RealGM

In terms of pure athleticism how many NBA players today would you say greater than Prime Pippen?

I would have these guys ahead:

Amen Thompson
Anthony Edwards
Ja Morant
Victor Wembanyama (if you consider size)
Zion (even still)
Giannis
Ausar Thompson
Jericho Sims
De'Aaron Fox

Derrick Jones Jr isn't anything special as a player, but as an athlete he's top shelf. Probably some other guys like this in the Association.

Scottie was a very good athlete but what made him great was what a smart player he was at both ends.

Aron Gordon?

LukaTheGOAT wrote:I would have these guys ahead:

Amen Thompson
Anthony Edwards
Ja Morant
Victor Wembanyama (if you consider size)
Zion (even still)
Giannis
Ausar Thompson
Jericho Sims
De'Aaron Fox

I can't get there with these little guys. Size matters in the NBA.

6'8" with a 7'3" wingspan. Elite acceleration, crazy stride length, one of the fastest end to end players in the league, great vertical explosion and strong max vertical. He lateral quicks were closer to solid than excellent, but he made up for it on defense with length and anticipation.

I don't know if there are many guys I'd say are definitely more athletic than Scottie. There was very much an argument over whether Scottie was more athletic than Michael.

I'd say Ja and Zion have him beat in a few single categories. Wemby and Giannis are crazier athletes at their size. But all around athlete I think Scottie matches up well against anyone.

Early Pippen would be the best all around athlete in the league right now. He could casually dunk from the FT line without traveling.

Without having watched a ton of him I would say probably top-10. I do think think his relative lack of lateral quickness would be more glaring today.

zero rings wrote:

LukaTheGOAT wrote:I would have these guys ahead:

Amen Thompson
Anthony Edwards
Ja Morant
Victor Wembanyama (if you consider size)
Zion (even still)
Giannis
Ausar Thompson
Jericho Sims
De'Aaron Fox

I can't get there with these little guys. Size matters in the NBA.

Okay, so a Peak Russell Westbrook or Derrick Rose wouldn't have anu argument of athleticism over Scottie? I don't think I agree. Also, I think Manu of the best run-and-jump athletes in the world are about their size (or smaller). I would not preclude them.

I respect your opinion but disagree.

LukaTheGOAT wrote:

zero rings wrote:

LukaTheGOAT wrote:I would have these guys ahead:

Amen Thompson
Anthony Edwards
Ja Morant
Victor Wembanyama (if you consider size)
Zion (even still)
Giannis
Ausar Thompson
Jericho Sims
De'Aaron Fox

I can't get there with these little guys. Size matters in the NBA.

Okay, so a Peak Russell Westbrook or Derrick Rose wouldn't have anu argument of athleticism over Scottie? I don't think I agree. Also, I think Manu of the best run-and-jump athletes in the world are about their size (or smaller). I would not preclude them.

I respect your opinion but disagree.

I just think run and jump athleticism is overrated by most fans, especially when it isn’t paired with elite size.

I’ll give you Westbrook, he was the total package. But Rose is someone I would consider an overrated athlete. Great quickness and vertical leap, but he was lacking in strength, length, and motor. It’s why on defense he was never that great, and on offense he was mostly a below the rim finesse scorer. His highlight reel was amazing, but I wouldn’t consider him a physically dominant player on the court.

zero rings wrote:

LukaTheGOAT wrote:I would have these guys ahead:

Amen Thompson
Anthony Edwards
Ja Morant
Victor Wembanyama (if you consider size)
Zion (even still)
Giannis
Ausar Thompson
Jericho Sims
De'Aaron Fox

I can't get there with these little guys. Size matters in the NBA.

Anthony Edwards is not little lol. He's 230 pounds, he is heavier than Scottie Pippen and likely stronger.