The league has gone through some immense changes in the last two decades or so. During the 90s or even the 00s, most teams relied on inside scoring, thus players with immense athleticism had a greater chance of succeeding in the league.
But with NBA teams adapting three-point shooting, the importance of inside scoring reduced over time. While everyone still loves to see players throw down super athletic posters, it is a bit rarer compared to the past.
On that note, one might wonder, who currently holds the title of the most athletic player in the league? Reddit user u/Thelastdance1989 also wondered about the same question.
Upon seeing the post, many Redditors took time out of their lives to debate about the aforementioned question. Here are some of the best comments found in the original Reddit post.
rednite_: “The Star of the Team currently winning by 41 at halftime.”
chronicosteo: “I think antman has the best balance of strength, hops, speed so I would vote him.”
GOAT_Redditor: “Zach Lavine. Body control and balance are insane.”
midnightZ3ROx: “Yep. It has to be Giannis. Pace. Agility. Acceleration. Power. Length. Vertical. Balance. Flexibility. Durability. Man’s got it all.”
fatcherrydropemoff: “Off the top of my head I feel like it’s giannis.”
ghost91372: “Ant giannis ja or lavine.”
PewPew4Lyfe: “I feel like if you had to pick one nba player to compete in every sport it would be giannis. Maybe zach lavine or ja if you were concerned about his size.”
redd5ive: “Ja I think stands out as a pure athlete. Giannis deserves a shout too bc of how freakish he is.”
9D_Chess: “Giannis if you take the overall package, but based on just speed and hops probably one of the guards like Ja Morant.”
gustriandos: “Giannis is probably the most physically gifted player but there are more explosive players like lavine or ja. kind of depends on how you want to define athleticism.”
FreeThinker627: “I feel like top choices are giannis, ja, ant edwards, and as much as I don’t like the guy you have to include Russ in this conversation.”
FKJVMMP: “Russ isn’t what he used to be. Still a great athlete but not levels beyond almost everyone else like he used to be. Similar to LeBron, he just faded younger.”
Dondon1927: “Idk but Jalen Green jumps off my screen everytime I see him take off.”
wink91wink: “Giannis, Ant, Zion when healthy are prob top 3 imo.”
N0minal: “In the league right now and playing? Ja. Dude is most nights the fastest player on the court and can catch a lob 15 feet in the air. It’s unreal.”
fbreaker: “A healthy Zion, never seen anyone that big float like he does.”
SliMShady55222: “Wilt is considered one the best athletes of all time. If not the best NBA athlete of all time. Giannis is the only player considered to be close to him in size and athleticism. That says a f*****g lot.”
The answer is quite evident: most NBA fans hold Giannis as the most athletic player in the NBA right now. The Greek Freak has already proved his talents over the last few years.
He has won both individual and team accolades. Despite being the reigning champs, the Bucks are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 10-8. But if there is one thing that fans know, it is to never count out Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.