m fully aware of the many great dynasties in sports we’ve seen in the past).

However, in order to play the devil’s advocate, so to speak, I’ll break down the three biggest obstacles in the Miami Heat’s way of reaching immortality. I’ll describe the three roadblocks that could prevent them from both winning a title, and fulfilling their destiny, shall we say.

The first, of course, would be the fact that whoever they play in the NBA Finals will be an incredibly talented, playoff-tested team that should never be taken lightly.

Most experts would agree that team is likely to be the defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers, but that is never a given. I believe it’s just as likely to be another franchise as the Lakers, as I am of the opinion the Lakers are going to find it hard to live up to the expectations they face.

First, Kobe Bryant’s index finger on his shooting hand is a major concern that the Lakers faithful have ignored, and continue to ignore, as if sticking their heads in the sand will alleviate the problem.

I have the feeling Bryant’s numbers are going to take a dramatic dive this coming season as he finds it harder and harder to do what is the most basic thing that needs to be done in the game, put the ball in the basket.

The arthritis he is suffering from in that index finger can’t be cured, as there is no cure for arthritis. The only hope for any Los Angeles fan is that Kobe can find a way to play through the pain he’ll undoubtedly suffer from it.

He’ll surely have treatment to help, but nothing short of doping himself up with opiates is going to fully alleviate the pain, and that pain is something I believe will make his season look more like his Game 7 performance against the Boston Celtics than the MVP-caliber play Los Angeles fans are expecting.

Simply put, as Kobe goes, so go the Lakers, and I feel he’ll go downhill this coming year, dragging the Los Angeles club with him.

Yet, if he proves me wrong, and the Lakers do find their way back to the Finals, despite my belief Miami would still prevail over them, even I must admit that the Heat would be facing a formidable foe who should be prepared for with diligence.

And if Miami were to face another squad such as the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trailblazers, Denver Nuggets, or even the young Oklahoma City Thunder, they would do well to guard against being overconfident even if they did come into the Finals as the overwhelming favorite.

Anytime you face a team in the Finals of any sport, whether it’s the NBA Finals, the World Series, the Super Bowl, or the Stanley Cup Championship, you’d be a fool to think you have the series sewn up, even if you’re far more talented than the other team.

All one would have to do is look at South Florida sports history to know that. Who in their right minds (other than Florida fans such as myself) believed the Marlins would do what they did in 2003 against the vaunted New York Yankees?

No one.

In the same way, even if the Miami Heat were to enter the 2011 NBA Finals as the prohibitive favorite over say…the Utah Jazz, who had gotten into the Finals through what many thought was a slew of fortunate events (perhaps Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Tim Duncan all are seriously injured before the playoffs), anyone saying Miami was a lock to win it would be speaking out of the side of their neck in reality.

While it’s great to have bravado as a fan, and trash-talking is the inherent right of everyone who roots for a team, it doesn’t win you championships.

Remembering that would be a wise thing for every single Miami Heat player to do when (I know, I know, I’m supposed to say “if”) they reach the Finals.

Okay, that’s one thing that could derail the Miami Heat’s quest for immortality this coming year; the opposing team in a potential Miami Heat NBA Finals. So, what are the other two?

Well, the second would have to be the possible opposing teams in an Eastern Conference Finals.

There is no doubt that the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, and others in the East will be fielding (although that’s not really the correct term since basketball isn’t played on a field) rosters that will be nearly as formidable as the Los Angeles Lakers (at least on paper).

This, of course, means that the Miami Heat would do well not to underestimate any of these squads when they face them either. The NBA Finals aren’t the only place the Heat will have to be on guard against complacency. In fact, they’ll have to be vigilant against that the entire season, as they’ll undoubtedly be facing teams not nearly as talented as they are night in and night out.

If Eric Spoelstra is doing his job, Miami will be up for each one of those contests, and will be putting their foot on the throat of their opponents at all times, so to speak. They should dominate every team they face as if they were down by twenty, even if they’re up by twenty.

To me, that is the mark of a true champion, a team that destroys you so badly and continues to do so even when you’re thoroughly beaten. A team that never lets up. Some would call it overkill, but I just call it kill or be killed. How many times have you seen a team up by twenty with five minutes to go, only to watch them find a way to lose the game.

You don’t ease up on the throttle when you’re up by twenty, you push it to the floor and try and get up by forty. That is the mark of a champion, and it’ll be the way Miami will have to play throughout the season in order to truly instill fear into their opponents. For fear is what is going to win them quite a few games this year.

Just as Mike Tyson won many of his fights not because he was the most dominant boxer in the ring (although he was to a degree), but because nearly every fighter he faced stepped into the ring terrified of him from the beginning, the Miami Heat are going to need to shred their opponents early on in order to let the NBA and their opponents know that they are facing a team the likes of which they’ve never seen before.

Of course, such psychological tools will only take them so far, and they’ll still have to be careful and play their hardest once they face a team like the Boston Celtics or Orlando Magic in the post-season. If they do, I believe there’s no team in the East, no matter how great their roster appears on paper, who the Heat can’t overcome. Will they be a hurdle Miami will have to leap over to get to the Finals? Absolutely, and I won’t be stupid enough to say it’s guaranteed they’ll make that leap, but it’s a good bet.

Now we come to the third and final obstacle that Miami might face on their journey toward greatness. We come to the third and final roadblock that may stop the Heat in their tracks on their road to dynastic glory. Just what is it?

Injury!

Forget all the ludicrous talk that Miami won’t have enough balls for all their superstars. Forget all the idiocy that the chemistry just won’t be there for the Heat. Forget all the ridiculous drivel about how Miami is flawed in one way or another as a team (the trite argument that their frontcourt is lacking for example).

None of these things are anything any Miami Heat fan is thinking about for a moment, as they are fully confident they’re total BS and not worthy of any real concern.

However, injuries are a real and terrifying concern. Miami fans remember all too well what happened in 2007.

No matter how great Miami is or can be, no matter how fabulous the Heat play together, no matter how dominant they are as a team on the court, if injuries befall them, they can topple just as any great team ever assembled could.

Any and all sports fans know all too well that injuries can destroy the hopes of any franchise, no matter how talented. If the team has the greatest players on the planet on their roster, but is forced to play their “backups” instead because of injury, they’re not likely to win many titles, if any.

So, the final, and I believe the greatest obstacle Miami must face is staying healthy. They can certainly face and overcome an injury to one of their superstars, as long as it’s not a season-ending injury, or occurs in the playoffs. The other two, along with the rest of the team, are more than capable of picking up the slack and continuing to win.

However, if Miami were to face the dreaded prospect of a season-ending injury to any of their “Three Kings”, or even an injury to one of them during the post-season that prevented them from playing significantly in crucial games, then all bets are off in terms of them winning a title.

Of course, that’s simply the nature of the game, and of life. You can’t avoid all risk of injury. The only way to do that is to not play. So, the best Miami can do is hope Lady Luck, Fortune, or whatever you want to call it, smiles down upon them.

It did for the Chicago Bulls of the 90s. It did for the Los Angeles Lakers and Celtics of the 80s. It certainly did for Boston during the 60s, so there’s no reason to believe it can’t happen for Miami this coming decade.

Yet, if providence has another future laid out for Miami and its fans, it’ll just have to be dealt with.

Miami has everything going for it, and in my belief will be looked back upon in a decade as the greatest sports franchise in history, but those three obstacles laid out above could prevent that from happening.

Are any of them likely in my opinion? No. Thank God for that.