[Lotto StudParticipant]

This topic has been sparked because of a discussion I am having between Wade & Smart’s athleticism. It has been stated Smart is nowhere near the athlete Wade is. 

I posted this link to let it be known Smart is criminally underestimated if no one considers him an above average athlete with his size. 

http://youtu.be/IbToaVPE7Uw

What are the factors that go in account when you differentiate the levels of athleticism?

I would like to see your scale if you can help out.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 – leaping ability
– quickness
-lateral movement
-lateral quickness
-2nd jump
-speed

listen OP, i never said he was a below average athlete ( for the unaware, OP is talking about me). he;s just not on prime Wade’s level.  

theres level to this chit. Smart is a good athlete, but prime Wade was an all around elite athlete.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 – leaping ability
– quickness
-lateral movement
-lateral quickness
-2nd jump
-speed

listen OP, i never said he was a below average athlete ( for the unaware, OP is talking about me). he;s just not on prime Wade’s level.  

theres level to this chit. Smart is a good athlete, but prime Wade was an all around elite athlete.

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

There is more. body control in mid air, hit absorbing, change of direction on a two step, shiftiness at full speed, strengh………

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

There is more. body control in mid air, hit absorbing, change of direction on a two step, shiftiness at full speed, strengh………

[WälseParticipant]

Smart is a fine athlete, but prime Wade was a better one. However, I don’t consider prime Wade elite from an athletic standpoint. I reserve that for the Vince Carter, Lebron James, MJ, Griffin, Nique, Kemp, Gerald Green types. Wade is the next tier to me.

[WälseParticipant]

Smart is a fine athlete, but prime Wade was a better one. However, I don’t consider prime Wade elite from an athletic standpoint. I reserve that for the Vince Carter, Lebron James, MJ, Griffin, Nique, Kemp, Gerald Green types. Wade is the next tier to me.

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

Wade was an elite athlete son.

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

Wade was an elite athlete son.

[WälseParticipant]

 For Espressoprodigy, and those who negged me, if Wade was an elite athlete, what is Lebron? Do you have another level beyond elite? Or do you consider the two of them in the same class?

[WälseParticipant]

 For Espressoprodigy, and those who negged me, if Wade was an elite athlete, what is Lebron? Do you have another level beyond elite? Or do you consider the two of them in the same class?

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I am more of the they are similar belief.  Wade was a good athlete for sure, but his athleticism was based more off of his shiftiness and his craftyness.  He was never a "eye level with the rim" kind of athlete.  He was super fast endline to endline though.  That is how he beat you.  His agility was impressive to me.  I also agree that Wade was not an elite athlete, he was one tier below.

I would put Smart a tier below Wade, but he doesn’t get enough credit for his athleticism that is for sure.  I factor all physical characteristics into athleticism and that means Smarts strength.  His size, body type, weight, strength coupled with his quickness makes him a great athlete in my book, at least good enough to where it shouldn’t be considered a fault.  Wade is about 1 inch taller and 15 to 20 lbs less than Smart is at their same age.  Smart will surely add some more weight, will he maintain his vertical, quickness and speed?  Only time will tell.

I think all things have to come into play, just simply saying one guy doesn’t jump as high or run as fast doesn’t work for me.  If they are similar or comparable athletes but one guy has 20 extra pounds, I take that into consideration.

Gerald Green has a much higher two foot vertical than Lebron and is probably a little quicker laterally.  But Lebron is 260 lbs is the better one foot jumper and is waaaaay faster endline to endline.  Taking those things into account I would say Lebron is the better athlete no questions asked.  Maybe the most complete athlete ever.

 

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I am more of the they are similar belief.  Wade was a good athlete for sure, but his athleticism was based more off of his shiftiness and his craftyness.  He was never a "eye level with the rim" kind of athlete.  He was super fast endline to endline though.  That is how he beat you.  His agility was impressive to me.  I also agree that Wade was not an elite athlete, he was one tier below.

I would put Smart a tier below Wade, but he doesn’t get enough credit for his athleticism that is for sure.  I factor all physical characteristics into athleticism and that means Smarts strength.  His size, body type, weight, strength coupled with his quickness makes him a great athlete in my book, at least good enough to where it shouldn’t be considered a fault.  Wade is about 1 inch taller and 15 to 20 lbs less than Smart is at their same age.  Smart will surely add some more weight, will he maintain his vertical, quickness and speed?  Only time will tell.

I think all things have to come into play, just simply saying one guy doesn’t jump as high or run as fast doesn’t work for me.  If they are similar or comparable athletes but one guy has 20 extra pounds, I take that into consideration.

Gerald Green has a much higher two foot vertical than Lebron and is probably a little quicker laterally.  But Lebron is 260 lbs is the better one foot jumper and is waaaaay faster endline to endline.  Taking those things into account I would say Lebron is the better athlete no questions asked.  Maybe the most complete athlete ever.

 

 

 

[Pro-21Participant]

 Because DWade was for sure an elite athlete. He was far quicker and faster than someone like Gerald Green or even Vince Carter. At a legit 6’4" 220 pounds, he was somehow just as agile as say a young Michael Jordan, who was 196 at the time. He was also at least as fast as Derrick Rose, and his leaping ability, though not elite, was more than solid with a strong 35 inch vertical to go along with amazing length. Then factor in his durability, balance, motor and endurance? There’s a reason why DWade could dominate games and lead bad, bad teams to the playoffs while missing 16-20 games and having awful teammates. 

 

 

 

 

[strobox88Participant]

 When healthy, D-Wade’s still got it. Anyone remember this? 

 

[strobox88Participant]

 When healthy, D-Wade’s still got it. Anyone remember this? 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

If you can dunk you can dunk on somebody.  I like to look at where the head is in comparison to the rim and smart and wade are pretty much the same.

Wades athleticism was not predicated on his vertical, it was on his speed hence the nickname Flash.

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

If you can dunk you can dunk on somebody.  I like to look at where the head is in comparison to the rim and smart and wade are pretty much the same.

Wades athleticism was not predicated on his vertical, it was on his speed hence the nickname Flash.

 

[strobox88Participant]

Double Post -edited-

[strobox88Participant]

Double Post -edited-

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Smart has worked hard to improve his athleticism. However, I think you ‘re giving him too much credit for hops because of his position. If he was a 2 guard, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. Markel Brown jumps higher and he’s 6’3". But most people don’t expect super hops from a PG. Smart can jump higher than most PG’s. 

I realize you see him doing 360’s, but if you measured how high he can actually get that ball, it’s probably average compared to 2 guards who are 6’4" in pros.

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Smart has worked hard to improve his athleticism. However, I think you ‘re giving him too much credit for hops because of his position. If he was a 2 guard, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. Markel Brown jumps higher and he’s 6’3". But most people don’t expect super hops from a PG. Smart can jump higher than most PG’s. 

I realize you see him doing 360’s, but if you measured how high he can actually get that ball, it’s probably average compared to 2 guards who are 6’4" in pros.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Most 2s aren’t 225-230 lbs either. So please factor that in.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Most 2s aren’t 225-230 lbs either. So please factor that in.

[chaParticipant]

 I don’t even see a slight resemblance between the two in terms athleticism. Wade glides through the rim and seem to float and hang in the air until he decides to throw it down or finish beautifully. A prime Wade is quick, explosive and shifty 

[chaParticipant]

 I don’t even see a slight resemblance between the two in terms athleticism. Wade glides through the rim and seem to float and hang in the air until he decides to throw it down or finish beautifully. A prime Wade is quick, explosive and shifty 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 No where as fast off the dribble. Smart is more power. Wade was shifty, fast, longer wingspan so he skied.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 No where as fast off the dribble. Smart is more power. Wade was shifty, fast, longer wingspan so he skied.

[BeastMode716Participant]

 For people to say Wade did not have power or explosiveness is Insane

The man was not as flashy as some 

But stats & the eye test don’t lie

The man was like a Tank w/ a ferrari engine

He got to the Rim Whenever he felt like it & No one Ever guarded him 1 V 1 & stopped him

And he did on the Highest level in the NBA Finals & won Rings 

Wade was the Elite or the Elite in term of pure athleticism 

Smart is a Good athlete but Great athletes break opponents down of the dribble & get to the Rim whenever they chose – that’s the separation factor – it’s about Elite 1st step quickness & explosive leaping ability & that’s now about jumping 40 inches in the air in a dunk contest or in practice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Author]

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