NBA Powerhouses: The Most Explosive Players in League History

Welcome back to the "Greatest Ever" series as we continue with the ranks of the most explosive players in the NBA History

Explosiveness is an ability that not everyone has, and believe me, it's wonderful to posses. That attribute has given the players a chance to blow past their defenders without using too much effort while doing that which is phenomenal.

Usually the more athletic players have this in their arsenal, and the smart ones know how to use this to be even tougher to contain in 1-on-1 defensive matchups.The league has had players like this since the mid 70s.

Here are the most explosive players to ever play in the NBA..

David Thompson

The great David Thompson was simply one of the finest guards to ever play in the NBA who made a strong impact in the league, and he along side Dr. J. took the game to the rim which is a revolutionary and fine achievement.

Thompson was a very explosive player that was a threat to contain because he could blow past defenders at a high rate his entire career. He possessed laser quick moves to be an efficient scorer, and his 44-inch vertical helped him as well

His nickname was the "SkyWalker," and he was capable of scoring in the blink of an eye. He also was very quick and that helped him to dunk with ease. He made alley oops popular and was a poster machine that was a threat to his opponents.

Julius Erving

Julius Erving (along side David Thompson) took the game to the rim as the truly dominate player of his era, the Doctor was very explosive player

Dr J was a truly wizard with the ball,who in many helped revolutionizing the game of basketball, in general he was an explosive forward during his entire career; he had the finest hang time ever, which made him a tough matchup

He was capable of blowing past his defenders and had huge palms, that helped him in keeping the ball in his possession,as he set the definition of a high flyer.He was quick and determined as he often finished with a powerful plays near the rim 

Erving was a strong with the ball in his hands on the brake as he often denied any challengers of his—at will and master at finishing over 7 footers...he is a strong candidate for this debate.

LeBron James

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 06: Forward LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat dunks against the New Jersey Nets at American Airlines Arena on November 6, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using thi

LeBron James is arguably the best player in the NBA ,as of now, who's got a rarely seen combination of raw skills, power  and athleticism that make him who he is and will most likely end up very high on the all time lists when he's done

That alone speaks a lot for James, who is an explosive forward that takes full advantages that he has and can use that explosiveness to finish with powerful dunks at the rim and dunk at will against anyone who dares to challenge his shot

He also gets on the fast brake so, so easily and when he gains momentum, it's nearly automatically 100 percent points.

Dwyane Wade

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 09: Dwayne Wade #3 of the Miami Heat dunks during a game against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Arena on November 9, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this

The Miami Heat guard,Dwyane Wade is arguable the best player in the NBA, right now, who has marked his entire career by his ability to get to the rim thanks to his insane explosiveness,speed and athleticism that helped him a lot.

He's undersized for a shooting guard because he's 6'4", but he's a physical freak who can match up with any opponent. He's an explosive guard that often beats his opponents at will off the dribble with his phenomenal fast moves.

Wade is also a fantastic finisher, who has no fear and regards for human life at the rim...

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan was as just as explosive player like most of these player were (are), and he wasn't called Air Jordan for nothing.

He was an athletic and fast guard who not only was skilled, but he was also an extremely explosive player that knew how to leave the defense behind him and hang with a pair of big men, while inviting them to his poster party.

The fact that his explosiveness helped him to become an offensive nightmare for everyone in his time, and it helped him to get high field goal percent. In the time when almost all of the guards in the NBA during that period, shot 42 percent from field,he shot nearly 50 percent in his entire career

Now, after you read this part,you may not be surprised by that...

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is now enjoying healing with his Lakers who stand at the near top with their record of 8-1 and is still to many fans of this sport, simply said, the top basketball player that plays in any competition.

Now, he's 32, and he's not as explosive as he was during the younger years, so he transformed his playing style to a great all around player that relies more on his shot, team mates and is smarter than ever with competitiveness like few have had

Bryant once marked the NBA with his speed,athleticism and nice touch.He was an explosive finisher, very good one who could take advantages of pressure defenses, by simply blowing past and leaving them behind while finishing with a good play

Nash just didn't know about that well until Kobe thought him with that monster dunk...

Dominique Wilkins

Back in the day, Dominique Wilkins was one of top players in terms of explosiveness, as he often found ways to rock the rim with his dunks.

He wasn't called The Human Highlight Film as was a guy that dunked on everybody.Wilkins was an explosive player—a guy who beat his opponents from the dribble well and took advantage of his incredible athleticism to be a power house.

When he got the rim, his hang time,power and determination to finish strong inside captulized with arsenal of spectacular dunks over one, two and even more defenders.He was too good inside for most defensive teams..just ask the Boston Celtics from the 80s.

Clyde Drexler

Former great Portland Trail Blazers player Clyde Drexler was one of the best all around guards of all time, who's good in many areas, including explosiveness

The Glide as he was called in his playing days,was an athletic and fast guard who could jump so high in the air which all added nicely to his ability to use his explosiveness and to beat top defensive players with easy.

Guys like Isiah in this picture with their attempts to him were silly and would often enter the poster party when he was active and would often find ways to beat a pair of 7-footers inside or get to the line that brought him points.

Grant Hill

Grant Hill is now a veteran that enjoys producing for the Phoenix Suns in his so far healthy season but his career would have been to a Top 10 player level weren't be for that nasty ankle injury that kept him of the court.

He was an explosive player and a guy who had nice athletic body and explosiveness to finish well inside as he was often a great finisher inside—either with a dunk or lay up with either hand. He had explosive moves to the basket,with a nice crossover...

Elgin Baylor

Now,this is an old school classic.Elgin Baylor was the game's very first high flyer who was capable to take use of his body,strength and athletic ability to finish with variety of shots,lay ups all over the defenders inside.

He was also fearless,as he was the first one who started to dunk over the big men.Just ask Bill Russell,he will tell you that.

Vince Carter

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ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Vince Carter #15 of the Orlando Magic attempts a foul shot during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Amway Arena on November 3, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

Back in his younger days,Vince Carter explosive players just awed people and was a strong dunker who had mad hoops.

Not only he could go over top of the defense,but with his hang time,he was able to finish with easy in there for sure.If you play too close to him,he would blew past you while if you play to far,then he will drain those shots all day

Just ask,Alonzo Mourning about VC's explosiveness

Tracy McGrady

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 03: Tracy McGrady #1 of the Detroit Pistons drives against Jeff Teague #0 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 3, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or

It's a shame that Tracy McGrady's career was plagued by injuries but he was still one of the most prolific offensive players in the NBA History

He was also explosive player with good size (6'8),quickness and athleticism that made him a beast once in the league.Let's not forget the quickest first step that he had for many years.He was passing by defenders with easy

When he gets to the rim,he is capable to finish with either hand or with a powerful jam.

Shawn Kemp

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20 May 1996: Forward Shawn Kemp #40 of the Seattle Supersonics rejects a shot by Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz during Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/Allsport

Shawn Kemp was explosive player who brought success to the Seattle Supersonics in the 90's and many respect.Kemp was much like Amar'e before Amar'e himself,who was an athletic freak,with power and explosive ability to get to the rim.He was just too good in there

The ones who watched him will tell you that

In the Conversation

Scottie Pippen, Adrian Dantley, Oscar Robertson etc

Now, who's according to you the most explosive player of all time?My money is on David Thompson