Aryvdas Sabonis (80s) - C Shawn Kemp - PF Dominque Wilkins - SF Latrell Sprewell (and Eddie Jones) - SG Magic Johnson - PG Not the most athletic ever, but strangely it was in realm of possibility for the Lakers to draft all of those non-Laker players.
ok, maybe i said it wrong. you need to be athletic to be able to play defense, why do you think DH12 and Josh Smith are always at the top of the league in block shots, why do you think D Rose is expected to take on more of a defensive role this year (according to realgm), why do you think hakeem leads in blocks in NBA history. being athletic is an integral part of being a good defender. of course, there are exceptions, battier, stockton, etc.
Being athletic can help you in playing defense, but you don't need to be athleti to be a top defender. In fact, top defenders such as Battier or Stockton are more common than athletic ones. Being a leader in blocks or steals does not necessarily mean you are a top-notch defender. Battier has never been an impressive rebounder, shotblocker or stealer even for his position. Josh Smith is a horrible defender IMO. Rose is decent I guess, but nothing special. Dwight Howard is good but can not contain even a Luis Scola. The best defenders are those who are best at anticipation (which can lead to blocks/steals), positioning and lateral quickness. However, one of the above won't make you excellent. Case in point, Chase Budinger is athletic but will never be a good defender because his positioning thus far is poor and he doesn't have very good anticipation or lateral quickness. Gary Payton was excellent. Was he a top athlete? I don't think so. Basically, those who have anticipation, positioning and lateral quickness will make the most use of their athleticism. Those who don't have those things will not be good defenders anyway. Take for example a person who blocks two shots a game. They may have to gamble several times and foul a few times to get those two blocks. So those blocks are worthless because during the course of the game, his defensive effort gave up more points than they saved. The best defenders in the league are usually those who don't do things which look great. You'll also find that the best defensive teams in the league are usually among the least athletic. Spurs, Pistons, Rockets, etc.. I see athleticism as a tool which you may or may not own, but does not preclude you from being the league's BEST offensive or defensive player.
I have to play a bit of devils advocate here...a young Shaq was easily one of the biggest athletic freaks of nature I've ever seen....and I think Hakeem was the greatest big man ever. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Ih2EnUeCyU&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Ih2EnUeCyU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Sound on the 2nd vid is NSFW <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/26oszd3z9Ns&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/26oszd3z9Ns&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Some of these have the same highlights, but amazing nonetheless.
LeBron is probably the most unique talent in NBA history due in large part to his speed/athleticism relative to his size. That said, any current list that doesn't include him isn't much of a list at all.
D. Howard J. Smith L. James A. Igoudala The point guard spot is a tough decision. A lot of you have named Rose. But I will go with someone who hasn't gotten any mention. Monte Ellis
How is Shaq not as athletic as Dream? Young Shaq is easily as athletic if not more athletic than Hakeem. Did you know that a 330+ pound had a 36 inch vertical leap? The speed and quickness difference between Shaq and Hakeem is much, much smaller than the strength gap between those two. Shaq is capable of blowing past opposing centers just like Hakeem had, albeit not as fast or quick as hakeem. Hakeem could never, ever dominate a game with his strength like Shaq had. Oh yeah here's a cool little thing Young Shaq did. Can Hakeem the Dream do this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoEWO5ypOPM
Calm down keyboard commando, I posted Hakeem originally (dream); and I'm not that kind of @$$ either, so I didn't mean dunk on your head personally; I used the term loosely. I'd like to see you post a similar video of Magic doing those things because I've never seen him dunk with the athleticism that these guys did. Also, you're the one that needs to stop posting listing Magic as one of the most athletic players. He was versatile, but not athletic.
