Does Zion Williamson jump higher than peak LeBron James?

[AngelEyes]

Who has a higher vertical between Zion and LeBron James at his peak athleticism? It appears close between the two of them, but I think Zion might leap a little bit higher.

[juju151111]

Who has a higher vertical between Zion and LeBron James at his peak athleticism? It appears close between the two of them, but I think Zion might leap a little bit higher.

No, old LJ making people forget when he use to dunk from Ft line in game.

[AngelEyes]

No, old LJ making people forget when he use to dunk from Ft line in game.

I didn't forget about that at all, but Zion's vertical is freakish as well.

[julizaver]

Who has a higher vertical between Zion and LeBron James at his peak athleticism? It appears close between the two of them, but I think Zion might leap a little bit higher.

With two foot Zion, jumping of one leg they are comparable.

[julizaver]

LeFraud never even ENTERED a dunk contest, so whatever his peak recorded vertical is, he gets a penalty of half a foot off. MF coward.

Let's see if Zion will enter the dunk contest in future.
And not entering the dunk contest is not robbing of atletism.

[AirBonner]

I’m not even sure if Zion is a better dunker than 17th season LeBron

[StrongLurk]

Zion is a better leaper than Lebron because Zion is also elite at two foot jumping while Lebron was average. It's a big reason why Zion is such a beast in the paint/post right away compared to young Lebron.

[Back In Shape]

I’m not even sure if Zion is a better dunker than 17th season LeBron

Idk but Zion definitely jumps higher. Alex Caruso has more hops than Lebron these days

[hiphopanonymous]

They said 47 inch vertical during yesterdays game and if that's true than it's not close really even if we are comparing peak LeBron. Peak LeBron may have had a max vert in the low 40's, but only off one leg on the run or with a short run but a long wind-up. Zion seems to not only have an incredibly high running one-leg jump like LeBron (that is probably as high or higher than LeBron's) but he also has something LeBron was never known for which is an insanely quick and powerful two leg jump, which he vaults off the ground even if he's got one step or no steps to run into it. It was insane watching him grab a rebound literally a foot above the hands of Dwight Howard and he didn't even run to grab it.

He's heavier than Dwight. He's got substantially shorter arms than Dwight (6-10 wingspan vs Dwight's 7-4.5 wingspan), and he's got way lower set shoulders than Dwight, and he's 4-5 inches shorter than Dwight. They both were about one step from the rebound and the power Zion unleashed in that single step looked incredible. To move a body bigger than Dwight's, to get his short arms a foot higher than Dwight's hands, is incredible two-leg leaping power that LeBron has never had.

[scuzzy]

Man they showed that replay yesterday of him 2 footing for that rebound over Dwight in slow mo:biggums::bowdown:

[Kingwillball]

Think some of you youngins need a reminder...

https://youtu.be/-J-xwiQ6MeI

[Kingwillball]

They said 47 inch vertical during yesterdays game and if that's true than it's not close really even if we are comparing peak LeBron. Peak LeBron may have had a max vert in the low 40's, but only off one leg on the run or with a short run but a long wind-up. Zion seems to not only have an incredibly high running one-leg jump like LeBron (that is probably as high or higher than LeBron's) but he also has something LeBron was never known for which is an insanely quick and powerful two leg jump, which he vaults off the ground even if he's got one step or no steps to run into it. It was insane watching him grab a rebound literally a foot above the hands of Dwight Howard and he didn't even run to grab it.

He's heavier than Dwight. He's got substantially shorter arms than Dwight (6-10 wingspan vs Dwight's 7-4.5 wingspan), and he's got way lower set shoulders than Dwight, and he's 4-5 inches shorter than Dwight. They both were about one step from the rebound and the power Zion unleashed in that single step looked incredible. To move a body bigger than Dwight's, to get his short arms a foot higher than Dwight's hands, is incredible two-leg leaping power that LeBron has never had.

Go on you tube and watch Lebron from early days up to 5 years ago even then get back at me..

[Phoenix]

Go on you tube and watch Lebron from early days up to 5 years ago even then get back at me..

What are you likely to find that contradicts that comment? Lebron has always been known as an explosive one-legged jumper but not as explosive off two feet. Zion has noticeably more spring jumping off both feet and to add to that advantage, an incredibly fast 2nd jump. Just last night there were at least 3-4 dunks where Zion got the ball, gathered and exploded for high elevation two-legged dunks with very little build up of momentum.

[Kingwillball]

What are you likely to find that contradicts that comment? Lebron has always been known as an explosive one-legged jumper but not as explosive off two feet. Zion has noticeably more spring jumping off both feet and to add to that advantage, an incredibly fast 2nd jump. Just last night there were at least 3-4 dunks where Zion got the ball, gathered and exploded for high elevation two-legged dunks with very little build up of momentum.

Bottom line is Lebron was best athlete nba had ever seen..,

[PP34Deuce]

Zion is a better leaper than Lebron was. Like others said, he can jump off two feet and one foot easily as well.

[Phoenix]

Bottom line is Lebron was best athlete nba had ever seen..,

That doesn't dispute what you responded to before, nor my response. Zion is a better two-footed jumper and has the same kind of bounce/lift off one leg. Lebron is faster end to end. They both have edges.

[Kingwillball]

https://youtu.be/bK91ucoz4Mw

HS Lebron chin on the rim... most explosive / powerful in game dunker I ever seen sorry Zion..

[Kingwillball]

That doesn't dispute what you responded to before, nor my response. Zion is a better two-footed jumper and has the same kind of bounce/lift off one leg. Lebron is faster end to end. They both have edges.

Lebron is better leaper off one foot Zion off two..also Lebron jumps further out Zion more of a Shaq type dunker power and height...

[hiphopanonymous]

Bottom line is Lebron was best athlete nba had ever seen..,
I think Wilt is the best athlete the NBA has ever seen

And Zion is a better leaper than young LeBron as far as I can tell so far due to the combination of his weight (which means he has more power even if he elevates the same as LeBron) and the fact that I think he actually elevates higher than LeBron was ever capable of elevating off of non-momentum two-legged leaps. He also jumps quicker than LeBron. I watched LeBron's entire career I'm not just a young fan. I acknowledge LeBron is among the best all-around athletes to ever play in the NBA, perhaps he's even number two, even though I rank him after Wilt in that respect.

[Phoenix]

Lebron is better leaper off one foot Zion off two..also Lebron jumps further out Zion more of a Shaq type dunker power and height...

Even if that were true there's a much bigger gap between their two-footed jumping ( with a clear edge to Zion) than any edge Lebron may have, if at all, in one-foot. Also while we've seen Lebron take off from around the free-throw line, we've also seen Zion do it albeit in practice. So there's no definitive answer to who jumps further, Zion has a recorded 45" vert ( Lebron's IIRC is 42) and quite clearly jumps higher off both feet. He has an overall edge even if it helps you sleep at night arguing that Lebron has anything more than an indiscernible edge in one-foot jumping.

[Kingwillball]

Even if that were true there's a much bigger gap between their two-footed jumping ( with a clear edge to Zion) than any edge Lebron may have, if at all, in one-foot. Also while we've seen Lebron take off from around the free-throw line, we've also seen Zion do it albeit in practice. So there's no definitive answer to who jumps further, Zion has a recorded 45" vert ( Lebron's IIRC is 42) and quite clearly jumps higher off both feet. He has an overall edge even if it helps you sleep at night arguing that Lebron has anything more than an indiscernible edge in one-foot jumping.

Whatever the case may be there is a 1% chance Zion has as good a career as Lebron has had so in the end the jumping ability is just a small part of it..

[eliteballer]

Zion was record at 45 at Duke and here is what we have on LeBron:


Nike said a player landing after a 32-inch vertical leap (James has a 40-inch vertical)

https://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/2014/09/lebron_12_nike_lebron_james.html

Also mentioned here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9ydGsXeat4

[Mr.GOAT2408]

Zion is a better athlete in terms of hops and relative to size. He might be as strong if not stronger than peak Miami LeBron, he's almost certainly stronger than rookie LeBron

There's more to being an athlete than just how high you can jump though, but that's how most people view it and in that regard yeah he's a better athlete. He has a LONG way to go before we discuss being a potentially better player but even 19 year old LeBron was really raw as a player.

How a guy could be that big and that explosive is ridiculous to me, and he's been hobbled by injuries already so we haven't seen him at his physical peak and we may not even if he's healthy at that 21-25 range where he would be at or near his physical peak

[Bronbron23]

Zion definitely gets up higher off 2. Lebrons 2 foot isnt all that special. One foot is closer. Probably a toss up. Zion also has quicker hops. His second jump is one of the best ever. Overall because of zion versatility id probably go with him.

[Phoenix]

Whatever the case may be there is a 1% chance Zion has as good a career as Lebron has had so in the end the jumping ability is just a small part of it..

Again, that's not the argument so why the fukk do you keep using strawmans? I never argued that Zion was going to have a better career. We're talking about their overall jumping ability.

[pauk]

Zion Williamson - 6'6" - 45" vertical (which is always measured of two leg takeofs), running vertical is similar or probably worse, he is a much better two foot leaper than he is a running leaper (not much of a one leg, distance leaper).

Lebron James - 6'9" - 40"-44" vertical (no idea, so many different results), his running vertical is MUCH higher tho, thats for sure, he is a MUCH better running leaper (of that left leg, both in height & distance).


CONCLUSION / MATH:

Two Feet takeoff = Zion jumps higher than peak Lebron, but this is just vertical, meaning the separation between the floor and the bottom of their shoes, more hangtime.... but does Zion get higher UP? Maybe not... Lebron is 3" taller, meaning with a 44" his head actually reaches 2" higher up than Zion and hence reach/arms go higher up aswell....

Running takeoff / one leg / distance = This one is undebatable... just look at some of the pics, footage... its ridicilous, not only does Lebron jump much longer/further but HIGHER aswell... have YOU ever seen somebody jump further/higher of one leg/running takeofs in history? This dude was doing effortless tomahawks from the FT line... INGAME....

[pauk]

Again, must reiterate that the OFFICIAL vertical measurements "stat" is always of two leg takeoffs, from stand still or perhaps a step in or two....

This is not a problem for those who jump higher of two feet anyways, two foot leapers dont need a massive running takeoff to get to their max vert, so a guy like Zion Williamson, Dominique Wilkins will not complain.... but those guys who jump higher from a takeoff, one leg / distance jumpers, guys like Lebron, James White, Julius Erving are left with a "vertical leap" measurement that should not be taken seriously....

Running vertical for Lebron has not been measured, it probably has behind the doors, but you know, not made official since thats not the criteria for the official vertical jump measurement number....

If Lebrons vertical is 40" or 44" (no idea), his running vertical is MUUUUUUUUCH higher... just look at some of the highlights.... always of one leg (left leg) takeofs and compare that to his two foot leaps... huge difference...

https://verticaljumpworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/lebron-james-head-above-rim-min.jpg

[Ghost1]

:roll:

https://i.postimg.cc/D0ZPngbt/igzufu.jpg

[Phoenix]

CONCLUSION / MATH:

Two Feet takeoff = Zion jumps higher than peak Lebron, but this is just vertical, meaning the separation between the floor and the bottom of their shoes, more hangtime.... but does Zion get higher UP? Maybe not... Lebron is 3" taller, meaning with a 44" his head actually reaches 2" higher up than Zion and hence reach/arms go higher up aswell....



I mean.....yeah? If two players separated by a couple inches in Vert but one is 3 inches taller, the taller one's head will be higher off the ground. I assume when people say Zion has a higher vert they're referring to the distance between their soles and the ground.

Also, Lebron may have a better height/distance one foot jump, but saying Zion isn't much of a one foot jumper is a tad silly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Deu4GZaYFiM

That's not one of those 'I'm running out of air but thank god I have long arms' Brent Barry specials. That's a physics-defying 285 pounder performing a clean tomahawk and would have had more room to spare if he wasn't cocking the ball back altering his forward momentum. Nobody who can do ^ should have the tag 'not much of a one foot leaper' even if you're saying that in comparison to someone who is better in that dept. There are instances in each type of jumping that is more useful. For Zion, who's pretty much a 6'6 undersized Power-forward center, the ability to jump high and quick off twoo feet( with a fast 2nd jump) is a practical advantage to have in order to challenge taller defenders at the rim ( your AD/Giannis types). He's down there battling for rebounds with taller players ( same as Barkley) It also makes him a better half-court alley-oop target because he can float along the baseline waiting for a quick pass off a penetration and not need a running start to finish over the rim off a two-foot jump and finish.

[brutalBBQ]

if there was a key (to something awesome) on a 13 foot ledge and you could only pick out of Lebron or Zion to have one jump to get it, I'm going with Zion.

[PP34Deuce]

At the same age zion is a better leaper....

Lebron was faster more agile and had better coordination.

I'd say even 35 year old bron is probably still faster and just as strong if not stronger. There was one play in the post where zion tried to muscle bron and bron didnt move at all...

I also think players like lebron never really jump their highest or fastest every play. Even in his prime he really only did enough to accomplish the play he needed

[superduper]

At the same age zion is a better leaper....

Lebron was faster more agile and had better coordination.

I'd say even 35 year old bron is probably still faster and just as strong if not stronger. There was one play in the post where zion tried to muscle bron and bron didnt move at all...

I also think players like lebron never really jump their highest or fastest every play. Even in his prime he really only did enough to accomplish the play he needed

A 35 year old elite athlete will always have more strength than a teenager no matter who the teenager is.

[hiphopanonymous]

Pauk - are you arguing LeBron has a higher max vert but not a higher no-step or one-step vert? (Two-leg take-off)? Because the 45 or 47 inch measurement vs LeBron's 40-43 measurement or whatever was their max vert measurement. Max vert is just how absolutely high they are capable of getting - and that's usually with a 3 step run up off one foot. Meaning Zion jumps higher than LeBron even off of a running one-leg start. So he's not just a higher leaper on two legs I think the measurement tape proves he's better at jumping any way even though LeBron was once an extraordinary one leg leaper. So this is no slight to LeBron it just shows how crazy Zion's leaping ability is

[scuzzy]

Off two feet, Zion (don't think i've seen anyone at his size pounce off 2)




Off one foot Lebron

[Ainosterhaspie]

Again, must reiterate that the OFFICIAL vertical measurements "stat" is always of two leg takeoffs, from stand still or perhaps a step in or two....

This is not a problem for those who jump higher of two feet anyways, two foot leapers dont need a massive running takeoff to get to their max vert, so a guy like Zion Williamson, Dominique Wilkins will not complain.... but those guys who jump higher from a takeoff, one leg / distance jumpers, guys like Lebron, James White, Julius Erving are left with a "vertical leap" measurement that should not be taken seriously....

Running vertical for Lebron has not been measured, it probably has behind the doors, but you know, not made official since thats not the criteria for the official vertical jump measurement number....

If Lebrons vertical was 40" or 44" (no idea), his running vertical was MUUUUUUUUCH higher... just look at some of the highlights.... always of one leg (left leg) takeofs and compare that to his two foot leaps... huge difference...

https://verticaljumpworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/lebron-james-head-above-rim-min.jpg
Fixed. Father Time comes after everyone.

[julizaver]

Fixed. Father Time comes after everyone.

When posted pics of Lebron jumping and compare it to the rim level keep in mind that Lebron is inch and a half taller then Zion, and also that Zion head was also way above the rim during Dukes measurements (and it was two-feet jump). And also Zion dunked from the FT one leg and also there are dunks of one leg at rim level. For me they are comparable one leg, but 2 foot, second jump and explosivness goes to Zion.

[Trollsmasher]

I'm surprised witht all these "how can someone so big be so explosive?" Ever seen NFL players? The 320+ lbs tackles there have 40 inch verts simply because of the muscle mass and the fact that they can squat 7 plates.

The problem at that size is the conditioning, not explosivity. Zion is playing 28 minutes a game and getting gassed even though he shoud be in game shape by now and that's without too much movement on defense on his part. LeBron had comparable explosivity paired with ability to go hard for 44+ minutes when he was young.

[Phoenix]

Zion is playing 28 minutes a game and getting gassed even though he shoud be in game shape by now and that's without too much movement on defense on his part. LeBron had comparable explosivity paired with ability to go hard for 44+ minutes when he was young.

He's played, what, 14 games? That's like playing out the preseason and the first 2 weeks of the season ( mid November). He's still getting into game shape and adjusting to the speed of the NBA game. Cardio and dropping 20 pounds definitely needs to an off-season priority, though.

[PP34Deuce]

Zion is going to lose most likely 10-15 pounds of baby fat. I feel like his body type is similar to a Ron Artest. Zion at 255-260 is going to be better for him than 270-275.