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2011/2012 Derrick Rose or current Russell Westbrook in terms of athletic ability

Keep things in mind such as

1. Speed/Acceleration from basket to basket

2. Vertical Explosiveness

3. Quickness

4. Strength

Note: Don't include durability. This is on pure athleticism and durability is an obvious choice.

Rose in my opinion.

Really tough to say. Rose has the better speed/acceleration and quickness IMO. Vertical explosiveness... maybe Westbrook gets that, but really really close, and strength goes to Westbrook.

So I would say Rose but it is really really close.


Also, I think that body control classifies in athleticism too. I have zero doubts that Rose has the better body control

I'm a homer, but went Westbrook. It's close, but I take Russ's exposiveness and strength.

Rose is better at every category IMO, he's just so much smoother so it looks much easier when he does his moves.

Speed and quickness goes to Rose. Westbrook, I think is a stronger player.

Vertical leap/explosiveness I'm not sure.

The was in subject question is depressing. I really hope rose comes back full strength (although I find it interesting how many people in the media just assume he will when projecting how the bulls will do next season). Rose was definitely a freak, but I think when you add in westbrook's brute strength at the rim, I might give him the slight edge.

Clyde Frazier wrote:The was in subject question is depressing. I really hope rose comes back full strength (although I find it interesting how many people in the media just assume he will when projecting how the bulls will do next season). Rose was definitely a freak, but I think when you add in westbrook's brute strength at the rim, I might give him the slight edge.

But Rose is stronger than him and Rose completely outclasses him at body control as well as changing speeds. Westbrook only plays at one speed while Rose cuts on the dime

Explosiveness - Westbrook
Speed - Even
Quickness - Rose
Strenght - Rose
Stamina - Westbrook.

Both supremely explosive, but Westbrook's strength and ability to absorb contact gives him the edge.

I honestly don't know how anyone could say either way.

Westbrook has always more athletic than Rose. It was the way Rose contorts his body in the air that the media fell in love with. Not to mention the ridiculous comparisons to Jordan in Rose's MVP season.

2thehoopand1 wrote:Westbrook has always more athletic than Rose. It was the way Rose contort his body in the air that the media fell in love with. Not to mention the ridiculous comparisons to Jordan in Rose's MVP season.

I completely agree. Westbrook beats him out in all/most athletic categories from what I've seen. The only thing I might add on is that Rose may have better body control as imo he can weave through most people in traffic.

2thehoopand1 wrote:Westbrook has always more athletic than Rose. It was the way Rose contorts his body in the air that the media fell in love with. Not to mention the ridiculous comparisons to Jordan in Rose's MVP season.

I agree, Rose's contortions are incredible. He has better body control but IMO I think Westbrook is more explosive, quicker and has a slightly higher leap.

I've seen Rose explode but not like this:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnBI_6xsovE[/youtube]


[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgpfylEYeWI[/youtube]



Again, Rose has a pretty nasty explosion but definitely not bigger/quicker than Westbrook's.

Honestly, I've always felt that Westbrook is slightly more athletic (more explosive and stronger, while Rose has better body control and is more agile, but overall I'd say Russ gets a tiny edge athletically), and Rose a bit smarter and more skilled, more in control/better feel for the game. Slightly better shooter, too.

Also, Westbrook has that ferocity, almost animal force and rage, while Rose was more emotionally subdued, a bit less aggressive (at least in terms of his appearance/body language), so it might give an impression that he's more of an athletic force, but that could really be just as simple as the fact that Rose is an introvert, Westbrok an extrovert.

Westbrook is stronger and more explosive. DRose is faster, jumps much higher, and is much more agile

CaliBullsFan wrote:Westbrook is stronger and more explosive. DRose is faster, jumps much higher, and is much more agile

I disagree, Westbrook looks like has the better vert.

Not sure really.
From what I remember W-Brook impressed me significantly more as an overall athlete especially in terms of his explosiveness.
Then again I have never watched much of Rose. I have watched him but I have watched 10x more W-Brook.

I don't get why people obsess over who is more athletic though.
I have seen this thread so many times.

Anyway for those who really care I will give a stolid answer.
W-Brook is clearly the better athlete. He is bigger, stronger, more explosive and his speed & vert are at worst comparable to Derrick's. Any minor edge Rose might have in terms of body contortion etc... isn't enough to offset that.

In what world is Rose stronger than WB?

Sign5 wrote:

2thehoopand1 wrote:Westbrook has always more athletic than Rose. It was the way Rose contorts his body in the air that the media fell in love with. Not to mention the ridiculous comparisons to Jordan in Rose's MVP season.

I agree, Rose's contortions are incredible. He has better body control but IMO I think Westbrook is more explosive, quicker and has a slightly higher leap.

I've seen Rose explode but not like this:

Spoiler:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnBI_6xsovE[/youtube]


[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgpfylEYeWI[/youtube]

Again, Rose has a pretty nasty explosion but definitely not bigger/quicker than Westbrook's.

I don't think those are more explosive than these:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpMX19IY8WY[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLGuFi0Qiwg[/youtube]

The one thing Westbrook has over Rose is that he can palm the ball better, so it might be easier for him to do those one handed dunks.