Who has improved the most, fundamentally throughout their career?

[scm5]

Say we took any player at the end of their career, and put them in their peak/prime body. Who would see the most improvement?

Ex.
Michael Jordan's peak physically was probably just after he started training with Tim Grover to add muscle to his frame to better withstand the physical punishment he was taking from teams. If you took MJ at the end of his career and put him in that body, you might see a more polished player all around since by the end of his career, his midrange and post-game was on another level.

[kshutts1]

I didn't watch much Jordan before '95, so I only know the "fully skilled" version.

Kobe comes instantly to mind.

Paul Pierce. Dude dominated when he was unathletic.. can only imagine what he would have done with those same skills, but in his athletic prime.

If only Tyson Chandler when he was on the Bulls had the game/mental presence of the Mavs title team TC.

[Fowl]

Greg Ode... oh wait.

Nah but seriously..
Vince Carter.

[ImKobe]

Dwight Howard

oh wait....he's actually gotten worse.

[Im Still Ballin]

Kobe.

How else is he able to put up elite scoring numbers whilst being so old. Check his statistics in the post last year, quite extraordinary.

[Milbuck]

Kobe. His massive skill set and experience in Frobe's body? Holy ****.

[Im Still Ballin]

Kobe. His massive skill set and experience in Frobe's body? Holy ****.

Just curious when was prime Frobe

[scm5]

What about Jason Kidd?

Imagine young Kidd, one of the fastest players the NBA has seen with that 3 point shot he had towards the end of his career?

[scm5]

Kobe. His massive skill set and experience in Frobe's body? Holy ****.

I think also, Kobe's maturity level alone at this stage in his career in his younger body would have been a huge improvement.

[Milbuck]

Just curious when was prime Frobe

Athletically I'd say generally from 2001-2006 or so.

[Milbuck]

I think also, Kobe's maturity level alone at this stage in his career in his younger body would have been a huge improvement.

Old Kobe's experience, BB intelligence, advanced skills, leadership, and maturity in his athletic peak would be as close as you can get to prime Jordan.

[kshutts1]

What about Jason Kidd?

Imagine young Kidd, one of the fastest players the NBA has seen with that 3 point shot he had towards the end of his career?
Very good one.

[Stringer Bell]

It's interesting to see the shooting mechanics of Kobe very early on, and then later in his career. Jordan too. Looks so much more polished, and aesthetic.

Magic was already pretty effective in the post during his best seasons of 1986-87, but he seemed to improve even more after that. He also developed a 3 point shot.

Picture peak Magic with 3 point range and even better post skills.

[Demitri98]

Just curious when was prime Frobe
Pretty much 3-peat Frobe. Dude was definitely underrated in terms of raw athleticism.

[IncarceratedBob]

Kobe.

He went from a raw athlete who depended on his hops to score to an elite jumpshooter, whilst improving his 3pt shot. The numbers aren't great because Kobe was forced to take a lot of tough shots. After his athletecism began to slow down he developed the greatest post game we've ever seen from a swingman. His footwork is exquisite. He arguably has the greatest offensive playbook in history.

Kobe is the only answer.

[AnaheimLakers24]

el kobe bryan

[Jailblazers7]

Tony Parker is probably a good candidate.

[Bandito]

Tony Parker is probably a good candidate.
This.

[Teanett]

patrick ewing + karl malone

[alexd]

Tmac,VC,Kobe,mj,Kidd.eventually all the athletic pg/sg/sf that lost their athleticism due to age/injuries etc

[GOATbe]

Definitely Godbe. GOAT skillset.

[Cold soul]

Gotta be Kobe. The most skilled basketball player maybe ever.

[tragicbronson]

Tony Parker is probably a good candidate.

Logged just to post this, he might be the one.

[oarabbus]

Gotta be Kobe. The most skilled basketball player maybe ever.


Larry Bird... doesn't even have 1/10th of Kobe's athleticism.

[SCdac]

Tony parker has improved a great deal from 2002 till now. His shot used to be busted, used to launch too many bad three's, wasn't as good of a finisher, and wasn't the playmaker he is now. Some of it I'd call just plain experience, but also improving his skills and putting in the work.

[bdreason]

JJ Redick improved his overall game immensely.

[Jailblazers7]

JJ Redick improved his overall game immensely.

Yeah, great call on that one. He basically transformed himself from a Steve Novak type of dude into a legit starting caliber guard. Hated him at Duke but I have a ton of respect for the work he has put in during his NBA years.

[pezt]

http://media.commercialappeal.com/media/img/photos/2010/10/14/Shun_Trevillian_t607.JPG

[GoranDragon]

Lebron James had been improving EVERY season since his rookie year. Fundamentally he's been developing almost every arsenal he has. And that Tim Duncan-like winning mentality.:bowdown:

[La Frescobaldi]

an older guy might be Julius Erving. He didn't have a real great jumper in his earlier days, and his defense was....... not pathetic, but not great either. After a couple three years in the NBA though dude was smokin at every aspect

[SHAQisGOAT]

Karl Malone

[FKAri]

Dwight Howard: When you take into account all aspects such as a player, a person and maturity level.