Physical Gifts of NBA Players

Jersey Generals · Post #1 » by **Jersey Generals** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:58 pm

I was thinking that, if Garnett did retire, would we ever see the type of physical specimen that he is in the NBA ever again: a giant of a man as long as the day, who moves as fluid as a guard. But because I didn't know of a thread that would warrant the discussion, I've decided to open up this thread to discuss other "freaks" of nature like Garnett.

Characteristics to consider:

Height, length, speed, agility, strength, and vertical/jumping.

I can think of Shaq for one, 7"7' wingspan, 7'1 barefoot, the most athletic big man in the league during his early prime, could run and jump while still being the strongest on the court. Just a behemoth. People talk about Lebron James being a freak, but he's not really as long as these other guys are, so his gifts are more "limited" to being fast, strong, and agile, with the ability to jump out of the gym.

On a side note, where do you list Garnett's passing abilities in regards to big men of the past 15 years?

My top three would be: 1) Chris Webber, 2) Kevin Garnett, 3) Vlade Divac

therealbig3 · Post #2 » by **therealbig3** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:54 pm

Kevin Durant possibly. LeBron James is DEFINITELY in this discussion imo, because yeah, he's not as long, but Garnett isn't that strong.

David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon, the kind of grace they had at 7 feet tall was kind of ridiculous. Agreed with Shaq. Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell too. From what I've seen and read about Russell, he was basically a superior version of KG/Hakeem on defense, being able to defend guards on switches very effectively.

T-Mac too, I think he was more of a freak than KG. He was 2 inches shorter, but had the coordination and agility to play like a PG. Long as hell too, similar to Durant actually.

Agreed with your list of passing big men too...would probably include Shaq and Duncan as honorable mentions. Sabonis too for sure.

vincecarter4pres · Post #3 » by **vincecarter4pres** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:12 am

Anthony Davis has a good chance at being on this list when we look back in 5+ years.

624 · Post #4 » by **624** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:20 am

Shaq with a 7'7 standing reach? Damn, he must have tiny arms.

Jersey Generals · Post #5 » by **Jersey Generals** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 3:03 am

Ah, David Robinson for sure, good call on that one. Not as agile as perhaps KG is, but faster in a straight sprint with great body control and good lift. I wish I knew his length measurables.

Thing about Anthony Davis, and he sure will be a great player regardless, but his measures (in all honesty) aren't that splendid. They're good, don't get me wrong, but they're not on the scale of a KG/Shaq/Robinson freak level. Do you disagree?

Shaq doesn't have arms, 624. He has hands on the tops of his shoulders, didn't you know that? (Totally meant wingspan, I've since fixed it)

xam2k7 · Post #6 » by **xam2k7** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:33 am

Perry Jones III combine results are just mind boggling. 6'11.25" 235 with 4.6% bf 7'2'' wingspan and a 39'' max vert?? the guy is practically 7' and plays like a SG/SF and is well on his way to being considered a freak. Dude can touch 12'2''.

vincecarter4pres · Post #7 » by **vincecarter4pres** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:37 am

Perry Jones is passive garbage.

Born_Ready · Post #8 » by **Born_Ready** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:40 pm

I vote for Blake Griffin. His athleticism is astronomical. However that is all he relies on. He's somewhat one dimensional.

If he could some how develop better ball handling techniques and jumper he would be stupid nasty imo.

624 · Post #9 » by **624** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 3:12 pm

beast m0de wrote:I vote for Blake Griffin. His athleticism is astronomical. However that is all he relies on. He's somewhat one dimensional.

If he could some how develop better ball handling techniques and jumper he would be stupid nasty imo.

Blake's already a good ball handler.

Stone · Post #10 » by **Stone** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 3:54 pm

Dennis Rodman deserves mention.......

NetSymptom · Post #11 » by **NetSymptom** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:04 pm

I think Spud Webb being able to do what he did makes him one of the biggest freaks in NBA history.

Vertical was absolutely ridiculous.

SteveNets15 · Post #12 » by **SteveNets15** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:19 pm

VC!!!!!!!!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMrPjl-927Q[/youtube]

SteveNets15 · Post #13 » by **SteveNets15** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:28 pm

One more vid incase ppl forgot about this freak LMAO. How many players can say they dunked on Robinson,Duncan,Wallace,Mourning and Mutombo!!!!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1O1ZXAFrc8[/youtube]

therealbig3 · Post #14 » by **therealbig3** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:07 pm

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKVqpXl3M18[/youtube]

Again, David Robinson was 7 feet tall and he moved like that...

MalReyn · Post #15 » by **MalReyn** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 5:52 pm

The only current big man with a physical profile close to Hakeem/Robinson/Shaq/Garnett (and to a lesser extent Ewing and Mourning, who were both very impressive in their own right.... especially Ewing pre-injuries) is Dwight Howard. But Dwight, for all his immense production on the court, lacks the skillset of ANY of those players.

We've been waiting a long time for the next super-skilled and super-athletic big man. A lot of people thought it might be Oden, and we all know how that turned out.

Jersey Generals · Post #16 » by **Jersey Generals** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:20 pm

Just watch that David Robinson video, look at how he runs like a gazelle and the body control that he has. Unbelievable.