Top 5 Athletes In The NBA
Dwight Howard (photo. Mannion)
You hear people always say that NBA players are the best athletes in the world. While that claim is certainly debatable, you can’t argue with the fact that the NBA does have some pretty ridiculous athletes. The game has evolved so much in the past couple of decades and it seems like players keep getting faster, stronger and are jumping higher. Their athleticism has gotten so out of hand that an off-the-bounce, between-the-legs cram in a dunk contest is now the equivalent as a double-pump jam.
And it’s not just guys that have been in slam dunk contests. Back when Earl Boykins was a Clipper eight seasons ago, the 5-5, 130 pound guard reportedly could bench 300 pounds and even dunk the ball. With all these crazy athletes in the League made me wonder: Who are the best athletes in the NBA right now? And by best athletes, we’re talking about the most explosive, naturally gifted and naturally built players. Basically, freaks of nature.
1. LeBron James: Do we even have to explain this one? I’m not sure the NBA has ever had somebody as physically gifted as LeBron. At 6-8 and 260 pounds of pure muscle, James is one of the most physically imposing players in the game, yet has the coordination and grace of a point guard. He is also one of the most explosive players the game has ever seen. A lot of times when he dunks in transition, it seems like his eyes are at rim level. Plus, his strength is incredible. Even when he is matched up with NBA starting small forwards, it still looks like he’s an eighth grader playing with a bunch of fifth graders. With his size, speed, strength and coordination, he could jump into the NFL tomorrow and play anything from a quarterback to a running back to a defensive end.
2. Dwight Howard: Dwight Howard is as close to a video game character as you can get. How many seven-footers can you name that have 40-inch verticals? In the 2007 dunk contest, he slapped a sticker the backboard at 12’8″ while catching an alley-oop and dunking it. In the next year’s contest, he put on a cape and literally jumped so high, that he threw the ball down the rim. Looking at his physique, you can tell how strong he is. The rumor mill around the web says Superman can bench press 365 pounds.
3. Josh Smith: The way J-Smoove can explode off of one foot has me convinced that he could be an Olympic long jumper. And the way he can catch and dunk any alley-oop pass makes me believe that he would make an incredible wide receiver. The combination of his freakish hops and his 6-9 and 240 pound frame, makes it almost impossible for opposing players to stop him at the rim. And if you are a small guard, you better have one hell of a teardrop shot when you play Josh or else he’ll just reject it every time.
4. Nate Robinson: Everybody who saw Robinson in last year’s dunk contest, knows how much of an athletic freak he is. Nate’s athleticism makes Spud Webb look like Big Country Reeves. Spud was scrawny, 5-7, 133 pounds when he played, while Robinson is built like a Tonka truck at 5-9 and 180 pounds. Outside of being able to dunk the basketball every which way (he has a 44-inch vertical), Robinson has the versatility and skill to do other things. As a track athlete in high school, he broke the Washington state record in the 110-meter hurdles. Like his father, Robinson also played college football. He was the starting cornerback for the Washington Huskies his freshman year.
5. Shannon Brown: Kobe Bryant has stated that Brown has “go-go gadget calves” and you can see why. Ever since he’s been a Laker, Brown has provided the basketball world with high-flying dunks almost nightly. He is fearless going to the rim, and as Mikki Moore can tell you, he’s not afraid to dunk on guy’s bigger than him. He has a reported 45-inch vertical. His solid build allows him to match up with any two-guard in the league.
Honorable Mention: Andre Iguodala, Will Bynum, Derrick Rose, Amar’e Stoudemire and Blake Griffin.
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January 13th, 2010 at 9:36 am
KnicksFan84 says:
You know you forgot to mention: Eddy Curry. That dude is so athletic when eating twinkies!
January 13th, 2010 at 9:42 am
mules says:
Oh brother…here comes the “NBA players would get killed in the NFL” argument.
I’d also include Baron Davis & Jason Richardson on this list.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Detroit Dave says:
Please tell me what in the world has LeBron James done to make you believe that he can plan “any” position from Quarterback to Running back to Defensive End? Let the d!ck riding begin.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:44 am
mules says:
Westbrook and Gerald Wallace too.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Heckler says:
Are these really the 5 best ATHLETES…or just the top 5 DUNKERS?!!?
January 13th, 2010 at 9:57 am
JD says:
Shawn Kemp during his prime woulda been at the top of that era
January 13th, 2010 at 9:59 am
freddie's roach says:
i know he’s more injury-prone than the ones the list but D-Wade has to be in there somewhere.
at his peak: shawn kemp. would have been nice to see him and amare go at it.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:02 am
¢ says:
i also nominate Rodney Carney (kid is super quick and has crazy hops)
and ty lawson (a straight up blur)
January 13th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Dagomar says:
Detroit Dave: he was a hell of a football player in high school; there’s no doubt in my mind that he could have had a successful NFL career.
This list made me think of all the hyper-athletic players who have been injured in recent years and lost their athleticism. Oden, Carter, Amare . . . the list goes on, and hopefully won’t include Blake Griffin. Sad, though. At least one part of being really athletic in the NBA has to include durability. To me what’s most impressive about Lebron, Howard or Smith – perhaps especially Lebron considering the minutes he’s played – is their durability.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Dime Magazine says:
This is Gerald
Yeah Kemp in his prime would definitely hold his own with anybody I listed. So would a young Vince.
Heckler has a good point. All the guys I listed are great dunkers. But on top of those guys being explosive, they also have big, strong frames. That’s why I didn’t pick a Jamario Moon
But are there super athletes that aren’t necessarily very explosive jumpers? Like ¢ says a Ty Lawson? Or maybe a Rondo?
January 13th, 2010 at 10:20 am
justice says:
Young Allen Iverson, Eric Gordon
January 13th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Steven C says:
Two words: Rajon Rondo. He’s the fastest player in the league, has freakishly big hands that he’s quick to use, is a point guard that can dunk, and did I mention the athletic feat of being the fastest player in the league?
January 13th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Detroit Dave says:
@ Dagomer, yeah I know he played High School football and he was damn good too. I think he was All State. But considering that even when he was 16 years old he had the Body of an adult and that most High School teams and have DB’s that don’t weigh over 150lbs I wasn’t that impressed. My argument is that yes I do agree that he is a top 5 athlete but I a lot people say that he can just convert on to the football field. I say hell no.
Like in the Article when they brag about Dwight Howard being able to bench press 365lbs pounds. It is a great feat. I can’t bench 365lb at all but I’m pretty sure you can go to any Bally’s, Lifetime Fitness or any gym and find atleast 1 guy that can do that. Their is a major strength difference from basketball and football. Just take the combine for example. NFL combines you have to rep 225lbs. In the NBA its only 185lbs. In the NBA there are guys that admittedly do not lift weights at all (Rasheed Wallace). I think you would be hard pressed to find these type of findings in the NBA. LeBron is a pure savage beast but I wouldn’t it be cool to see him compete in an obstacle course against someone with comparable size. (Antonio Gates, Vernon Davis, young Tony Gonzalez) Too bad that would never happen.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:26 am
mules says:
on Lebron in the NFL…would they just give him the football at the 50 yard line and run an iso?
January 13th, 2010 at 10:35 am
youdontknow says:
what about a guy like Richard Hamilton?
January 13th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Drink the Haterade says:
You missed Gerald Wallace. That guy is avg 11.5 rpg. As a small foward and dude is ripped.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:48 am
AdvancedMind says:
@ 8
You must actually be Ty Lawson himself, cause who says Ty Lawson when talking about athletic ability?
Westbrook and Rose should be up on that list… Rose at 6’3 is faster then the chubby Lawson.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:52 am
AdvancedMind says:
Lebron isnt doing shit in the NFL, but if he did by chance make it in the endzone im sure he would have had alot of bafoonery dance’s lined up to help make him look like a complete idiot.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Kseuss says:
Lebron has great size and with time would be able to play foot ball, but only tight end, wide out, or defensive end. He’s too tall to be a running back, he would eff up his knees, and you can’t simply jump into playing corner back. Athleticism is the combination of strength, speed, power, and explosiveness that makes what they do appear as though they didn’t have to put alot of work into their craft. It simply came to them as a result of being physically able. I think those 5 represent those things.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:58 am
CincyBaller says:
@13
Those dudes at the gym who can bench more than 375lb arent 7′ tall with a wingspan of a large building either. Its much easier to get that much weight up if you have the arms of a 5’8 guy because you have to go a much shorter distance to get it up. Dwight is a straight up Monster.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:59 am
clay says:
a young brian scalabrine is also up there
January 13th, 2010 at 11:09 am
mules says:
@clay,
Yeah, Scal was a freakishly athletic toddler
January 13th, 2010 at 11:12 am
KanDman says:
Wasn’t there a rumor about Rajon challenging Usain Bolt? Anpther speedster would be Leandro Barbosa. What kind of sprinters would Rajon or Barbosa be?”
January 13th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Dime Magazine says:
@ clay
haha. Yeah I don’t know how I failed to mention Scalabrin. But the funny thing is, in HS, he was probably a beat and dunking on everybody.
When I was in HS in Utah, Britton Johnson was a huge deal. He was crossing people up and dunking on everybody. He even made the McDonalds game. But when he made the NBA, I didn’t see him go around anybody.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:21 am
GABRIEL BROGDEN says:
Wade’s a top athlete, in my opinion.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Randomized says:
Wouldnt you have to be coordnated and strong to be consitered a good athelete? That rules out Rondo, if you are the worst shooter in the nba, you really cant be that coordnated. He is also not that strong at all, even for a point guard. Can guys like AI even bench 185lbs?
January 13th, 2010 at 11:26 am
AdvancedMind says:
lol @ Barbosa, i mean he has to be fast cause ESPN says so..
T.J Ford is actually fast for real, not just because somebody gave him nick name like “THE BLURR” either.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Chicagorilla says:
Although Lebron is the greatest basketball athlete I’ve ever seen on any level, there are NFL guys who are even greater. Adrian Wilson could mach Lebrons athletic ability. Juluis Peppers and “Super” Mario Williams are both 6’7 285lbs +, and have 40inch verts and run a 4.4 40. They are on Lebrons level or higher. I personally think Julius Peppers would have been a phenominal NBA player in the mold of Charles Barkley/Larry Johnson.
As for top 5, Josh Smith has fallen to the 2nd tier level of Athletes. He can jump, but not the 40inch jumps anymore, and he was never fast like LBJ or Iggy.
top 5 in order
#1, Lebron, no one is close, probably top 10 in the world
#2, Nate Robinson- freak leaper and sub 4.4 40sec, basically a 5’9 version of Lebron but can move laterally
#3, Derrick Rose- strong, fast, freaky hops, and has the most amazing body control you will ever see
#4, Russ Westbrook- Strength, speed, hops, and laterally speed
#5, Shannon Brown – pretty much a 6’4 version of Lebron as far as speed and hops, very strong too, lacks the laterall quickness of the guys above him
honorable mention: Mike Taylor, D-Wade, James White, Rodney Carney, Andre Iguadola, Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, Tyrus Thomas, Gerald Wallace,
January 13th, 2010 at 11:36 am
srb says:
This argument gets so convoluted because of the slight differences between athletic/athlete/in shape
As much as I hate the Lebron love, he just amazes me how fast he is even at that size. The long strides help, but his top speed has to be one of the best in the league and he hits that on his second step.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:43 am
yoda says:
shaq in early days. strong yet fast.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Chicagorilla says:
@srb, I agree, watching what he does on fast breaks when he doesn’t have the ball is out of this world. I think it actually hurts his game to be so athletic. He doesn’t have to have a high IQ because his athleticism makes up for a lot of his mental mistakes. Until just recently (2010) he had no post game. Now i see him posting up more and using his great passing ability, size, and hops to create easier/smarter shots for himself and his team. If he ever truely learns the game of basketball, he’d be unstoppable for the next 10 years.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Dime Magazine says:
@ Chicagorilla
Great call on James White! Too bad he’s not in the league, but I hear he can couch the top of the backboard. But no Dwight on you top 5?? I think his athleticism would be impressive even if he was a guard.
BTW are you from the Chi? If so, remember Paul McPherson, now he was an incredible athlete!
January 13th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Name (required) says:
What about Monta Ellis, doing everything offensively for the warriors while clocking up huge minutes and showing no sign of fatigue. Remember, marathon runners are athletes as well as sprinters.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:53 am
AdvancedMind says:
@ DIME MAG
Paul was athletic but the most athletic dude i ever seen from Chicago was Ronnie Feilds. Go check his highlights out, 48 inch vert and could dribble and shoot. Actually played with KG on his highschool team and in my opinion was the better player.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Chicagorilla says:
@DIME,
Yeah I’m here in the Chi and hell yes I remember Paul McPherson. It might be on youtube, but he caught David Robinson in a pre-season game on a nasty head@the rim tip-dunk. Paul used to dominate the pro-am tournaments up here. Strong as an Ox, and had the hops to throw down on your 7fter.
The reason Dwight doesnt’ make my top 5 is because he lacks the speed or quickness those other guys show. Dwight is top 10 for sure, probably #6. Since he lost weight he has shown more hops, but less strength. Still a monster though. 12’8 is crazy. And have you ever seen Dwight’s “Kiss the rim” dunk where he actually kisses the rim!?! Sick.
January 13th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Kevin says:
Lebron….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1-YcD5pQXQ
January 13th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
ShowKase says:
So the term “athlete” in this article just means big, strong guy? I think of athlete as someone who could play alot of sports well, not just basketball and football… Isnt Steve Nash supposed to be a beast at like every sport? And he’s older than all the dudes on your list and still ballin. What about J.R. Smith, D-Wade, and Kobe(cuz he is the best player in the league)?
Also, Dime, does LeBron make every top 5 list yall make? I know one list he wont make: The 5 Greatest Rappers of All-Time. Because we all know who’s on that list: Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, and Dylan.
January 13th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
b says:
aaron brooks and will bynum need some consideration here
January 13th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Chicagorilla says:
LMFAO@ showkase,
Dylan!!!!asdfl;kjasdlfkja sklafjdaklsjdflaksjdfasdjflasdjflkasasjdf
January 13th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Dime Magazine says:
This is Gerald
@ Chicagorilla
I never seen that tip dunk, but definitely believe it, he was amazing at Depaul. Is he still around playing the Pro Ams or anything else? Haven’t heard too much about him in the last few years
@ showcase
Come on! Even the biggest of LeBron haters would put him in the top 3 most athletic guys
As for defining what a great athlete is. I agree it can be kind of vague. Writing this article, I was thinking of guys who have big, strong bodies, but were explosive, fast, coordinated and had natural skill. I once asked Nate about his hops and he says he never did squads or use strength shoes before.
Steve Nash is a great athlete although he doesn’t dunk. Have you seen his soccer skills?? Then the person who talked about Monta was right too. He can run for days and is explosive as well. So I guess the term “athlete” can be vague
January 13th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
POPPI GEE says:
I think CP3 and Deron in terms of speed, strength and even jumpin ability.
Ron Ron came to my mind in terms of stronger than normal for his size.
January 13th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
POPPI GEE says:
@Showkase The top 5 rappers:
Dylan! LeBron! Humpback Jones, Grandaddy Souf and Plies.
LOL!
January 13th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
POPPI GEE says:
@Showkase The top 5 rappers:
Dylan! LeBron! Humpback Jones, Grandaddy Souf and Plies.
LOL!
January 13th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
POPPI GEE says:
@Showkase The top 5 rappers:
Dylan! LeBron! Humpback Jones, Grandaddy Souf and Plies.
LOL!
January 13th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@DIME,
I haven’t been to any of those Pro-am games in a few years. He was in that “King of the Court” tournament that I think Nike/Buger King used to hold yearly. MTV even did a documentry on it.
As for Nate not working on his legs, recently I was watching a youtube clip of “Air up there” and he was explaining how he doesn’t work on his legs because that builds muscle and makes his legs heavy, he works out on his “core” strength and that’s actually improving his jumping ability. It was in the video with him and Brittney Griner.
January 13th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
MSkittle says:
Maybe Rudy Gay?
January 13th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Chris says:
Ronnie Brewer is freakishly athletic, too.
January 13th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Soopa says:
Any love for Steve Nash? Coordination, quickness, footwork. I know its a different type of athlete, i think he is a freak of nature aswell. Plus we need a white dude in the list! lol
January 13th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@soopa, Nash is a good athlete but not freakish. He doens’t have the strength or speed the top guys have. Great coordination and body control though.
Chase Buddinger would be a good pick. Got speed, can jump out the gym (head to rim level), very coordinated, just not very strong. To me he is an special athlete. I forgot about him.
January 13th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
mules says:
^Joe Alexander could also be the token white dude
January 13th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Ian says:
jd
the admiral would be in the argument with kemp.
January 13th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Ian says:
cynic so howards weight doesnt help? its easier for a 5’8 150 lbs dude than howard??? yeah right
January 13th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Soopa says:
@49 Chicagorilla
True, he probably isnt a freak. A uniquie basketball talent tho, thats just not the discussion
How about Brent Barry back in the day? Had a free throw line dunk in the contest. Guess he goes under the Jamario Moon catagory of being too skinny. Someone with the nickname “Bones” cant really be on this list!
January 13th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
mules says:
how about Johnny Flynn?…crazy hops (just ask Mike Rosario), rediculous lateral quickness, good strength and speed, insane conditioning (played 67 minutes in the Syracuse/UConn 6OT game then came back and played 45 minutes the next night to knock off West Virginia)
January 13th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Don says:
Monta Ellis easily needed to be on this list. He may be the quickest guy in the league and his hang time is amazing. Watch some highlights and you’ll see an athlete.
January 13th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
foxsportswriter says:
@28 – I agree with your top 5. Good list.
January 13th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Jack J says:
Chase Budinger no question
January 13th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
sh!tfaced says:
What?! Another LeBron ass kissing post… lol
January 13th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
CoolReems says:
WHERE-TF! IS G-FORCE AKA gerald wallace?????aka CRASH???? at least honorable mention.
January 13th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
jay says:
penny in his prime was pretty sick to be honest before he got hurt..john wall in a year..he got some sick ups! i would even go ai in the late ’90s!
January 13th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
B Stance says:
Where is DERRICK ROSE???? he never gets any consideration, sometimes he is conservative with his athleticsm but when he uses it he is Top 5 in the league!!!
January 13th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Heckler says:
best athlete of all time is still….
….BO JACKSON!!
January 13th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Charles Kirk says:
One guy who I feel has very good athleticism is OJ Mayo. He isn’t as athletic as Derrick Rose or most of these guys that had honorable mentions. I don’t even think that he should be on the list. But the guy can jump with the best of them. Check out OJ Mayo on youtube and you will see a 41 inch vert in action.
January 13th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
dapro says:
I few freakish athletes a lil different than most of yall
I would say Nash is gifted athlete but not in the traditional sense
Old School has to be Hakeem, a 7ft that moved like a guard and also played soccer. Name another big that could do what he does,Dwight is an athlete but there a 7ft. that can do what he does. I’d say KG in his younger years was more freakishly athletic because he wasn’t in the weight room he was born with that lanky build but could do it all on the court
A freak athlete to me is naturally God given ability and talent. Adding muscle to a frame doesn’t strike me a freakishly athletic
January 13th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Charles Kirk says:
I don’t know if alot of people know this but Dwight Howard is actually a bit closer to being 6’9. With shoes on he’s about 6’10, 6’11.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
PatA says:
Someone asked where Shawn Kemp is?
Let’s hope he isn’t somewhere making more babies.
Shawn Kemp was my favorite player when he was at his peak.
January 14th, 2010 at 2:50 am
will says:
Shanon Bown, definetley has these dudes beat in the hops aspect!!! The dude is just shy of a four foot vert!!!
January 14th, 2010 at 9:22 am
charlie says:
STEVE NASH!
why athleticism only about jumping, Nash can play every sport and is the most coordinated dude in the league.
January 14th, 2010 at 10:21 am
weng santos says:
Barbosa for straight-up speed.
A young McDyess for the big man with the 40+ vertical.
Derrick Rose for speed and hops.
Nash for athletic body coordination. Not kidding. Speed and jumping ability is useless without core agility and proprioception.
January 15th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Solomon Lieberman says:
Gerald Wallace, Gerald Wallace, Gerald Wallace.
Why?
Because blocking the basketball is one of the hardest things to do in the League, especially when you are 6’7″. It takes speed, footwork, body control, flexibility, hand-eye, strength, vertical — everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWwybCeiQOc
January 17th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Diego says:
All this Nash stuff is utter nonsense. Okay, he is very well coordinated–but we are talking simply about physical athleticism–basically, stength (upper body and leg) and raw speed.
At the allstar game, Nash may participate in the SKILLS contest, but he is not exactly going to be in the dunk contest. And he wouldn’t put on much of a display in the weight room or at the track–other than likely in a very long distance event.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:19 am
georgej says:
If Howard is so athletic, how come he got pwned by pendergraph the other night? gerald wallace is a way better athlete.