DeAndre Jordan is NBA’s best athlete, says Carmelo Anthony
By Tom West
DeAndre Jordan has received plenty of praise from his Team USA teammates, with Carmelo Anthony calling him “the most athletic person in the NBA.”
We’ve had a lot to talk about lately when it comes to DeAndre Jordan. The All-NBA First Team center has been representing the Los Angeles Clippers well with Team USA in practice and scrimmages so far. He wants to soak in as much as he can from each member of the team and improve his game however he can. And, as per usual, he’s dominating.
His emphatic rolls to the basket and transition alley-oops showcase his value to the team in the highlight reels and Vines, while his rebounding and defense is something that his teammates have praised as a vital component of the group.
Outside of Draymond Green and fellow center DeMarcus Cousins, Jordan is Team USA’s force to hold everything together in the paint.
Playing with some of the league’s elite for the first time, Jordan has had a chance to show his ability in a first-hand, teammate experience, and the praise has been plentiful.
Carmelo Anthony spoke of Jordan’s explosiveness, going as far as saying that he’s the best athlete in the NBA.
“He’s a freak of an athlete, man,” Anthony said during Wednesday’s practice. “The guy’s seven-foot something, jumps out the gym. The most athletic person in the NBA. I mean, just his presence on the court. You don’t see that. You don’t see that often. He’s a one-of-a-kind specimen.”
Well, is DeAndre Jordan the NBA’s top athlete? Melo, specifically referring to athleticism, is certainly right in terms of centers at the very least. No big man at 6’11” can move as quickly as Jordan can with his strong frame and take flight with such remarkable explosion to finish through contact. When he’s posterizing opponents or soaring through the paint to block a shot, he moves like no one else at his position.
As for the most athletic person in the NBA altogether, that’s a harder title to award.
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Personal preference comes into such discussions, and after LeBron James gave us such a historic Finals performance and The Block, not to mention Russell Westbrook‘s unmatched ferocity, speed and bounce at point guard, there are several players who make a seriously good argument for the title of the league’s top athlete.
Everyone else from Team USA had plenty to say about Jordan’s game, too. Kevin Durant compared him to a point guard for the way he creates shots on rolls to the basket. And, of course, there was respect for his defense, with Paul George acknowledging his rim protection, adding that his athletic game around the rim is perfect against international competition.
As for the athleticism debate, Jordan is easily among the top few for all the things he can do at his size.
Next: DeAndre Jordan working to improve his game with Team USA
DeAndre Jordan, you’re doing the Clippers proud.