Most Athletically Gifted Players Ever Per Position (Top 5)

[Point-Forward]

Based on a global criteria on what "athletically gifted" means: speed, agility, jump, strength, body coordination, etc. Let's see what list we can come up with. Always take into consideration the peak athletic version of the player, of course. My take:

Point Guards

1. Derrick Rose
2. Russell Westbrook
3. Ja Morant
4. Penny Hardaway
5. Baron Davis


Shooting Guards

1. Michael Jordan
2. Vince Carter
3. Dwyane Wade
4. Clyde Drexler
5. Kobe Bryant


Small Forwards

1. Lebron James
2. Scottie Pippen
3. Kevin Durant
4. Tracy McGrady
5. James Worthy


Power Forwards

1. Shawn Kemp
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
3. Zion Williamson
4. Charles Barkley
5. Amare Stoudemire


Centers

1. Wilt Chamberlain
2. Shaquille O'Neal
3. David Robinson
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
5. Bill Russell

[MiamiBulls]

Centers:

1. Shaquille O'neal - Shaq was a physical freakshow, who was somehow blessed to carry such an insane amount of weight and still remain quite agile and nimble.

2. Dwight Howard - Had shoulder build of granite rock. Explosive speed and verticality with power of a 7ft 300lb player despite only being 6'9"

3. Wilt Chamberlain
4. Ben Wallace
5. Bill Russell

Power Forward:

1. Dennis Rodman - Insane motor and strength. Good Foot Speed and quickness. It's why he can put a body on Michael Jordan & Shaquille O'neal.

2. Amar'e Stoudemire - Broad shoulder w/really good forward driving strength. Excellent verticality. 2005 West Conference Finals could not be contained by one of the greatest Defensive players in Tim Duncan.

3. Blake Griffin
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Shawn Kemp

Small Forward:

Lebron James - GOAT NBA Athlete. Another physical freakshow. His Athleticism is what allowed him to be as great as he is for as long as he's been.

2. Dominique Wilkins - A Small Forward who played like a Power Forward. Ferocious down hill Rim Finisher. Excellent verticality.

3. Zion Williamson
4. Andre Iguodala
5. Julius Erving

Shooting Guards:

1. Michael Jordan - GOAT Verticality relative to height. Big bodied: broad shoulders, big hands. Exceptionally strong w/cat like speed and agility.

2. Vince Carter - GOAT Verticality. Effortless Rim Finisher.

3. Dwyane Wade
4. Latrell Sprewell
5. Kobe Bryant

Point Guard:

1. Russell Westbrook - GOAT combination of Power & Speed. There was a play in the '19-'20 Season where Westbrook accelerated and dipped his shoulder into the 7'2" Rudy Gobert's chest, dislodging Gobert out of position and proceeded to throw a tomahawk dunk over the top. Russell Westbrook is 6'4" PG who plays like he's 6'7"

2. Nate Robinson - 5'9" Point Guard is Pound for Pound the GOAT NBA Athlete. Strong as an ox, with the verticality to block a 7'5" Center in Yao Ming.

3. Allen Iverson
4. Monta Ellis
5. Derrick Rose

[70sFan]

No Julius Erving is criminal for such list...

I'd consider Artis Gilmore for centers list.

[rk2023]

Grant Hill should be mentioned amidst the Small Forward pool. Hakeem for centers too, at-least with how I’m looking at athleticism. I’m unsure if he would make my list, but Jerry West is quite an under-regarded athlete imo.

[SNPA]

Centers:

1. Shaquille O'neal - Shaq was a physical freakshow, who was somehow blessed to carry such an insane amount of weight and still remain quite agile and nimble.

2. Dwight Howard - Had shoulder build of granite rock. Explosive speed and verticality with power of a 7ft 300lb player despite only being 6'9"

3. Wilt Chamberlain
4. Ben Wallace
5. Bill Russell

Power Forward:

1. Dennis Rodman - Insane motor and strength. Good Foot Speed and quickness. It's why he can put a body on Michael Jordan & Shaquille O'neal.

2. Amar'e Stoudemire - Broad shoulder w/really good forward driving strength. Excellent verticality. 2005 West Conference Finals could not be contained by one of the greatest Defensive players in Tim Duncan.

3. Blake Griffin
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Shawn Kemp

Small Forward:

Lebron James - GOAT NBA Athlete. Another physical freakshow. His Athleticism is what allowed him to be as great as he is for as long as he's been.

2. Dominique Wilkins - A Small Forward who played like a Power Forward. Ferocious down hill Rim Finisher. Excellent verticality.

3. Zion Williamson
4. Andre Iguodala
5. Julius Erving

Shooting Guards:

1. Michael Jordan - GOAT Verticality relative to height. Big bodied: broad shoulders, big hands. Exceptionally strong w/cat like speed and agility.

2. Vince Carter - GOAT Verticality. Effortless Rim Finisher.

3. Dwyane Wade
4. Latrell Sprewell
5. Kobe Bryant

Point Guard:

1. Russell Westbrook - GOAT combination of Power & Speed. There was a play in the '19-'20 Season where Westbrook accelerated and dipped his shoulder into the 7'2" Rudy Gobert's chest, dislodging Gobert out of position and proceeded to throw a tomahawk dunk over the top. Russell Westbrook is 6'4" PG who plays like he's 6'7"

2. Nate Robinson - 5'9" Point Guard is Pound for Pound the GOAT NBA Athlete. Strong as an ox, with the verticality to block a 7'5" Center in Yao Ming.

3. Allen Iverson
4. Monta Ellis
5. Derrick Rose

Most physically gifted…and you have Wilt at number three.

[rk2023]

Centers:

1. Shaquille O'neal - Shaq was a physical freakshow, who was somehow blessed to carry such an insane amount of weight and still remain quite agile and nimble.

2. Dwight Howard - Had shoulder build of granite rock. Explosive speed and verticality with power of a 7ft 300lb player despite only being 6'9"

3. Wilt Chamberlain
4. Ben Wallace
5. Bill Russell

Power Forward:

1. Dennis Rodman - Insane motor and strength. Good Foot Speed and quickness. It's why he can put a body on Michael Jordan & Shaquille O'neal.

2. Amar'e Stoudemire - Broad shoulder w/really good forward driving strength. Excellent verticality. 2005 West Conference Finals could not be contained by one of the greatest Defensive players in Tim Duncan.

3. Blake Griffin
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Shawn Kemp

Small Forward:

Lebron James - GOAT NBA Athlete. Another physical freakshow. His Athleticism is what allowed him to be as great as he is for as long as he's been.

2. Dominique Wilkins - A Small Forward who played like a Power Forward. Ferocious down hill Rim Finisher. Excellent verticality.

3. Zion Williamson
4. Andre Iguodala
5. Julius Erving

Shooting Guards:

1. Michael Jordan - GOAT Verticality relative to height. Big bodied: broad shoulders, big hands. Exceptionally strong w/cat like speed and agility.

2. Vince Carter - GOAT Verticality. Effortless Rim Finisher.

3. Dwyane Wade
4. Latrell Sprewell
5. Kobe Bryant

Point Guard:

1. Russell Westbrook - GOAT combination of Power & Speed. There was a play in the '19-'20 Season where Westbrook accelerated and dipped his shoulder into the 7'2" Rudy Gobert's chest, dislodging Gobert out of position and proceeded to throw a tomahawk dunk over the top. Russell Westbrook is 6'4" PG who plays like he's 6'7"

2. Nate Robinson - 5'9" Point Guard is Pound for Pound the GOAT NBA Athlete. Strong as an ox, with the verticality to block a 7'5" Center in Yao Ming.

3. Allen Iverson
4. Monta Ellis
5. Derrick Rose

Most physically gifted…and you have Wilt at number three.

I don’t agree with the Dwight selection, but at the same time - if athleticism is being looked at more “functional” rather than a more holistic physical-gift, don’t disagree with the notion Hakeem/Bill/Shaq all are more athletic than Wilt.

[LukaTheGOAT]

Thanks for posting your list. Will just say I think Anthony Edwards need to be ahead of a couple of guys on your list.

Zion is definitely a better athlete than Shawn Kemp if we don't include durability.

[DNice68]

PG
1. Derrick Rose
2. Randy Smith
3. Russell Westbrook
4. John Wall
5. Michael Ray Richardson

SG
1. Michael Jordan
2. Tracy Mcgrady
3. Dwayne Wade
4. Vince Carter
5. Clyde Drexler

SF
1. Lebron James
2. Dr.J
3. Dominique
4. Marques Johnson
5. Grant Hill

PF
1. Zion
2. Giannis
3. Barkley
4. Shawn Kemp
5. Larry Nance

C
1. Dwight Howard
2. Wilt Chamberlain
3. David Robinson
4. Ralph Sampson
5. Shaq

[penbeast0]

I'm assuming, from the lack of older players on any list but the centers list, that this is sort of a time capsule question where modern players with modern training, weights, PEDs, etc. would have a serious advantage v. a player from the 60s where the players were discouraged from weight work because it would make them muscle bound, played in canvas sneakers, and smoked to control weight gain.

If we are talking athleticism relative to their peers, then you want to be looking at Mikan (Shaq level advantage in strength/coordination over other centers of his day even though he wasn't necessarily taller than Chuck Share), Baylor, Hawkins, Russell, Wilt, Oscar, West, Kareem (looking at for his size), Gilmore, Ron Boone, Jabari, Erving, and possibly Muggsy Bogues and Spud Webb (if height isn't included).

[MyUniBroDavis]

Thanks for posting your list. Will just say I think Anthony Edwards need to be ahead of a couple of guys on your list.

Zion is definitely a better athlete than Shawn Kemp if we don't include durability.

Imagine Zion on a diet plan

[LukaTheGOAT]

Thanks for posting your list. Will just say I think Anthony Edwards need to be ahead of a couple of guys on your list.

Zion is definitely a better athlete than Shawn Kemp if we don't include durability.

Imagine Zion on a diet plan

Watch on YouTube

[MyUniBroDavis]

Thanks for posting your list. Will just say I think Anthony Edwards need to be ahead of a couple of guys on your list.

Zion is definitely a better athlete than Shawn Kemp if we don't include durability.

Imagine Zion on a diet plan

Watch on YouTube

Nah show me duke zion

Most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen

[LukaTheGOAT]

Imagine Zion on a diet plan

Watch on YouTube

Nah show me duke zion

Most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen

Think this version of Zion was moving as well as Duke Zion ever did. Comparable forms honestly.

[DCasey91]

PG - Westbrook
SG - Jordan
SF - Lebron
PF - Zion (Actually think he’s the goat specimen all things being relative)
C - Wilt/Russell/Shaq/DROB/Hakeem. Can’t split

I think these are all pretty clear cut imo. Could make a case for peak Wade at SG because I do like the strength difference between him and Jordan, basically a 6”4 Bron at his apex but Jordan has probably the quickest first step out of everyone.

[SHAQ32]

Some names I haven't seen that I'm thinking of: SGs - Latrell Sprewell and Ray Allen, PFs - Chris Webber and Kenyon Martin

[Samurai]

No Julius Erving is criminal for such list...

I'd consider Artis Gilmore for centers list.

Agree. I'd also consider Gus Johnson for the PF list.

[D.Brasco]

WIlt was more athletic than Shaq, he was an overall natural athlete, competed in high jump and other track and field events before turning pro in basketball.

A 50 something Wilt showing rookie Shaq (who was 301 lbs) his old man strength:

Watch on YouTube

Shaq is a freak himself and right behind Wilt. He never had Wilt's devotion to his body/fitness though.

[SNPA]

WIlt was more athletic than Shaq, he was an overall natural athlete, competed in high jump and other track and field events before turning pro in basketball.

A 50 something Wilt showing rookie Shaq (who was 301 lbs) his old man strength:

Watch on YouTube

Shaq is a freak himself and right behind Wilt. He never had Wilt's devotion to his body/fitness though.

This clip gets me every time. He just low-key punks Shaq at center court and Shaq looks shook.

[MyUniBroDavis]

A handshake is not evidence lol I feel that gets posted a lot and always thought it was satire. Anyways, I don’t know why people bring up bench press numbers like it’s super relevant to basketball

Wilt was more athletic, Shaq was basketball stronger, wilt was more explosive, faster and jumped higher, not as quick footed and coordinated just from the little film we have

I don’t know if I believe he could genuinely grab change from the top of the backboard, although I don’t really care either way lol.

[Heej]

No Julius Erving is criminal for such list...

I'd consider Artis Gilmore for centers list.

My first thought was Dr J. As for me I'll go with

PG
Ben Simmons
Russ
Rose
Webb
Bogues

If people don't accept Ben I'll go with Ja. Pre knee injury CP actually warrants a look imo

SG:
Jordan
Iverson
Wade
Antman
Carter

SF:
Bron
Dr. J
Baylor
Nique
David Thompson (maybe I'm cheating not putting him at SG)

Otherwise I like Melo for his strength and first step.

PF:
Zion
Giannis
Amare
Barkley
Blake

C:
Shaq
Wilt
Russell
Robinson
Dwight