As the NBA’s emphasis on entertaining basketball continues its push, physical play that once dominated the hardwood is getting lost in the shuffle. The bruisers and tough guys of the glory years are long gone, replaced by big men that avoid the paint and shooters that refuse to drive it to the cup.

Thankfully for fans that love hard-nosed basketball, there is still a select group of players that carry on the old school legacy.

These men love contact, always give full effort and are not afraid to mix it up on both ends of the court. In a league littered with players that hate getting down and dirty, they have set themselves apart.

Of the group, I believe the five hoop stars who made this list best represent what it means to be a physical player.

Don’t agree with my selections? By all means, let me know by leaving your comments below. 

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