Rosen: Who Are The NBA's Tough Guys And Softies?

[duncan228]

Who are the NBA's tough guys and softies? (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9914426/Who-are-the-NBA's-tough-guys-and-softies?)
by Charley Rosen

There are several categories that attempt to measure the true impact that any given NBA player has on games, the most common ones containing some sort of numerical evaluation. However, there are only two basic identities that interest the vast majority of scouts and coaches: Is a player a tough guy? Or is he a softie?

Let's use this yardstick to identify the most significant players in each of these groupings.

Tough guys

The sheer strength of an individual player does not necessarily qualify him as a legitimate banger. Brad Miller, for example, is a muscular, powerful player but at the same time, is far from being deemed a toughie by his peers.

The criteria here include a player's willingness to initiate contact, even when confronted with bigger, stronger adversaries. Another qualification is a player's eagerness to attack the hoop even though he knows he'll be knocked down. On the other hand, under the proper circumstances, a legitimate tough guy has no compunctions about flattening an opponent to prevent an easy shot.

Here, then, is a selected listing of the league's most dauntlessly tenacious performers.

Tony Allen: Getting to the basket is his specialty, even at the potential cost of incurring bruises, sprains and even fractures.

Ron Artest: Ron-Ron talks tough but usually backs up his boasts with sometimes over-the-top bullyboy tactics.

Renaldo Balkman: He doesn't play much these days but tries to include a game's worth of bumping and grinding in his abbreviated rotations.

Raja Bell: His belligerent defense displays no fear of, and little respect for, whomever he's guarding.

Reggie Evans: As a pocket-sized big man, Evans compensates for his shortcomings with his manically aggressive boardwork.

Matt Harpring: He plays basketball like a football player (which he once was) and plays so hard, in fact, that he injures himself more than he does his opponents.

Allen Iverson: He takes even the biggest of hits and keeps driving into the middle.

Dahntay Jones: He often plays defense as though he was involved in an anything-goes street fight.

Jason Maxiell: He relishes contact. Even when he's fouled, he often dispenses a harder hit than the one he takes.

Paul Millsap: If he can touch a loose ball, not even the Jaws of Life can pry it away.

Andres Nocioni: He's not only tough, but also ornery.

Kendrick Perkins: He plays with a perpetual snarl that mirrors his body-bumping game plan.

James Posey: For him, giving an inch on defense is like giving a mile.

Leon Powe: He's another smallish big who believes that basketball is a collision sport.

Kurt Thomas: Of necessity, he gets more physical as he ages. He's the active NBA leader in bruises inflicted on opponents.

Delonte West: In his own quiet way, West never gives up on a play and is never, ever intimidated.

Softies

If all softies are finesse players, not all finesse players are softies (i.e. Pau Gasol and Kevin Garnett). But the following players generally avoid contact whenever possible and try to run circle-routes around the most notorious of the league's tough guys.

Michael Beasley: He would rather put up a flipper than try to dunk over or through a nasty big man.

Marcus Camby: His idea of being tough is to take a charge.

Vince Carter: Watch how many fadeaway junk-shots he takes when approaching a crowd of hostile big men.

Brian Cook: He's happy to shuttle between the 3-point lines.

Mike Dunleavy, Jr.: He has to play soft because he's so physically weak.

Josh Howard: He runs the break, drives the baseline and shoots mostly pull-ups so that big men can't catch him.

Steven Hunter: He's a timid 7-footer who plays like a guard.

Kevin Martin: If he was just a mite tougher, he'd be a truly elite player.

Tracy McGrady: He's a leansome version of the Pillsbury Dough Boy.

Tim Thomas: He's just another cotton candy powerless forward.

Peja Stojakovic: Don't touch him, and he won't touch you.

And here are a couple of phony tough guys — chest-beating, cheap-shot artists who rarely take on bigger, stronger and/or authentically mean-spirited opponents: Kenyon Martin and Mikki Moore.

[da_suns_fan]

Of course no mention of Ga-soft but what would you expect from the guy who idolizes Phil Jackson?

[jazzypimp]

what about carlos "I can't play I have a hang nail" Boozer??

[lil_penny]

Harpring is a tuff s.o.b.

[2Cleva]

4 of those tough guys were on the 08 Celtic team. With the team trying to dump Allen to bring in Daniels, only 1 will remain.

[Culburn369]

4 of those tough guys were on the 08 Celtic team. With the team trying to dump Allen to bring in Daniels, only 1 will remain.

Thank, Christ.

[Hornets1]

:rollinPeja! Might be the softest player in the league.

[Double-Up]

:rollinPeja! Might be the softest player in the league.

I don't know, I'd have to pick McGrady for that honor.

[Phillip]

how is bynum not on that list? soft as crap.

[baseline bum]

LOL. Artest sure was tough when Ben Wallace wanted to kick the shit out of him. Real hardcore move grabbing that skinny kid by the face and throwing him into the floor instead of the bigger guy who threw the beer. Also, his toughness was clearly in effect when that fat kid blocked both his punches on the floor.

[2Cleva]

how is bynum not on that list? soft as crap.

Ask Gerald Wallace.

Bynum isn't soft. Bad injury luck, but not soft.

[DAF86]

What does ornery mean?

[balli]

Harpring is a tuff s.o.b.
Yeah, he's probably about to retire... and God knows I've spent moments cursing his name, but that dude's hard as a coffin nail.

[JamStone]

It looks as if it's alphabetical, but it's still hilarious that Tony Allen starts off the list of tough guys. Then Rosen talks about his disregard for injury when attacking the rim. Didn't he fuck up his knee a couple years ago attacking the rim AFTER the whistle blew in an attempt to showtime dunk the ball and getting hung in the process?

Reeeeeeeal tough. Only tough guys get hurt attacking the basket when it's a stoppage of play.

[LnGrrrR]

It actually mentions Ga-soft in the headline for softies...


If all softies are finesse players, not all finesse players are softies (i.e. Pau Gasol and Kevin Garnett). But the following players generally avoid contact whenever possible and try to run circle-routes around the most notorious of the league's tough guys.

I disagree with him on both these players.

Edit: The first moreso than the second, but still... let just put it this way: If KG's turnaround jumper wasn't so reliable, I'd be alot more pissed at him.

[Hops]

look at the vid and decide for yourself

6R8APZVSspI

[23LeBronJames23]

why isnt shaq tough?

[La Peace]

VC has some of the nastiest vicious dunks the world has ever seen. I'll take that over tony allen.

I'd add Shaq too, he has fought a handful of centers and some great ones in his time. However he has been bigger than most of them, to his credit, the ones that are bigger aren't worth fighting.

[Culburn369]

why isnt shaq tough?

Because he's inert.

[ginobili's bald spot]

Brian Cook: He's happy to shuttle between the 3-point lines.

Easily the softest player in the league.



And there is a difference between soft and weak. Pau is weak as hell. But he's not soft. If our front court was as "soft" as spurfan said it was we wouldn't have won a championship (soon to be two in a row) and made the finals in consecutive years. Sorry but you can't be one of the best front courts in the league and have that kind of success and be soft. Sour grapes as usual.

[Culburn369]

And there is a difference between soft and weak. Pau is weak as hell. But he's not soft.

The goods\precise style.

[mardigan]

And there is a difference between soft and weak. Pau is weak as hell. But he's not soft. If our front court was as "soft" as spurfan said it was we wouldn't have won a championship (soon to be two in a row) and made the finals in consecutive years. Sorry but you can't be one of the best front courts in the league and have that kind of success and be soft. Sour grapes as usual.

I agree with this. Pau gives the effort, even if sometimes his effort is limited due to his lack of physical strength.

[da_suns_fan]

Because he's inert.

I agree. The only one capable of causing Shaq pain is Shaq himself. The only way he can do this is by moving and hustling. Two things he doesnt do.

[kamikazi_player]

surprised no one said dirk yet lol.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Shaq is neither tough nor soft. We've seen other players get under Shaq's skin and cause him to do some stupid things because he can be mentally weak at times.

[Rogue]

It's bullcrap to snub Paul Pierce from the tough list. Dude got stabbed 11 times in the offseason in 00 and wasn't expected to live, at least he wasn't expected to play basketball any more, however, he played all the 82 games in the upcoming season.

[ginobili's bald spot]

It's bullcrap to snub Paul Pierce from the tough list. Dude got stabbed 11 times in the offseason in 00 and wasn't expected to live, at least he wasn't expected to play basketball any more, however, he played all the 82 games in the upcoming season.

It's because Charlie Rosen is a Crip.

[BlackBellamy]

Tracy McGrady has started his own franchise of soft-serve ice cream parlours, the aptly named, "Tasty McGreaty's". His locations will serve his patented 'Softy McGreaty Soft Serve Ice Creams and Yogurts', he will also offer various soft cheeses, such as brie, cottage cheese, thinly sliced Swiss, cheddar, harvarti, etc., milk-based drinks, custard, pudding, mashed bananas, applesauce, baked apples, fruit juice, juice smoothies (protein powder can be added) and other ripe fruits that (as Mr. McGrady has specified) "get mushy".

[djohn2oo8]

Tracy McGrady has started his own franchise of soft-serve ice cream parlours, the aptly named, "Tasty McGreaty's". His locations will serve his patented 'Softy McGreaty Soft Serve Ice Creams and Yogurts', he will also offer various soft cheeses, such as brie, cottage cheese, thinly sliced Swiss, cheddar, harvarti, etc., milk-based drinks, custard, pudding, mashed bananas, applesauce, baked apples, fruit juice, juice smoothies (protein powder can be added) and other ripe fruits that (as Mr. McGrady has specified) "get mushy".

:rollin

[Rogue]

It's because Charlie Rosen is a Crip.
You mean Paul Pierce is a blood?

[BRHornet45]

sons LOL at Peja ... $29.5 million over the next 2 years for that twat

[cornbread]

LOL. Artest sure was tough when Ben Wallace wanted to kick the shit out of him. Real hardcore move grabbing that skinny kid by the face and throwing him into the floor instead of the bigger guy who threw the beer. Also, his toughness was clearly in effect when that fat kid blocked both his punches on the floor.

Artest is the worst nightmare of every 5'7 130 pound white guy sitting in the first 20 rows.

[IronMexican]

No D-Fish?

[BlackBellamy]

Artest is the worst nightmare of every 5'7 130 pound white guy sitting in the first 20 rows.

I thought Cap'n Jack was the one that punched the skinny kid in the stands, and headcase Artest laid out that fat guy that walked out on to the floor, right?

[CavsSuperFan]

Lebron James is the toughest player in the NBA…If anyone does not think so they are just a Homer…

[TFloss32]

Surprised Manu didn't make the "tough" list. Dude is so scrappy and one of best penetrators in the league. Yes, he flops...but never ceases to sacrifice his body on D. Fast forward a couple of years and DeJuan Blair will be on this list (if the knees hold up, of course).

[BlackBellamy]

Surprised Manu didn't make the "tough" list. Dude is so scrappy and one of best penetrators in the league. Fast forward a couple of years and DeJuan Blair will be on this list (if the knees hold up, of course).

If Manu didn't have the last two years of injury to contend with his legacy he prolly would have made the list. People seem to think that he's glass now.

[TFloss32]

Well, it remains to be seen if his body is finally giving in to his style of play. He's like the Earl Campbell of basketball (throwing himself into whatever and whoever). He's had A LOT of rest this offseason and will, hopefully, be back to his old self.

[2Cleva]

Lebron James is the toughest player in the NBA…If anyone does not think so they are just a Homer…

One of the biggest, strongest, and fastest but not sure of toughest. What has he played through?

Surprised Rosen didn't mention Kobe. Not being a homer but he is old school about playing through injuries and the like.

[Findog]

Josh is many things, but after he gritted out the season on those two bum ankles, you can't call him soft.

[phyzik]

Rosen talks about driving to the hoop makes you tough but then completely forgets to mention one of the most prof8ilic scorers for points in the paint, Tony Parker.

this article = fail

[TFloss32]

Rosen talks about driving to the hoop makes you tough but then completely forgets to mention one of the most prof8ilic scorers for points in the paint, Tony Parker.

this article = fail

I agree, most lists like these are stupid and just a way to pass time in the offseason. I agree about Tony. He lives in the paint and finishes better than anyone in the league, especially after getting hit. The only problem I have with Tony is the fact that he falls down after penetrating and not getting a call. It always leaves us short-handed on the defensive end.

[j-money24]

Bynum, Sasha and Walton should all be on that list.

Lakers are my team but they have so many softies on that team.

[Bob Lanier]

Josh is many things, but after he gritted out the season on those two bum ankles, you can't call him soft.
His ligaments are soft.

[Hooks]

Where's that vid of West punking Dirk :rollin

Can't seem to find it.

[spursfan1000]

The whole Mavs team is soft.

[KidCongo]

One of the biggest, strongest, and fastest but not sure of toughest. What has he played through?

Surprised Rosen didn't mention Kobe. Not being a homer but he is old school about playing through injuries and the like.

LeBron is not tough but he has grown up through 'tough' circumstances and gets hit all the time. However he is a pussy if anyone touches his face. He can get anywhere else but his face or neck. I'm not even saying big hits, little slaps deter him.

[Culburn369]

The whole Mavs team is soft.

They were tough enough to apply a Camel Clutch to you a couple months back and you all tapped out, pronto!


http://www.picturehosting.com/images/Alan888/sheik.jpg

[Mark in Austin]

Rosen is dead-on balls accurate about Kenyon Martin.

[Hooks]

Lebron James is the toughest player in the NBA…If anyone does not think so they are just a Homer…


LOL, you can't be serious can you?

LBJ hasn't done anything to be considered tough in the NBA I don't care about him growing up he's big and strong but that is it.

Parker is tougher than James, so is Manu and they aren't the toughest in the NBA.

[Findog]

Where's that vid of West punking Dirk :rollin

Can't seem to find it.

Yeah he punked Dirk alright. Does getting lit up for 27/12 a night constitute "punking" someone?

[Findog]

The whole Mavs team is soft.

Exactly, which is why the Spurs easily sent them fishing in the first round.

[Culburn369]

It was indeed quite an ass stomping.

[BlackBellamy]

Hey Cul, you know that horse? It's dead. My condolences, 'cause I know how much you loved, and depended on, bringing it up (and the constant beatings must have been cathartic for you). It's gone, it stinks, bury it already.

[Culburn369]

Hey Cul, you know that horse? It's dead. My condolences, 'cause I know how much you loved, and depended on, bringing it up (and the constant beatings must have been cathartic for you). It's gone, it stinks, bury it already.

No way. You all beat on that [Kobe doesn't have a ring without Daddy] Horse non stop for 3 years. Now of course you want some grace cuz you ain't got nothin' to hold over our heads. Kobe got straightened out, Phil made Red roll over in his crypt with that 10th, et al & etc.

I'm not so inclined to grant such grace & mercy over that Mavs shellacking or your back-to-back lackage. You Spurs fellow need to be teased & tormented a good long time before you're permitted to go about upright & clean.

So, just gird your loinage and face the music.

[BlackBellamy]

Now of course you want some grace cuz you ain't got nothin' to hold over our heads.

First off, your double negative is spectaCULar. Secondly, grace was not what I was asking for (a Spurs fan asking a Lakers fan for that would be like asking an indigent for a thousand dollars). What I was getting at is that the beat is done (and at least the more diplomatic of Spurs fan will admit that it was a legit beat and consider it over), so it doesn't sting anymore, it's just tiresome. I know you pride yourself on your word lexicon (and I appreciate your loquacious and mostly entertaining point of view), but there's only so many ways to say the same thing. And you've said it OVER and over and over and over, etc...

[Culburn369]

First off, your double negative is spectaCULar. Secondly, grace was not what I was asking for (a Spurs fan asking a Lakers fan for that would be like asking an indigent for a thousand dollars). What I was getting at is that the beat is done (and at least the more diplomatic of Spurs fan will admit that it was a legit beat and consider it over), so it doesn't sting anymore, it's just tiresome. I know you pride yourself on your word lexicon (and I appreciate your loquacious and mostly entertaining point of view), but there's only so many ways to say the same thing. And you've said it OVER and over and over and over, etc...

I'll have to huddle with DrHouse and his Number 1 Lakaluva, Bell. I can't go against a direct directive. I post at their bidding & discretion. They're my inspiration and they're my mentors. When they order: "Culburn, tear the Spurs Fandom a brand new asshole over their lack of back-to-back empiricals."...I don't question the order, I just commence to tearing a brand new asshole.

If they say: "show mercy, Cubby." then I shall follow that directive. Until then though, its strictly heel & toe.

[redzero]

Lebron James is the toughest player in the NBA…If anyone does not think so they are just a Homer…

Is that why he fakes an injury almost every game?

[BlackBellamy]

Is that why he fakes an injury almost every game?

Yer avatar and sig are two of the best on the board. Very funny! Propers.

[BlackBellamy]

I'll have to huddle with DrHouse and his Number 1 Lakaluva, Bell. I can't go against a direct directive. I post at their bidding & discretion. They're my inspiration and they're my mentors. When they order: "Culburn, tear the Spurs Fandom a brand new asshole over their lack of back-to-back empiricals."...I don't question the order, I just commence to tearing a brand new asshole.

If they say: "show mercy, Cubby." then I shall follow that directive. Until then though, its strictly heel & toe.

My suggestion, don't take too much stock in idols...
“Embrace nothing:
If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha.
If you meet your father, kill your father.
Only live your life as it is,
Not bound to anything.”

[BlackBellamy]

... as Coach Phil would say.