Most Athletic Big Man in NBA History?

[Xsatyr]

You can talk about semantics but when it comes down to it, when people mention athleticism, they mean physical talents(running, jumping, etc).

If you want to include skills then Kobe must be the most athletic player in the league. He's not though.

Athleticism is only an example of physical ability such as coordination so I think TC used the wrong word. Dwight is an athletic freak but Hakeem and Shaq are both far more physically gifted than him.

[Younggrease]

Kareem was more athletic then Dwight too...

[VCMVP1551]

Factoring in size and based on what I've seen in games and footage I have to go with Shaq.

Check out this dunk!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMX1FGwyr38

Or this one over prime David Robinson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy-0RWbbzd8

Ridiculous footwork, quickness and power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI85iVU3xkE

Ridiculous speed for his size on fastbreaks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCvTmmj6QUo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL6CYWJcx_I

And that was him at a mere 340-350 pounds. Here you see him at 31 years old and atleast 375 pounds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVsWuHblBwU

Now how many 7'1", 375 pound guys will use a crossover successfuly in a game, much less twice in the same season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pqww6GBHcE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eu2NrAqQr4

A 360 dunk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFjzKLS45Zw


Although I have to say that David Robinson could be considered the most athletic as well.

Look at Robinson's speed and athleticism at 7'0" and 250-275 pounds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI85iVU3xkE

First the steal and fastbreak was ridiculous and then the block on Jordan was incredible.

Great coordination
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA5dIFq7CNw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOtIq2PCkjY

Robinson at times was like a 7 foot guard.

Wilt may have been the most athletic but I haven't seen him display more in game athleticism than those 2. I'm not saying he couldn't have, but I haven't seen it.

[Niquesports]

This is my entire point. It's NOT JUST A SKILL. It takes coordination to be able to shoot a basketball, or hit a tennis ball.

If shooting was just a skill, then Dwight Howard should be able to shoot better than my 10 year old neighbor or me. But he can't, no matter how many thousands of hours his shooting coach works with him to shoot free throws he can't do it.

He just doesn't have the coordination...of a 10 year old girl..

If Dwight was bred from birth to be a tennis player, he couldn't do it. He's not mobile or coordinated enough to do it.

IF Dirk was "BRED" to have some heart he still be looking for the Wizzard of Oz he has less heart than a 10 year old girl

[Horatio33]

hey chains5000, Bilbao are doing well aren't they?!

[Jinxed]

You can talk about semantics but when it comes down to it, when people mention athleticism, they mean physical talents(running, jumping, etc).

If you want to include skills then Kobe must be the most athletic player in the league. He's not though.

Coordination is an athletic ability, being able to dribble a basketball takes coordination..if you don't believe this then you are too dumb to even talk to. Sure it is a skill as well, but it's a skill you can only be good at if you have the requisite coordination. Same thing with shooting. Dwight doesn't have this.

Athleticism includes agility and coordination, coordination being the most universal and important athletic ability there is.

Dwight Howard is so uncoordinated that no matter how many thousands of hours and professional coaching, he still can't shoot a basketball with the good form of a ten year old girl, nor can he dribble as well.

To say agility and coordination aren't huge parts of athleticism would be to say this guy isn't athletic..

check this out..it's just sick..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkawsBwJwpE

[tontoz]

Physical skill is an example of athletic ability, just looked it up in the dictionary. Shooting is a physical skill that involves coordination. I think the question should be the most physically gifted centers and not athlectic though.

[QUOTE]Main Entry:ath

[OnePeat]

I'm going with D-Rob. He was a specimen in his early days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKVqpXl3M18

[Jinxed]

So if a guy can't shoot then he isn't athletic? I guess Bo Jackson wasn't much of an athlete then.

There are plenty of unathletic potbellied people who can't run or jump over the morning paper but that can shoot very well.

when they do the athletic testing at the NBA combine do they test shooting?

No I'm not saying that if a guy can't shoot he's not athletic.

I'm saying if a guy practices all his life to shoot and still can't shoot..then he isn't coordinated.

You see the difference

1)Never practiced to be a good shooter and is not a good shooter- Bo Jackson

2) Practiced thousands of hours with top coaches and still can't shoot- Dwight.

[tontoz]

No I'm not saying that if a guy can't shoot he's not athletic.

I'm saying if a guy practices all his life to shoot and still can't shoot..then he isn't coordinated.

You see the difference

1)Never practiced to be a good shooter and is not a good shooter- Bo Jackson

2) Practiced thousands of hours with top coaches and still can't shoot- Dwight.

So are you saying that a fat guy who can't run, can't jump but can shoot well is a good athlete?

Shaq has excellent coordination for his size but can't shoot from the line. His inability to make foul shots has no relevance as far as judging his athleticism.

You are so far out in left field the catcher couldn't see you with binoculars.

[highwhey]

my man hakeem the dream. when's the last time you saw a 7'+ move like iverson?

[AirJordan23]

The OP is one of the typical morons we have here on ISH, reminds me of that giantgonzolez dude. Welcome to my ignore list. The fact that you didn't mention Wilt who was an athletic freak back then from today's standards shows how much you know about basketball.

[Jinxed]

So are you saying that a fat guy who can't run, can't jump but can shoot well is a good athlete?

I'm saying he has the requisite coordination to to be able to shoot well. And that he's probably more coordinated than Dwight Howard. Although shooting isn't the only measure of coordination.

But he would probably beat Dwight in athletic events that require coordination..such as table tennis, archery, skiing, shooting, pitching a baseball

[tontoz]

I'm saying he has the requisite coordination to to be able to shoot well. And that he's probably more coordinated than Dwight Howard. Although shooting isn't the only measure of coordination.

you didn't answer the question.

[Jinxed]

No..he wouldn't be a good overall athlete.