1 - WB 2- MJ 3- Lebron 4- Giannis 5- Dwight Howard Pretty sure that's the most athletic 5 man lineup. Guys like Shaq were athletic freaks for their size, but I'm pretty sure Dwight is still more athletic. Dwight is so athletic he got invited to the Dunk contest as a center and tbh didn't do a half bad job at it.
I knows wilt feats are exaggerated, but he was probably the most athletic player at his size and weight in any sport.
New list, after poring over the game film in the archives: PG: Spud Webb SG: Harold Miner SF: Jason Richardson PF: Isaiah Rider C: Greg Oden
No disrespect to Wilt but there's no more freakish, unique athlete than Shaq. A man that big moving like that is something we'll likely never see again. He is an absolute force of nature.
There have been various freak athletes that could play center--Wilt, Shaq, Giannis, David Robinson, arguably Dwight Howard. There's no good way to quantify "freakishness," but they were all impressive blends of size, strength, quickness, leaping ability.
Wilt (7'1" around 275-300) was roughly of a size with Shaq (7'1" around 325), but was much faster, could jump much higher, was hugely strong (Arnold said he picked up a 500 pound A/C unit like it was nothing on the set of Conan the Destroyer when he was well past his prime, years after he had retired from the NBA), just a better athlete in pretty much every respect. Remember, he was a star athlete in track and field in college, including winning the Big 8 high jump title three years in a row. Shaq was very gifted at what he did, but he is definitely not the top athletic big man.
I guess just on eye test I wouldn't guess Wilt being within 50 lbs. of LA Shaq. WIlt was lanky, more explosive but Shaq was a powerhouse and nimble at 325 (and up lol). I guess it comes down to whether you prefer speed or power, for me, for that position I'll take power. Shaq is a literal monster and still has the grace and agility of someone half his size.
