Best First Step You've Seen

[HighFlyer23]

Who has the best first step you've seen?

[ClipperRevival]

Michael Jeffrey Jordan.

Not only that, but he is the most fluid, coordinated and agile athlete I have ever seen in the NBA. Some were more explosive off the ground. Maybe some could run faster in a straight line. But in terms of the traits you need athletically for basketball, he was the perfect athlete. Devastating quickness, amazing change of direction and fluidity of movement. Could stop and go as well as any PG. Ability to explode off on or two feet. Ability to glide in the air. Huge hands. He had it all.

[TripleA]

Who has the best first step you've seen?

Barbosa.

[ClipperRevival]

http://m.youtube.com/results?q=michael%20jordan%20first%20step&sm=3

[SHAQisGOAT]

Probably Jordan, yea.

Others who had a killer 1st step: Worthy, Iverson, Kevin Johnson, Wade, David Thompson...

[Fallen Angel]

Barbosa

[ShawkFactory]

AI

[JohnMax]

Carmelo Anthony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psXgVL8iapo&t=2m01s

[Taller than CP3]

Monta Ellis

[ClipperRevival]

Probably Jordan, yea.

Others who had a killer 1st step: Worthy, Iverson, Kevin Johnson, Wade, David Thompson...

Worthy had an amazing first step. That was one of his best attributes. Face you up from 15-17 and just blow by you.

KJ also had an amazing first step. He was able to get to the rim almost at will.

[Hittin_Shots]

Armstrong

[inclinerator]

lebron james

[9erempiree]

Kobe Bryant

[FreezingTsmoove]

MJ obviously but for discussion sake 2011 Rose

[KNOW1EDGE]

Iverson.

Prime Derrick Rose was a blur.

[scandisk_]

87-93 MJ was quick as fakk with that first step. 2nd 3peat Jordan pales in comparison, it's just night and day. You see him move on one spot to another like a cat.

[scandisk_]

87-93 MJ was quick as fakk with that first step. 2nd 3peat Jordan pales in comparison, it's just night and day. You see him move on one spot to another like a cat.

[Dro]

Worthy had an amazing first step. That was one of his best attributes. Face you up from 15-17 and just blow by you.

KJ also had an amazing first step. He was able to get to the rim almost at will.
Came in just to post this......

[CarlosBoozer]

MJ

2011 Rose was insanely fast.

[SugarHill]

dante exum

[SHAQisGOAT]

Probably Jordan, yea.

Others who had a killer 1st step: Worthy, Iverson, Kevin Johnson, Wade, David Thompson...

Forgot about Andrew Toney, think he definitely needs to be mentioned.



Worthy had an amazing first step. That was one of his best attributes. Face you up from 15-17 and just blow by you.

KJ also had an amazing first step. He was able to get to the rim almost at will.

Worthy made it very hard for opponents due to that... Great mobility with a killer 1st step while being 6'9, equipped with a very good post-game, great foorwork and soft-touch around the rim.

Yea, KJ was a beast with it, one of the very best athletes at the PG position ever.

[andgar923]

Would like to see past era players without the hand checking and open lanes.

[kennethgriffin]

Michael Jeffrey Jordan.

Not only that, but he is the most fluid, coordinated and agile athlete I have ever seen in the NBA. Some were more explosive off the ground. Maybe some could run faster in a straight line. But in terms of the traits you need athletically for basketball, he was the perfect athlete. Devastating quickness, amazing change of direction and fluidity of movement. Could stop and go as well as any PG. Ability to explode off on or two feet. Ability to glide in the air. Huge hands. He had it all.

jordan fans are so f*cking dumb

jordan isnt even one of the top 50 all time quickest players


hes one of the all time quickest 6-6 shooting guards... yes....


but theres 5-9 to 6-4 guys throughout history that only made the nba based on speed

[sportjames23]

Michael Jeffrey Jordan.

Not only that, but he is the most fluid, coordinated and agile athlete I have ever seen in the NBA. Some were more explosive off the ground. Maybe some could run faster in a straight line. But in terms of the traits you need athletically for basketball, he was the perfect athlete. Devastating quickness, amazing change of direction and fluidity of movement. Could stop and go as well as any PG. Ability to explode off on or two feet. Ability to glide in the air. Huge hands. He had it all.


/thread

[BuffaloBill]

dante exum

His first step was truly something.. But his last step was the real game changer :(

[ClipperRevival]

Forgot about Andrew Toney, think he definitely needs to be mentioned.




Worthy made it very hard for opponents due to that... Great mobility with a killer 1st step while being 6'9, equipped with a very good post-game, great foorwork and soft-touch around the rim.

Yea, KJ was a beast with it, one of the very best athletes at the PG position ever.

Yeah, prime KJ was a beast. I still have visions of him just getting to the basket at will against my Lakers time and time again. His first step was definitely one of the best ever.

[kurple]

Iverson

[HurricaneKid]

LOL at this thread. If anyone seriously thinks MJ was in the same conversation as AI as far as quickness they weren't around to watch. MJ was 100x the player but he wasn't nearly the blur AI was.

[raprap]

Iverson.

[ClipperRevival]

LOL at this thread. If anyone seriously thinks MJ was in the same conversation as AI as far as quickness they weren't around to watch. MJ was 100x the player but he wasn't nearly the blur AI was.

Yeah, I would have to give the edge to AI. But MJ was in the conversation. He was cat quick. But my post was more about describing MJ's overall attributes as a player and not just his quickness.

I would say that MJ's jab step is better than his first step. And when you combine both, he was literally unguardable when he faced you up because he was utterly devastating going right or giving you the jab step and going left.

[SHAQisGOAT]

LOL at this thread. If anyone seriously thinks MJ was in the same conversation as AI as far as quickness they weren't around to watch. MJ was 100x the player but he wasn't nearly the blur AI was.

80's Jordan was quick af, killer 1st step, cat-like, crazy to watch... Not going against anyone picking AI (I've mentioned him too) but let's not say that Jordan was not in the same conversation or something, especially considering that Mike was considerably bigger.

[sportjames23]

LOL at this thread. If anyone seriously thinks MJ was in the same conversation as AI as far as quickness they weren't around to watch. MJ was 100x the player but he wasn't nearly the blur AI was.


Educate yourself:

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

[OldSchoolBBall]

Iverson was quicker, but I don't think his first step was as fast as Jordan's. If it were, you would have seen him beating defenders just facing up and blowing by them more frequently than he did, like Jordan used to do. Hell, even in 1997, Jordan was voted as having the league's best first step by NBA coaches - and this was well past his explosive prime.

Like SHAQisGOAT said, let's not act like it's crazy to think Jordan had the better first step. Not only was it super quick, it was also long.

[Solidape]

Chris Jackson aka Abdul-Rauf stop and pop

[Indian guy]

It's hard to truly gauge first steps of little guys. It's so rare to see 'em create off a triple threat to begin with. They are always playing with a live dribble from behind the 3pt line.

Among SGs and SFs, the best first steps I've seen are Dr. J, MJ, David Thompson and Worthy. Then you have 2nd tier guys like Kobe, T-Mac, VC and Drexler.

[brownmamba00]

Wade was freakishly quick too at his peak...his ability to split the Pnr and dunk on the opposing center was crazy don't call him Flash for nothin

[HurricaneKid]

Educate yourself:

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

I lived the Jordan years. I'm a grown man with a mortgage and I have more than one framed picture of MJ up at my house.

Quick as AI (who I don't even like)? Not even remotely close.

[SHAQisGOAT]

I lived the Jordan years. I'm a grown man with a mortgage and I have more than one framed picture of MJ up at my house.

Quick as AI (who I don't even like)? Not even remotely close.

The need you have to always say something along those lines just makes it seem more like bullshit, ijs.
The "not even remotely close" there further adds on to that.

First of all, we're discussing players' 1st steps, so I'll just stick to that here... And MJ can DEFINITELY be argued to have the quickest 1st step.

[3ball]

Iverson was quicker, but I don't think his first step was as fast as Jordan's. If it were, you would have seen him beating defenders just facing up and blowing by them more frequently than he did, like Jordan used to do.

Hell, even in 1997, Jordan was voted as having the league's best first step by NBA coaches - and this was well past his explosive prime.

Like SHAQisGOAT said, let's not act like it's crazy to think Jordan had the better first step. Not only was it super quick, it was also long.



I think this is the kind of thing the coaches were referring to (MJ blow-by on PG Travis Best):


http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-06-2015/HIHrz6.gif

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-06-2015/aKvlub.gif


Here's MJ off a live-dribble against the DPOY Rodman:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCNK0Nntvl8&t=0m11s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4ZlHwMstDc&t=2m03s
.

[Indian guy]

Wade was freakishly quick too at his peak...his ability to split the Pnr and dunk on the opposing center was crazy don't call him Flash for nothin

Oh yeah. Bar none the quickest SG ever, but his first step wasn't tier 1.

[-23-]

Wilt Chamberlain, and it isn't even close. His first step off the top of the key, and the next time his feet touches ground is when he smashes it into the rim, breaking some poor souls arm in the process. Speed? Wilt Chamberlain ran a 4.2s 40yd dash while juggling mountain lions, writing poetry, and smoking a fat blunt.

[Dro]

LOL at this thread. If anyone seriously thinks MJ was in the same conversation as AI as far as quickness they weren't around to watch. MJ was 100x the player but he wasn't nearly the blur AI was.
There's a difference between first step and overall quickness. This thread is about first step and yes MJ's first step is as good as anyone's...

[Shih508]

Iverson was quicker, but I don't think his first step was as fast as Jordan's. If it were, you would have seen him beating defenders just facing up and blowing by them more frequently than he did, like Jordan used to do. Hell, even in 1997, Jordan was voted as having the league's best first step by NBA coaches - and this was well past his explosive prime.

Like SHAQisGOAT said, let's not act like it's crazy to think Jordan had the better first step. Not only was it super quick, it was also long.

WHAT???????

AI driving in at will going 1v5 night in and night out. Did u started watching AI when he got traded to Denver?

Jordan's first step was the combination of quickness and strength.

AI first step was all quickness

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Nah, I got young MJ. His inital explosion rivals anyone I seen mentioned in here and his stride is longer than all of these PGs (or PG sized players). Pretty lethal combo.

Hill and Spree deserve mentions. Probably FroBe, too. Stevie Franchise. Hardaway...

[Dro]

Nah, I got young MJ. His inital explosion rivals anyone I seen mentioned in here and his stride is longer than all of these PGs (or PG sized players). Pretty lethal combo.

Hill and Spree deserve mentions. Probably FroBe, too. Stevie Franchise. Hardaway...
Damn, don't know how I missed Steve Francis......

[LoneyROY7]

Iverson and it's not close.

I just wish he was playing in today's game. It would be a sight to behold.

[Smoke117]

Flash

[Swaggin916]

When talking about first step, out of triple threat/off the dribble is 2 different things. Guys like Jordan, Carmelo, even Kobe in his prime could blow by people out of triple threat, but none of those guys were isolation off the dribble blow by guys really (although they had their moments). Derrick Rose is the quickest player I think I have ever seen off the dribble. Other guys are right there, but he's best of them so might as well just leave it at that. If he was isolated on the block like Carmelo or Jordan, I guarantee his fist step out of triple threat is quicker.

[scandisk_]

I lived the Jordan years. I'm a grown man with a mortgage and I have more than one framed picture of MJ up at my house.

Quick as AI (who I don't even like)? Not even remotely close.

Yeah that's why ITT it's all about first step and not overall quickness. You just have to give it to young MJ, and mannn the space he takes with his first step :bowdown:

[Richie2k6]

Read the thread title and Melo came to mind out of a pivot. Iverson obviously. Francis. Wade. Rose.

This isn't a first step into a drive, but I remember watching this live years ago and was AMAZED at Melo's quickness at his height and weight. Slow motion doesn't do it justice. Straight butter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6v_SPI_VA

[andgar923]

LOL at this thread. If anyone seriously thinks MJ was in the same conversation as AI as far as quickness they weren't around to watch. MJ was 100x the player but he wasn't nearly the blur AI was.


MJ had to be guarded by point guards and players smaller than him because he left people standing like they were in cement or quicksand.

He literally left them standing there.

He routinely blew past defenders, double teams, triple teams. His first step (and moves in general) were so fast that defenders couldn't challenge his shot, they didn't have enough time to jump up to challenge it.

And MJ is 6'6!!!

Ive posted this before, but I knew a college player that played in the Space Jam games. He said MJ was as fast as the fastest pg he's ever seen, simply a blur.

You watch the games and people today say "weak defense!!!" because his speed made the defense appear weak. They simply could not keep up with him.

[Dragonyeuw]

Ive posted this before, but I knew a college player that played in the Space Jam games. He said MJ was as fast as the fastest pg he's ever seen, simply a blur.



And that would have been 32 year old MJ, not peak MJ. That's interesting.

[sundizz]

Prolly Monta. A few years ago his first step was so damn quick. He got that super speed mode that no one (not even Jordan) has.

[3ball]

And that would have been 32 year old MJ, not peak MJ. That's interesting.[




Here's 33 year-old Jordan blowing by PG Travis Best - no jab step here, just straight blow-by:


http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-06-2015/HIHrz6.gif

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-06-2015/aKvlub.gif


As OldSchoolBBall said, MJ was voted by the coaches to have the best first step in NBA in 1997, as a 34-year old..

Here's MJ off a live-dribble against the DPOY Rodman:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCNK0Nntvl8&t=0m11s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4ZlHwMstDc&t=2m03s

[Pointguard]

The Iverson Jordan thing is a hard measure. I tend to give it to Iverson because his first giant stride was crazy and used more often. Jordan often used a smaller first stride because he most definitely had the best second step in the game and this can be verified in that "the first step of MJ" video. AI always took giant steps close to five feet and it was close to covering his size in height, most definitely a bigger portion of his body than anybody ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_9YJMaVrIo

The real clincher for me is that he often used his great first step in both directions on one move (something he an Derrick Rose are only likely to do) - a ploy used to destabilize the second and third defenders, basically the whole defending team.

I don't get the Iverson hate here. He was 5'11 and had it hard enough. Never mind leading the league in scoring and being the most prolific scorer for years while being under 6 feet.

[PHILA]

I tend to give it to Iverson because his first giant stride was crazy

He was also very good at changing speeds with the ball. His outside jumper was inconsistent but he was great at creating space with a step back crossover move.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAZsVVz8YcQ&t=3m24s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDoWyj-Qq7g&t=45s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqvDuPWa1jY


http://i.imgur.com/AnkgZPT.jpg




The real clincher for me is that he often used his great first step in both directions on one move (something he an Derrick Rose are only likely to do) - a ploy used to destabilize the second and third defenders, basically the whole defending team.

Yes, there was a game few years ago against the Sixers where Rose (pre-injury) looked like he was playing at a different speed and agility than the other 9 guys. Just the way he was moving in the half court really stood out.

[Pointguard]

He was also very good at changing speeds with the ball. His outside jumper was inconsistent but he was great at creating space with a step back crossover move.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAZsVVz8YcQ&t=3m24s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDoWyj-Qq7g&t=45s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqvDuPWa1jY


http://i.imgur.com/AnkgZPT.jpg


Thanks, his giant step in that picture is near his size if it doesn't surpass it. His low center of gravity allowed for him change directions. At times, when he was really rolling, he seemed more concerned with the second defender than the first. It was a lot of fun to go to a game and see him weave in and out trouble. And the little guy would take a beating and act like he wasn't hit. Always a great show live.

[PHILA]

Another player not mentioned yet is Adrian Dantley.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN0UyLZtMgk&t=30s


Washington Post - January 20, 1981

"His whole game burns. I've never seen anybody attack a defense like Adrian. He goes to the hole so suddenly. His first step explodes. He pounds that dribble like a gun going off. Those violent ball fakes of his seem to freeze a whole defense. He almost uses the ball like a weapon. His rookie year in the NBA, a pro said to me, 'That Dantley beat my body to death the other night. And he did it when he had the ball.'

In every part of his game, Dantley helps his opponents sell him short. "I run funny," says Dantley. So, shuffling down court, he looks flat-footed. That disguises what he admits is his greatest gift -- the first step. Often, he lulls a defense, then blasts through three players for an unmolested layup.

"I dribble the ball high," he says, "so they'll go for the steal." Then, he leaves his man in the lurch. How many times has Dantley been "stripped" on his dribble this year? Just a rough guess, please.

"Once . .. by Garfield Heard . .. I underestimated him," says Dantley.


It was a lot of fun to go to a game and see him weave in and out trouble.

Like Jordan or Hakeem he used the court as a 'stepping stone'.


Living the Dream: My Life and Basketball - Hakeem Olajuwon (1995)

When I look at basketball sometimes I think of animals. Michael Jordan is like a big cat hopping on a rock; as soon as he lands he goes straight up. People think he’s going to a spot on the floor but really the court is just a stepping stone. He gets the ball, hops to a space, and leaps.

[T_L_P]

That I've seen live? Wade.

Jordan is the best though.

[VeeCee15]

Rookie/Second Year Vince Carter

He was known as a dunker..he had no handles at the time..how he got to rim was FIRST STEP explode and dunk.

[oarabbus]

Iverson makes Jordan look pedestrian.

Yes, Jordan is one of the GOAT first-steppers. But you must be clinically retarded to think a a 6'6" guy has a faster first step than 5'11" teleporting Iverson.

[HighFlyer23]

Quicker doesn't necessarily necessity mean better

Young Jordan's stride was longer than Iverson's so he covered more distance with his first step

[Pointguard]

Quicker doesn't necessarily necessity mean better

Young Jordan's stride was longer than Iverson's so he covered more distance with his first step
I don't doubt that but Iverson having a lower center of gravity did more with his first step. Could change directions faster and ended up breaking down the whole defensive scheme by weaving in and out of the defenses and totally disable defenders. Especially when he mixed it in with his crossover.

This video is totally crazy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8DAzBzZmkI

[Jameerthefear]

Dante Exum

[HighFlyer23]

I don't doubt that but Iverson having a lower center of gravity did more with his first step. Could change directions faster and ended up breaking down the whole defensive scheme by weaving in and out of the defenses and totally disable defenders. Especially when he mixed it in with his crossover.

This video is totally crazy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8DAzBzZmkI

Those are crossovers

No doubt he was one of the best of not the best at crossing

Longer guards could give him trouble though ... Even though his first step was quicker than Jordan's it doesn't mean he would always get by his man ... Hence the crossovers and fancy dribbling

[icewill36]

prime paul pierce was amazing.

vince carter too

[Pointguard]

Those are crossovers

No doubt he was one of the best of not the best at crossing

Longer guards could give him trouble though ... Even though his first step was quicker than Jordan's it doesn't mean he would always get by his man ... Hence the crossovers and fancy dribbling
The crossovers and fancy dribbling a lot of the time were for the second and third defenders. If he was taller, he would go over the top the next set of defenders like Jordan did. Here are less cross overs and with players playing far off of Iverson. The only way to make up the distance is with a quick first step - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_9YJMaVrIo.

Jordan had a better jumper than Iverson. You had to play MJ closer. If Iverson had Jordan's jump shot he's winning eight scoring titles easily, add seven inches to that his height 12 scoring titles. Give him Jordan long arms advantage 8 or 9 steal titles too. And this whole question of the first step is a dead issue and GOAT is a forgone conclusion. Jordan is GOAT fellas, but not the best at everything. Taller guys like Usain Bolt don't start the fastest, its ok for Jordan to be second best at things. I said Jordan had the best second step and the best last step... Now could you imagine if little ole Iverson had all of that too? You think AI playing yoyo with pro's is because he's quick? Lawson isn't playing yoyo with humans.

Here is Iverson without much shooting skill, 7 inches smaller - one of the smallest players in the league, no physical advantages on most players, one of the physically weaker players in the game, only one athletic advantage (quickness) on Jordan, yet can win four scoring titles with some overlapping Jordan's tenure. You guys don't realize how you cheapen Jordan's era.

[3ball]

.
MJ blow by vs. Bruce Bowen and1


http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-08-2015/CcQ7gp.gif

[sportjames23]

.
MJ blow by vs. Bruce Bowen and1


http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-08-2015/CcQ7gp.gif


LOL, the same Bruce Bowen who use to give Kobe fits? :oldlol:

[Vancouver-Grizz]

Tony Parker...

[andgar923]

.
MJ blow by vs. Bruce Bowen and1


http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-08-2015/CcQ7gp.gif
That play isn't the best example.

MJ was coming at him on a semi break whereas Bowen was back pedaling. Even Eric Montross would seem fast in such instance

[Kvnzhangyay]

That play isn't the best example.

MJ was coming at him on a semi break whereas Bowen was back pedaling. Even Eric Montross would seem fast in such instance

This. This was moreso a simple change of pace...

[HighFlyer23]

The crossovers and fancy dribbling a lot of the time were for the second and third defenders. If he was taller, he would go over the top the next set of defenders like Jordan did. Here are less cross overs and with players playing far off of Iverson. The only way to make up the distance is with a quick first step - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_9YJMaVrIo.

Jordan had a better jumper than Iverson. You had to play MJ closer. If Iverson had Jordan's jump shot he's winning eight scoring titles easily, add seven inches to that his height 12 scoring titles. Give him Jordan long arms advantage 8 or 9 steal titles too. And this whole question of the first step is a dead issue and GOAT is a forgone conclusion. Jordan is GOAT fellas, but not the best at everything. Taller guys like Usain Bolt don't start the fastest, its ok for Jordan to be second best at things. I said Jordan had the best second step and the best last step... Now could you imagine if little ole Iverson had all of that too? You think AI playing yoyo with pro's is because he's quick? Lawson isn't playing yoyo with humans.

Here is Iverson without much shooting skill, 7 inches smaller - one of the smallest players in the league, no physical advantages on most players, one of the physically weaker players in the game, only one athletic advantage (quickness) on Jordan, yet can win four scoring titles with some overlapping Jordan's tenure. You guys don't realize how you cheapen Jordan's era.

Jordan would beat his initial defender via first step more often than Iverson.

Crossovers are usually done to the initial defender to get by him. Iverson's crossover was better than MJ's, and was probably the best in league history. Although he would carry on occasion.

I don't feel the need to respond to the rest of your gibberish.

[3ball]

That play isn't the best example.

MJ was coming at him on a semi break whereas Bowen was back pedaling. Even Eric Montross would seem fast in such instance
It's an example of 35-year old MJ beating Bruce Bowen with his first step - it's clear as day - that's why he blew by Bowen.. And no, you're wrong - Eric Montross would not be able to do that.

Just because guy hesitation dribbles, doesn't mean he isn't still using a first step to beat the defender.. lol

[Elosha]

The crossovers and fancy dribbling a lot of the time were for the second and third defenders. If he was taller, he would go over the top the next set of defenders like Jordan did. Here are less cross overs and with players playing far off of Iverson. The only way to make up the distance is with a quick first step - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_9YJMaVrIo.

Jordan had a better jumper than Iverson. You had to play MJ closer. If Iverson had Jordan's jump shot he's winning eight scoring titles easily, add seven inches to that his height 12 scoring titles. Give him Jordan long arms advantage 8 or 9 steal titles too. And this whole question of the first step is a dead issue and GOAT is a forgone conclusion. Jordan is GOAT fellas, but not the best at everything. Taller guys like Usain Bolt don't start the fastest, its ok for Jordan to be second best at things. I said Jordan had the best second step and the best last step... Now could you imagine if little ole Iverson had all of that too? You think AI playing yoyo with pro's is because he's quick? Lawson isn't playing yoyo with humans.

Here is Iverson without much shooting skill, 7 inches smaller - one of the smallest players in the league, no physical advantages on most players, one of the physically weaker players in the game, only one athletic advantage (quickness) on Jordan, yet can win four scoring titles with some overlapping Jordan's tenure. You guys don't realize how you cheapen Jordan's era.

Good points here. I think it's a good distinction to see that the OP asked who had the best first step, rather than merely the quickest. MJ set up so many of his lightning-fast first steps with getting his defender off balance with jab steps and just their general fear that he was going to drain a jumper in their face.

In terms of quickest first steps I've seen, I'd put Iverson above Jordan, and perhaps Wade and Rose, given their smaller size. But Jordan was the quickest of the true elite SG and SF's although Kobe gets criminally underrated here. Kobe wasn't just about crossovers, he had a lethal first step, especially on the baseline.

Last in response to your points about Iverson and how he would have had so many scoring titles if he was Jordan's size/shooting skill level. Possibly, but since the point of this thread is elite first steps, let's not forget that a 6'6" 210 Iverson would not have the same first step as he did at 6'0, 165 pounds. He would have still been elite but slower. And as fast as he was, he was less of a leaper than Jordan, or other modern pg's like Rose or Westbrook. Obviously he was shorter, but it's pretty clear that his vertical wasn't quite as good as those guys.

[Charlie Sheen]

Grant Hill. He was something special. The guy had it all. He was a wizard at changing direction with the ball and that made his first step even deadlier.

[bdreason]

LOL at this thread. If anyone seriously thinks MJ was in the same conversation as AI as far as quickness they weren't around to watch. MJ was 100x the player but he wasn't nearly the blur AI was.


Having a good first step isn't only about raw quickness. Footwork, body positioning, fluidity of motion, and bball IQ all play a part in having a good first step.

[Elosha]

Grant Hill. He was something special. The guy had it all. He was a wizard at changing direction with the ball and that made his first step even deadlier.

Absolutely right and I forgot to mention him in my post. Very possibly the quickest first step for a SF that I've ever seen. Great crossovers/ball control too, as you alluded to.

[Bless Mathews]

Tim hardaway is up there.

[Pointguard]

Good points here. I think it's a good distinction to see that the OP asked who had the best first step, rather than merely the quickest. MJ set up so many of his lightning-fast first steps with getting his defender off balance with jab steps and just their general fear that he was going to drain a jumper in their face.

In terms of quickest first steps I've seen, I'd put Iverson above Jordan, and perhaps Wade and Rose, given their smaller size. But Jordan was the quickest of the true elite SG and SF's although Kobe gets criminally underrated here. Kobe wasn't just about crossovers, he had a lethal first step, especially on the baseline.

Last in response to your points about Iverson and how he would have had so many scoring titles if he was Jordan's size/shooting skill level. Possibly, but since the point of this thread is elite first steps, let's not forget that a 6'6" 210 Iverson would not have the same first step as he did at 6'0, 165 pounds. He would have still been elite but slower. And as fast as he was, he was less of a leaper than Jordan, or other modern pg's like Rose or Westbrook. Obviously he was shorter, but it's pretty clear that his vertical wasn't quite as good as those guys.
Good points Elosha.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Jordan's first step was so ludicrous that defenders would play so far off him and still get beat like nothing. With him you'd think the strategy would be to have him catch the ball as far away from the basket as possible, not on the baseline, and stay back and make him make 3's or long 2's but it never happened because it was impossible to beat his first step.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Having a good first step isn't only about raw quickness. Footwork, body positioning, fluidity of motion, and bball IQ all play a part in having a good first step.

Yep. It's like when people only relate vertical leap to athleticism. It's much broader than that.

[Pointguard]

Jordan would beat his initial defender via first step more often than Iverson.
Oh so they have the games in Braille now? Your hater glasses are foggy.


I don't feel the need to respond to the rest of your gibberish.
Yeah you know I'm right.

Its obvious as day. If Iverson had Jordan's shooting ability this whole thing is a big joke. Jordan, according to you, 10 of the 11 athletic advantages, the big three physical advantages at a very huge margin, and Jordan shoots better yet only averaged like 2 more baskets per game in their primes. After awhile the nonsense just gets stupid. I could see all of this if Jordan was some great underachiever. And you same guys won't even call AI the most athletic PG.

[triangleoffense]

MJ.. and then honestly Kobe.. his explosiveness off his first pivot foot driving to the rim or getting position on isolation is some of the best I've seen.. mind you Kobe is a SG so his whole job is to get open and make shots.

[VeeCee15]

Vince carter has a way better first step than kobe bryant.
way more explosive than kobe lol

Kobe has handles, VC has first step explosion. Just look at rookie vince carter..he limited handles all he did was first step blow by

[dannywpt]

Carmelo Anthony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psXgVL8iapo&t=2m01s

He sure gets a lot of hate for being one of the most talented scorers of this generation

[3ball]

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/8-08-2015/CcQ7gp.gif


SMH at MJ needing a full court sprint to beat a defender


35-year old MJ blows by Bowen fair-and-square and you're complaining?.. :facepalm

[VeeCee15]

Kobe has:
above average first step,
above average hops,
smaller hands than me (i'm only 6'1.5)
narrow shoulders

above average athlete.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Jordan, Iverson, and Rose spring to mind ability wise. Kobe off his skillful foot work.