Best athlete out of these guys in their prime?

[Kabookalu]

I'll probably go with Ben Wallace too but where is everyone getting this idea that he could defend Shaq? Shaq tore him up every time they met, but the Pistons did a good job of denying Shaq the ball with their perimeter defense. Rasheed was much better at guarding him just on virtue of having the mass and size for it, but he struggled with it too. The only time off the top of my head that Ben had the better of Shaq was this block:

[dhsilv2]

It's wallace or iggy. I went iggy but I could go either way.

[jrask]

I voted Iggy, but Ben was no joke

[In SVG We Trust]

I think Leonard is the most athletic as a basketball player. Being athletic to your own sport doesn't mean what you guys think.

[Mogspan]

What argument does Iggy have over The Klaw? If he were as athletic, he would have been able to earn a couple DPOYs. His athleticism wasn't good enough to be awarded even one (or earn more than one All-Star selection).

Ben Wallace is the correct answer. He will be in the Hall of Fame with no shooting or passing talent whatsoever, and strength is the most important athletic quality.

[PKABOOICU]

Iguodala for sure. People forget he came into the league as a high flying dunker on the 6ers. I would follow that with Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace.

[DoubleLintendre]

Iggy then Wallace. Prime Iggy was ridiculously athletic-- part of why he's aged so well without a jumpshot (the other part is IQ).

Just noticed poll says Rasheed Wallace. If that's the case I'd say George is second. Also Artest is underrated as an athlete because of his vert. He had terrific movement for a guy so chunky.

[Kabookalu]

Watch on YouTube

This will always be my favorite dunk from Iggy. The explosion, the body control, the power, just an amazing athlete. He never aspired to be the main franchise player like some of his high flying peers of that era, though if he wanted to he could have.

I pick Ben Wallace though because he has that Zion like explosive vertical. In general I think vertical is highly overrated in basketball, but there's a certain threshold where it becomes truly special, and Ben was in that rare company. He got up so fast and so high up when he went for blocks, and he had amazing hangtime it looked like he was gliding. I remember watching this game, and I couldn't believe Ben managed to block this shot:

Watch on YouTube

This video doesn't do the play justice because it's slowed down. In real time it's amazing how fast Ben can get off the ground without a running start.

[The_Hater]

My first reaction was Iggy. He was elite. Sheed was underrated though.

And Artest would definitely rank last. Not even close on that part.

[I_Like_Dirt]

My first reaction was Iggy. He was elite. Sheed was underrated though.

And Artest would definitely rank last. Not even close on that part.

I think Iggy was the flashiest athlete but I don't think he's the best. My first reaction was Ben and I stand by that. Artest was definitely last, though. Iggy was a better leaper than the other wings but I'm not so sure he was necessarily more athletic than Kawhi or George. And Sheed was a really underrated athlete, too. After Ben, it's a bit of a mess.

[NY 567]

Iggy fairly easily.

[3toheadmelo]

Watch on YouTube

[mplsfonz23]

Not to b a jerk, but was there a point to this list? Draft position related? Under the radar guys who blossomed?
Just wondering.

[Lalouie]

i don't view these guys as athletic, not in the relative sense within the game of basketball nor the pure sense.
however if i had to choose one to play football, which is strength and speed, i'd pick iggy

[macNcheese3]

Easily, Iggy. I didn’t have to think twice.

[IgorK]

would you say he's lebron lite

No. LeBron is in another tier.. the LeBron/DRose/Westbrook tier, where basically all the 2K attributes are 99. Iggy's speed and lateral quickness weren't quite 99.

Howbout Kobe vs Igg

#8 Kobe was a great athlete, but not as naturally-blessed as Iggy. This is part of what impresses me about Kobe - he undeniably outworked 99.99% of his peers in the league. Earned everything.

[EasternHeretic]

i don't view these guys as athletic, not in the relative sense within the game of basketball nor the pure sense.
however if i had to choose one to play football, which is strength and speed, i'd pick iggy

Not athletic? as in they're just your average athletes?

[Lalouie]

i don't view these guys as athletic, not in the relative sense within the game of basketball nor the pure sense.
however if i had to choose one to play football, which is strength and speed, i'd pick iggy

Not athletic? as in they're just your average athletes?

i did say "relative" did i not? as in relative to other basketball players

[EasternHeretic]

i don't view these guys as athletic, not in the relative sense within the game of basketball nor the pure sense.
however if i had to choose one to play football, which is strength and speed, i'd pick iggy

Not athletic? as in they're just your average athletes?

i did say "relative" did i not? as in relative to other basketball players

Yes, as in just average NBA athletes? and average pure atheles?

[gorz]

I voted Ben. For reasons above. Iggy was a good leaper but not necessarily a great athlete.