Best first step in nba history?

falcolombardi · Post #1 » by **falcolombardi** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 3:03 am

If we define first step more loosely as the ability to explode with the ball the furthest possible distance to gain separation which players were able to do this the best?

Who has the best ability ever to leave opponents behind in a drive, overall or relative to position (a quick first step in a big wing ball bandler is more lethal than in a small guard)?

Has anyone ever tried to measure this somehow?

LukaTheGOAT · Post #2 » by **LukaTheGOAT** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 5:46 am

Based off my eye and people's words...
Michael Jordan, Wade, Derrick Rose, Jordan McLaughlin, John Wall, Allen Iverson, Younger DeAarom Fox before he put on muscle, Younger Zach Lavine before he put on muscle

frica · Post #3 » by **frica** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 6:54 am

Don't forget young Carmelo Anthony.

Fun fact, thanks to that first step he had more dunks in 2006 and 2007 than Lebron ever had in a season. In 2007 he did it at a higher rate too.

Post #4 » by **tsherkin** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 9:21 am

frica wrote:Don't forget young Carmelo Anthony.

Fun fact, thanks to that first step he had more dunks in 2006 and 2007 than Lebron ever had in a season. In 2007 he did it at a higher rate too.

Well, that and playing on the 2nd-fastest team in the league both years.

PhiEaglesfan712 · Post #5 » by **PhiEaglesfan712** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 10:48 am

For me, it was Magic Johnson 1979-1980 season.

70sFan · Post #6 » by **70sFan** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 11:01 am

Worthy had insanely quick first step for his size.

Post #7 » by **penbeast0** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 2:00 pm

Answer to any quickness question . . . Muggsy Bogues. That's how you play in the NBA with the body of a 5th grader.

Rich Michmond · Post #8 » by **Rich Michmond** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 3:12 pm

Leandro Barbosa was lightning-quick. Probably not the best ever but I want to give him a shout.

Frosty · Post #9 » by **Frosty** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 4:01 pm

70sFan wrote:Worthy had insanely quick first step for his size.

First guy I thought of

DNice68 · Post #10 » by **DNice68** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 4:14 pm

D Rose, Iverson, Jordan, David Thompson, Walt Davis, Marques Johnson, Andrew Toney, Worthy, Melo!

Im Your Father · Post #11 » by **Im Your Father** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 4:32 pm

MJ, Wade.

Grant Hill had an elite one.

Not GOAT, but pre Miami Lebron had an excellent one. It’s been a good 12 years since he lost it though.

LAL1947 · Post #12 » by **LAL1947** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 4:59 pm

Not even a mention for Kobe?

That's fine though... cos if he didn't have as good a first step as those mentioned in here and still managed to score more points than all but MJ... then the logical conclusion from connecting the dots must be that his skill level was off the charts and higher than all the others mentioned here.

Peregrine01 · Post #13 » by **Peregrine01** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 5:08 pm

Young Jordan. I never saw guys just teleport past guys off one step like him. He was like a slithering cat. Other guys might be faster end to end or accelerate better after a few steps.

CharityStripe34 · Post #14 » by **CharityStripe34** » Thu Jul 14, 2022 6:13 pm

David Thompson before the nose candy.