Quote (Madmartigan @ Jun 18 2020 04:22am)

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were two of the greatest basketball players I've ever seen on the basketball court. But neither could play all five positions like LeBron James. There's something truly special and unique with LeBron's athleticism and body composition. As great as Michael Jordan was he didn't have the wide body and girth to defend the stronger centers and power forwards. I've seen Jordan try to defend Hakeem Olajuwon a few times (nostalgic Rockets vs. Bulls games in the '80s and '90s), for example, and Olajuwon just shook him off with ease and gracefully spun around him for an easy basket or gave him the vintage dream shake.

To that notion does anybody remember Shaquille O'Neal with the Orlando Magic during his early years? He was literally the strongest force on the planet inside the paint and he could dribble the ball up the court like a polished point guard! He once challenged Michael Jordan during an all-star practice in 1996 and he schooled Jordan with a taste of his own medicine. A vicious mid-range jumper.

Shaq was so unstoppable to say the least! I'm still impressed 25 years later that the Houston Rockets had won the 1995 NBA Finals as a 6th seed. Sweeping Shaq and Penny in the NBA Finals. That Orlando Magic team was so unbelievable and talented. They defeated Jordan's Bulls in the second round. That's how dominant Olajuwon was during the 1995 NBA Playoffs. We may never see a center dominate a playoffs like that ever again. Knocking out the 3rd, 2nd, 1st and 1st seeds in each round. He also destroyed the league MVP, David Robinson, in the 1995 Western Conference Finals.

I'm old enough to have watched all of Michael Jordan's career. Is he the GOAT? I may concede that, but the most athletic player in NBA history?

TL:DR - If you really forced yourself to you can likely name a handful of players that were more athletic than Michael Jordan.

Quote (Madmartigan @ Jun 17 2020 11:31pm)

piatek, I'm not wasting my precious time with you if you're going to resort to name calling.
You don't even bring anything of substance to the table. I can at least give you examples.

Quote (Madmartigan @ Jun 17 2020 08:44pm)

Terps! I wrote that from my smartphone. I forgot what year it was. LOL
I don't even remember to whom. I'm thinking it was Eniac at the time.
It was in the pro football chat. I was trying to enjoy a Texans game.

Quote (RyanJohnston @ Jun 17 2020 11:49pm)

no one enjoys texans games.

Quote (Madmartigan @ Jun 17 2020 08:51pm)

Neither did I from 2002 to 2010! LOL. The crazy thing is they've won 4 playoff games since 2011. It's not all that terrible.
The Cleveland Browns (January 1, 1995) and Detriot Lions (January 5, 1992) haven't won a playoff game in three decades!

Quote (piatek @ Jun 17 2020 11:01pm)

Jordan was faster and jumped higher/further than LeBron. Recency bias is a terrible thing.

Giannis is the most athletic of the active NBA players.

Quote (Madmartigan @ Jun 17 2020 09:51pm)

Neither did I from 2002 to 2010! LOL. The crazy thing is they've won 4 playoff games since 2011. It's not all that terrible.
The Cleveland Browns (January 1, 1995) and Detriot Lions (January 5, 1992) haven't won a playoff game in three decades!

Quote (WrathOfGod1337 @ Jun 19 2020 11:57pm)

There are different ways to measure athleticism. Like how LeBron is 35 in his 17th season and still one of the most physically dominant and effective players in the league despite playing more games and going deeper into the postseason more frequently than any other player (except last year), and has never had a serious injury or felt the need to retire in his prime. Dude is unmatched, get out of here saying Jordan was more athletic.