Most Athletic Big Man in NBA History?

[Jinxed]

For the purpose of this discussion big man = 6'11 or higher. So neither Charles Barkley or Malone count, because they weren't 6'11, even though they played power forward.

We are talking about OVERALL athleticism. Factors include...Coordination, speed, strength, leaping ability, agility, quickness. The ability to be versatile is important too.


1. Toni Kukoc--6'11 and could play all 5 positions on the court, and play them well. Unbelievable coordination, agility, and quickness for someone that tall. Could leap pretty well when young.

2. Dirk Nowitzki- 7'0 and the NBA 3 point champion. Are you kidding me?

3. Patrick Ewing- 7'0..Just a monster when he was younger, strength, leaping ability were off the charts..decent agility and quickness for a big man, coordinated enough to be a great jump shooter.


I know I have to be forgetting people, and I'm sure they were some very athletic big men who weren't that great at basketball that deserve to be on this list.

[west]

Shaq was really athletic in his prime and so was Hakeem

[chains5000]

For the purpose of this discussion big man = 6'11 or higher. So neither Charles Barkley or Malone count, because they weren't 6'11, even though they played power forward.

We are talking about OVERALL athleticism. Factors include...Coordination, speed, strength, leaping ability, agility, quickness. The ability to be versatile is important too.


1. Toni Kukoc--6'11 and could play all 5 positions on the court, and play them well. Unbelievable coordination, agility, and quickness for someone that tall. Could leap pretty well when young.

2. Dirk Nowitzki- 7'0 and the NBA 3 point champion. Are you kidding me?

3. Patrick Ewing- 7'0..Just a monster when he was younger, strength, leaping ability were off the charts..decent agility and quickness for a big man, coordinated enough to be a great jump shooter.


I know I have to be forgetting people, and I'm sure they were some very athletic big men who weren't that great at basketball that deserve to be on this list.

Where are Shaq, Wilt, Robinson, Howard,...?

[spursdynasty420]

wtf dirk??

[Biddy77]

can't have this discussion without some mention of

[Juges8932]

I laugh at Patrick Ewing and Dirk. Ewing had some decent moves in the post, but his athleticism blew compared to others. Dirk is a very good player, but not athletic. What about Wilt, Kemp, Younger Shaq, Dwight, Antonio McD (Although he might be 6'10 or 6'9, not sure). D-Rob as well.

[MMM]

Wilt
Russell
Hakeem
Shaq
Garnett
Robinson

[Jinxed]

Shaq's too one dimensional to be OVERALL athletic.. Imagine Shaq playing tennis...it's just laughable, but I certainly could see Dirk playing tennis.

Don't believe Hakeem was actually 6'11. But he was athletic.

[KenneBell]

Wilt
Russell
Hakeem
Shaq
Garnett
Robinson

Howard

[west]

Shaq's too one dimensional to be OVERALL athletic.. Imagine Shaq playing tennis...it's just laughable, but I certainly could see Dirk playing tennis.

Don't believe Hakeem was actually 6'11. But he was athletic.

[A.M.G.]

I'm not sure why you would have to be 6'11+ to be considered a big man.

But if we work under that premise, Dwight is listed at 6'11, and he is more athletic that any of those three were. Probably the most athletic big man in NBA history. But he isn't really 6'11, so the debate continues. Wasn't Wilt really athletic too, like he was a sprinter and ****?

[chains5000]

Shaq's too one dimensional to be OVERALL athletic.. Imagine Shaq playing tennis...it's just laughable, but I certainly could see Dirk playing tennis.

Don't believe Hakeem was actually 6'11. But he was athletic.

I can't see any of them being good jockeys, so what's your point?

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

Shawn Kemp, Larry Nance, Xavier McDaniel, Shaq, Wilt, Hak

[Jinxed]

LMFAO at Dwight Howard...

Guys this is overall athleticism...Dwight Howard can't shoot a basketball, neither could Wilt, my 10 year old neighbor who is a girl has more coordination and agility then both of them combined

Don't Be blinded By strength! Coordination is more important for overall athleticism.

Seriously..try and picture Dwight playing tennis, or soccer.. and you'll see how laughable the idea of him being a great overall athlete is... Imagine dwight trying to play Point Guard!! He can't play any other position then center. Neiter could wilt or shaq. No versatility.. they are one dimensional athletes.

[chains5000]

LMFAO at Dwight Howard...

Guys this is overall athleticism...Dwight Howard can't shoot a basketball, neither could Wilt, my 10 year old neighbor who is a girl has more coordination and agility then both of them combined

Don't Be blinded By strength! Coordination is more important for overall athleticism.

When did shooting have anything to do with athleticism?