Every NBA team has its fair share of freak athletes who dominated the sport during their time in the league. Players from the NBA are often viewed as the best athletes in basketball. In this list, we will tackle about the best freak athletes from every team’s history.
There are some players who played for multiple franchises throughout their careers so in this case, we will just select a single team where they showed their absolute freakish abilities to give way for other ballers a spot.
Atlanta Hawks – Dominique Wilkins
Known as the “Human Highlight Film,” Wilkins wowed fans with his incredible athleticism, thunderous dunks, and scoring ability during his time with the Hawks. Dominique won two slam dunk titles in 1985 and 1990, and his jersey was retired by the Hawks in 2001.
Boston Celtics – Bill Russell
A legendary shot-blocker and rebounder, Bill Russell was the backbone of the Celtics dynasty in the 1960s. His defensive prowess was unreal during his time in Boston. Russell won eleven rings during his time with the Celtics which cemented himself as one of the best big men to play the game.
New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets – Kenyon Martin
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Martin electrified crowds with his jaw-dropping dunks and shot-blocking abilities. His running mate, Jason Kidd, unlocked his potential during their back-to-back finals appearance in the early 2000s. Martin was also a one-time all-star with the Nets in 2004.
Charlotte Hornets: Larry Johnson
Johnson just stood around 6’6”, but he was equipped with unique athleticism and unprecedented power for his size, making him one of the most exciting players in Hornets’ history.
Chicago Bulls – Michael Jordan
Often regarded as the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan combined otherworldly athleticism with unparalleled basketball skills, which endeared him to fans around the world. He delivered six championships for the Bulls in the 1990s, which included a couple of three-peats from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1997.
Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron James
LeBron is a physical specimen with exceptional speed and power. What made him more deadly was his unmatched basketball IQ and photographic memory. Still at the peak of his abilities, LeBron James delivered a title for his native Ohio in 2016, further cementing his legacy in Cleveland.
Dallas Mavericks – Shawn Bradley
One of the tallest NBA players ever at 7’6”, Bradley was the team’s defensive anchor and inside presence from the late 1990s until the mid-2000s. While he was not a threat offensively, Bradley was an intimidating presence inside the paint, often swatting and altering shots from opposing teams during his tenure with the Mavericks.
Denver Nuggets – Dikembe Mutombo
A shot-blocking maestro, Mutombo anchored the Nuggets’ defense with his extraordinary wingspan and athleticism, becoming an iconic figure for the team. Perhaps his greatest achievement in his time with the Nuggets was leading their 8th-seeded team to a huge upset against the league-leading Seattle Supersonics in the 1994 playoffs.
Detroit Pistons – Dennis Rodman
A relentless rebounder and defensive force, Rodman played a key role in the Pistons’ “Bad Boys” era, earning multiple championships with his tenacious style of play. Rodman was a pest defensively and was often tasked to guard their opponent’s best player on a nightly basis.
Golden State Warriors – Wilt Chamberlain
Chamberlain amazed fans with his incredible scoring and rebounding abilities during his time with the franchise. He averaged an absurd 37.6 PPG and 27 RPG during his rookie season from 1959 to 1960. Nobody could stop “Wilt the Stilt” during his heyday.
Houston Rockets – Hakeem Olajuwon
Olajuwon, also known as “The Dream,” showcased unparalleled footwork and athleticism, leading the Rockets to two NBA championships in the 1990s. The Lagos, Nigeria native was an unstoppable force during his time in the league, especially with the Rockets. Olajuwon won the league MVP award and Defensive Player of the Year award in 1994.
Indiana Pacers – Paul George
George brought excitement to the Pacers with his impressive athleticism and scoring ability during his tenure with the team. He is also known for being a pest defensively, often guarding the opponent’s best player nightly.
Los Angeles Clippers – Blake Griffin
Before injuries decimated his athleticism, Griffin put on a show on a nightly basis with his gravity-defying slams, earning his place as one of the most exciting players in Clippers’ history. He also won the slam dunk competition during his rookie year with the team in 2011.
Los Angeles Lakers – Magic Johnson
Magic was the league’s first 6-foot-9 point guard and he revolutionized the game with his exceptional passing and court vision. The former three-time MVP was the main attraction during the Lakers’ “Showtime” era. Johnson won five NBA championships during the 1980s, further cementing his name as one of the best all-time players the game has ever seen.
Memphis Grizzlies – Ja Morant
Probably the youngest on this list, Morant can do otherworldly things with his athleticism. At just 6’2”, he soars above the rim with such ease and power despite his smaller stature. Still relatively young at just 23, expect that there will be more highlights to come for this daring highflier.
Miami Heat – Dwyane Wade
A crafty and explosive shooting guard, Wade brought flair and athleticism to Miami, leading the Heat to multiple championships and etching his name as the best player in the team’s history. While still in his third year in the league, Wade led the Heat to their first championship in 2006 and was crowned Finals MVP in the process. “The Flash” also led the league in scoring in 2009.
Milwaukee Bucks – Giannis Antetokounmpo
“The Greek Freak” is a unique blend of size, speed, and skill, dominating the league and leading the Bucks to a championship in 2021. Giannis also won league MVP in back-to-back years. He is perhaps the greatest player in the franchise and in all of Greece.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Kevin Garnett
A versatile and athletic big man, Garnett was the heart and soul of the Timberwolves from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s, guiding them to their most successful seasons in franchise history. He won a league MVP during his time with the Timberwolves and remains a beloved figure for the team today.
New Orleans Pelicans – Zion Williamson
Williamson stands at 6’6” but weighs around 280 pounds, making him a dominant force in both offense and defense for New Orleans. You have to see his game to believe it because nobody in the league is comparable when it comes to brute power and strength.
New York Knicks – Patrick Ewing
Ewing was New York’s best player from the mid-1980s until the late 1990s. He left a lasting impact on the Knicks with his offensive repertoire and leadership and guided them to numerous playoff appearances throughout his time with the Knicks, which included an NBA finals appearance in 1994.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Russell Westbrook
Despite standing just around 6’3”, Westbrook played bigger than his smaller frame as he racked up triple-doubles on a daily basis during his tenure with OKC. Westbrook was also one of the most tenacious dunkers the game has ever seen.
Orlando Magic – Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995 while captivating audiences with his superman-like strength and rim-rocking dunks in the process.
Philadelphia 76ers – Julius Erving
Also known as “Dr. J,” Julius Erving was a high-flying pioneer in the game, captivating fans with his spectacular dunks and flair during his time with the 76ers. Plus, he was a fashion icon too.
Phoenix Suns – Amar'e Stoudemire
A high-flying power forward, Amar’e Stoudemire energized the Suns with his athleticism and scoring ability, forming a dynamic duo with Steve Nash throughout the 2000s.
Portland Trail Blazers – Clyde Drexler
Clyde “The Glide” Drexler was a key figure in the Blazers’ success during the late ’80s and early ’90s. His dunks were a combination of finesse and power.
Sacramento Kings – Chris Webber
Webber was a multi-talented forward during his tenure with the Kings. He led the team with his exceptional athleticism and basketball IQ.
San Antonio Spurs – David Robinson
Known as “The Admiral,” David Robinson combined elite athleticism with exceptional footwork which eventually became the foundation for the Spurs’ future success.
Toronto Raptors – Vince Carter
Before he became a well-respected NBA journeyman, Carter was fondly known as “Air Canada”. He amassed fans worldwide with his gravity-defying dunks, establishing himself as a Raptors legend and one of the greatest dunkers in the history of the game.
Utah Jazz – Karl Malone
Malone was a physical powerhouse at 6’9” and was built like a tank. The “Mailman” dominated the paint with his athleticism and scoring ability, forming a formidable partnership with John Stockton.
Washington Wizards – Manute Bol
Standing at a towering 7’7”, Bol was an anomaly in terms of size and length. While he was not a dominating force during his time in the league, he is still considered a defensive pest for opposing teams.
