duncan228
08-16-2009, 12:20 PM
Speed merchants: NBA's 10 fastest players (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/pgStory?contentId=9932996#sport=NBA&photo=9930574)
Full speed ahead
Basketball isn't like football, where you know everyone's time in the 40-yard dash. In the NBA, speed isn't measured on a stopwatch. It's observed on a 94-foot court, which is more subjective, but the value of raw end-to-end speed is just as high in the NBA as it is in the NFL. Getting from Point A to Point B as fast as possible is crucial on offense and defense, especially with a 24-second shot clock. And for shorter players, it helps them overcome the height advantage of the league's many giants. That's why so many point guards made FOXSports.com NBA editor John Galinsky's list, though there's one big man who rightfully claims his place among the league's swiftest.
Honorable mention: Will Bynum, Mike Conley, Monta Ellis, Raymond Felton, Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, Louis Williams.
10. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
To be accurate, Paul — who led the NBA in assists and steals last season — is more quick than fast. He darts here and there, dashing into passing lanes, and he changes directions as abruptly as anyone in the league. He's also adept at changing speeds, much like Dwyane Wade, which makes him more effective than someone who's 100 mph all the time. But changing speeds doesn't matter if all your speeds are slow. At top speed, Paul is more than fast enough to leave most point guards in his dust. Just ask Jason Kidd, who he scorched in the 2008 playoffs.
9. Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns
He's not called the "Brazilian Blur" for nothing. The 2007 NBA Sixth Man of the Year comes off Phoenix's bench at full speed and doesn't slow down till he returns to the pine. An excellent 3-point shooter (career 40.4%), Barbosa doesn't have much of an in-between game and he struggled in Terry Porter's more deliberate system last season. But with the Suns on the run again under Alvin Gentry, the 26-year-old combo guard should be back in his comfort zone — at warp speed.
8. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
How does a point guard who can't shoot average nearly a triple-double in the playoffs, as Rondo did last season in a pair of seven-game series against the Bulls and Magic? Speed sure helps. Most of the time, Boston's 23-year-old point guard is simply faster to loose balls than the other nine guys on the court. His long arms also aid him on defense, where he finished fifth in steals last season, but it's his legs that should keep the Celtics contending as the Big 3 begins to slow down.
7. T.J. Ford, Indiana Pacers
As a point guard, speed is really the only attribute that sets Ford apart from his peers. At 6 feet and 165 pounds, he's small. He's not a great passer or shooter. He isn't an outstanding defender or leader. But man can he fly! More of a Ferrari than a Ford, he drove a Pacers offense that averaged 105.2 points last season, fifth in the league.
6. Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
In his own way, Robinson is as much of a physical freak as Dwight Howard and LeBron James, just in a smaller package. A 5-9 shooting guard (dare you to name anyone else who fits that description) who averaged 17.2 points last season, he creates all the space he needs with his incredible speed and explosiveness. The 2009 Slam Dunk champ played defensive back at Washington and was reportedly timed at 4.38 in the 40.
5. Aaron Brooks, Houston Rockets
How did the Rockets push the Lakers to seven games in the West semifinals without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, and with Ron Artest missing almost every shot? One of the biggest reasons was the smallest player on the court. Brooks, a second-year guard from Oregon, didn't become the Rockets' starter until they traded Rafer Alston in mid-February, but he had his coming-out party against the Lakers. Making Derek Fisher look old (OK, he is old, but not that old), Brooks blew through L.A.'s defense for 79 points in Houston's three wins (but just 47 in the four losses). At 24, he still has a lot to learn about running a team, but his speed gives him a chance to be something special.
4. Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets
On February 18, 2008, the Nets traded away Jason Kidd, one of the greatest fast-breaking point guards of all time, and got someone much faster. That's partly because Kidd, now 36, has lost a step or two. But it's also because Harris, who New Jersey got in return from the Mavericks, looks like a cheetah racing up and down the court. On defense, his prey is the opposing point guard, and Harris is among the best at staying in front of his man. On offense, it's almost impossible to stop him from getting to the rim. He averaged 21.3 points last season despite shooting 29 percent on 3-pointers. Now if only he could see the court and pass like Kidd...but maybe that will come. After all, he's a fast learner.
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Is it really possible for a 6-8, 260-pound man to be among the fastest players in the NBA? Well, did you see LeBron play last season? How many times did he chase down opponents and swat breakaway layups? How many times per game did he race past everyone for transition dunks? Did you ever see anyone catch him? He may not look like he's flying, but at his size he doesn't need many steps to cover huge amounts of space. (Just think of Usain Bolt in the Olympics.) His power is only half of what makes him such an insane athletic specimen. His speed is the other half. If his basketball IQ and skills ever match his physical ability — and they're getting closer every year — the 24-year-old James truly will be king of the league.
2. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
After all these years, opponents know how to defend Parker. Play off him and dare him to shoot from outside. Swarm him when he drives to the basket and try to make him pass rather than shoot. It doesn't matter. The fast Frenchman is routinely among the league leaders in layups despite his small stature (6-2, 185) because his blinding speed — and his clever use of it — makes him the best penetrating point guard in the league. Last season he averaged 22 points on 50.6-percent shooting despite making a paltry 19 3-pointers. With Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili slowing down, it's now up to the 27-year-old Parker to keep San Antonio in the NBA fast lane.
1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
There is plenty of room for disagreement here — like we said, no one's timing every NBA player with a stopwatch — but Rose tops this list because of his speed in every situation. From end to end, the 2009 Rookie of the Year can cover the 94 feet as fast as anybody. In close quarters, his burst is unbelievable. He can run the fast break or penetrate through halfcourt defenses with equal velocity. And at 6-3 and 190, he has a strong frame and excellent body control, making him arguably the best athlete of all the league's point guards. Considering he won't be old enough to drink a beer till October, the 20-year-old Rose is on the fast track to NBA stardom.
Full speed ahead
Basketball isn't like football, where you know everyone's time in the 40-yard dash. In the NBA, speed isn't measured on a stopwatch. It's observed on a 94-foot court, which is more subjective, but the value of raw end-to-end speed is just as high in the NBA as it is in the NFL. Getting from Point A to Point B as fast as possible is crucial on offense and defense, especially with a 24-second shot clock. And for shorter players, it helps them overcome the height advantage of the league's many giants. That's why so many point guards made FOXSports.com NBA editor John Galinsky's list, though there's one big man who rightfully claims his place among the league's swiftest.
Honorable mention: Will Bynum, Mike Conley, Monta Ellis, Raymond Felton, Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, Louis Williams.
10. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
To be accurate, Paul — who led the NBA in assists and steals last season — is more quick than fast. He darts here and there, dashing into passing lanes, and he changes directions as abruptly as anyone in the league. He's also adept at changing speeds, much like Dwyane Wade, which makes him more effective than someone who's 100 mph all the time. But changing speeds doesn't matter if all your speeds are slow. At top speed, Paul is more than fast enough to leave most point guards in his dust. Just ask Jason Kidd, who he scorched in the 2008 playoffs.
9. Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns
He's not called the "Brazilian Blur" for nothing. The 2007 NBA Sixth Man of the Year comes off Phoenix's bench at full speed and doesn't slow down till he returns to the pine. An excellent 3-point shooter (career 40.4%), Barbosa doesn't have much of an in-between game and he struggled in Terry Porter's more deliberate system last season. But with the Suns on the run again under Alvin Gentry, the 26-year-old combo guard should be back in his comfort zone — at warp speed.
8. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
How does a point guard who can't shoot average nearly a triple-double in the playoffs, as Rondo did last season in a pair of seven-game series against the Bulls and Magic? Speed sure helps. Most of the time, Boston's 23-year-old point guard is simply faster to loose balls than the other nine guys on the court. His long arms also aid him on defense, where he finished fifth in steals last season, but it's his legs that should keep the Celtics contending as the Big 3 begins to slow down.
7. T.J. Ford, Indiana Pacers
As a point guard, speed is really the only attribute that sets Ford apart from his peers. At 6 feet and 165 pounds, he's small. He's not a great passer or shooter. He isn't an outstanding defender or leader. But man can he fly! More of a Ferrari than a Ford, he drove a Pacers offense that averaged 105.2 points last season, fifth in the league.
6. Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
In his own way, Robinson is as much of a physical freak as Dwight Howard and LeBron James, just in a smaller package. A 5-9 shooting guard (dare you to name anyone else who fits that description) who averaged 17.2 points last season, he creates all the space he needs with his incredible speed and explosiveness. The 2009 Slam Dunk champ played defensive back at Washington and was reportedly timed at 4.38 in the 40.
5. Aaron Brooks, Houston Rockets
How did the Rockets push the Lakers to seven games in the West semifinals without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, and with Ron Artest missing almost every shot? One of the biggest reasons was the smallest player on the court. Brooks, a second-year guard from Oregon, didn't become the Rockets' starter until they traded Rafer Alston in mid-February, but he had his coming-out party against the Lakers. Making Derek Fisher look old (OK, he is old, but not that old), Brooks blew through L.A.'s defense for 79 points in Houston's three wins (but just 47 in the four losses). At 24, he still has a lot to learn about running a team, but his speed gives him a chance to be something special.
4. Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets
On February 18, 2008, the Nets traded away Jason Kidd, one of the greatest fast-breaking point guards of all time, and got someone much faster. That's partly because Kidd, now 36, has lost a step or two. But it's also because Harris, who New Jersey got in return from the Mavericks, looks like a cheetah racing up and down the court. On defense, his prey is the opposing point guard, and Harris is among the best at staying in front of his man. On offense, it's almost impossible to stop him from getting to the rim. He averaged 21.3 points last season despite shooting 29 percent on 3-pointers. Now if only he could see the court and pass like Kidd...but maybe that will come. After all, he's a fast learner.
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Is it really possible for a 6-8, 260-pound man to be among the fastest players in the NBA? Well, did you see LeBron play last season? How many times did he chase down opponents and swat breakaway layups? How many times per game did he race past everyone for transition dunks? Did you ever see anyone catch him? He may not look like he's flying, but at his size he doesn't need many steps to cover huge amounts of space. (Just think of Usain Bolt in the Olympics.) His power is only half of what makes him such an insane athletic specimen. His speed is the other half. If his basketball IQ and skills ever match his physical ability — and they're getting closer every year — the 24-year-old James truly will be king of the league.
2. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
After all these years, opponents know how to defend Parker. Play off him and dare him to shoot from outside. Swarm him when he drives to the basket and try to make him pass rather than shoot. It doesn't matter. The fast Frenchman is routinely among the league leaders in layups despite his small stature (6-2, 185) because his blinding speed — and his clever use of it — makes him the best penetrating point guard in the league. Last season he averaged 22 points on 50.6-percent shooting despite making a paltry 19 3-pointers. With Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili slowing down, it's now up to the 27-year-old Parker to keep San Antonio in the NBA fast lane.
1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
There is plenty of room for disagreement here — like we said, no one's timing every NBA player with a stopwatch — but Rose tops this list because of his speed in every situation. From end to end, the 2009 Rookie of the Year can cover the 94 feet as fast as anybody. In close quarters, his burst is unbelievable. He can run the fast break or penetrate through halfcourt defenses with equal velocity. And at 6-3 and 190, he has a strong frame and excellent body control, making him arguably the best athlete of all the league's point guards. Considering he won't be old enough to drink a beer till October, the 20-year-old Rose is on the fast track to NBA stardom.