LeBron James and the 20 Most Dangerous Players on the Open Floor

A well-run fast break is the most exciting play in all of basketball, and in the NBA it is no different. 

In the moment that a great one happens, time almost seems to slow down as the anticipation for the big finish builds. 

As the ball moves down-court to the open basket, one can only wonder if it will end in a showtime dunk or an amazing assist, or if the player will pull up for the open three. 

Regardless of what happens, a successful fast break will excite the crowd, demoralize the other team and more than likely end up on a highlight reel. 

The following video list will show some of the best moments of the most dangerous players who run the fast break in the NBA. 

These players are not ranked or in any particular order. 

LeBron James, Miami Heat

It is no secret that LeBron James is one of the most dangerous players in the NBA on the fast break. 

His mix of athleticism, size and scoring and passing ability make him a threat to finish the break in many different ways. 

Not only can he throw it down, he can pass and pull up for the jumper as well. 

Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets

Not only is Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson one of the fastest guys in the league, he can also get up and finish at the rim. 

While this clip does not show him on the fast break, it does show his athletic ability on the best dunk of his career. 

If he can do this over the 7'0" D.J. Mbenga, imagine what he can do without a defender at the rim.

Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies

Rudy Gay is one of the most athletic players in the NBA, and it shows when he gets out on the fast break. 

It seems like at least once per night, Gay gets ahead of the defense to throw down one of his monster dunks.

Gay, who returned from injury at the start of this season, has picked up right where he left off exciting the crowd in Memphis. 

Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves

In his short NBA career, the Minnesota Timberwolves rookie has already drawn comparisons to former New Orleans Jazz Hall of Famer "Pistol" Pete Maravich. 

Rubio is becoming well known for his passing ability and court vision and seems to be happier throwing a great pass on the break instead of finishing himself. 

He may not be the best finisher in the league, but he will make his teammates better as he finds them for amazing assists. 

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant has been one the NBA's top finishers since he first came into the league fresh out of high school.

Like LeBron James, Bryant can do it all in the open court and can finish in many different ways. 

Even in his 16th season, Bryant can execute the fast break as well as anyone in the league. 

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose is unstoppable in the open court—no one can guard him. 

With his combination of speed and finishing ability, the reigning MVP is one of the most exciting players to watch. 

Rose will often be down-court and in the air for a high-flying slam dunk before the other team even realizes they have turned the ball over. 

Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

The old man of the NBA, Steve Nash shows that he still has what it takes to run the fast break. 

Over his career, he has been excellent in the open court with his ability to pass, pull up and shoot or drive to the hoop. 

Defenders are only left guessing which one he will do on any given play. 

John Wall, Washington Wizards

John Wall is the best player on the Washington Wizards, and it shows when he is on the run. 

His speed frustrates opposing players, and his ball-handling skills make him nearly impossible to defend. 

Not only is Wall able to break ankles, he leaves defenders standing still as he blows past them on his way to the basket. 

Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

Rajon Rondo does not play like a little guy and is very versatile in the open court. 

Depending on what he is needed to do on any particular play, Rondo is more than capable of throwing down a monster jam, switching hands to avoid a defender on a layup or threading the needle on a long skip pass to a teammate. 

With the combination of skills Rondo has, he is very dangerous on the break. 

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant has lead the NBA in scoring each of the last two seasons, and it is easy to see why when he takes so many high-percentage shots. 

At 6'9" it is very impressive that he can handle the ball on the way to the basket as well as he does. 

Durant regularly threads his way through defenders but does not need to get too close to the basket, as he can fly in from a long way away and get to the rim for the jam. 

Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors

Monta Ellis is one of the most creative scorers in the NBA and has never met a shot that he didn't like. 

Ellis can get it done in many ways and is very good in the open court.

Playing for the uptempo Golden State Warriors has helped him to run more often and add to his personal highlight reel. 

Ellis often makes the impossible shots look routine. 

Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers

Andre Iguodala is made up of speed, athleticism and pure basketball talent. 

He is one of the leagues top dunkers and an electrifying player who is not afraid to pull out his best stuff on the fast break. 

In addition to his offensive skills, Iguodala is a great defender who often starts his own fast break with a steal on the other end of the court. 

Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets

Deron Williams showed off his ability to run and finish the fast break in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game against the best players the Eastern Conference had to offer. 

Shortly after entering the game, Williams threw down this monster jam. 

Williams is versatile on the break, as he can take it to the hole or find his open teammate for the assist. 

His ability to pull up and hit the jumper adds an added dimension to his game that defenders cannot ignore. 

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade has been powering the fast break in Miami since his arrival in the NBA in 2003. 

Wade's speed, quickness, ball-handling skills and athletic ability all add up to a very good player on the break. 

It is not fair to other teams in the league that the Miami Heat have both Wade and LeBron James as options in the open court. 

Individually, they are hard enough to guard, but together they make an unstoppable duo. 

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

Blake Griffin may not have the most polished game at this point in his young career, but he does know how to dunk. 

Griffin's dunking ability exploded onto the NBA last season, and he regularly showed that he can start, run and finish on the fast break. 

If Griffin is on the court, all his teammates need to do is throw the ball into the air, and Griffin will throw it down for a dunk. 

DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

DeMar DeRozan is a lesser known third-year player for the Toronto Raptors who brings great athleticism and dunking ability to the team. 

DeRozan is known for throwing down some nice dunks in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and for his high-flying finishes on the fast break. 

Having Jose Calderon to find DeRozan on the end of the occasional alley-oop has been a good thing for the Raptors. 

Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd has been one of the best players to run in the open court since getting drafted into the NBA in 1994.

Not only can Kidd take it to the basket and pull up for the transition three, but his repertoire of passes have led to more fast-break assists than can be counted at this point in his career. 

Kidd has always had amazing court vision and can find teammates who do not even know they are ready for the ball. 

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul is one of the best point guards in the league and is settling into his new home in Los Angeles nicely. 

Paul has always been dangerous when he is not in a half-court set, and his speed and passing ability make him a top player. 

In addition to being able to find teammates, Paul can score the ball, and he often hits the improbable shots while being fouled. 

It takes more than a foul to avert the danger Chris Paul can bring on the break.  

Eric Gordon, New Orleans Hornets

Eric Gordon has the opportunity to show off his athleticism to the fans in New Orleans and is quick and dangerous when he gets a chance to get out and run. 

He can play all parts of the fast break and will make his teammates better as he is on the giving and receiving ends of the alley-oop. 

This dunk from the Rookie Challenge at All-Star weekend is one of his best finishes. 

Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

High-flying Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith consistently shows his fans why he is one of the most athletic players in the entire league. 

With his size, athletic ability and long wingspan, Smith gets up high to throw the ball down hard. 

He is usually on the finishing end of the fast break and when he gets the chance to dunk, he does not disappoint. 

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