With Ja Morant rising through the ranks, the era of explosive point guards is back. To be fair, the NBA has already seen its fair share of athletic point guards who were deceptively fast with explosive jumping abilities. But Morant’s increasing popularity has definitely shifted attention back to the small point guard capable of winning aerial and ground battles.
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In a recent episode of NBA TV, Crawford and Channing Frye were discussing such point guards, especially Ja Morant. Host Kristen Ledlow then asked both the former NBA players to rank the most athletic Point Guards in history. The answer, to be fair, is not too surprising.
Jamal Crawford ranks Russell Westbrook over Ja Morant
Players like Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and Ja Morant shocked the world with their jumping prowess and their ability to battle it out with the most athletic players. With Point Guards usually smaller than most players on the roster, they are considered to be less capable of winning aerial battles.
Though many have proved this preconceived notion wrong. No one has perhaps done it better than Westbrook and now Ja Morant is on that same path. As per Frye, Ja Morant is already the second-best athletic PG in history. He rated Russell Westbrook at one, claiming Brodie’s viciousness and aggression in the air.
“I got him (Ja Morant) two. Already. I have Russell Westbrook (at one). He’s the most vicious, fast, explode, two foot, one foot, strength, power. Now, no disrespect to everyone else, but what I’ve seen this man do consistently over the years has been unbelievable.”
On the other hand, Jamal Crawford ranked Derrick Rose at one and Brodie at 2 and then suggested that Ja Morant still has a lot of time left. He can definitely overtake Russell Westbrook and D Rose if he can remain healthy and continue with his athletic dominance.
NBA Fans weigh in with their top athletic PGs
Most fans disagreed with Crawford’s ranking. There is no doubt that D Rose was a gifted PG, but Russell Westbrook is, beyond doubt, the most athletic PG in history and has been performing with the same energy for the last 14 seasons. In comparison, Rose’s athleticism was fairly short-lived.
That being said, Ja Morant is not that far behind frankly. But fans can’t help but still rate Russ as number one despite his struggles with the Lakers.
Ja Morant, Russell Westbrook, and Derrick Rose are all oddities. Small guards who can go toe to toe with much bigger players. These are the only players who truly made the air their territory. The perpetual underdogs of aerial battle who still win regularly. It’s difficult to say whether Morant can maintain this athleticism for long. Really makes you appreciate Westbrook all that more.
