>Competitiveness - Michael Jordan
As if his six rings and innumerable accolades weren’t enough, seeing the competitive fire burning in his eyes was enough to scare the opponent into submission.
>Killer instinct: Kobe Bryant
No one drives a dagger into the heart of an opponent quite like the Mamba (despite what the Mongoose might say).
>Clutch Scoring: Reggie Miller
Who can forget Reggie scoring 8 points in nine seconds to shock the hated Knicks in the playoffs…and then taunting Spike Lee and yelling “Choke Artists” as he ran through the tunnel in the elation of victory? Not only was Reggie an ice-in-the-veins end of game shooter (* la Kobe and Jordan), but he did it with such flair.
>Hops: Vince Carter
Others have shared Carter’s explosion, but few have made their aerial exploits so pretty. Although the talk that he was the heir apparent to Jordan has faded, his eye-popping athleticism has not.
>Versatility: Magic Johnson
Dropping 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists in a NBA Finals game is difficult enough…but doing so while starting at center? Unbelievable. The guy could start any position, one through five. He was also a revolutionary force in the game; he created the movement towards big guards. Pay homage, Penny Hardaway and Shaun Livingston.
>Body Control: Kobe Bryant
Few are able to pirouette through defenders, often mid-air, and still finish so gracefully.
>Go-to post move: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
the giant’s iconic sky hook. The unblockable move sealed the deal en route to six NBA and three NCAA titles. Oh and don’t worry, the move is timeless: the thinking around here is that if any more injuries pile up, Abdul-Jabbar might have to dust off his favorite move in time for the playoffs.
>Rebounding: Wilt Chamberlain
The “Big Dipper” once grabbed 55 rebounds in one GAME. That’s confirmed. What’s not confirmed is how many sick days opposing big men took when they found out they were squaring off against Chamberlain that night.
>Jump Shot: Ray Allen
Allen has a lightning quick release, deadly accuracy and in-the-gym range (actually we’ve heard he’s money from the parking lot as well). Allen “makes it rain” over in Seattle.
>Quickness: Allen Iverson
NBA legends from the 70s and 80s can only thank their lucky stars that they didn’t have to face the daunting prospect of keeping Iverson out of the paint.
>Crossover: Tim Hardaway
What has been lost in wake of his inflammatory comments is the fact that his blink-and-you’ll-miss-it crossover dribble terrorized the league while the T in “Run TMC” roamed the floor. And you thought Tiki Barber to the Today Show was a crossover.
>Ball handling: “Pistol” Pete Maravich
the elaborate dribbling drills he did to prepare for games are so legendary that they still form the material for training tapes watched by aspiring young basketball players everywhere.
>Trash Talking: Gary Payton
although his legs may be aging, his mouth certainly is not. Payton is as good as ever at getting under opponents’ skin. Opponents receive no respite from his 48-minute verbal barrage.
>Brains: Magic Johnson
Magic’s basketball IQ was off the charts. He directed the Showtime-era Lakers attack that was one of the more efficient offensive machines in NBA history.
>Court vision: Jason Kidd
The man carves up defenses like a Thanksgiving turkey. Kidd’s incredible ability to see through traffic and make the pinpoint pass means teammates must be aware at all times. If you’re on the court, and you’re open, Kidd will find you.
>Pain threshold: Kobe Bryant
Missing only six games (nine days) with a separated shoulder a couple years ago proves that Bryant is as tough as nails. Last Monday’s game against the Jazz, in which he shrugged off a hyper-extended left elbow and strept throat to notch 35 points and one nasty putback jam, was merely the latest reminder that Bryant is unfazed by injuries big and small.
>Durability: A.C. Green
Basketball’s answer to Cal Ripken is like a Toyota car: he never breaks down. The Lakers could always count on him to bring the defense and the Windex (he cleans the glass). And we mean always; Green played in an NBA-record 1192 consecutive games
The Perfect Player: A Breakdown
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