Ranking the NBA's 25 Most Versatile Athletes

While all NBA players are athletic, there are some that set themselves apart because of their versatility. It may be the big man who can step back and hit the three, the guard who can pass and shoot, or the defender who can guard multiple positions. 

All these players represent tools their coaches can use in multiple ways because they can do so many different things on the court. 

25. Stephen Jackson

While Stephen Jackson is a fierce competitor, he has fallen down the list as his playing time has decreased dramatically this season. Butting heads with the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff has resulted in Jackson having a limited role this season. 

When Jackson does get on the court he stuffs the stat sheet with points, rebounds, steals and assists. Jackson is a player who has the raw skill to become a solid piece on a contender, but needs to fix his mental game before that will happen.

24. Danilo Gallinari

Gallinari is a 6'10" forward for the Denver Nuggets who can play both forward positions and has made himself into one of the more underrated forwards in the league. 

While Arron Afflalo is the shutdown defender for the Nuggets, Gallinari usually draws the big physical perimeter scorer. He has stepped it up on defense, and has become one of the leaders of the Nuggets.

While Gallinari does not do anything at an elite level, he does everything well, and is a coach's dream because he can be used in a variety of different ways. 

23. Paul Pierce

While Pierce has maintained a high level of performance this year, his age is bound to start showing in the next few years. Even as the Big Three of the Boston Celtics continues to get older and older, Pierce seems to be keeping his versatility as one of the best wing players in the league. 

On defense he is able to guard multiple positions, and Pierce has long been the Celtics' go-to scorer in crunch time. His versatility makes him tough to guard on the perimeter as well as when he back smaller defenders into the post. 

22. Tyreke Evans

The first scoring point guard on this list, Evans took the NBA by storm his rookie year but has cooled off a bit since then. 

Even though he is not a star player, he is still averaging 17.3 points per game as well as 5.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Sacramento Kings this season. 

21. Kevin Love

The best rebounder in the league has proven that he can be both an inside and outside presence in the league. With the addition of Ricky Rubio, Love is getting easy looks for quick scores, but has also found success shooting the long ball.

The three-point champion is averaging 24.5 points per game and has reinvigorated the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise with Rubio. While he needs to step up his defense, Love is going to be an All-Star for years to come because of the versatility he shows on offense. 

20. Deron Williams

The leader of the New Jersey Nets, Deron Williams is a big physical guard who can pass and score with the best guards in the league. While he does not play All-Star-level defense, it is good enough to not be a liability. 

This year Williams has been one of the only bright spots for the Nets, scoring 21.9 points and dishing out 8.3 assists. The entire offense revolves around Williams, so he needs to be a versatile player to adapt to what the defense gives him. 

With Brook Lopez's return from injury, Williams will have an easier time of the offensive end as he won't have to attack on every play. Nonetheless, Williams remains one of the best point guards in the game. 

19. Derrick Rose

With his jump-stop floater becoming one of the hardest shots in the league to block, Rose has become an elite scorer and a lock for the All-Star team.

He has the same combination of Williams, as his ability to score and pass makes him unpredictable on the offensive end. 

18. Dorell Wright

Wright is a coach's dream, as he is big and strong enough to defend the post but also quick enough to play out on the perimeter.

Wright has incredible athleticism as he throws down dunks and hits three-pointers with ease. Wright will never be a superstar in the league but he fills the stat sheet every night and can be used in so many roles that he would be useful to any team.

17. Shane Battier

One of the best defenders in the league, Battier has the ability to guard multiple positions. His basketball IQ is off the charts as he is one of the smartest players in the league. 

Defense alone won't keep you in the league though, and Battier has lived with his scrappy post play but has developed a three-pointer that has lifted the Miami Heat in certain games this year. While he will never be a top option on offense, he is competent enough to stay on the court so his defense can take over. 

16. Paul George

George can play shooting guard and both forward positions, and gives the Pacers a nice option at the 2 position. On offense he can do everything asked of him, including getting to the rim and shooting the three. 

George is a young player, and still has not matured into the player he will eventually become. The length and athleticism he brings to the court make him one of the most versatile shooting guards in the game. 

15. Kyrie Irving

Irving has proven everyone who doubted him wrong this season, and will most likely win the Rookie of the Year award.

Playing in the style of Derrick Rose, Irving has shown his phenomenal ability to drive to the basket, but has also turned into a consistent three-point threat.

His versatility and athleticism have been his greatest traits so far, as he has evolved into a premier player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.  

14. Rudy Gay

Gay is another player who can play at both forward positions and has excelled this year as the main focal point on the offensive end for the Grizzlies. With Zach Randolph having been out for most of the year, Gay has had to step up and become the go-to scorer. 

Arguably one of the biggest All-Star snubs this season, Gay has been a constant force for Memphis and will have to stay on point if they wish to reach the playoffs. 

13. Blake Griffin

The scary thing about Blake Griffin is that it is only his second year playing in the league. He lives on his high-flying dunks but is developing into one of the best power forwards in the league. 

When he spruces up his low-post game and develops the confidence to go along with his jump shot, there is nothing on the court Griffin won't be able to do. Already possessing the motor to play hard the whole game, his defense is rapidly improving and soon he will be one of the more unstoppable players in the NBA. 

12. Dirk Nowitzki

Even though Dirk is off to a slow start this season, he is one of the most versatile players the league has ever seen. Standing at 7'0" tall, Dirk has been one of the most innovative offensive players in the NBA.

With a deadly outside shot and his famous one-knee fadeaway, Dirk has made himself almost un-guardable. 

11. Kobe Bryant

While Kobe Bryant is known as one of the best scorers in NBA history but it is his defense that gets him on this list.

Some classify him as dirty, some classify him as a crafty veteran but no matter your perspective, he gets results with his defense. Named to the NBA All-Defensive team 10 different times in his career, Bryant is one of the toughest, most versatile guards in the league. 

10. Kevin Durant

One of the most prolific scorers in the league, Durant has a vast variety of moves on offense. He has worked on his low-post game and fadeaway jump shot, and has also improved his rebounding and defense. 

One of the most marketable stars in the league, Durant has turned himself from a pure scorer into an all-around star.

9. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is one of the bright young stars of the league and is part of one of the best duos in the league alongside Kevin Durant. 

Westbrook has the skill set of many of the shoot-first point guards in the league with a quick first step and the ability to finish at the rim. He also possesses one of the best pull-up jump shots in the game.

Besides these things, Westbrook is a capable defender as well as an above-average passer when he wants to be. His athleticism makes him one of the most versatile guards in the league.  

8. Lamar Odom

Odom can play positions 1 through 5 on both offense and defense and can be a big asset to a title run. The former Sixth Man of the Year is such a great player coming off the bench because he can really sub in at any position.

The reason he is so low on this list is because of the off year he is having in Dallas. I have no doubts that he will turn it around, but for now he is not having the greatest year, despite his versatility. 

7. Dwyane Wade

Wade has been one of the games' best 2-guards for a long time, but his stats have fallen a little bit thanks to the additions of Chris Bosh and LeBron James to the Miami Heat.

His primary method of scoring is driving to the basket, but a good mid-range jumper makes him a dynamic threat on offense. On defense, he is one of the best defending shooting guards in the league and always comes up with big blocked shots.

6. Chris Paul

For now the debate about who the best point guard in the game is comes down to three players: Deron Williams, Derrick Rose and Chris Paul.

Out of those three, Paul can do the most with the basketball in his hands. One of the best dribblers and passers in the league, Paul has taken a new strategy this year in Lob City. For the first three-and-a-half quarters he will get his teammates involved and play as a distributing point guard. Then, during the final half-quarter, he will look to get his own shot when the Los Angeles Clippers need him to step up big. 

He has been great this year at doing both, and his passing ability is at such a high level that his scoring abilities seem lesser than they actually are. 

5. Shawn Marion

Even at his age, Marion is still one of the best defenders in the league. Able to guard any position, Marion has guarded every marquee player in the league and has one of the best track records against big-time scorers. 

Even though he no longer soars through the air as "The Matrix," Marion still has some bounce left in his offensive game, and is a good enough defender and transition player to still be valuable. 

4. Gerald Wallace

Always a great athlete, Wallace has developed into one of the more underrated scorers in the league. A great rebounder, Wallace has been able to use his big frame to outmuscle small forwards and his quickness to blow past power forwards trying to cover him.

3. Andre Iguodala

The Philadelphia 76ers' strength comes from their ability to score transition points after playing hard defense, and no one embodies this attitude more than Iguodala. Always a good defender, Iguodala used to have to be the first option on offense for Philly. Now, with his improved supporting cast, he can be more of the role player he should have always been.

One of the strongest swingmen in the game, he relies on his athleticism to do most of his offense production in transition. On defense he can guard multiple positions and is the cornerstone of one of the best defensive units in the league. 

2. Josh Smith

Josh Smith truly knows how to fill a stat sheet up. This season his points, rebounds, assists and steals are all at career highs while his blocks are just barely lower. Always a ferocious competitor, Smith has proven to be a force on both offense and defense. 

One of the most athletic players in the league, Smith is a staple on highlight shows where his monster blocks and dunks are among the league's best. 

1. LeBron James

Who else would be No. 1 on this list? LeBron is the league's best player and most versatile as well. He can play any position on the floor, and after working on his post game during the lockout, he can catch the ball from anywhere on the court and be a threat to score. 

His defense has shone with the Miami Heat, as his constant steals and blocks lead to easy fast-break points for him and Dwyane Wade. 

The man who would probably make an excellent NFL tight end can be anywhere on the court on offense or defense and find a way to make an impact.

Now that is versatility.