Top Ten Most Athletic Basketball Athletes

[Rummpd]

I call bull .

How about you prove to me that he actually is better in all these aspects as you say? Until you do, you have zero backing and shutting the up at this point would be the only positive thing you could do.

I just saw this is from a Mavs fan - that about speaks for itself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woe-aIsOrzU

Also from a blog on his freakish abilities:

http://mb.trackandfieldnews.com/disc...685a38d1c61742

Wilt speaks on athletic ability - also from Wilt is not a one-sport man, either. At Overbrook High School in Philly, he high jumped 6 feet, 6 inches, ran the 440 in 49.0 seconds and the 880 in 1:58.3, put the shot 53 feet, 4 inches, broad jumped 22 feet."... these numbers oome from the following website: http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/wilt/article3.html

He also founded a volleyball league and played that sport well and is the Volleyball HOF.

Those that don't believe Wilt was a freak of nature - read and learn what he was doing even at the HS level. There has never been another Wilt and there never will be and he will always be in the discussion of greatest athletes of all time. James, obviously a great and rare athletic specialist, i.e. one sport, may eventually get into the discussion.

[stretch]

How ing old are you assholeSTRETCH? I mean, you've ALWAYS been known for your moronic posts, but I never thought you had no idea who Wilt was.

actually im quite aware of who Wilt is MrChugs . i know he was a of an athlete. but i think its unfair to just assume since he was a world class athlete in his day, that Lebron isnt a world class athlete today, in an era where athletes are FARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR superior.

i never once said wilt wasnt a great athlete. all ive said is the hype about wilt is a bunch of nostalgia and people forget how easy it was for him to get his stats, considering the lack of skill and athleticism in his era. he was WAY ahead of his time, as many people say Jordan was ahead of his time, or Pistol Pete was ahead of his time, or Walter Payton was ahead of his time, and such.

i also said its ridiculous to say that Lebron cannot be considered an athlete on his level, considering hes freaking 6'9 and like 260lbs. he is so fast and coordinated that he can run the entire length of the court in i believe only 3 dribbles. the guy has magnificent touch around the rim, yet can completely shred through the strongest of defenders like tin foil. the guy has an outrageous vertical and is explosive as in both acceleration and jumping ability. the guy is a magnificent athlete. to say he doesnt compare to wilt is ing stupid.

[stretch]

Those that don't believe Wilt was a freak of nature - read and learn what he was doing even at the HS level. There has never been another Wilt and there never will be and he will always be in the discussion of greatest athletes of all time. James, obviously a great and rare athletic specialist, i.e. one sport, may eventually get into the discussion.

I never said he isnt one of the greatest athletes ever, considering he absolutely is. (IMO the greatest all around athlete ever is Bo Jackson)

However, keep in mind the le of the thread... most athletic BASKETBALL athletes. you are ing stupid.

[Dramon]

Lebron played football too. And I would hardly call him a specialist.

Wilt's numbers are good especially for his size but there are lots of NBA players that could match him nowadays.

[JamStone]

It's getting redundant, but Wilt was "probably" the greatest athlete the NBA has ever seen. LeBron is a phenomenal athlete in his own right, but we know a few things about Wilt that we may never know about LeBron.

Wilt was a world class middle distance runner and high jumper. He was also elite in the shot put and sprint on a national level. While LeBron played football, I don't think we know how "strong" or "fast" he is in terms of measurables. And, Wilt had about a 48-50 inch vertical jump, better than guys like Jordan and David Thompson.

And, you cannot simply ask would Wilt have that same status by today's standards because today Wilt would have the same advantages of nutrition, training, lifting, and medical technology that today's athletes have. It's like comparing Olympic swimmers of the past not being able to hang with today's swimmers that wear swim caps and goggles, wear aerodynamic suits, shave their bodies, and actually train year round. Can't compare. But, we know that Wilt was up there in his era.

If we could find out LeBron's 100 meter, 400 meter and mile times, his shot put distance, high jump, shot put, bench press, and vertical jump (that must be available somewhere), then we could better compare.

But, with what we do know, it's silly to suggest Wilt isn't at least "arguably" the best athlete in the history of the NBA.

[stretch]

It's getting redundant, but Wilt was "probably" the greatest athlete the NBA has ever seen. LeBron is a phenomenal athlete in his own right, but we know a few things about Wilt that we may never know about LeBron.

Wilt was a world class middle distance runner and high jumper. He was also elite in the shot put and sprint on a national level. While LeBron played football, I don't think we know how "strong" or "fast" he is in terms of measurables. And, Wilt had about a 48-50 inch vertical jump, better than guys like Jordan and David Thompson.

And, you cannot simply ask would Wilt have that same status by today's standards because today Wilt would have the same advantages of nutrition, training, lifting, and medical technology that today's athletes have. It's like comparing Olympic swimmers of the past not being able to hang with today's swimmers that wear swim caps and goggles, wear aerodynamic suits, shave their bodies, and actually train year round. Can't compare. But, we know that Wilt was up there in his era.

If we could find out LeBron's 100 meter, 400 meter and mile times, his shot put distance, high jump, shot put, bench press, and vertical jump (that must be available somewhere), then we could better compare.

But, with what we do know, it's silly to suggest Wilt isn't at least "arguably" the best athlete in the history of the NBA.

hi lebron hater

[JamStone]

What's up, LeBron sucker.

[stretch]

What's up, LeBron sucker.

not much. how is going A2M with wilt's dead corpse going for ya? (along with rummpd, mr chug, and the idiot with the steven a smith avatar.)

[SenorSpur]

I never said he isnt one of the greatest athletes ever, considering he absolutely is. (IMO the greatest all around athlete ever is Bo Jackson)

However, keep in mind the le of the thread... most athletic BASKETBALL athletes. you are ing stupid.

Here, hear!

Jackson is the probably the only athlete to become dominant at two sports. I believe he made the Pro Bowl and the MLB All-Star team in the same season. He certainly played at an all-star level in both sports until that tragic injury he suffered when he was horse-collared during that long run versus the Bengals.

[Rummpd]

I never said he isnt one of the greatest athletes ever, considering he absolutely is. (IMO the greatest all around athlete ever is Bo Jackson)

However, keep in mind the le of the thread... most athletic BASKETBALL athletes. you are ing stupid.

I brought up that great athletes are great in several sports, Iverson for example is another example of a great two sport athlete - he was an award winning high school quarterback. To consider great athletes one has to put them on a plane with their peers, and Chamberlain is up there with the all time greats, and James does deserve some consideration for his athletic abilities, I grant you that and there are many current and former NBA athletes that are just incredible combinations of speed, flexibility, endurance, and other athletic attributes - many of which are due to genetics, but also enhanced more these days by training and nutrition (and one still wonders in some cases by drugs or other enhancers), but that does not mean that former unreal athletic specimens (i.e. Chamberlain, Jordan, Robertson, Spencer Haywood, David Thompson, and Russell and many others) should be discounted from current discussion.

Finally, Mr. Stretch I will put my IQ, academic credentials, and life accomplishments up against you anyday and refuse to go down to your level of profanity.

Like you I love the NBA, sports and healthy arguements, and agree to disagree.

[stretch]

Blah blah blah bull bull bull

Neat.

[stretch]

Here, hear!

Jackson is the probably the only athlete to become dominant at two sports. I believe he made the Pro Bowl and the MLB All-Star team in the same season. He certainly played at an all-star level in both sports until that tragic injury he suffered when he was horse-collared during that long run versus the Bengals.

Indeed. The dude was simply not human. To combine the coordination, balance, speed, agility, size, finesse, and power the way he did...

[Galileo]

Here, hear!

Jackson is the probably the only athlete to become dominant at two sports. I believe he made the Pro Bowl and the MLB All-Star team in the same season. He certainly played at an all-star level in both sports until that tragic injury he suffered when he was horse-collared during that long run versus the Bengals.

Jim Brown was a better athlete than Jackson. But Jim Brown is not tall enough to make the list of top basketball athletes.

Rick Leach starred in college for 4 years as Michigan's quarterback, with over 100 touchdowns running and passing, then he went and played about 10 years as a major league baseball player.

[SenorSpur]

Jim Brown was a better athlete than Jackson. But Jim Brown is not tall enough to make the list of top basketabll athletes.

Rick Leach starred in college for 4 years as Michigan's quarterback, with over 100 touchdowns running and passing, then he went and played about 10 years as a major league baseball player.

I'm not discounting Jim Brown's credentials at all. For what it's worth, Brown was also an All-American Lacrosse player as well.

All I'm saying is that we have evidence, imperical evidence, that Bo dominated two professional sports during his heyday. Obviously, that gives him a leg up on those that didn't participate in dual sports. However it's evidence as to what a freak of an athlete he really was.

A guy like Deion Sanders played two sports, but he only dominated football - not baseball the way Bo did.

[stretch]

Jim Brown was a better athlete than Jackson.

Proof?

[Galileo]

I'm not discounting Jim Brown's credentials at all. For what it's worth, Brown was also an All-American Lacrosse player as well.

All I'm saying is that we have evidence, imperical evidence, that Bo dominated two professional sports during his heyday. Obviously, that gives him a leg up on those that didn't participate in dual sports. However it's evidence as to what a freak of an athlete he really was.

A guy like Deion Sanders played two sports, but he only dominated football - not baseball the way Bo did.

I don't think Bo dominated in any sport. He got hyped up because he won the Heisman in college.

In football, he ran over Brian Bosworth on Monday night football, and in baseball he won the all-star MVP and hit a home run in the game. Mostly, he struck out a lot.

Take away those two games, neither which meant a lot, and there's not much there.

Jim Briwn is considered by many to be the greatest La Crosse player of all time. Many think he's the greatest football player of all time as well.

Dave DeBusschere was an excellent pitcher, and then a star basketball player.

Ed "Too Tall" Jones was undefeated, 5-0, as a pro boxer.

Bert Campaneris played all 9 positions in one baseball game.

Satchel Page pitched MLB at the age of 65.

Gordie Howe played pro hockey into his 50s.

Babe Ruth was a star pitcher and a slugger with a high batting average.

Montgomery Ward won over 100 games as a pitcher through the age of only 21 years old! Then he switched to the infield and had over 2000 hits and over 1500 runs scored! Then he founded a department store.

Cap Anson batted over .300 for 27 consecutive years!

Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonds both made the 30-30 club (steals and home runs) multiple times.

Jim Thorpe played pro baseball for several years, won gold medals, and was a star football player.

Cal Hubbard made the football hall-of-fame as a star lineman for the Packers championship teams in 1928-29-30, then he made the baseball hall-of fame as an umpire.

Leon Wood was a star basketball player, now he's a star ref.

None of these people make the list of top basketball athletes.

[Galileo]

Proof?

more rushing yards, more touchdowns, bigger, tougher faster, more rugged, fearless, more grueling.

Jim Brown AVERAGED 5.22 yards per carry, no one else has ever come close to that record.

He also AVERAGED over 100 yeards per game for his entire career, another record not touched.

[mavs>spurs2]

And, Wilt had about a 48-50 inch vertical jump, better than guys like Jordan and David Thompson.

I don't know where people keep getting this stupid stat but if Wilt had a 50 inch vertical at 7'1 he would be able to put his nuts on the shot clock. a 7ft 1 guy with arms like Wilt has a standing reach of about 9ft 6, when u add 50 inches to that you get almost 14 feet, not to mention you jump higher when youre running as opposed to standing vertical. judging by video Dwight Howard looks much more athletic than Wilt and only reaches about 12 ft 6 which is spectacular. Again, no way Wilts vert was 50, sorry.

[stretch]

more rushing yards, more touchdowns, bigger, tougher faster, more rugged, fearless, more grueling.

Jim Brown AVERAGED 5.22 yards per carry, no one else has ever come close to that record.

He also AVERAGED over 100 yeards per game for his entire career, another record not touched.

Worst reasoning I've ever heard.

And I'm not sure where you get the idea hes better in all these areas.

Bo had a short career, partly due to being an all-star in baseball, and also due to his injury. But for his career, Bo actually averaged more YPC than Jim Brown, at 5.4. He was also said to have run a 4.12 40-yard-dash. He was tough as it gets, shown especially during his injury where after dislocating his hip, he popped it back in place BY HIMSELF on the field, then walked out of the stadium on his own strength. Remember him running over a trash talking Brian Bosworth, who was supposed to be the next great monster LB? I dont think there was any questions about his strength, ruggedness, or fearlessness there.

Jim Brown was also another athlete far ahead of his time. Stick him in the game today, no way in he averages those numbers where he has to face defenses that are FAR bigger, faster, and stronger than they were in the days he played. He also played in seasons with less games, which makes a big difference as the year goes on and the RBs get more and more beat down. I'll take LT in his prime over Jim Brown in his prime.

[stretch]

Take away those two games, neither which meant a lot, and there's not much there.

Shows how misinformed you are. Stop posting on the subject of Bo Jackson, please.

In fact, judging by your thread you started, stop talking about sports, period.

[Galileo]

Worst reasoning I've ever heard.

And I'm not sure where you get the idea hes better in all these areas.

Bo had a short career, partly due to being an all-star in baseball, and also due to his injury. But for his career, Bo actually averaged more YPC than Jim Brown, at 5.4. He was also said to have run a 4.12 40-yard-dash. He was tough as it gets, shown especially during his injury where after dislocating his hip, he popped it back in place BY HIMSELF on the field, then walked out of the stadium on his own strength. Remember him running over a trash talking Brian Bosworth, who was supposed to be the next great monster LB? I dont think there was any questions about his strength, ruggedness, or fearlessness there.

Jim Brown was also another athlete far ahead of his time. Stick him in the game today, no way in he averages those numbers where he has to face defenses that are FAR bigger, faster, and stronger than they were in the days he played. He also played in seasons with less games, which makes a big difference as the year goes on and the RBs get more and more beat down. I'll take LT in his prime over Jim Brown in his prime.

Bo Jackson had better nutrition than Jim Brown. Give Brown modern conditioning and scientific training methods and Brown blows Bo out of the water Brown was more nimble than Bo, too.

[JamStone]

I don't know where people keep getting this stupid stat but if Wilt had a 50 inch vertical at 7'1 he would be able to put his nuts on the shot clock. a 7ft 1 guy with arms like Wilt has a standing reach of about 9ft 6, when u add 50 inches to that you get almost 14 feet, not to mention you jump higher when youre running as opposed to standing vertical. judging by video Dwight Howard looks much more athletic than Wilt and only reaches about 12 ft 6 which is spectacular. Again, no way Wilts vert was 50, sorry.

Approximately the 27 second mark. Sorry.

[dirk4mvp]

You do know that just because he says it doesn't mean it's true right?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

You do know that just because he says it doesn't mean it's true right?

But it's Wilt. He would never lie to us.

[JamStone]

You do know that just because he says it doesn't mean it's true right?

The question wasn't how true it was. The question was where "the stupid stat" came from. Well, it came from Wilt himself. Sure, it's possible it's not true. But, people didn't just make up the "stupid stat."