is wiggins as athletic as pre-2012 lebron?

[Rose'sACL]

wiggins looks pretty fast so i was trying to get your opinions about how athletic is he? i am a lebron fan so i might be biased and that is why i am asking you guys.
my friend is a wolves fan and he thinks that wiggins is as athletic as young lebron.
jt123/dragic alts, budadii alts etc should not answer this.

[SugarHill]

Fvck no

[Velocirap31]

Strength wise, no. Leaping and quickness, I guess.

[Cocaine80s]

His vert is pretty close

Everything else is probably a notch below. Crazy as **** too since Lebron probably outweighed him by 40 lbs

[Trollsmasher]

LeBron did everything apart from two feet jumping better at 50 more pounds

[hahaitme]

Nope

[CavaliersFTW]

Is strength not a factor in athleticism anymore?

[Budadiiii]

I don't think anyone in history has the mixture of strength, speed, size, power, and agility that LeBron has.

He should have been able to pass MJ as the GOAT but didn't quite measure up in the mind. Wiggins isn't as athletic or big or strong as LeBron but I like his mental make-up better.

If you want to talk about genetics, the mind is genetics. LeBron may impress some people but he's never maximized his potential IMO. Being calculated and passive impresses people because they look at his career and say it's worked out fine. In reality, if he was more ruthless and demanding, he would easily be the GOAT. Just my two cents.

[dunksby]

I don't think we will see an athlete like LeBron anytime soon.

[Budadiiii]

Is strength not a factor in athleticism anymore?
Wilt is another guy who lacked the intangibles and winning attitude.

Bill Russell was a better leader and threw up before his games because of how much pressure he put on himself to lead his team to victory. He held himself to a very high standard the same way you see with MJ and now Westbrook and Durant.

[lilteapot]

Lebron looks a lot more explosive than Wiggins is; he was lightning fast on the break and had a killer first step

[RoundMoundOfReb]

No. Not even close. Kobe was a better athlete than Wiggins too. LeBron was insane. Heck I think he is STILL more athletic than Wiggins.

[dubnation]

No way. People have such short memories... same thing happened with Kobe (although he started off in a lower tier of athleticism) with people believing that he was never an athletic player and relied only on skill.

[Ca$H]

No. Not even close. Kobe was a better athlete than Wiggins too. LeBron was insane. Heck I think he is STILL more athletic than Wiggins.

:biggums: Kobe's combine numbers are on par with JR Smith's numbers.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

:biggums: Kobe's combine numbers are on par with JR Smith's numbers.
Combine would tell you that Reggie Jackson is a better athlete than Russell Westbrook. Irrelevant.

[FireDavidKahn]

Yes in everything but strength

[Nash]

if you're one of those that believe athleticism = how high you can jump

if you take strength into account then no chance in hell

[ImKobe]

Combine would tell you that Reggie Jackson is a better athlete than Russell Westbrook. Irrelevant.

Russ wasn't as athletic coming into the league as he is right now

[FireDavidKahn]

if you're one of those that believe athleticism = how high you can jump

if you take strength into account then no chance in hellthere is a hell of a lot more to it then just those two factors as well. And yes,lbj blows Wiggins out of the water. But don't for a second think Wiggins doesn't measure up in almost every other category. We aren't comparing them as players either, so people shouldn't use the biases about how great lbj was and is.

[CavaliersFTW]

Here's the thing... saying "Yes in everything but strength" makes him seem like he's basically incredible just minus one little gift (of strength) but it's not that simple. Wiggins is no doubt an athletic guy, but oddly enough he still merely equals or falls short of many other great athletic forwards.

For example, I don't think he's as athletic as Doctor J... who could also be pigeon holed as "Yes in everything but strength" to Lebron, only he added to that even greater agility, gigantic hands, and PERHAPS greater leaping ability (even if not greater leaping ability his mid-air agility and control of the ball with his giant hands made him at least appear greater at it).

I'm also not convinced he's a greater athlete than say, Dominique Wilkins or James Worthy. Dominique due to a bit more strength and Worthy due to again giant hands that could whip the ball around with ease.

Wiggins is athletic. But he lacks a certain X factor, some special physical tool that makes you go "wow" like the guys I mentioned. I'm not sure he's more athletic than a great great deal of players that have played the game that were also called "athletic". He doesn't have any out standing attributes that set him apart like Lebron (great size/strength for his position) or Dr. J (the hands/body control), etc.

[Budadiiii]

LeBron has him beat in hand-eye coordination and balance too.

[SugarHill]

No. Not even close. Kobe was a better athlete than Wiggins too. LeBron was insane. Heck I think he is STILL more athletic than Wiggins.
:roll: :roll:

[Budadiiii]

:roll: :roll:
He was a better functional athlete. Better body control, hand-eye coordination, agility, strength.

Just because Wiggins is fast end to end and can jump higher doesn't make him a better all-around athlete.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

He was a better functional athlete. Better body control, hand-eye coordination, agility, strength.

Just because Wiggins is fast end to end and can jump higher doesn't make him a better all-around athlete.
This

[SugarHill]

He was a better functional athlete. Better body control, hand-eye coordination, agility, strength.

Just because Wiggins is fast end to end and can jump higher doesn't make him a better all-around athlete.
Kobe at 20 had more agility and strength? Remember, Kobe was once a twig himself.

[Budadiiii]

Kobe at 20 had more agility and strength? Remember, Kobe was once a twig himself.
Kobe was probably stronger in High School than Wiggins is now. Agility and body control wise it's not all that close. Kobe is way more fluid than Wiggins.

[SugarHill]

Kobe was probably stronger in High School than Wiggins is now. Agility and body control wise it's not all that close. Kobe is way more fluid than Wiggins.

Kobe is also more fluid and has better body control than Westbrook and Nate Robinson. Actually, Kobe has better body control than most players in NBA history. Is Kobe a top 10 athlete in NBA history? Is he also more athletic than Zach Lavine? Lavine looks absolutely mechanical compared to Frobe. How much stock are you willing to put into body control when the disparity in speed and leaping ability is as pronounced?

[inclinerator]

lebron has him in speed, strength, coordination,
wiggins probably has quickness over him

[Jacks3]

lol, if kobe had the body of wiggins, he would have been a top 5 player ever.

some of you are nuts. :facepalm

[Clyde]

Anyone have quantifiable numbers to back up any type of argument, or is this thread typical ISH fan boys pissing their retarded opinions at each other?

[Budadiiii]

Kobe is also more fluid and has better body control than Westbrook and Nate Robinson. Actually, Kobe has better body control than most players in NBA history. Is Kobe a top 10 athlete in NBA history? Is he also more athletic than Zach Lavine? Lavine looks absolutely mechanical compared to Frobe. How much stock are you willing to put into body control when the disparity in speed and leaping ability is as pronounced?
Kobe had a higher vert than Westbrook, and Nate Robinson is almost a foot shorter than Kobe. Of course Kobe is the more impressive athlete.

Westbrook is faster, more explosive and has better endurance. Westbrook and Wiggins are track and field athletes. Kobe is more functional in the sport of basketball. Better dexterity. Wade was a better athlete than both too, in terms of basketball functionality. Kobe and Wade bigger and stronger and more fluid. They impressive me more tbh.

[Velocirap31]

I don't care what the draft combines say, there is no way Kobe ever had a higher vertical leap than Westbrook.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Y'all are seriously underrating Kobe's athleticism.

[Budadiiii]

I don't care what the draft combines say, there is no way Kobe ever had a higher vertical leap than Westbrook.

Westbrook's fools a lot of people because of how aggressive his dunks are. Tricks people into thinking he's a once in a lifetime leaper when in reality he's just blazing fast and aggressive as ****.

[Velocirap31]

Westbrook's fools a lot of people because of how aggressive his dunks are. Tricks people into thinking he's a once in a lifetime leaper when in reality he's just blazing quick and aggressive as ****.

He hits his head on the backboard during dunks. Has Kobe ever done that?

[Hoopz2332]

Nowhere near the athlete as lebron.....Wiggins isn't even that more athletic than Jeff Green.:coleman:

Wiggins never will have this kind of speed while being 50 pounds less


LeBron James SICK Breakaway Dunk - 4/18/09 Playoffs Game 1 vs Pistons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyBT7xEdnAw


Sport Science: Lebron James Chase Down Block (2010)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62sVb8_OcNc



Lebron James Super Amped Fast Break Lay-Up On Kyle Korver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhlO7Z-ozug



don't even need to get into power

http://giant.gfycat.com/AromaticGrippingBandicoot.gif


lebron also has superior leaping

http://i.imgur.com/7cbFwFk.gif


https://38.media.tumblr.com/71d911a8162d5e374a6a184fbfe68fd4/tumblr_n68s7y78ZZ1rq1dtdo1_250.gif


http://31.media.tumblr.com/8bd3bcecad8356b3cf1965d0a1cce62d/tumblr_mo0aptnqqc1r5ndk1o1_400.gif

http://i33.tinypic.com/t70n5w.gif


http://i.imgur.com/jhH6KyB.gif

http://i.imgur.com/B3JJYPT.gif

[noob cake]

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

Unproven rookie already have homers comparing him to a top 10 GOAT.

[Living Being]

http://7b6ys2k8d5a24828uwjoy2hg1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/topbboard.jpg

[FireDavidKahn]

Here's the thing... saying "Yes in everything but strength" makes him seem like he's basically incredible just minus one little gift (of strength) but it's not that simple. Wiggins is no doubt an athletic guy, but oddly enough he still merely equals or falls short of many other great athletic forwards.

For example, I don't think he's as athletic as Doctor J... who could also be pigeon holed as "Yes in everything but strength" to Lebron, only he added to that even greater agility, gigantic hands, and PERHAPS greater leaping ability (even if not greater leaping ability his mid-air agility and control of the ball with his giant hands made him at least appear greater at it).

I'm also not convinced he's a greater athlete than say, Dominique Wilkins or James Worthy. Dominique due to a bit more strength and Worthy due to again giant hands that could whip the ball around with ease.

Wiggins is athletic. But he lacks a certain X factor, some special physical tool that makes you go "wow" like the guys I mentioned. I'm not sure he's more athletic than a great great deal of players that have played the game that were also called "athletic". He doesn't have any out standing attributes that set him apart like Lebron (great size/strength for his position) or Dr. J (the hands/body control), etc.
Wiggins is a shooting guard, he isn't a forward. He doesn't have any strengths? He is fast as shit and if lavine wasn't in the league he would have arguably the highest vert. His agility is also elite. Yes he does have physical attributes that are generational.

[FireDavidKahn]

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

Unproven rookie already have homers comparing him to a top 10 GOAT.
The point of this thread had eluded you.even a first grader could pick it up.

[Prime_Shaq]

Not even close boy. LeBron in 2012 was a crazy monster.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Um to be polite ... **** no

[JohnMax]

Wiggins body is the problem. It won't allow him to harness his true athleticism which blows Lebron and Jordan out of water.

-

[KirbyPls]

I don't think anyone in history has the mixture of strength, speed, size, power, and agility that LeBron has.

He should have been able to pass MJ as the GOAT but didn't quite measure up in the mind. Wiggins isn't as athletic or big or strong as LeBron but I like his mental make-up better.

If you want to talk about genetics, the mind is genetics. LeBron may impress some people but he's never maximized his potential IMO. Being calculated and passive impresses people because they look at his career and say it's worked out fine. In reality, if he was more ruthless and demanding, he would easily be the GOAT. Just my two cents.

LBJ's my favorite player ever, and this might be your most objective post on him ever. I can't disagree actually.

[JtotheIzzo]

Bran was a concern to some coming out of high school because they saw him as 'too ready' meaning that he was at a physical and athletic peak at that time and adding more muscle/size would only be a detriment.

For his first 8 years Bran (with some added bulk) proved everyone wrong, he was a freight train. Now in his 30s he himself is trying to lose weight and had some success with it this summer (Kobe did the same thing a few years back).

Big bodies aren't built for the long term.

If you look at Wiggins, he is very similar to Jordan at that time. Here is a pic of all four around the same age:

http://www.basketsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/BIG-950-wiggins.jpg

Wiggins has a lot of room to add bulk, but bulk isn't a thing people want anymore, look for trainers to have him focus on body weight workouts, core training etc. not traditional adding of muscle mass.

He is only 20 and not at the same stage in his development Bran was at 20, he is equally athletic (perhaps moreso in raw stats) but Bran is stronger. 20 years is nowhere near anyone's strength peak so Wiggins has time.

Wiggins is an insane athlete who is still leaning how to harness his athleticism, in the last two months his dunk totals have spiked, he has gotten to the rim a lot more, and has proven to be an extremely effective post up player. All this while still looking a bit stiff. Once he gets caught up to his athleticism and smooths it out he will then be able to pin point his force and be a stronger player.

[yarrak]

Bran was a concern to some coming out of high school because they saw him as 'too ready' meaning that he was at a physical and athletic peak at that time and adding more muscle/size would only be a detriment.

For his first 8 years Bran (with some added bulk) proved everyone wrong, he was a freight train. Now in his 30s he himself is trying to lose weight and had some success with it this summer (Kobe did the same thing a few years back).

Big bodies aren't built for the long term.

If you look at Wiggins, he is very similar to Jordan at that time. Here is a pic of all four around the same age:

http://www.basketsession.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/BIG-950-wiggins.jpg

Wiggins has a lot of room to add bulk, but bulk isn't a thing people want anymore, look for trainers to have him focus on body weight workouts, core training etc. not traditional adding of muscle mass.

He is only 20 and not at the same stage in his development Bran was at 20, he is equally athletic (perhaps moreso in raw stats) but Bran is stronger. 20 years is nowhere near anyone's strength peak so Wiggins has time.

Wiggins is an insane athlete who is still leaning how to harness his athleticism, in the last two months his dunk totals have spiked, he has gotten to the rim a lot more, and has proven to be an extremely effective post up player. All this while still looking a bit stiff. Once he gets caught up to his athleticism and smooths it out he will then be able to pin point his force and be a stronger player.

:facepalm :facepalm

People forget how athletic young Lebron was...

Wiggins will never even get close to Lebron level athleticism.

[plowking]

Some serious underrating of Wiggins.

He is a better two footed leaper, more agile than Bron has ever been, and I'd say equal in end to end pace. Wiggins might be the quickest guy in the league end to end at the moment, just like Bron was at one point.

Wiggins isn't that dude who can just jump high and wow you. He seriously is a gazelle out there running end to end.

[Im Still Ballin]

The thing that makes Lebron so freaky and what sets him apart from other great athletes is his bulk/size. At his peak he was pretty much 270 and getting his shoulders at rim level. Dude was going HAM on the test/steroids and HGH... this was back when Dwight was superhuman too and had those boulder shoulders...

God I miss the Stern steroid era

[Hoopz2332]

wiggins doesn't look as athletic as jabari parker

[CTbasketball92]

Wiggins might be the most explosive player in the league in terms of straightline speed and vertical leaping. Honest to god think he could hurt himself if he were to jump as high as he could because he'd fall so far. His first step is also ridiculous for his size -- better than LeBron's ever was.

With that said, LeBron is far more graceful with his body control and dexterity around the rim, and even though wiggins is actually very strong (explodes through contact like a running back even though he's skinny), and has amazingly light feet, LeBron is just a demon when it comes to strength and he's just as fast and he still weighed about 35 pounds more than Wiggins. To be completely honest, I'm not sure Wiggins even has more functional athleticism than LeBron now. LeBron also probably still has a 40+ inch vertical off the run (considering how high vince still jumps. I don't think NBA players lose as much bounce as people think they do. LeBron's bounce is still insane, never saw the dropoff other people saw).

As for Kobe ... yeah, I'd say Kobe was more functionally athletic. Kobe was incredibly fluid with the basketball and his first step was also very strong. That could also be a function of Kobe's skills though. Imagine if Wiggins had Kobe's skills? Definitely a 28 ppg a game scorer. As a raw athlete, give me wiggins, though.

[Smoke117]

Fvck no

hhahaha I legit just muttered that when I read the thread title.

[eliteballer]

Wiggins might be the most explosive player in the league in terms of straightline speed and vertical leaping. Honest to god think he could hurt himself if he were to jump as high as he could because he'd fall so far. His first step is also ridiculous for his size -- better than LeBron's ever was.

With that said, LeBron is far more graceful with his body control and dexterity around the rim, and even though wiggins is actually very strong (explodes through contact like a running back even though he's skinny), and has amazingly light feet, LeBron is just a demon when it comes to strength and he's just as fast and he still weighed about 35 pounds more than Wiggins. To be completely honest, I'm not sure Wiggins even has more functional athleticism than LeBron now. LeBron also probably still has a 40+ inch vertical off the run (considering how high vince still jumps. I don't think NBA players lose as much bounce as people think they do. LeBron's bounce is still insane, never saw the dropoff other people saw).

As for Kobe ... yeah, I'd say Kobe was more functionally athletic. Kobe was incredibly fluid with the basketball and his first step was also very strong. That could also be a function of Kobe's skills though. Imagine if Wiggins had Kobe's skills? Definitely a 28 ppg a game scorer. As a raw athlete, give me wiggins, though.

19 year old Wiggins:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjILCFmQKco


19 year old Kobe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x3cOWs0bRM

[CTbasketball92]

19 year old Wiggins:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjILCFmQKco


19 year old Kobe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x3cOWs0bRM

Yeah I've seen these before. I think wiggins is faster in a straightline and maybe just as quick as Kobe. Wiggins prob. jumps higher than almost anyone in the NBA ever. Kobe had a 38 inch vert at 17, so it no doubt got up to at least 41 or so, but wiggins might actually have an MJ level 45 inch vert. They're both really strong, even when they were thin.