If I restrict the definition of athleticism to speed, quickness and leaping ability, which NBA player, all-time, combines that attribute with overall basketball skills? Starting with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, two of the most-highly-skilled players ever, we need to admit their athleticism was not in the supreme realm.
Michael Jordan? Now we're talking! Lebron James? Maybe. Both superior athletes with amazing skills. We can only imagine what they could have accomplished with additional height. Bill Russell had that height and awesome quickness and leaping ability, but he was never known as a shooter.
So, how about Giannis Antetokounmpo? At 6'11" and 242 pounds, he is big, strong, supremely athletic - and except for his long-range shooting (30% on 3s last season) and free throws (68% last season), he does everything else very well. His numbers from 2020-21 clearly show it:
28.1 PPG - 11.0 RPG - 5.9 APG - 1.2 SPG - 1.2 BPG - 57% FG
Let's face it, The Greek Freak has the perfect NBA size and physique, combined with amazing skills, agility, speed, quickness and leaping ability. If he improves his accuracy from the foul line and beyond the arc, he could take out both Michael and Lebron as the epitome of skills and athleticism in a single NBA player.
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