Top Five NBA Deltoids of All-Time

In celebration of Dwight Howard's inaugural entry into the NBA Finals and David Robinson's induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame, we have put together a list of the Top Five NBA Deltoids of All-Time.

Only those with the most cartoonish shoulder muscles need apply.

With the modern advent of weight training, nutrition and those fun PEDs, the list is admittedly biased towards modern players. Historical players just cannot stand shoulder to shoulder to the modern athlete when it comes to being jacked.

5. Scottie Pippen

Pippen was simply a mutant.

He not only had freakishly defined arm muscles, but enormous hands and, presumably, well we just won't go there. The man was a walking human anatomy poster. The one without the skin.

He just might give Mr. Robinson a run for the picture of "Sinewy" in Webster's.

4. Mark Madsen

Surprised? Don't be.

Keeping in mind that darker skin means more muscle definition to the eye (why do you think bodybuilders tan?), Madsen might have an argument for top spot in this group. Madsen combined unprecedented whiteness with surprising muscle definition and, if anything, we have underrated him here in these rankings.

For more on Madsen's work out routines, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTRuCPddhbU.

3. Ben Wallace

If there ever was a man who was meant to wear an armband, it was Mr. Benjiman Wallace.

Wallace possessed a 6-inch dent between his oversized shoulders muscles and his oversized biceps muscles where his armband would rest.

Unfortunately, like the perfectly figured girl with the low-cut shirt, we must admit Wallace's vain use of the armband prevents him from reaching the exalted three above.

2 (Tie). David Robinson

The runners-up are both Hall-of-fame players who will be remembered as much for their fantastic deltoid muscles as their outstanding basketball careers.

First, we have Mr. David Robinson, who ushered in a new age of muscle definition after arriving from the Navy in 1990. You could literally see EVERY sinew in this man's arm.

When it looks like over-sized tennis balls connecting your arm to your body, you also can start calling yourself the Admiral.

2 (Tie). Karl Malone

Second, we have Karl Malone, who set new standards for bulk.

The man essentially possessed four legs - two attached at the hip and two attached at the shoulder.

1. Dwight Howard

The man-child is a cross between the joint runners-up of this competition, David Robinson and Karl Malone.

Howard majestically combines the cartoonish cutness of Mr. Robinson with the sheer size of Karl Malone.

Suffice it to say, Dwight Howard is standing on the shoulders of giants - with even bigger shoulders.