The Most High-Energy Players in the NBA
Among the four major North American pro sports, the only true test of a player's motor comes on the basketball court. Baseball proceeds at a glacial pace, football separates offense from defense and hockey brings line changes every minute or two. NBA basketball, on the other hand, requires world-class effort on both sides of the ball.
In the run-up to the NBA draft each year, certain players get labeled as "high-motor guys." This is used to connote something about the player, a backhanded compliment of sorts that conveys the intense energy expended during play while suggesting that such all-out effort compensates for mediocrity elsewhere—say, poor decision-making or disappointing shot selection.
Those commended for their energy tend not to be the best players who rate highly on every metric, which is why No. 1 picks like LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been excluded from consideration for this list. But even some stars appear to be embodied clusters of potential energy, always hustling and occasionally kicking into hyperdrive.
This list does not give credit for past contributions, so fading superstars known for their intensity, like Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett, are out of the running, and the same goes for marginalized role players like Chris Andersen or Gerald Wallace.
These 14 ballers, in no particular order, represent those who exert consistently high energy and produce significant results from it.
Patrick Beverley, PG, Houston Rockets
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Patrick Beverley won the Skills Challenge during the 2015 NBA All-Star festivities, so you know the athletic 26-year-old has the versatile skill game to punish opponents in a variety of ways. He's also one of the league's most notorious irritants, both in terms of defense and chippy trash talk.
Beverley's relentless defense resulted in a knee injury for Russell Westbrook during the 2013 playoffs, and Beverley actually received death threats afterward. He's equally unafraid of tussling with the best player in the universe, LeBron James.
But his scrappy, physical, unabashed style of play on both ends is simply Beverley's bread and butter. As he told Royce Young of ESPN.com about receiving flak for his undeniably irritating tactics:
"This is what basketball is—just competition and a little trash talk. ... I embrace it. You hear it from the fans, sure. You see it all on Twitter, yes. I hear it and use it for motivation. Last year at this time, I would get hot-headed and get out of my game. This year, I've learned from the past. I kept my emotions down and kept my team in it.
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At the end of the day, Beverley is that player fans and opponents hate, but you'd love to have him on your team.
Cody Zeller, PF, Charlotte Hornets
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High-energy players are not necessarily known quantities. Cody Zeller did not delight fans of the Charlotte Bobcats when the team spent the No. 4 pick in the 2013 NBA draft on the young man from Indiana. Results from him so far have been varied, but his upside remains very, very high.
If he develops into a credible NBA big, it will be down to his all-out effort and dedicated work ethic. He could become a starter in the frontcourt or end up as a "glue guy," a big to bring off the bench and beat up the opposition a la Tyler Hansbrough.
Per 36 minutes this season, he's averaging a respectable 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals, via Basketball-Reference.com. However, hustle never goes into a slump, and the fledgling forward is not afraid to sacrifice himself for the team.
"Cody Zeller with a full dive over the scorer's table. The P.A. announcer was so impressed he called on Nuggets fans to give an ovation.
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) February 1, 2015"
When even the home team's arena announcer praises a visiting player, you know he's working his butt off—even if the player's nickname and Twitter handle are "The Big Handsome."
Amir Johnson, PF, Toronto Raptors
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Amir Johnson does a little bit of everything, and he's become an unsung hero on a Toronto Raptors team bidding for a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite a crowded and sometimes confused rotation up north, Johnson has made an impact. He ranks in each of the top three four-man lineup combinations and the top two three-man combos, per Basketball-Reference.com.
NBA.com's John Schuhmann outlined the forward's buffet of skills: "Johnson is long, active and durable. He’s smart, knows his role on the floor, sets good screens, and just makes things easier for his teammates."
Also, if you fail to D him up, he'll dunk on your entire defense.
"Amir Johnson dunked on every single Knick at once. https://t.co/9V1JvSQao4
— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) March 1, 2015"
Still, it should be noted that dunk came against the 2014-15 New York Knicks, so the term "defense" technically should not apply.
Wesley Matthews, SG, Portland Trail Blazers
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Wes Matthews has flown under the radar in part because Portland, Oregon is a small market located "way up there" in the Pacific Northwest. However, Matthews does more than just rain down three-pointers (averaging 185 treys over his last two full seasons). He works his tail off to get open for those three-pointers, and he contributes all-out hustle on both ends of the floor.
Matthews makes an impact in multiple areas of the game for his team beyond his hot shooting, whether it be shutting down LeBron James in the Blazers' 101-82 win on Nov. 4 or pushing his team past the Orlando Magic and avoiding a trap-game loss with a 103-92 win on Jan. 10.
Of the latter, coach Terry Stotts referred to several plays Matthews made in the final quarter, telling The Oregonian's Mike Richman: "Those are big momentum plays, big fourth quarter plays. ... When you're able to make plays like that in the fourth quarter, that's a way to secure wins. Those, I thought, turned the tide."
Matthews also has a flair for the crunchiest of crunch times. For proof, look no further than his game-sealing steal in overtime to beat the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their 2014 playoff series.
Tony Allen, SG, Memphis Grizzlies
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As noted by NBA.com's Sekou Smith: "Tony Allen has always been one of my favorite players in terms of his raw energy and all-out effort, particularly on the defensive end."
Yes, there is a reason that he's known as the "Grindfather" down on Beale Street, and he's the leading force behind the Memphis Grizzlies' grit-and-grind identity.
Allen routinely ranks among the league leaders in steals per game, and he probably deserves more than his two nods for NBA All-Defensive first team. Through 50 games in the 2014-15 season, it's no wonder than Allen held an impressive plus-10.4 on/off rating, via Basketball-Reference.com.
Corey Brewer, SF, Houston Rockets
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Corey Brewer landed with the Houston Rockets via trade on Dec. 19. After just one game with the team, he confidently stated that he knew why a contender in a tight Western Conference would target a player such as him, telling the Houston Chronicle's Jenny Dial Creech: "That is why they brought me here. I bring energy. I come off the bench and that’s what I do."
And if you don't believe Brewer's ability to judge himself, just ask Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers:
"Doc Rivers: "Corey Brewer has been amazing for them. He is an energy guy. He creates offense .. He is defense, he does everything.” #Rockets
— Jenny Dial Creech (@jennydialcreech) February 25, 2015"
From the files of the under-the-radar-but-subtly-indispensable, Brewer brings savvy and energy in equal measures on a nightly basis. While adding Brewer to a crowded rotation in Houston did not directly address a need, he brings qualities to the table that most others cannot.
Kenneth Faried, SF, Denver Nuggets
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Kenneth Faried brings a work ethic to the court similar to that of a Depression-era factory worker. He wouldn't mind if the hours were long, the pay was criminally low and the working conditions were unsafe. He'd still squeegee the glass for rebounds and barrel through the lane with abandon.
They call Faried the "Manimal," and he brings an intensity reminiscent of Animal on The Muppet Show, the wild-haired drummer from Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem.
Despite languishing on one of the league's worst franchises, Faried remains an asset coveted by teams around the league. As NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper phrased it: "He generates most of his own offense and impacts games on defense and the boards through nonstop energy. He is going to have a long career because he refuses to get outworked."
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Denver Nuggets
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Any list that rounds up a certain type of player in the NBA should have a sneak peek at a promising up-and-comer. The new crop of rookies for 2014-15 brought a host of athletic young players, but one big man has distinguished himself with toughness and tenacity.
That man is Bosnian center Jusuf Nurkic.
Whether you call him "The Bosnian Beast" or "The Bosnian Bear," it remains clear that the 20-year-old pivot is a force to be reckoned with. Drafted 16th overall in 2014, Nurkic has averaged 18.1 minutes through 45 games, and he's racked up impressive numbers per 36 minutes, via Basketball-Reference.com: 14.2 points, 13.3 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.8 steals.
He also appears to have the sarcastic swagger that can galvanize a young star. Look no further than him out-muscling Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris on a dunk, then punishing his opponent for the flop by planting the ball on Morris' chest while he lay prostrate on the court.
"Happy that we have many years of Jusuf Nurkic ahead of us. https://t.co/cNZc53el67
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) February 26, 2015"
The lesson here: Don't poke The Bosnian Bear.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Milwaukee Bucks
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Giannis Antetokounmpo has earned the nickname "Greek Freak," not just because he's from Greece, but also because his body does freakish things—like continuing to grow after he was drafted.
The Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor he won in early February should be just a sign of things to come for the lanky 20-year-old forward.
As one Western Conference advance scout said of Antetokounmpo's game, via NBA.com's Steve Aschburner: "No matter how long you've been in the game, this guy will do something tonight that will make your jaw drop."
And it's not just occasional flashes of brilliance from the youngster. Teammate O.J. Mayo confirmed that the kid continues to improve steadily: "Every day he's learning. He can do almost anything with the size of his hands and his length. He's picking up little things. He's gained a lot more confidence in his jump shot. He's gained more confidence in his post-up game. His thing is just time, honestly. Next week he'll be a better player than he is today."
The bottom line for the Greek Freak: He applies the same boundless energy he exhibits on the court to improving and preparing his own game for each opponent.
DeMarre Carroll, SF, Atlanta Hawks
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The January Player of the Month was actually five Atlanta Hawks players. The team won all 17 of its games that calendar month, and four starters—Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap and Al Horford—made the All-Star team.
The only starter to win Player of the Month and not make the All-Star team was DeMarre Carroll, known without context to most of the country as the guy who probably was not but may have been a founding member of Run DMC.
Sekou Smith of NBA.com praised Carroll's effort against none other than the "Black Mamba":
"I watched Carroll flat-out harass Kobe Bryant one night last month. He pestered Kobe in ways that few players in this league have attempted to over the years, showing no reverence for Kobe or any insecurities about putting forth that sort of effort against one of the game’s all-time greats. It wasn’t just Kobe and the bright lights, though. He does that all the time, regardless of the opponent. Carroll seems like one of those guys you see at the gym or at a neighborhood court who plays like his hair is on fire all the time and you can’t figure out why. It’s just the way he’s wired.
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Caroll also has a lot of hair, which further increases the plays-like-his-hair's-on-fire compliment.
Draymond Green, PF, Golden State Warriors
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Draymond Green has improved his game by leaps and bounds this season, coinciding with a mighty run of two-way dominance for his Golden State Warriors. With David Lee missing major time this season, Green has made the most of his increased minutes.
While Stephen Curry undoubtedly remains the team's MVP, and perhaps the league's MVP, the yeoman effort of Green has helped transform the Warriors from mere contenders in a tough Western Conference into the top team to beat in the entire league.
Through March 2, Green is averaging nearly a double-double with impressive peripheral stats: 11.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Just how valuable has Green been to the Dubs this season? He's got an on/off rating of plus-14.2, per Basketball-Reference.com.
Jimmy Butler, SF, Chicago Bulls
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As noted by NBA.com's SportVU player tracking, no player runs farther during games than Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler, and only a few guards can even approach the speed that he maintains across major minutes. (He also leads the NBA in minutes per game.)
Butler has made significant strides with his game this season and has blossomed into one of the league's top two-way players.
As ESPN.com's Marc Stein wrote back in December: "What Butler has achieved defies explanation, even after we've had a couple of months to let the transformation sink in. ... He's tireless. The offensive spike means he's now an impact player at both ends. And Butler has been seen taking shifts at every position but center."
Unfortunately, an elbow injury has derailed Butler's breakout campaign, but through 55 games, he raised his shooting percentage from 39.7 to 46.2 percent, also increasing his efficiency from three-point range and the foul line, which bumped his scoring average up more than seven points to 20.2 per game.
Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Russell Westbrook's play has an electric potential, whereby at any given moment he could possibly conjure a spell of athletic brilliance. Though his results are somewhat inconsistent from an efficiency standpoint—see the chorus of "too many shots!"—he's one of the few players in the league who can make opponents look like they're playing at half-speed.
He's the same guy who got "Russell Westbrook INNNNSANE" trending on Twitter for a coast-to-coast jam through the entire Philadelphia 76ers team. His determined drives late in games when a score is needed can give the impression that he's been shot out of a cannon.
With teammate Kevin Durant ailing, Westbrook exploded in the month of February. Aside from winning the meaningless MVP of the All-Star Game, he did things very few other players have ever done, as noted by the ESPN Stats & Information blog:
"[Westbrook] finished the month of February averaging 31.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG and 10.3 APG in 12 games. He’s just the second player in NBA history to average 30 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists per game for a calendar month with at least 10 games played. He joins Oscar Robertson.
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While he's almost too talented to make this list, he was not a No. 1 pick, and the Olympian's superlative athleticism and versatility make him capable of MVP-caliber feats.
Joakim Noah, C, Chicago Bulls
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Joakim Noah balls so hard, he even plays defense from the bench. Equipped with a butt-ugly jump shot and run-of-the-mill athleticism, Noah profiled as a player seemingly unlikely to replicate his college success in the pros.
Instead, Noah had worked himself through intelligence and unparalleled effort into one of the league's best centers. He also claimed Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.
NBA.com blogger Lang Whitaker encapsulated Noah's surprisingly unassailable excellence:
"He’s never been the most skilled player on any team he’s been on, but he’s always been the grittiest, toughest guy. His shooting form looks like someone tied his arms together, and aesthetically he may not always be pleasing to the eye, but after watching him beat Brooklyn in last year’s playoffs while basically playing on one foot, Noah forever earned my respect.
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It should also be noted that in those 2013 playoffs, the Chicago Bulls succeeded in winning Game 7 on the road over the Brooklyn Nets despite playing without Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich.
