athletic comparison - Jerry West, Michael Jordan and LeBron

[ponder276]

I don't really see the Wade comparison. His hops were nowhere close to Wade's (West was a 100% below the rim player), Wade is 1.25" taller with a longer wingspan, and West's main weapon was his off-the-dribble jumper, while Wade's main weapon is slashing to the hoop. I see him as more of a long-armed OJ Mayo than a Dwyane Wade.

Athletically, he is nowhere close to Jordan or LeBron IMO. I'd say LeBron is the greatest athlete of the 3, then Jordan, then West.

[Marty McFly]

from

http://www.nba.com/jordan/hoop_herecomesmj.html
former coach kevin loughery (who coached dr.j and jordan) said

"People have been comparing him to Dr. J," Loughery said. "That's not right. The way he plays is like Jerry West. He has the same movements, particularly on defense."

as far as west, nba.com has him listed at 6-2.if you're 6-2 and you averaged 12.3 rebounds a game in college, you're pretty athletic.

[Sedale Threatt]

In terms of measurements…Jerry West’s sleeve length—they didn’t measure wingspan at the time—has been given as either 38” or 39”. That’s huge. (For a simple comparison, I’m 6’ 4.5” barefoot—and I have a 36” sleeve. And I’m not gator armed.) His wingspan works out to about 6’9” to 6’9.5”. He measured 6’2.5” barefoot/in socks, which would put him between 6’3.5” and 6’4” in shoes—in other words, he’d list at 6’4”.

A love that anecdote about West being able to sit in the back seat of certain cars and crack both doors open at the same time. Granted, I think it was Chick Hearn who said it, so it might be an exaggeration. But still...

I think Jerry also holds the course records at a couple of country clubs around the L.A. area, which speaks to his hand-eye coordinator.

A lot of people get hung up on pure jumping ability when they talk about athletics, but things like that are every bit as important. Guys like Tim Duncan and Steve Nash, in their own right, are fantastic athletes without being able to jump out of the gym.

Jerry, from everything I've read and what little I've seen, was cut from the same cloth. Although I have to dispute the notion of him being quicker than Jordan. Granted, I never saw Jerry play in person, but what little footage I've seen doesn't lead me to believe that was true.

[Mattsanity]

lebron is by far the greatest athlete of all-time

[BlackIce]

Shawn Kemp was the greatest athlete I've ever seen other then maybe lbj. Anyways do you guys think West could play PG as effectively as he did SG? Say beside a guy like Dumars at SG?

[writerman]

Patterns and Ponder have spoken...harken to the words of the prophets...

"Yea verily I say unto you that West was no good. Selah"

How can you argue against such awesome wisdom as those two possess?

[prekazi]

If I were to choose a player that is the most like Jerry West now from a physical size and athleticism standpoint—in a slightly smaller package—I’d probably choose Devin Harris. West, physically, is like a larger, longer Devin Harris. I think he's a little more ahtletic than Harris, though.

You've got to be kidding!

I remember you when you thought the Clippers should draft Loren Woods in the lottery. LOL.

Two posts in eight years, with the memory of an elephant? Impressive.

Wow, I'm stunned.