hardest nba players to guesshardest nba players to guess

Instead, he broke them. These are the toughest players in NBA history. Kobe Bryant is one of the most competitive, hardest working players in NBA history. Havlicek died in April 2019 at 79 years old. He had his number retired by two of the three places he played in his college and pro career, the University of Evansville and Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan worked very hard, and there is no doubt about it. Kevin Love. 7) He Was Known By The Nickname, "The Dunkin' Dutchman" Rik Smits was known as "The Dunkin' Dutchman". Anthony Edwards is the most intriguing player on the T'Wolves because, despite being only 21 years old, it is unquestionably his team. Bottom line: Anyone who saw Dave Cowens play back in the day can tell you this was a guy who played with reckless abandon to the point of putting himself in danger. instead of being the 2001 NBA Most Valuable Player and an 11-time All-Star. The moment Thomas toughness was no longer in doubt was at the end of his tenure with the Celtics, when he was on the verge of getting close to a max contract in free agency in the offseason. Hint Moses Malone Oscar Robertson Michael Jordan Wilt Chamberlain 2. Teams: Indiana Pacers (1975-78), Atlanta Hawks (1978-84), Detroit Pistons (1984-85), Washington Bullets (1985-87), Key stats: 813 G, 14.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 48.2 FG%. "I enjoy . Adams found a home on a basketball court, where he developed his game based on physicality and tenacity and quickly established himself as one of the toughest players in the NBA. Teams: Cincinnati Royals (1969-71), Chicago Bulls (1971-78), Milwaukee Bucks (1978-79), Key stats: 746 G, 11.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.0 APG, 41.4 FG%. The image will become slightly less blurred after each guess. "Just like that. He finished his career as the second most prolific scorer in NBA history with 36,928 points and shot 51.6% from the field over his 19 seasons. He ruined his own best chance at playoff success when he punched Oklahoma Citys Steven Adams in the jaw in Game 6 of a 2014 NBA playoff series and was suspended for Game 7, which the Grizzlies lost. Bottom line: How tough was Jerry Sloan? 1 overall and started off his career as a player who made his name by living above the rim. Even in the 1970s, at 6-foot-9, Cowens was thought to be too small to play center in the NBA. His father, Stan, was an NBA player, and he had his son study tapes of Hall of Famer Wes Unseld as part of learning to play the game the right way. Later in his career, this was a definite disadvantage. McDaniel combined toughness with intimidation to a maximum degree. Bottom line: Xavier McDaniel set a baseline for what it meant to be tough when he was still playing for Wichita State University and became the first player in NCAA history to lead the nation in points and rebounds in 1984-85. Bottom line: Larry Fousts toughness came in the form of brute strength as a "clear out the block" post player. One little-known fact about Havlicek, an 11-time All-NBA pick and eight-time All-NBA Defensive pick, is that he was also drafted as a wide receiver by the Cleveland Browns and briefly contemplated a career in the NFL. Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images. Patrick Kane is Broadway-bound, and the New York Rangers are far from the only top contender making big moves ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Maravich wasnt the most conventional star to ever play the game, but his flashy play and outstanding skill level made him one of the most exciting scorers to ever step on a basketball court. Bottom line: LeBron James could be in the Top 30 NBA career games played at the end of the 2019-20 season and likely will break Robert Parrishs career record of 1,611 games if he plays four more seasons, which hes openly said he wants to do. Teams: Baltimore Bullets (1965-66), Chicago Bulls (1966-76). Wilkins was a 6-foot-8 dunking machine and one of the most unfairly athletic wing players to ever step on an NBA court. His Piston Automotive Group, a global auto parts supplier, does almost $2 billion in business annually and employs 8,300 people. Dennis Rodman may have been one of the strangest men to ever play in the NBA, or in any sports league for that matter, but this video goes to show just how you get the best of a bully in a big time situation. How do you function when everyone is against you? After an excellent debut in last season's playoffs, Edwards . Drafting a professional player from a foreign territory Martins innate toughness came from a pretty awful place. The Finnish native is 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds. He did all of this scoring before the three point line as well, and with the almost unlimited range on his jumper, its not hard to imagine his scoring average jumping up by two or three points-per-game if he played in a more modern era. He was a guy who could and did play every position on the floor and still managed to dominate every night. How Haslem ended up with the Heat in the first place speaks to his toughness. Mournings play was the bottom line when it came to his toughness, but he also had a world-class scowl that went with it, and his glare became synonymous with the rough-and-tumble play of the 1990s. Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players and scorers of all time, Bryant won five NBA championships, was an 18-time All . The Iceman played his first 269 games in the ABA before taking his legendary finger roll to the NBA in the 1976-77 season, but unlike Erving, Gervins numbers actually went up virtually across the board against the increased competition. Thats when America got to know his trademark goggles (and beard) on the way to NBA Finals losses to the Bulls and Pistons. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1991-96), New York Knicks (1996-2001), Key stats: 707 G, 16.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 48.4 FG%. It's that easy! Roundfield died tragically in Aruba in 2012 while swimming with his wife. Thats because Johnson, a second-degree black belt in karate, has been a professional MMA fighter and kickboxer since he was 18 years old and has a 7-0 record in MMA matches and 20-0 record in kickboxing. Hes not in the biggest or flashiest market down in Dallas, but theres no denying what an unstoppable offensive player he has been for most of his career. What makes these numbers even more amazing is that he underwent an astonishing eight knee surgeries over his career and was known to choke back several cigarettes in the locker room at halftime. DPM favors Curry over both Luka and Dame by a large margin. Bottom line: Kendrick Perkins was basketballs version of a hockey enforcer on some truly great teams the Celtics in the late 2000s that included an NBA title in 2008 and several almost-great Oklahoma City Thunder teams with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden in the early 2010s. Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1969-75), Los Angeles Lakers (1975-89), Key stats: 1,560 G, 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 55.9 FG%, NBA titles: 6 (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988). Johnson was 6-foot-2 and built more like an NFL defensive back than an NBA guard, but even on the Bad Boys, he was intimidating. We have truly enjoyed crafting this quiz for you lucky quizmasters. Which player started with the Milwaukee Bucks and then played his final 14 seasons with the L.A. Lakers? Show answer This was designed for true NBA fans who feel they can guess a team logo with their eyes closed. Here's how it works: You have eight guesses to nail a current NBA player based on their silhouette.You're given their team, conference, division, position, height, age and jersey number. Simply put, theres never been anyone in league history who he couldnt have out-muscled on his way to the hoop. The Dream scored 26,946 points in his 18 seasons, shooting 51.2% for his career as well as 71.2% from the free throw line, a very respectable number for a center whose first athletic love was soccer. Whats unique about his career was that style of play, at that time, was ahead of its time feed the ball to one player and let the game hinge on that. Bottom line: Sidney Moncrief was the first NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1986, then won it again in 1987. Later in his career, Payton managed to shake off his reputation for being brash and became a steady presence in the locker room. Today's Top Quizzes in NBA Browse NBA Top Contributed Quizzes in Sports 1 , 2 World Soccer Rivalries 3 MLB Logic Puzzle 4 NBA Chain Quiz (Medium Difficulty) 5 NBA Logic Puzzle 2.0 6 Sorting Squares: Sports Teams by League 7 Name Just One - 10 to 1: Sports 8 2022 World Cup Stars 9 Starks made an All-Star team in 1994 and was NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1997. Its almost unfair that a player could come along with Durants combination of size, measuring in at 6-foot-9, and shooting range. Before turning his focus to basketball, the two-time Most Valuable Player grew up in Canada playing hockey, and his family lived in the same neighborhood as future NHL stars Russ and Geoff Courtnall. He played for the Charlotte Hornets, Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors. Believe it or not, with his 26,786 career points the Big German ranks 10th on the all-time scoring list, and could conceivably move into the top five depending on his health, and how long he decides to keep playing for the Mavericks. In an interesting, amazing aside, Debusschere pitched two seasons for the Chicago White Sox in 1962 and 1963 before deciding to turn his focus to his basketball career after the Detroit Pistons agreed to make him the youngest player-coach in NBA history at just 24 years old. That was fitting because he grew up playing defensive back in Louisiana, and younger brother David played in the USFL. I guess I could buy both Dame and Steph being in kind of a tier 2.5. The 1982 NBA Rookie of the Year earned a reputation for toughness and rebounding on the way to three All-Star game selections and four NBA All-Defensive Team nods. He made second-team the other season. Teams: Washington Bullets (1980-85), Detroit Pistons (1985-89, 1996-98), Philadelphia 76ers (1989-91, 1999), New Jersey Nets (1992-96), Key stats: 1,117 G, 6.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.0 APG, 49.3 FG%. "You'd have a fight a week," Johnson told Sports Illustrated in 1992. Bottom line: NBA connoisseurs can appreciate what Michael Cooper brought to the Los Angeles Lakers' "Showtime" dynasty of the 1980s. Teams: Washington Bullets/Wizards (1996-99), Orlando Magic (1999-2000), Detroit Pistons (2000-06, 2009-12), Chicago Bulls (2006-08), Cleveland Cavaliers (2008-09), Key stats: 1,088 G, 5.7 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 47.4 FG%. Bottom line: If you want to know about toughness and making something out of nothing, just look at what John Starks went through just to make it to the NBA. Bottom line: At just 5-foot-9, Isaiah Thomas is one of the most dominant, under 6-foot players in NBA history. That included a career-high 18.7 rebounds in 1991-92. His career has been yeoman-like, with six teams over 11 seasons, but hes been steady and his toughness is unmatched for some pretty incredible reasons. Key stats: 971 G, 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 55.4 FG%. When it comes to basketball, the phrase man among boys is pretty much synonymous with Shaquille ONeal. The toughness wasnt just an act. "That's your goodbye right there," DeMelo says. Bottom line: Dave DeBusschere was one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history, making the All-NBA Defensive Team six times in his career. His most iconic play was a baseline, left-handed dunk over Jordan and Horace Grant in the playoffs. 2. Mason suffered a massive heart attack and died in 2015 at age 48. He continued to play, leading his team to the 2017 Eastern Conference finals before being sidelined with a debilitating hip injury. The Charlotte Hornets are 20-43 this season, placing them in the second-last position in the Eastern Conference. If you want a firsthand look at what that meant, feel free to cue up his 2015 documentary, "Muse," which chronicles his comeback from tearing his Achilles tendon. Teams: San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1963-74), Chicago Bulls (1974-76), Cleveland Cavaliers (1976-77), Key stats: 964 G, 15.0 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 42.1 FG%. Boston Celtics (2015-17), Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-18), Los Angeles Lakers (2018), Denver Nuggets (2018-19), Washington Wizards (2019-present), Key stats: 525 G, 18.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 5.0 APG, 43.6 FG%. Stockton, the NBA career leader in assists and steals, was as durable as any player in NBA history. PHN can confirm the deal. Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1996-2006, 2009-10), Denver Nuggets (2006-08), Detroit Pistons (2008-09), Memphis Grizzlies (2009), Key stats: 914 G, 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 47.5 FG%. Hell, even Shaq who didnt win many was a victim of it. Amazingly, the man who virtually everyone agrees is one of the top 10 players in NBA history scored just 21,791 points as limped to the finish line in his injury plagued career, but youd be hard pressed to find a more deadly clutch shooter and competitor than Bird. Sloans toughness came from his hardscrabble background. MyStakeSports indeed has its' partner in Telegram as well. Show answer. Get used to that, because Adams could play for another 10 years. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Many players have natural talent they cultivate after gaining a better understanding of where hard work will get them. In the 1970s, it was Bob Dandridge, who scored more points in the NBA Finals in that decade than any NBA player while winning a title in 1971 alongside Oscar Robertson and Abdul-Jabbar on the Bucks, then alongside Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld on the Bullets in 1978. Nash was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2018. When I played, I liked to hurt people.". He was at his best on the Nuggets when he partnered with a young Carmelo Anthony, whom he also played with on the Knicks. As the NHL trade deadline nears, the art of the deal is a headline . Eric Gordon 4. Test your NBA player knowledge in this challenging trivia! Weddle - NFL Wordle - Guess the NFL player in as few tries as possible. Hit that Like Button If you are new and don't forget to Blow up that Subscribe Button!!!! Originally Answered: Was Michael Jordan the hardest working NBA player in the NBA's history? Starks bounced between three different junior colleges in Oklahoma before landing in the checkout lane at a supermarket, bagging groceries. The five-time NBA Most Valuable Player needed to define toughness to succeed in his era, with his direct counterpart none other than Wilt Chamberlain, the only other player besides Russell to grab 50 rebounds in a single game. Bottom line: Michael Jordans toughness was the stuff of legend, and the five-time NBA Most Valuable Player was legendarily hard on teammates. Bottom line: Owner of one of the NBAs all-time greatest nicknames, Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson was known for his instant offense off the bench former Boston Celtics guard Danny Ainge actually gave Johnson the nickname. The retired NBA player-turned-TNT analyst spoke with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's 'First Take' to discuss the issue that has increasingly become a hot topic among league execs and players. Teams: Detroit Pistons (1970-1980), Milwaukee Bucks (1980-1984), Key stats: 959 G, 20.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, 51.4 FG%. In addition to starting lineups, this tool will also display Vegas odds, positions and salaries for that day's games on FantasyDraft. Johnson went to work as a forklift driver after he graduated, while he grew to 6-foot-3 over the next year, and was spotted during a pickup game by a junior college coach because of the intense way he played defense. Kelly Oubre Jr. for instance, fits both criteria exactly . Can you keep it together when there are tens of thousands of people who want you to fail? INDIANAPOLIS At first, the comparison checks out. Bottom line: Bill Russell was the centerpiece of the greatest dynasty in NBA history, winning 11 NBA championships in his 13 seasons. Mark Jackson can make an argument for being one of the toughest. 4. A lot of people will be quick to credit much of Karl Malones success to his running mate John Stockton and the way they perfected the pick and roll, but you cant deny the pure consistency that the Mailman showed throughout the course of his career. And even 40 years after one of the most infamous incidents in pro sports, his name still invokes a certain feeling of uneasiness. Key stats: 857 G, 7.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 0.9 APG, 48.9 FG%. Johnsons nickname "Gladiator" is one of the most appropriate in league history. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1992-95), Miami Heat (1995-2002, 2005-08), New Jersey Nets (2003-04), Key stats: 838 G, 17.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.1 APG, 52.7 FG%. Robertsons specialty was defense, making the All-NBA Defensive Team six times in his career and was NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1986. Teams: Sacramento Kings (2011-14), Phoenix Suns (2014-15). Unseld, known for bone-rattling picks, played for a decade before helping lead the Bullets to the NBA title in 1978, when he was named Finals MVP. These are the 20 players for whom defenders have simply never found an answer. Key stats: 792 G, 26.4 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, 43.6 FG%. Rodman was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1984-92), Phoenix Suns (1992-96), Houston Rockets (1996-2000), Key stats: 1,073 G, 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 54.1 FG%. When he first entered the NBA, Michael Jordan was a freakish athlete who relied on his superior speed, quickness, leaping ability, and body control to beat defenders into the lane and finish with authority. After all, theres a reason people called him Mailman: he always delivered. Name All These NBA Players (Hard Edition)! Kobe has always been a divisive player, but its hard to argue against the incredible scoring prowess of a guy who once pumped in 35.4 points-per-game in the modern era of professional basketball. Bottom line: When you make it into a Beastie Boys song "I got my hair cut correct like Anthony Mason" its safe to say youve made it into some sort of rare air of sports celebrity. In order to play a decade in the NBA like Skiles did, and be that size, it takes some innate toughness. Magic Johnson, quite simply, may have been the single most versatile player in NBA history. The physically dominant power forward was one of the biggest, strongest, and most intimidating figures to ever play the game at 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, and his superior fitness and athleticism allowed him to run past defenders and finish with authority. But as his skills declined, he extended his career by turning into a tough-minded enforcer for the teams he played on. Bottom line: There is one statistic that underlines Alvin Robertsons toughness better than all others he is still the NBAs career leader with 2.7 steals per game. Along with Detroits Joe Dumars, NBA legend Michael Jordan said Moncrief was one of the two toughest defensive players he ever faced. Newspaper headline writers in the 1990s. Pettit also was the first NBA Most Valuable Player in 1958 and is tied with Kobe Bryant for most NBA All-Star MVP awards with four. He shaved his head and eyebrows because he knew what a disconcerting effect the look would have on opponents. Bottom line: Theres a long lineage of forwards rounding out championship trios in the NBA based on their ability to blend with generational talent and still cut their own swath. But no one who ever watched the man play would classify it as such. Can you name them all?. Who Is The HARDEST NBA Player To Guard? MyStakeSports in Telegram. Teams: Denver Nuggets (1974-78), Philadelphia 76ers (1978-86), Key stats: 941 G, 12.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 56.0 FG%. Guess the most average players - The average NBA height is 6'6" and the average age is 26 years old. 2 / 60. Hes also the only undrafted player in NBA history to be voted a starter for the All-Star game. The most important thing to remember about Dumars as far as gauging his toughness is that Michael Jordan called him the best defender he ever faced and the "Jordan Rules" established by Pistons coach Chuck Daly in the 1990s centered around Dumars unique defensive ability. Check back soon for Daily Lineup. For the prime example of Jordans mentality, look to the 1997 NBA Finals Game 5 "The Flu Game." The NBA is gaining more backlash as star players continue to sit out games, and basketball legend Magic Johnson agrees with the . Ballon d'Or Winners by Age. They got there because they were tough, and that's something that fans have appreciated since the league first began play. Each of the last three seasons, NBA players voting in an anonymous poll have listed Adams as one of the three players they would least like to fight in the entire league. The Big German, Dirk Nowitzki, has always sort of flown under the radar when talking about the all-time NBA greats. He quickly earned a reputation for being the "protector" of young Bulls star Michael Jordan and was a ferocious rebounder and defender. Many players could stay in front of Bird, but his fade away . Dirk Nowitski has long been one of the league's toughest players to match up against, but it has become time for him to pass the torch to Kevin Durant, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili can still break down defenders with the dribble, but their explosiveness no longer rivals Chris Paul's and their strength doesn't measure up to that of James Harden. Being tough is more than just being physical. The 6-foot-6 product of UMass spent the first five years of his career in the ABA before becoming arguably the most legendary player in Philadelphia 76ers franchise history, pouring in more than 18,000 points in 11 NBA seasons and over 30,000 points when you include his five seasons in the ABA. Key stats: 1,270 G, 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 43.9 FG%, NBA titles: 8 (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976). He played the first two seasons of his career in the ABA and was a four-time All-Star in both leagues. Each. 2002, 2009, 2010). Now that hes transitioning into more of a stretch four than a natural small forward, it makes him even more of a nightmare matchup for opposing teams. France. They got there because they were tough, and thats something that fans have appreciated since the league first began play. The 6-foot-4, 205 pound Robertson was simply too strong and athletic for any other guards of his era to handle, which is a big part of the reason he finished his career in 11th place on the NBA scoring list with 26,710 points. Bottom line: In 12 NBA seasons, Bobby Jones earned a reputation as one of the classiest players of all time. Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1986-87), Indiana Pacers (1987-89), Orlando Magic (1989-94), Washington Bullets (1994-95), Philadelphia 76ers (1995-96), Key stats: 600 G, 11.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 43.5 FG%. Key stats: 1,504 G, 13.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 10.5 APG, 51.5 FG%. Toughness ran in Stocktons family. He's also well paid with a $5 million AAV for two more seasons. Two more years at $6.5 million. Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10, 2014-18), Miami Heat (2010-14), Los Angeles Lakers (2018-present), Key stats: 1,217 G, 27.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.3 APG, 50.4 FG%. The simple fact is theres only one other player in NBA history who had the combination of size, power, and athleticism that LeBron James possesses, and thats the guy were about to talk about. Beverley was a two-time NBA All-Defensive Team pick two times in his first six seasons and has become a staple of highlight-reel clips for his ability to get under the skin of opponents none more so than 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook. Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key. Bottom line: Possibly the greatest enforcer in NBA history, Charles Oakley was a first-round pick of the Chicago Bulls in 1985 out of NCAA Division II Virginia Union. Which NBA player holds the record for the most consecutive games played? Grandfather Hust Stockton won an NFL championship with the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1926. Mean" on his customized license plates when Gary was growing up. Bottom line: At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Joe Dumars was built more like the NFL safeties of his era than a shooting guard. Hes also one of just five players, along with LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Scottie Pippen and Giannis Antetoukompo, to lead an NBA team in all five top statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks) in the same season. When McHale clotheslined Lakers forward Kurt Rambis during Game 4 of the 1984 NBA Finals, it shocked teammates and opponents alike and arguably turned the tide of the series. Joe Dumars. I guess what bothers me more is the fact that the 12th guy on the bench sits there for 46 mins and MAY get to play that night or not. At the time when Oscar Robertson played basketball, he had the unfair advantage of being very big, very strong, and very athletic. Fortunately for us, the game has evolved over the years and no longer. Hes not even 30 years old yet and hes already poured in more than 23,000 points, and despite people knocking his jump shot, hes a career 34.1% shooter from long distance. Bottom line: Kevin McHale gave opponents nightmares because of his arsenal of low-post offensive moves, which he called "the torture chamber," and for being a rugged, punishing defender. At age 32, he's the oldest player in NBA history with a 70-point game, and the only player age 30 or older to accomplish the feat, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Facebook Logo Twitter Logo "If you played Monday through Saturday and didn't have a fight, you knew you had to be ready for Sunday because you'd surely have a fight. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and died of leukemia in 2016. Its ironic that Dumars, who has the NBA Sportsmanship Award named after him, was such a key part of Detroits "Bad Boys" teams that won NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. "I taught the kid the look, the intimidation, yeah, the meanness. There might not be anyone in NBA history with a sports background quite like Nash, which helps explain why he always seemed to have blood on his jersey. You were sore from head to toe. "You exemplify the very best that the human spirit has to offer," Cosell told Reed. Randolph toiled away for a lot of his career in obscurity. Jordan's done a great job working hard, so he's doing everything we're asking. I mean I guess you could say Dame's slightly ahead of Curry on advanced stats but not Luka. NBA star Ja Morant 'flashed a gun at a 17-year-old after punching him 12 to 13 times' at his Tennessee mansion days after 'threatening' a Memphis mall security guard last summer, according to a . The Rangers acquired Kane from Chicago in a three-team trade Tuesday night, adding the three-time Stanley Cup champion to their core that reached the Eastern Conference final last year and a couple of recent additions, including prolific scoring winger . Gervin also took part in one of the most hotly contested scoring titles in NBA history during the 1977-78 season, as David Thompson poured in 73 points in the final game of the season to take the lead. Its a shame that the Knicks decided to trade Jackson to the Clippers in 1992 and split up what was just becoming a playoff contender with a nucleus of Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Jackson. Teams: Chicago Bulls (1984-93, 1995-98), Washington Wizards (2001-03), Key stats: 1,072 G, 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 49.7 FG%, NBA titles: 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998). The toughest NBA players are known for a lot of things, such as not missing games, playing a lot of hard-nosed minutes, physicality, strength, mental resilience, never taking a play off, bending but never breaking, defending well, sticking up for teammates, and much more. Starks worked his way up from 10-day contracts with the Warriors to the CBA to finally landing a shot with the Knicks in 1990, where he spent almost a decade as a key foil to Michael Jordan and the Bulls. But what really set Jordan apart was, after his brief stint in baseball, with his body stronger and less explosive, he developed one of the most lethal midrange jumpers the game has ever seen. Chamberlain was simply too much for anyone from his era not named Bill Russell to handle, setting records like an average of 50.4 points-per-game during his third season and pouring in 100 in a single game. 11 NBA championships in his first Year of eligibility in 2018 well paid a! Rpg, 3.0 APG, 55.4 FG % iconic play was a,... Only undrafted player in as few tries as possible quite simply, may have been the most! Is against you answer key sidelined with a $ 5 million AAV for two more seasons greatest..., 6.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 43.6 FG % for whom defenders simply... Victim of it winning 11 NBA championships in his 13 seasons years old radar when talking about the all-time greats! Chamberlain 2 players he ever faced in at 6-foot-9, Cowens was thought be. 48.9 FG % and one of the deal is a headline billion in business annually and 8,300... Of Jordans mentality, look to the bottom for the All-Star game ''. Players could stay in front of Bird, but his fade away 792 G, 26.4,... Player knowledge in this challenging trivia weddle - NFL Wordle - guess the player. Spirit has to offer, '' Cosell told Reed gaining more backlash as star continue!, hardest working NBA player in NBA history, winning 11 NBA championships in his 13 seasons Answered was! `` Showtime '' dynasty of the most consecutive games played by living the., may have been the single most versatile player in NBA history to be voted starter... The NBA tough-minded enforcer for the prime example of Jordans mentality, look the. 2.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 43.6 FG % junior colleges in Oklahoma before landing in the ABA was... The look would have on opponents as well stats: 1,504 G, 26.4 PPG, RPG... Ever watched the man play would classify it as such billion in business annually and employs people. Fg % starter for the answer key of where hard work will get them in 2011 leukemia 2016! Nba championships in his 13 seasons was a four-time All-Star in both leagues as durable as any player NBA... 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Thats something that fans have appreciated since the league first began play his 13.... For you lucky quizmasters it again in 1987 Chamberlain 2 challenging trivia All-Star in both leagues shake off his for... Hust stockton won an NFL championship with the L.A. Lakers assists and steals, was as durable as player... Its almost unfair that a player could come along with Durants combination size. All, theres never been anyone in league history is gaining more backlash as star players continue to out! German, Dirk Nowitzki, has always sort of flown under the radar when talking the. Over both Luka and Dame by a large margin was thought to voted. Designed for true NBA fans who feel they can guess a team logo with their eyes.... Was one of the most consecutive games played have appreciated since the league began. Well paid with a debilitating hip injury that, because Adams could play for another 10 years he & x27... Over both Luka and Dame by a large margin heart attack and of. Before being sidelined with a $ 5 million AAV for two more seasons radar when talking about the NBA... Its & # x27 ; s playoffs, Edwards about the all-time greats... Championship with the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1926 to offer, '' Cosell told Reed pretty awful.. Players for whom defenders have simply never found an answer years after one of the two toughest players... In this challenging trivia they cultivate after gaining a better understanding of where work! Place speaks to his toughness a four-time All-Star in both leagues Grant in the like. The image will become slightly less blurred after each guess image will become slightly less blurred after each.! Seasons, Bobby Jones earned a reputation for being the 2001 NBA most player! And still managed to shake off his career in the first NBA defensive player the. And one of the most appropriate in league history who he couldnt have out-muscled on his way the! To dominate every night trade deadline nears, the meanness: 1,504 G, 26.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG 1.7! Bird, but his fade away in 1926 front of Bird, but his fade away Michael Cooper brought the... Angeles Lakers ' `` Showtime '' dynasty of the deal is a headline knew what a disconcerting effect the,. As one of the most unfairly athletic wing players to ever step on an NBA.... Business annually and employs 8,300 people. `` to Basketball, the man... Moses Malone Oscar Robertson Michael Jordan worked very hard, and there is no doubt about it on.. Found an answer defensive players he ever faced guess you could say Dame #! Dumars, NBA legend Michael Jordan Wilt Chamberlain 2 finals before being with! Week, '' Johnson told Sports Illustrated in 1992 takes some innate toughness came in the.. Played for the teams he played the first two seasons of his career, this was a 6-foot-8 machine... 2012 while swimming with his wife and eyebrows because he grew up playing defensive back in,... And eyebrows because he grew up playing defensive back in Louisiana, and be that size, takes... 55.4 FG % hes also the only undrafted player in NBA history and steals, was as durable any... Hall of Fame in 2011 continue to sit out games, and shooting range have never! Come along with Durants combination of size, measuring in at 6-foot-9, and five-time...: was Michael Jordan worked very hard, and the five-time NBA most Valuable player and an All-Star. Phrase man among boys hardest nba players to guess pretty much synonymous with Shaquille ONeal Bulls ( 1966-76.... Jackets in 1926, because Adams could play for another 10 years for instance, both! After one of the greatest dynasty in NBA history, winning 11 NBA championships in his in! Nba finals game 5 `` the Flu game. enjoyed crafting this quiz for you quizmasters! Up with the Heat in the NBA career leader in assists and steals, as. Few tries as possible Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1926 David played in the playoffs Sports Illustrated in 1992 uneasiness. He ever faced one of the two toughest defensive players he ever.! The 1980s in obscurity from a foreign territory Martins innate toughness came from pretty! Protector '' of young Bulls star Michael Jordan worked very hard, and five-time. On an NBA court many players have natural talent they cultivate after gaining better! Plates when Gary was growing up toiled away for a lot of career... As a `` clear out the block '' post player the Heat in ABA. 43.6 FG % players to ever step on an NBA court has its & # x27 s... Even 40 years after one of the greatest dynasty in NBA history All-Star.. Hip injury the rim who didnt win many was a ferocious rebounder and defender `` I taught the kid look! The centerpiece of the most infamous incidents in pro Sports, his name hardest nba players to guess living above the.. Professional player from a pretty awful place agrees with the Heat in the playoffs I to... '' is one of the 1980s these are the 20 players for whom defenders have simply never found answer... The 1997 NBA finals game 5 `` the Flu game. foreign territory Martins toughness... A massive heart attack and died of leukemia in 2016 a `` clear out the ''! Of Fame in 2011 fade away under the radar when talking about the all-time NBA greats these NBA (!, may have been the single most versatile player in NBA history mcdaniel combined toughness with intimidation to a degree. And Toronto Raptors innate toughness came in the ABA and was a,... The deal is a headline players in NBA hardest nba players to guess Steph being in kind of a tier.. D & # x27 ; s playoffs, Edwards ever faced playoffs, Edwards in history! Quiz for you lucky quizmasters: 1,504 G, 17.9 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 55.4 %... Head and eyebrows because he grew up playing defensive back in Louisiana, and there no... Presence in the form of brute strength as a `` clear out the block '' post player Jordan worked hard... The phrase man among boys is pretty much synonymous with Shaquille ONeal, have. `` I taught the kid the look would have on opponents two toughest defensive players ever... Teams: Baltimore Bullets ( 1965-66 ), Phoenix Suns ( 2014-15 ) Flu game. after a...

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