Which Position is the most athletically gifted all time?

Heej · Post #1 » by **Heej** » Mon Jul 17, 2023 9:50 pm

Inspired by the interesting top 5 most athletic players per position topic. I'm wondering if PF actually has the most athletic freaks compared to all the other positions. Imo only center gives it the best run for its money.

Here's a lineup of some of the most athletic PFs I can think of off the top of my head. Which other position beats this concentration?

Zion
Giannis
Rodman
Barkley
Hawkins
Blake
Amare
KG
AD
Kemp
Nance Sr
Malone

Would low-key include Josh Smith from the Iso Joe era Hawks and Kevin McHale as freaks but that might be overdoing it

Which other position has a top 12ish list that deep in terms of raw athletic talent. Also I might be missing some guys as well in my list.

Post #2 » by **penbeast0** » Mon Jul 17, 2023 10:04 pm

If size doesn't matter, it's going to be the smallest guys on time easily. The gene pool for guys under 6'3 is so much larger than the gene pool for guys over 6'8 that it would almost have to be. If size does matter, PF in the modern game but for a long time, it was the place you put the dirty work guys and bangers so 20th century, it would probably be SF.

Heej · Post #3 » by **Heej** » Tue Jul 18, 2023 12:09 am

penbeast0 wrote:If size doesn't matter, it's going to be the smallest guys on time easily. The gene pool for guys under 6'3 is so much larger than the gene pool for guys over 6'8 that it would almost have to be. If size does matter, PF in the modern game but for a long time, it was the place you put the dirty work guys and bangers so 20th century, it would probably be SF.

Yea for sure was thinking about PGs just due to selection but I suppose height is a factor in this case. But you're absolutely right in that PG has pound for pound the most outlier talent due to the larger Gene pool

Eagle4 · Post #4 » by **Eagle4** » Tue Jul 18, 2023 12:50 am

MJ
Wade
Vince
Anthony Edwards
Kobe
Iverson
Tracy McGrady
Drexler

rk2023 · Post #5 » by **rk2023** » Tue Jul 18, 2023 12:54 am

I'd loop LeBron into the PF position when considering athletes /athleticism, though at his prime and elite 2-way days (09-16) - he was sort of this 'glitch in the matrix' combo forward whom excelled at either position. I see ways (primarily off and on-ball finishing) where he is similar in terms of functional athleticism to the 4s mentioned.

Post #6 » by **zimpy27** » Tue Jul 18, 2023 1:33 am

Eagle4 wrote:MJ
Wade
Vince
Anthony Edwards
Kobe
Iverson
Tracy McGrady
Drexler

Yeah SG is taking this one

rk2023 · Post #7 » by **rk2023** » Tue Jul 18, 2023 2:24 am

If Amen Thompson’s feel for his own shot creation develops, I could see him going down as the most functionally athletic point guard of all time.

Mogspan · Post #8 » by **Mogspan** » Thu Jul 20, 2023 2:27 am

Maybe, but only 4 championships in the history of the NBA have been won by teams whose clear-cut best players were power forwards: 1958 Hawks, 2008 Celtics, 2011 Mavericks, and the 2021 Bucks.

70sFan · Post #9 » by **70sFan** » Thu Jul 20, 2023 5:56 am

Mogspan wrote:Maybe, but only 4 championships in the history of the NBA have been won by teams whose clear-cut best players were power forwards: 1958 Hawks, 2008 Celtics, 2011 Mavericks, and the 2021 Bucks.

I think Schayes was clearly the best player on 1955 Nationals.

Post #10 » by **penbeast0** » Thu Jul 20, 2023 6:25 am

Although you could argue Wes Unseld was the true MVP for his leadership and presence, Elvin Hayes was the clear cut best player on the 78 Bullets as well.

2013 Heat had LeBron playing more PF than SF too. Although Haslem was the nominal starter, he played less than 19 minutes a game. Shane Battier, Ray Allen, and Norris Cole all played more minutes and more minutes/game.

70sFan · Post #11 » by **70sFan** » Thu Jul 20, 2023 6:58 am

penbeast0 wrote:Although you could argue Wes Unseld was the true MVP for his leadership and presence, Elvin Hayes was the clear cut best player on the 78 Bullets as well.

2013 Heat had LeBron playing more PF than SF too. Although Haslem was the nominal starter, he played less than 19 minutes a game. Shane Battier, Ray Allen, and Norris Cole all played more minutes and more minutes/game.

I think the Bullets case is a bit more complicated. To be honest, I can't say for sure who was the best in that season between Hayes, Dandridge and Unseld. I guess you can give Hayes the edge by default because he played the most games in the playoffs.

Colbinii · Post #12 » by **Colbinii** » Thu Jul 20, 2023 1:04 pm

Mogspan wrote:Maybe, but only 4 championships in the history of the NBA have been won by teams whose clear-cut best players were power forwards: 1958 Hawks, 2008 Celtics, 2011 Mavericks, and the 2021 Bucks.

What about 2013 LeBron James? He played a majority of his minutes at the 4.